Claas has added a number of changes to its Lexion 700 range of combine harvesters for 2016. These include new engines, threshing system options, control options and a new lighting package. A key driver for this has been the need to meet the latest round of engine emission rules.

All combines in the series will be powered by Tier 4F-compliant engines. Gone are the V8-Mercedes and Caterpillar engines as four of the five new models will be powered by straight-six Mercedes engines.

The top-of-the-range Lexion 780 and 770 will be powered by what Claas describes as the latest state-of-the-art 15.6 litre Mercedes engines. These have maximum power outputs of 625hp and 585hp respectively, compared with 598hp and 551hp on current models. The Lexion 750 and 740 will be fitted with a 10.7 litre Mercedes engine, while the Lexion 760 gets a 12.5 litre Perkins.

The two smaller models will get the Claas Dynamic Cooling package with a variable fan drive which provides cooling on demand. The system was introduced two years ago on the Lexion 780, 770 and 760.

Cooling package

The cooling package incorporates a charge-air pressure cooler, hydraulic fluid cooler and engine radiator. Unlike other cooling systems, which are vertically mounted, the Dynamic Cooling package lies flat on top of the combine behind the engine. Claas claims the system reduces power needs by around 15hp, and up to 20hp on higher powered models.

All of the 700 series models feature the firm’s APS Hybrid threshing system, which uses a pre-threshing drum in front of a conventional drum to give APS Accelerated Pre-threshing System.

The Claas Roto Plus twin hybrid rotor system replaces conventional straw walkers. On the Claas Lexion 740 to 770, the two Roto Plus rotors are fitted with five rotor concaves; the Lexion 780 has six.

Hydraulic cover plates are incorporated into the first two segments of the concaves to alter the separation area. Claas has developed an optional 4D cleaning system to give extra control over these cover plates. The existing Claas 3D system levels the upper sieves when working across slopes to help maintain output and avoid overloading the downhill side of the sieves. Claas claims the 4D cleaning system takes this a stage further. As the combine angle changes, the cover plates on the uphill side of the rotor automatically open or close. This allows the threshed crop leaving the Roto Plus rotors to be dropped more centrally or in a better position on the sieves/pan for more even loading/separation through the sieve system.

Claas says its 4D system will help reduce losses when working on hillsides, provide increased cleaning capacity and help avoid the returns from being overloaded. If required, the operator can shut off the 4D system using the Cebis terminal, and when fitted to the combine 4D is also fully integrated into Cemos Automatic.

Grain tank capacity is increased on the Lexion 770 and 780 to 12,800 litres and 13,500 litres respectively (about 10t and 11t). Claas claims a discharge rate of 130 litres/second, emptying the tank in less than two minutes.

At the tail-end of the 700 series, both the straw chopper and chaff spreaders feature upgrades to cope with spreading widths of up to 12.3 metres. It is now mechanically driven to maintain a constant speed regardless of the loading.

Claas has a new Automatic Crop Flow control system to monitor and compare the rpm of the engine, APS primary and Roto plus secondary separation systems. The operator sets the preferred slip level using the harvester’s Cebis control system.

If this level is exceeded, the Crop Flow system will alert the operator, while at the same time shutting down the cutter bar drive and feeder-house. The system also engages the cutter bar brake and reduces the harvester’s forward speed to a minimum.

The Vario series combine cutter bar is improved and filler plates are no longer required for changing over to harvesting rape. The knife can be infinitely adjusted over a wide 700mm range. Extra panelling has been added on the right-hand side to help minimise losses and the knife and reel-end positions are transmitted to the combine.

Adding to the Cerio cutter bar range are the new 6.80-metre (C680), 6.20-metre (C620) and 5.60-metre (C560).

Business is good at Claas – Tyrrell

Claas in the UK and Ireland is led by Kildare man Trevor Tyrrell. The business remains family-owned, with additional financial support through investment bonds, he said.

Trevor is positive about the state of Claas: “We are a very stable company. We had a turnover of over €3.8bn in 2013 and 2014. We are on track to do the same in 2015.”

Profits at Claas were down from €295m to €155m from 2013 to 2014. Trevor said this drop was due to Claas making a huge investment in its Russian factory plus a write-down due to the political situation there.

Trevor believes the combined UK and Irish combine harvester market across all brands, has dropped from a 2012 high of over 1,200 units to around 830 units in 2014. It is expected to be a little over 600 in 2015, Trevor said. He forecast an average market of 600 units for the foreseeable future.

Trevor believes the combine harvester market in Ireland is in the region of 60 machines – 40 in the Republic and around 20 in Northern Ireland. Business in Britain is down, largely as a result of the strength of sterling, while Ireland is much more stable, according to Trevor.

The launch of Claas Financial Services in 2010 has been a big help to business, said Trevor. “The industry has recovered – there is general growth and finance is available,” he added.

Claas is positive about the recently announced collaboration with fellow German firm Liebherr to build telescopic loaders. Liebherr has 10 divisions, including tower cranes built in Kerry and three five-star hotels also in Ireland. “The move is a good fit with Claas. Liebherr is not an agricultural business and we are,” said Trevor.

Liebherr builds its telescopic loaders in Austria and builds other equipment such as loader shovels, giving Claas an opportunity to increase its product range.

Claas telescopic loader designs will be transferred to Liebherr in anticipation of the production change in 2018.

Liebherr has an engine division, which has been designing and building engines since 1984. It is likely that the Claas-Liebherr telehandler will have a Liebherr engine. Claas does not build engines, using FPT, John Deere, Perkins and Mercedes engines across its range. A single source for engines such as Liebherr may be attractive.