The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ASABE) has singled out seven CLAAS product innovations for the AE50 Award. "We are very proud that several of our new products and technologies have received the ASABE's seal of approval, including the XERION 12 Series and the TRION 740," said Eric Raby, Senior Vice President Region Americas and Vice President CoA. "Our engineers work tirelessly to make farmers' work even more productive, efficient, simple and sustainable. We want to enable them to be the best in their field, and the seven award-winning CLAAS product innovations ranging from tractors and combine harvesters to balers and forage harvesting machinery epitomise this aim."

The AE50 Awards, presented by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), annually recognise the 50 most innovative new products and product innovations in North America that have significant impact on agricultural, food and biological systems. Among the numerous submissions in 2023, seven CLAAS products were included in the top 50 in recognition of their innovation, significant technical advances and market impact.

These are this year's seven CLAAS winners of the AE50:

XERION 12 Series

For 25 years, CLAAS has been a driving force in the international high-horsepower tractor segment with the evolution of the XERION. After six years of design and development, more than 10,000 hours of testing in five countries and hundreds of customer interviews, the XERION 12 Series launched in 2023 is setting groundbreaking standards, and not just in its performance class. With their low-speed concept 2.0, the two models offer engine outputs of up to 653 hp with maximum torque of up to 3,100 Nm at 1,300 rpm. The 15.6 l Mercedes-Benz six-cylinder engines are approved to run on hydrotreated vegetable oils (HVO) – all new machines are delivered with a full tank of the sustainable fuel made from waste and residual materials. Unique in this tractor class are the CMATIC continuously variable transmission with a top speed of up to 50 km/h (TERRA TRAC: up to 40 km/h), the low-engine speed hydraulics delivering up to 537 l/min, and the newly developed shock-absorbing TERRA TRAC triangular crawler tracks in addition to the unrivalled all-round view from the four-point suspension cab – the largest in the premium tractor segment. Also without equal are the extreme load capacity and precise steering afforded by the continuous frame with two steering axles, the uncompromising four-wheel drive concept with balanced 50:50 weight distribution and the CEMOS operator assistance and process optimisation systems.

CEMOS for Tractors

The CEMOS self-learning operator assistance and process optimisation system is the only one of its kind on the market to optimise the performance of both the tractor and attached implements. It helps the driver to set the correct ballast, tyre pressure and engine-transmission management, significantly improving productivity and efficiency in field work such as tillage. Furthermore, it can optimise implement settings incrementally and thanks to the integrated Terranimo® model, it can assess and display the risk of soil compaction. In DLG Test Report 7096, the work rate increased by up to 16.3 per cent and fuel consumption fell by up to 16.8 percent. Inexperienced drivers in particular can achieve optimal tractive power transmission, efficiency and work quality with this technology – however, CEMOS demonstrably improves these target areas even for experienced drivers

TRION 740

Since 1995, CLAAS has been setting standards for throughput and efficiency on farms with the flagship LEXION combine harvester. The TRION series was launched in 2021, transferring many of the functions and performance parameters of the LEXION to the mid-range combine harvester class. In North America the TRION 740 with the APS HYBRID system and a large rotor complements the extensive LEXION lineup.

Like the LEXION, the TRION is designed for maximum campaign performance and a wide range of harvesting conditions and crops. Based on proven components, it combines productivity, efficiency and reliability with maximum versatility. In addition to the five- and six-walker versions of the TRION 500 and 600 series, the TRION 700 models with the APS HYBRID system and either one or two rotors are also available in several markets. Buyers can choose from numerous different equipment options, including TERRA TRAC crawler track units, auger and VARIO cutterbars as well as CONVIO and CONVIO FLEX drapers, various maize and sunflower pickers, CEMOS operator assistance systems and different types of grain tank, unloading tube or straw and chaff spreaders. CEMIS 1200 is available for automatic steering via GPS, which also enables yield mapping for precision farming.

VARIANT net wrap system

Exactly 40 years ago, CLAAS invented the net wrapping technology for round balers. Thanks to decades of experience and the simplicity of design, the net wrap system used in VARIANT round balers is extremely well-engineered and reliable. To prevent dirt accumulating in this sensitive area, the net roll lies on a driven rubber roller. The net brake resting directly on top of the roll is as reliable as it is simple. The speed of the rubber roller beneath the net roll can be regulated by means of a variator to allow prestretching adjustments to suit the net quality. High-quality net wrap from CLAAS ensure that bales stay in perfect shape, with or without edge covers.

VARIANT 500 SMART DENSITY

VARIANT round balers ensure high bale density in all crops, from wet silage to dry straw. At the same time, they can produce hay bales with a soft core for safe drying. The integrated SMART DENSITY bale pressure management system controls the two tensioning arms independently of each other. As a result, the VARIANT ensures optimum belt tensioning for every crop and guarantees a hard outer shell for minimum nutrient losses and maximum weather resistance. These properties lead to optimal nutrient conservation, fewer forage losses and better feed conversion.

Double roller drive for DISCO 3600 FRC

The double roller drive of the CLAAS DISCO 3600 FRC front mower is a new, innovative drive concept for the RC roller conditioner developed specifically for dense, high-yielding crops. The technical highlight is the solidly constructed scissor gear that runs in an oil bath for maximum reliability, maximum crop throughput and optimum feed processing. A scale on the side of the mower shows the operator the actual size of the roller gap. The spring tension of the rollers can be adjusted independently of the roller gap.

DISCO 9700 RC AUTO SWATHER

The DISCO 9700 RC AUTO SWATHER from CLAAS sets new standards in performance. Special features such as the extremely robust double roller drive for the RC roller conditioner and intelligent swath grouping with 1,100 mm wide swath belts make the wide, large-scale mower ideal for dense yet delicate crops like whole-crop silage, sorghum, winter fodder and alfalfa. The DISCO 9700 RC AUTO SWATHER can easily handle yields of up to 60 t/ha. ACTIVE FLOAT pressure control and non-stop collision protection are part of the standard equipment. The swing arms deliver an infinitely adjustable working width from 8.80 to 9.50 m.

The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ASABE) is an international scientific and educational organisation dedicated to advancing engineering for agricultural, food and biological systems. Entries for the AE50 Awards are submitted from around the world and reviewed by a panel of international experts to determine the 50 most innovative and influential products. Criteria used to determine the winners include increasing efficiency and productivity, as well as improving user safety. The award ceremony was held at the ASABE Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference from 11 to 14 February in Louisville, Kentucky (USA).

Seven CLAAS product innovations receive an AE50 Award in the USA