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The Powerful And Versatile Tractor Owned By President William Ruto

Over the 2023 Easter Holiday, President William Ruto spent time on his farm in Uasin Gishu to harrow his farm and plant maize.

One thing that clearly came out about him is his hand-ons skills in operating the powerful Case Maxxum iH 125 tractor. The president seems to have upgraded as in 2017 he was captured operating a New Holland TT 75 tractor; a machine that has received praise and ridicule in equal measures.

A video doing rounds on social media shows him harrowing his farm using medium speed with the 4wd tractor easily doing the work.

The Case iH 125 was fitted with a 28 disc hydraulic harrow. Basically, harrowing is done to break any lumps that develop after ploughing. It smoothens the soil and helps in aeration.

Ruto proved that he is also leader rather than a manager as he focused on working with his employees even as they embarked on planting using a 4 row Baldan planter.

President Ruto helping workers with filling the planter with seeds and fertiliser. [Photo: Arap Ngeno Gilbert: Facebook]

Ruto said that Kenya can potentially reduce the cost of living by investing in sustainable agriculture.

There is a big debate about the cost of living and reduction of the cost of foods but it boils down to what we do as farmers. As a farmer, I came down here to look at what I can do to make a contribution to food production,” he said.

In this article, we focus on the specification of the Case Maxxum iH 125 tractor 

The Case Maxxum IH 125 tractor is a powerful and versatile machine that has revolutionized the agricultural industry. Introduced in the late 1990s, this tractor quickly gained popularity among farmers due to its outstanding performance and reliability.

One of the standout features of the Case Maxxum IH 125 is its powerful engine. It is equipped with a six-cylinder, 6.7-liter engine that can produce up to 125 horsepower. This means that when ploughing, the tractor can even work with a 6 disc plough (one disc for every 20 Hp).

President Ruto harrowing his farm. [Photo: Lightcast TV Kenya: Facebook]
When working from dawn to dusk, the tractor can plough at least 16 acres of land. Its 4WD enables the tractor to perform efficiently even on wet surfaces.The power is also enough to handle even the toughest tasks on the farm, such as ploughing, rotavation, harrowing and hauling.
Fuel Efficient 
The engine is also frugal with fuel which helps farmers save money on fuel costs.Another impressive feature of the Case Maxxum IH 125 is its transmission. It has a semi-powershift transmission that provides smooth shifting between gears. This allows farmers to operate the tractor at the optimum speed for the task at hand, improving efficiency and reducing fatigue.

Hydraulic systems 

 

The Case Maxxum IH 125 is also equipped with advanced hydraulic systems that enable it to handle heavy loads. It has a hydraulic flow rate of 29 gallons per minute, which is sufficient to operate implements such as plows, seeders, and sprayers. The hydraulic system is also reliable and easy to maintain, which makes it a favorite among farmers.

Cabin and/or canopy

 

Some of the Case Maxxum IH 125 tractors come with a cabin that has a windscreen, and doors. This helps in protecting the operator from dust that could lead to upper respiratory ailments.

It is however important to note that the president’s tractor only has a canopy.

The Case Maxxum IH 125 is also known for its durability and longevity. It is built with high-quality materials and advanced engineering, which ensures that it can withstand the harsh conditions of farming. The tractor is also easy to maintain, which makes it a cost-effective investment for farmers.

Cost of the tractor and implements

The approximate cost of a new Case Maxxum iH tractor is Ksh 8 million while a 28 disc harrow could cost approximately Ksh 600000.
A brand new 4 row Baldan maize planter goes for around  1.2 million shillings.