The Case IH machine with its ancestry line in the Mengale was never all that popular with Irish contractors. Described as a fantastic machine when they were running, these models were dogged with electrical and hydraulic problems.

In fact, the Case IH Mammut was one of the first machines ever to use ECU technology to control the working parameters of the engine, hydraulics and cooling systems. Fixing one of these machines today is probably far easier now than it was in the past.

The six-cylinder Volvo engine pushes out a very respectable 420hp, and it would have been the norm for that era. Coupled to the engine is a three-speed hydrostatic transmission with a top speed of 20km/h, so it is not a very pleasant machine to be behind on the road. The machine has 4wd on 800/R36 tyres on the front. The cab is modern and probably ahead of its time also for that era.

Gobbling the grass up for the challenge will be a five-tine pick-up reel with the iconic cage roller riding over the swath. The machine also features a central pivoting header to travel over the ground contours again this is fairly high spec.

From there, the grass is fed through the 600mm feed rollers and along to the 500mm chopping cylinder. According to David and Kevin Shannon, the machine was bought from a contractor in Clare with the sole intention of raising money for charity at the Combines for Charity Great Grass Event. So the pressure is on for them not to let the side down.

With this in mind, the boys have forensically examined the “charity Case”. Removing the chopping unit, they have fitted all new bearings to the feed rollers. The knives have been passed fit for work; however, the blower paddles have all been replaced to get the grass moving.

The knife sharpening bar has also been replaced, with the existing motors still working fine. The liners on the shoot have been replaced and oil and filters changed. Redmac supplied all the filter components and Finoil supplied all the lubricating oil. All the parts have been supplied by local Case IH dealer Mid Louth Garages.

David is thankful for the support, as over €3,000 has been spent already getting the Mammut ready for grass. It’s not just the inside of the Case that is overhauled. The machine is set for a custom paint job by Arlene Nevin, the details of what or who is going to be on the side of the machine is very much top secret at the moment. The progress of the Charity Case can be followed www.facebook.com/dcharitycase/. David stressed that all help has been greatly appreciated.

Combines 4 Charity Ltd was formed in 2009 by a group of 10 cereal farmers to establish a new Guinness World Record and raise money for charity. The original aim was to have 100 combines cutting 100 acres. However, the event ended up with 184 combines working simultaneously, attracting 20,000 spectators and raising €300,000 for our chosen charities.

In 2010, the company entered into a share-farming agreement on 100 acres. The idea is that they farm the land on a voluntary ???basis with the support of other cereal growers, chemical companies, local grain merchants and neighbours. Monies? raised through farm sales is donated to the chosen charities.

Chair Joe O’Donoghue says the main beneficiaries are: Barnardos, the independent charity that works with vulnerable children and campaigns for the rights of all children; Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre, Drogheda, which provides counselling and support for families affected by cancer; and the National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dun Laoghaire, which is a specialist hospital for spinal injuries.

The Combines 4 Charity team is now focusing on forage harvesters for its next charity fundraiser.

The plan is to pick up 100ac of grass in 10 minutes, and they are looking for anyone with a harvester to get in contact with them. All participating harvester owners are asked to raise a minimum of €500 sponsorship on entry. They will then be entered into a draw to win a new Smyth trailer.

Farmhand has agreed to mow and rake the field for the event, and the selection of harvesters will start their engines, and get 100 acres into the trailers in 10 minutes. The event will be officially launched this Friday March 24 at Kiltale GAA Club. For further details see www.combines4charity.com.