What's the difference between engines?

radman1 · Apr 21, 2008

I recently ordered a Case-IH Maxxum 125 Pro. The engine is a 6.75L (411 cu in.) diesel with electronic high pressure common rail and 4 valves/cylinder. This is a 125 hp tractor. The same sized 6 cylinder motor, high presure common rail injection and 4 valves/cylinder is used in the next size 140 Pro model and used in the next bigger Puma series of tractors. The puma series has hp ranging from 135-180. I looked up the part numbers for my tractor compared to a puma series. The turbo, ECU, and fuel pump are all the same number. The injector number changes with the puma series. Is it just the programming in the ECU and a change in injectors all that is need to go from 125 hp to 180 hp? (I realize that the transmission and frame are heavier in the Puma series.)

Can I assume that the motor in the Maxuum 125 Pro will have a relatively easy life compare to a 180 hp Puma model?

Is just reprogramming the ECU required to make my Maxuum 125 Pro into the Maxuum 140 Pro? (The frame, lift and transmissions are the same.)

RickB · Apr 21, 2008

I work with the NH side of the family, and while the decline of ag in my part of the northeast has decimated the market for that size of ag tractor sold by the dealership, I recently attended service school in New Holland for electrical and hydraulics training on NH T7000 series tractors, which are the same as the long-frame Puma's. We did a brief fly-by of the engine, mostly on the common-rail system and the electronics package that controls it. It is a safe bet to assume a set of injectors and re-flash will set the hp and torque characteristics anywhere within the range of either long-frame Puma's or the short frame Puma's. I see different pistons betwen the T6000 New Hollands and T7000 New Hollands. I didn't check CaseIH parts. Problem is, even a dealer tech with all the correct hard- and software must obtain an individual password from CNH service support in order to reprogram any CNH Engine Control Unit. Obtaining that password involves providing a chassis serial number and other info specifically tying that download to a specific unit. I guess what I am trying to say is what you are asking is possible so far as I can tell, but in order to uprate the HP on a CNH 6.7L common rail engine, dealer personnel will have to commit fraud. I can upgrade software in transmission controllers all day long, but there is absolutely no way I could reprogram a common-rail ECU (even with the same software it left the factory with) without someone in CNH service support OK'ing it. Send your thank you letter to the EPA, Washington, D.C.

radman1 · Apr 21, 2008

Thanks for the info. I suspected it would be like you said, tied to a serial number and authorization. I still don't like the concept that the only difference sometimes between 30-40hp difference in the same series is a reprograming of the ECU and pay another 10-15K for higher hp tractor. At least in the old days, you might get different injectors, pumps or turbo with increasing hp.

RickB · Apr 21, 2008

radman1 said:
Thanks for the info. I suspected it would be like you said, tied to a serial number and authorization. I still don't like the concept that the only difference sometimes between 30-40hp difference in the same series is a reprograming of the ECU and pay another 10-15K for higher hp tractor. At least in the old days, you might get different injectors, pumps or turbo with increasing hp.

I don't much like it either. It's tough to try to justify the current state of the industry to an informed customer.