A new trailer braking system for Case-IH’s Puma CVX range claims to prevent trailers, tankers and other heavy trailed equipment from jack-knifing on roads or slippery fields.

The kit can be specified as an option on Puma 185, 200, 220 and 240 CVX models and will be rolled out to other Case tractors in the future.

It works by monitoring driving conditions and, when the operator steps off the throttle, automatically stabilises the tractor using the trailer brakes.

Whenever the driver initiates a speed decrease, either via the Multicontroller joystick or by releasing the drive pedal, the system estimates the deceleration force required.

It then adjusts the braking force applied with a measurement of transmission input torque, based on the flywheel torque sensor and ECU data.

See also: Video: How to fit trailer air brakes

This information is used to calculate and apply the pressure needed to balance the deceleration force on the tractor with the momentum exerted by the trailer.

Aligning the deceleration of the trailer with that of the tractor makes sure that they both remain stable and avoids any accidents on slippery or sloped ground.

To avoid overheating and fading of the brakes, the system applies pulsated braking power and adds a short break after five seconds.

Initially, the kit will cost £350 on new Puma 185 to 240 CVX models equipped with pneumatic trailer brakes and can be retrofitted on some older machines. 

It will also be rolled out to other Case Puma, Maxxum and Optum tractors equipped with the stepless CVX transmission from the beginning of 2019.