Case IH Stars & Stripes Magnum Debut

Case IH celebrated significant milestones in the company's history of innovation, manufacturing and productivity with the unveiling of a "Stars & Stripes" Magnum limited edition tractor. The "reveal," conducted at 10 a.m. today, was held at the company's Farm Progress Show exhibit in Boone, Iowa.

"The 'Stars & Stripes' Magnum is a specially painted and badged Case IH Magnum 180 tractor created for three significant reasons," says John Koetz, senior director of marketing for Case IH North America.

"First, we are celebrating 165 years of continuous agricultural equipment production in Racine, Wis. Starting in 1844, from early J.I. Case threshers and steam engines through today's Case IH Magnum Series tractors, we've always delivered top quality from the excellent manufacturing and production team in Racine. And, very important to our producers, from a facility located in the largest market for this class of tractors.

"Secondly, 2009 will also mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Cyrus McCormick. His Virginia Reaper introduced mechanization into grain harvest, helping kick off agriculture's 'Industrial Revolution.' We take great pride in his role in our International Harvester heritage.

"Finally, we're extending our flagship Case IH Magnum Series with these new mid-range models and produce this special edition to commemorate the launch. With more than 100,000 Magnum tractors produced over 20 years, a celebration of the productivity of this row-crop, workhorse tractor was in order. We're looking forward to these new models rolling out of our Racine Manufacturing Operations early in 2009," Koetz says.

The "Stars & Stripes" Magnum is making select appearances at U.S. farm shows during 2008 and 2009. It will be joined in these appearances by another commemorative tractor, the 1570 "Spirit of 76 Agri-King" tractor, which toured U.S. farm shows during the U.S. bicentennial year of 1976.

"Case IH has a heritage of providing productive horsepower for agriculture, and the Spirit of 76, also produced in Racine, is a reminder of our contributions," Koetz says. And like the "Spirit of 76" tractor, Case IH will produce a limited edition production of "Starts & Stripes" Magnum tractors for retail through our North America dealers.