1. Products
  2. Combines
  3. LEXION 8900-7400
  4. ...
  5. LEXION Testimonials
Contact

Efficiency.

Cost-effectiveness.

Output remains the decisive factor – as long as it is used efficiently.

With harvest timeframes becoming ever tighter, the increased output of the new generation of combine harvesters is set to continue to play an important role.

For farmers, the priority is to achieve an optimal harvest in which they avoid losses and ensure crop quality. For contractors, the performance of their machines has an additional role to play in securing customer loyalty.

But whether a machine is used by contractors or farmers, the principal consideration is that it should pay its way. Along with performance, it is the machine's cost-effectiveness that really counts – and this stands or falls with the fuel consumption during the harvest. A 10% increase in output accompanied by a 10% reduction in fuel consumption represents a huge efficiency boost. And diesel prices are playing an increasingly important role in these calculations.

The CLAAS solution. Improve efficiency.

 

More output

+25 %
APS SYNFLOW WALKER *

+10 %
APS SYNFLOW HYBRID *

 

* in comparison with the predecessor model

find out more

engine output

LEXION 6900 – 5300
373 KW / 507 hp – 230 KW – 313 hp

LEXION 8900 – 7400
581 KW / 790 hp – 300 KW / 408 hp

Fuel consumption reduced by up to 10%

The new LEXION sees CLAAS extend the DYNAMIC POWER system to its combine harvester range. This is an engine output control system in which different characteristic curves are applied on the basis of the load and the output required at any given moment. In this way, the machine always switches automatically to the characteristic curve which allows the engine to work most effectively under the prevailing conditions. A machine with DYNAMIC POWER has been proven to consume 10% less fuel than an unequipped machine under identical conditions.

find out more

Throughput.

Almost 44 tonnes per hour with 6 straw walkers.

A new LEXION straw walker machine allows you to increase throughput by 25% compared with the predecessor model. And it delivers top-quality straw at the same time. The LEXION 6900 demonstrated the impressive performance of the new overall concept during the "profi" magazine record event on the island of Rügen; another star of this event was the machine with the innovative APS SYNFLOW WALKER threshing unit which exceeded all expectations:

  • 34.5 hectares of winter wheat, overall crop yield: 349.8 t
  • Throughput 43.7 t/h – despite 20% residual moisture at the start of harvesting
  • Diesel consumption 1.55 l/t, 15.7 l/ha
  • Loss rate 0.8% – 1%

Straw quality.

The ability to produce high-quality straw is another requirement for the perfect combine harvester.
The CLAAS solution: a straight-line crop flow with reduced mechanical loads.

In the new threshing system, the straw takes the shortest path through the threshing unit. The transitions within the unit are relatively flat and the crop is able to run through the combine harvester without any unnecessary changes in speed or direction. The CLAAS engineers have made a point of always feeding the straw under the drums.

find out more

 

Pre-accelerator drum

CLAAS had already recognised at the beginning of the 1990s that the conventional threshing system had reached its limits. The physical constraints were such that the only way to increase the threshing output was to use an additional drum to pre-accelerate the crop.

Threshing drum

The threshing drum of the new LEXION has a diameter of 755 mm. This represents a 26% increase and makes for a straighter crop flow by enabling flatter transitions between the drums.

Separator drum

There is nothing unusual about equipping straw walker machines with separator drums. However, following intensive trials, CLAAS decided to go its own way with the four drums of the threshing unit always running synchronously. This creates a much more even crop flow which protects the straw.

CLAAS APS SYNFLOW WALKER threshing unit

The more long straw there is, the higher the quality.

Results of straw quality measurement.

LEXION 6800 with high proportion of long straw.



4%

greater quantity of usable straw
compared with Competitor 1

11%

greater quantity of usable straw
compared with Competitor 2

 

Measurement methods.

Same test conditions for all machines, conducted in cooperation with Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences.

  • An identical stubble height of 10 cm is maintained
  • The throughput is always the same
  • The machines switch between tracks to standardise variations in the crop stand and soil conditions for all candidates
  • The chaff is distributed across the entire working width and is therefore not considered in the weight measurement

Comparability.

Determining the quantity of usable straw.

For each machine, the same swath length within the test area was measured and baled with the round baler. The weights of all the bales per machine and swath were determined on the spot in the field by means of the mobile weighing equipment.

 

Visual comparison.

45 g of straw from swath placed on black surface for visual assessment. Cascade sieve used to separate the fractions.

LEXION 6800

High (53%) proportion of long straw (straw fibres longer than 25 mm).

Competitor 1

Increased proportion of short straw, the proportion of long straw is 47%.

Competitor 2

High proportion of short straw and chaff with only 44% long straw.

 
Precision

Precision.

Straw management.

Precise spreading of chopped straw plays a central role in arable farming.

Many studies refer to the important role played by optimal straw management. This is first and foremost a question of how the chopped straw is spread by the combine harvester. It should chop the straw as short as possible and spread it evenly, together with the chaff, across the full working width of the cutterbar. Errors made during chopped straw spreading are difficult to correct during subsequent tillage.

The fact that the moisture content of the straw changes continuously in the course of a day's threshing is an additional complicating factor. It is difficult for the operator to recognise this and adjust the straw chopper accordingly.

The CLAAS solution.

The new CEMOS AUTO CHOPPING in the LEXION continuously detects changes in the condition of the straw and automatically adjusts the positions of the shear bar and rasp bar in the straw chopper. As a result, the operator can be certain that the straw is always being spread optimally, whatever its condition may be.

Automatic discharge direction adjustment

The chopped straw and chaff are spread across the entire working width. Signals from two sensors are used to automatically adjust the discharge direction in accordance with the characteristics of the terrain and to maintain consistent spreading, even when operating on a slope or in a crosswind.

CEMOS AUTO CHOPPING

A sensor in the feeder housing measures the straw moisture. The thickness of the crop flow in the feeder housing serves as another input signal for the automatic system. On the basis of these data, the straw chopper settings are adjusted continuously in accordance with the condition of the straw. A more aggressive chopping action will then be applied when operating in a field area with a higher level of straw moisture.

find out more

Automatic documentation of job data.

Selective integration with other digital systems.

In this new era of digitalisation, combine harvesters also generate a large volume of data during harvesting.

It is the subsequent processing that adds value to this data. As well as allowing all the work performed to be documented and analysed digitally, it can be used to optimise future measures. In this way, it creates additional scope for improving the productivity of entire process chains.

Combine harvesters from CLAAS are digitally connected with external systems by means of TELEMATICS. This provides for three levels of data usage.

TELEMATICS is also the basis of other applications, such as FLEET VIEW. This connects the combine harvester with the transport vehicles in its harvesting chain. In this way, it is possible to reduce combine harvester idle times as well as the workload of the drivers of the grain transport vehicles.

find out more

 

Level 1

Anonymised data about machine condition

Anonymised machine data

  • The performance profiles are a source of new insights for the design of the next generation of machines

Level 2

Service-relevant data, for the workshop

Service-relevant machine data

  • Remote Service detects malfunctions and transmits information to the service partner
  • Service partners can offer their customers a proactive service on request
  • Reduction of downtime as well as repair and maintenance costs

Level 3

All the data for an agricultural business

Personalised data

  • Only the highest level allows all the work data, tracks and yield data for a combine harvester to be called up - and this can only be done by the farmer or contractor
  • Basis for documentation, analysis and planning in a farm management application, such as 365FarmNet
  • includes yield data as the basis for application maps for sowing and fertilising specific areas

Grain quality.

Three combine harvesters. One field. A comparison.

How well does the new LEXION cope with harvesting sensitive premium crops such as soybeans for seed? Discover how the new LEXION models showed that they were more than up to the task in a side-by-side comparison.

Side by side.

In order to test the grain quality, CLAAS commissioned an independent laboratory to analyse grain samples from a head-to-head comparison of a line-up of class 8 machines: the CLAAS LEXION 8600, John Deere S780 and Case IH 8250.

The combine harvesters were used on the same day, under the same weather and field conditions in the same field. Several grain samples of each variety were taken from each combine harvester, packed and sent to the Illinois Crop Improvement Association, Inc. for analysis of broken grains, cracks and germination capacity.

 

Grain quality results.

Broken grains

The advantage of the LEXION is that all the components of the combine harvester can be adjusted independently of each other in order to reduce the proportion of broken grains without increasing grain losses.

Damaged seed coats

Proportion of beans with damage to the seed coat - the soak test was used to calculate the percentage of damaged seed coats in a given number of seeds. For all the combine harvesters, the proportion of damaged seed coats averaged between 4% and 5.3% and was therefore within the permissible range.

Germination ability

A lower proportion of damaged seed coats leads to greater germination ability, a vitally important factor where seed production is concerned. All the samples from the LEXION, John Deere and Case IH machines had a germination ability of 98% or better with the CLAAS combine harvester's samples having the highest germination ability of all three.

 

Increase your productivity without compromising on grain quality.

While the three different machines produced comparable results with regard to broken and cracked grains, the LEXION 8600 did in fact produce fewer damaged seed coats and a higher degree of germination ability than the competitor machines, as demonstrated by the spot tests conducted by the Illinois Crop Improvement Association. The LEXION was capable of supplying high-quality grain samples while simultaneously keeping grain losses below one percent, thereby proving that it is not necessary to forego performance in order to obtain first-class grain quality.

Efficiency
Convenience

Comfort.

Operator assistance.

The importance of supporting the performance of the machine operator has not been acknowledged sufficiently in the past.

Operators are the key to the performance of every harvesting machine. Their experience, skill and ability determine the success of every mission. But technology with greater performance potential also makes greater demands on those operating it. In a modern combine harvester, up to 50 different settings have to be managed correctly in order for the machine to deliver optimum performance. What's more, up to 12 performance variables have to be monitored and evaluated – ideally all at the same time. This is a task which most people would be unable to manage throughout a long working day. And this is where intelligent operator assistance systems come in. They can ensure that a modern combine harvester can be used optimally to its full performance potential.

The CLAAS solution. Intelligent systems.

CLAAS combine harvesters offer operators numerous assistants for their daily work. The systems can be selected and combined in accordance with the usage profile, customer requirements and workload. Starting with the steering, it is possible to choose between a satellite-based automatic system and an optical one. In the case of the new LEXION, the optical steering system features the new FIELD SCANNER. This provides the operator with a simple solution to enable the machine to follow the crop edge precisely.

 

CRUISE PILOT

  • Increases throughput by up to 10%
  • Measures the crop volume in the feeder housing, the engine load and the losses
  • Is able to control the combine harvester automatically up to the maximum ground speed under all conditions

CEMOS AUTOMATIC

  • Relieves the operator of the task of selecting the correct configuration parameters
  • Increases throughput by an additional 10%
  • High-precision sensors detect the current status continuously
  • Artificial intelligence applies the optimal settings
  • The threshing, separation, and cleaning functions as well as the straw chopper are constantly maintained at optimum performance
find out more

CEMOS DIALOG

  • Helps identify the correct settings for all components
  • A menu-driven dialogue helps the operator adjust the right things in the right way
  • Provides guidance through all problem scenarios throughout the campaign
  • Trains operator for future missions by means of guided optimisation of all components

Crop type selectable from the cab.

Extreme weather conditions are becoming more common.

The extent to which agriculture depends on weather and climate conditions has been highlighted by phenomena such as the freak weather events which Germany has seen over the last three years. First there were the exceptionally heavy rains in 2017: in many regions, the crops in the fields were ready for harvesting, but the rain consigned the combines to an extended stay in their sheds. Even after the delayed start of the harvest, the changeable weather interrupted harvesting operations repeatedly. Under these circumstances, combine harvester performance was the key to minimising the resulting yield losses, lower quality and drying costs. At the same time, lodged crops and secondary tillers became particular challenges. The practicability of the fields was also seriously compromised by the recurrent rainfall.

It was a completely different story in summer 2018, which went down in climate history as one of the longest hot spells on record as well as one of the most severe droughts. And then, in 2019, stable anticyclones again resulted in extended periods of extremely high temperatures and drought.

Obviously, it is impossible to predict what the weather at harvest time will be like in the years ahead. However, it is probable that they will continue to be marked both by heat waves and periods of prolonged rainfall. As far as tomorrow's combine harvesters are concerned, this means that they must be able to bring their full performance potential to bear, even if weather conditions, be they wet or dry, are difficult.

 

The CLAAS solution. Well-equipped for drought conditions, too.

The new LEXION is also well-equipped for extremely dry harvesting conditions. The long friction paths and large threshing concave areas in the APS SYNFLOW threshing unit make short work of grains which are more difficult to detach from the spikelet or to separate from their awns or husks. Preconcave flaps, a large main concave area and high crop speeds make for intensive, yet gentle threshing. What's more, a pivoting concave bar and a third main concave flap provide the LEXION operator with two more tools for even greater flexibility in configuring the machine to handle crops which are particularly difficult to thresh.

The CLAAS solution. Well-equipped for wet conditions, too.

To help meet the challenge of bringing the harvest in on time in particularly wet years, the new LEXION hybrid and straw walker models are able to deliver 10% and 25% higher performance respectively. Larger rotors in the hybrid models and the combination of the acceleration and pre-separation functions in the straw walker machines make for high separation performance and low losses. In order to keep soil compaction to a minimum, the machines can be equipped with all-wheel drive, large tyres – on the rear axle too – or TERRA TRAC crawler track units.

In order to adjust the friction path in the threshing and separation area flexibly to cope with wet conditions, the operator can engage the preconcave flap and the threshing concave flap manually from outside. With hydraulic adjustment, the threshing concave flap can be operated from the cab and is integrated in CEMOS AUTO THRESHING.

find out more
Precision
Reliability

Reliability.

Testing and development.

Reliability safeguards the productivity of the combine harvester.

Reliability is a particularly important factor for today's harvesting machines. Reliability generally means that the probability that faults will occur is low. Where combine harvesters are concerned, even small faults can have dramatic consequences if they result in downtime. It is not just a question of the machine being immobilised but possibly also the entire field handling team and processing equipment too.

Furthermore, the financial impact is not limited to the machine-related costs. The threat to the harvest revenue of several thousand euros is far more significant. There is a tendency for such losses to be exacerbated as the capacity of harvesting technology becomes ever greater. In a scenario where two combine harvesters have been replaced by a single machine with double the threshing capacity, the failure of that machine will double the costs incurred.

The importance of machine reliability is compounded yet further by the fact that weather conditions are tending to make harvesting windows narrower rather than wider. In the future, therefore, it will be more critical than ever for a combine harvester to operate reliably from the first day of harvesting to the last.

The CLAAS solution. Operating reliability designed in right from the start.


Operating reliability process

Technology

New drive concept with more direct power transmission, hydraulically actuated dry clutches, reinforced variators, central lubrication system, standardised belt tensioners and more uniform cooling.

Test scenario

Unique test scenario with many preproduction models. A new testing and proving ground allows machines and components to be tested intensively while still in the development phase.

Remote diagnostics

Remote Service detects malfunctions and (with your authorisation) automatically transmits all the relevant information to your service partner.

Service

The CLAAS service network achieves top scores in customer surveys.

Thorough testing while still at the development stage.

In 2019, CLAAS inaugurated a new testing and proving ground in Harsewinkel. The state-of-the-art facilities help the engineers to identify weak points at an early stage while new machines are still in development.


Maximum reliability designed in right from the start.

The new LEXION is still young, yet can already look back on a wealth of experience in the field. Never before has a new CLAAS combine harvester undergone such intensive and detailed international testing. The new LEXION stands for operating reliability, availability and cost-effectiveness right from the start. Its operating reliability is built upon several pillars:

  • Tested reliability: 160 pre-production models were tested around the world under all significant conditions
  • Optimised drive concept: more direct power transmission, hydraulically actuated dry clutches, standardised belt tensioners
  • Automatic remote diagnostics and maintenance planning: Remote Service detects malfunctions and (with your authorisation) automatically transmits all the relevant information to your service partner
  • The best service: the CLAAS service network achieves top scores in customer surveys

Value retention.

The retention of the combine harvester's value represents an important contribution to the profitability of threshable crop cultivation.

It is principally in the context of low to medium annual usage levels (hectares per year) that depreciation has a major influence on combine harvester fixed costs – an effect which is reinforced by the current low interest rates.

A high residual value of a machine is advantageous in order to keep operating costs down to a low level. The proportion of the total per-hectare operating cost which is accounted for by fixed costs amounts to as much as a third of the total cost, depending on the degree of usage and the efficiency of the machine.

Convenience