2010

LEXION – the name is synonymous worldwide with high-performance combine harvesters. The new generation LEXION from CLAAS is a combine harvester that has become much faster, more comfortable, more productive and, at the same time, more economical. A newly designed, ultramodern agricultural machine which consistently utilises the possibilities offered by electronic control and regulation. The enhanced performance of the new machine is realised through a wide variety of efficient cutterbars. For rape seed and maize, for soybeans and wheat - for all threshable crops around the world.

LEXION 750 with TERRA TRAC - its unsurpassed road speed is 40 km/h.

CLAAS has developed two model series for the international agricultural sector. The 700 series LEXION models (770 – 760 – 750 – 740) feature the renowned APS threshing system (pre-acceleration) with residual grain separation via rotors (APS HYBRID). The LEXION 600 series models (670 – 660 – 650 – 640 – 630 – 620) feature APS functionality and residual grain separation via 6 straw walkers or 5 straw walkers (630 and 620 models respectively).

Supremely comfortable cab

The most apparent feature of the machine is the integration of the renowned cab from the XERION and JAGUAR series. It is even more spacious than the previous model and the control centre in the LEXION provides the driver with significantly more freedom of movement and excellent all-round visibility.

An ever pleasant climate, a particularly low noise level and a three-way adjustable steering column ensure first-class working conditions. The seat's air suspension with automatic height control function independently adjusts to the weight of the driver and effectively dampens vibrations by up to 40%. The active climate control feature ensures optimum ventilation of the cab without exposing the driver to harmful draughts.

The fully-fledged passenger seat includes an integrated cooler compartment and its folding backrest can be used as a dining table. The cooler compartment is equipped with a bottle holder and provides a total storage volume of 43 litres.

Operation made extremely EASY

The driver's armrest accommodates an integrated multifunction lever which enables extremely simple operation. This lever facilitates smooth adjustment of the machine's ground speed as well as numerous other functions, such as height adjustment of the front attachments, all steering systems, the extension and retraction of the grain tank unloading spout, the cutterbar stop, operation of the reel and the grain tank unloading system.

Incidentally, EASY is the general term used for all the electronic systems that facilitate living and working with CLAAS machines for the customer: Efficient Agriculture Systems. From machine settings and steering systems, to software solutions for various sectors, everything comes together here. Because it's only if all of the systems are co-ordinated with one another that the driver will be able to obtain the optimum performance from the machine.

Accurate on-board information

Data processing, registration, control and monitoring are tasks performed by the significantly enhanced CEBIS on-board information system. The system displays the current processes at a glance via the colour display and summarises all of the relevant facts and figures clearly.

The following, for example, can be easily identified and adjusted in the CEBIS system: automatic crop setting, the CRUISE PILOT function (automatic speed control), the GPS PILOT, LASER PILOT and AUTO PILOT steering systems, the QUANTIMETER yield and moisture measurement systems, the area meter, the fuel consumption meter, the yield mapping function, the performance display, the order management feature, the service interval display, general onboard diagnostics and the speed monitoring function.

Data transfer in real-time

The TELEMATICS system makes it possible to retrieve all of the important data relating to the machine at any time via the Internet. The operations manager is thereby able to identify and optimise performance and harvest data for the fleet of machinery in real-time. The operational procedures are transparent and all of the data and information relating to driving behaviour can be realised quickly, thus enabling improvement of the entire transport logistics. The documentation process has been simplified and the service data can be transferred quickly to sales partners. An initial targeted remote diagnosis can often be provided in this way.

The assistant is called CEMOS

The electronic machine optimisation system CEMOS is a valuable assistant for harvesting, as the driver always has the correct machine settings to hand in terms of performance, quality, safety and efficiency. Up to 50 parameter settings, from the reel to the straw chopper, have an influence on the outcome of the harvest. The driver needs to keep a constant eye on around a dozen of these values.

CEMOS provides advice on the display with regard to how this data can be constantly maintained in the optimum range. After the driver has confirmed the setting proposals offered by the system, CEMOS automatically conducts the optimised setting of the machine.

Two systems in one for optimum threshing results

The APS HYBRID SYSTEM used in the LEXION has set standards in modern combine harvesting. For it's only CLAAS who combines the use of two systems for threshing in the LEXION 700 series, namely the APS threshing system with pre-acceleration of the crop flow (which can enhance performance by up to 20%) and the ROTO PLUS residual grain separation system.

A particularly effective residual grain separation process is facilitated due to the extraordinary speed of the crop flow between the rotors and concaves and the high degree of centrifugal force. The individual adaptation of the overall process to changing operating conditions is thereby also ensured.

The straw walker technology used in the new LEXION 600 series also operates in a highly effective manner. The APS threshing system ensures that the residual grain separation process only contains around 10% of the grains. Ninety percent is already separated from the straw thanks to the APS system. The total residual grain separation process is conducted over a length of 4,400 mm via five or six straw walkers.

A key factor for achieving high separation efficiency is an intensive agitation of the straw mat - particularly when dealing with wet straw. All LEXION walker machines are therefore equipped with the MULTIFINGER SEPARATOR SYSTEM (MSS). In this system, a drum with tines loosens the straw mat above the straw walkers. The crop is accelerated, the straw mat thinned out and the residual grains separated earlier, thereby ensuring better use of the straw walkers.

Enhanced hydraulics - faster operation

The new constant pressure hydraulic system, which has been introduced into the JAGUAR system, has also been refined and significantly enhanced in terms of its performance. It offers customers even more efficiency with a new more powerful load-sensing pump, a higher working speed and longer maintenance intervals.

Working pressure now stands at 200 bar (where it was previously 180 bar). The oil delivery volume of the working pump is 120 litres per minute. The attachment lifting capacity has been increased by 10 percent in terms of weight and 50 percent in terms of speed. The lateral levelling element is now 200 percent quicker.

Formula 1 on the road

The LEXION only pays for itself when it is used for threshing. Road trips are inefficient and they should be over and done with as quickly as possible. If a world championship of the fastest combine harvesters was held, the LEXION 750 with TERRA TRAC track roller unit would come out on top. Its unsurpassed road speed is 40 km/h.

Thanks to the TERRA TRAC system, the combine harvester is able to move across the field as if on velvet paws. All of the components such as the drive wheel, wheel and support rollers are spring-mounted separately in the running gear – this reduces impacts on the chassis and engine, increases comfort for the driver and generates enhanced cornering stability.

In summary, this results in increased soil protection (66% better than a wheeled machine), improved traction in wet conditions or on a slope, greater stability for slope work, less tractive resistance, less slippage and thus less fuel consumption, as well as increased harvesting performance through faster road trips. The LEXION 750's transport width is 3.30 m. The new TERRA TRAC is a milestone in CLAAS's development of track roller units.

Modern transmission –lower consumption

New transmission concepts, as is the case with the automotive sector, guarantee productivity and low fuel consumption. These are utilised in MONTANA machines and in the LEXION 670 series and above. The engine speed during road operation is regulated here depending on the power requirement and only the fuel that is actually needed is consumed.

Other improvements such as larger fuel tanks for the hybrid machines, larger grain tanks for the walker machines, faster emptying times, and much more besides, enhance the attractiveness of this new generation of combine harvester.

This also relates to the expanded range of tyres. Together with the IF tyres developed exclusively for CLAAS harvesting machines from the Ultraflex family, Michelin now also offers a tyre (CEREXBIB) which is within the legally prescribed transport width, yet offers a contact area and ground pressure that is exhibited by much larger tyres. This tyre is therefore the perfect link between standard tyres and the track roller unit.

Illumination as bright as day

Work can be conducted in the dark with the new LEXION as if it were broad daylight. Xenon headlights and appropriate internal lighting create a safe working environment. This includes up to ten powerful light sources, such as lights for the folding attachments, side lights and stubble lights next to the machine, illumination of the grain tank unloading tube, an automatic rear reversing light, illumination of the cleaning equipment, grain tank and returns, service lights underneath the side flaps and a mobile work light.

Photos for download are available on Photos of CLAAS News 2011.