Product Description
Case IH (and its predecessor J.I. Case and International Harvester combine lines) built self-propelled combine harvesters used across the North American grain belt from the late 1950s through the mid-1980s. According to publicly filed asbestos litigation records, key drive belts, header-drive slip clutches, and internal wet-brake bands on these combines allegedly incorporated chrysotile asbestos as fabric reinforcement or friction filler. Combines are heavy-duty seasonal machines that receive intensive pre-harvest servicing, and belts and friction components were replaced frequently during long ownership runs.
Workers Exposed
Farmers who did their own combine maintenance allegedly disturbed friction material and cut/ground fabric belts during pre-harvest rebuilds. Custom-harvester crews running Great Plains wheat runs performed constant field repairs, allegedly releasing chrysotile from failed belts and worn clutches. Farm-equipment mechanics at dealer service departments handled combine belt and friction work as a routine seasonal job, and agricultural cooperative shop workers maintained fleet combines with similar exposure pathways.