Case International released the Magnum range of high horsepower tractors in the late 80’s with great success.

Impressively, a second range of medium horsepower tractors hit the market soon afterwards with the introduction of the Maxxum series in 1990.

While the Magnums were produced in Racine, Wisconsin, the smaller Maxxums were manufactured at the Neuss plant in Germany.

A midrange tractor, which was newly designed from the ground up, the Maxxums replaced the dated International 856, 956, and 1056 tractors and offered the operator the power for heavy implements twinned with versatility and manoeuvrability around the yard.

Furthermore, a new level of technology was introduced on these tractors, which was more sophisticated than their larger Magnum siblings.

The line-up consisted of the 5120, 5130, 5140, and the range-topping 5150 which joined in 1993. While most Maxxums are powered by a Cummins six-cylinder turbocharged 5.9l engine, the 5120 is the only model fitted with the four-cylinder turbo Cummins B4TA-390, producing 90hp.

A gutsy tractor, the 5120 shares the same oil flow of 72l/min and lift capacity of over five tons as its larger siblings.

The tractor is very agile thanks to its shorter wheelbase, due to its four-cylinder format weighing in at 4.6tons.

Two choices of transmissions were available, a standard linkage operated Synchroshift, and PowerShift. 

The 16F/12R Powershift on early models is operated by pushing a lever through the one to four, ranges, however this was changed to a swifter thumbswitch located on the main gear lever.

Over a production run of seven years, the tractor received two updates, Plus models were introduced in 1994, with the later versions badged as Pro models.

Most notably, early models had no neutral position in the shuttle requiring the operator to put the main gear ever in neutral, an engineering oversight which was duly rectified on Plus models.

Clad in bright grey over black and not the quietest, the Maxxums cab is pleasant to work, with excellent steering console adjustment including digital and analogue dashbard options.

The side console follows the curve of the mudguards which places the gearstick, hand throttle, spool valve, and PTO levers at a comfortable angle for the operator.

Regardless of cab ergonomics, Maxxums are infamous for their ‘road bounce’ which compromises comfort.

For ease of servicing the bonnet is hinged at the nose cone and swings up.

Interestingly, the Maxxum tractors were the last range of tractors manufactured at the Neuss factory, which was previously owed by International Harvester.

A Maxum 5150 was the last tractor to roll off the production line in 1997 with manufacturing moved to Doncaster, UK for the next range of tractors, the MX.

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