CLAAS HarvesTimes Winter 2020

HarvesTimes The journal for agricultural professionals

11.20

CLAAS news Product news Customer stories

The JAGUAR 900 – Simply the best

CEBIS TOUCHSCREEN

SWING OPEN FEED ROLLERS

New 12.2" CEBIS touchscreen & leather armrest for easy machine control and maximum operator comfort.

• Quick & easy access to the chopping cylinder and shear bar

• Hydraulic double acting cylinders for rear feed roller compression

• Chopping cylinder concave moves with the shear bar

• Reduced maintenance time.

• Automatic pressure control for different crops and chop lengths

• Uniform concave gap throughout blade wear life

• Uniform crop compression regardless of roller opening for ultimate chop quality and consistency

• Increased crop flow efficiency

HYDRAULIC FEED ROLLER

CHOPPING CYLINDER HOUSING

• Reduced service and maintenance.

The CLAAS JAGUAR forage harvester has been market leading since 1973 and over 40,000 machines have been produced to date.

With more than 40 years of experience the JAGUAR is in a field of its own. Quality is not expensive, its priceless.

For more information contact your CLAAS dealer or visit: claas.co.uk/products/forage-harvesters/jaguar990-930

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Contents CLAAS and Dealer News 4

CLAAS UK headquarters officially opened................................ 4-5 Senior UK management appointments........................................ 6

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Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser appointed Chairwoman.................... 7 Christmas Hill Farm NHS LEXION................................................ 7 Expansion in worldwide manufacturing capacity.......................... 8 XERION takes on the Nürburgring............................................... 9

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Apprentice Graduations............................................................. 10

Stay connected with CLAAS UK

30 new apprentices................................................................... 11 New MANNS Norfolk depot opens............................................ 12 New premises for GORDONS at Whauphill................................ 12 New appointment for SHARNFORD TRACTORS....................... 12

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Product & Customer News Pre-series LEXION 5000/6000.......................................... 14-17 LEXION 6700 pre-series – Robert Hales, East Sussex.......... 18-19 LEXION 8900 pre-series catch-up – Richard Ledger, Kent.... 20-21 LEXION 7000/8000 in-field reports...................................... 22-26

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LEXION 8900 – Tom Dye, Albanwise, Norfolk....................... 22-23 LEXION 7700 – Frazer Jolly, Saltby Estate, Leicestershire....................................................................... 24-25 LEXION 7400 – Nick Morton, Horncastle, Lincolnshire.............. 27 TUCANO HYBRID TUCANO 570/580 – John Langmead, Ford Farms, West Sussex............................................................................. 28

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Focus on TUCANO HYBRID threshing system....................... 29 Stage V for mid-range TORION............................................. 30

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TORION 1812 – Hannah Arnold, Spring Farm Partnership, Norfolk...................................................................................... 31 Telescopic TORION 738.................................................... 32-33 TORION 639 – Edward Dennis, Cornwall.............................. 34-35 DISCO 100/10......................................................................... 36

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CEMIS 700 control terminal...................................................... 38 TELEMATICS Easy automatic documentation............................ 39 Narrow transport width ORBIS 900...................................... 40 JAGUAR 900 – Drew Watson & Co. Agri Services, Dumfriesshire............................................................................ 41

Instagram www.instagram.com/claas_uk

Cornering front linkage.............................................................. 42

YouTube

AXION 800/900 stage V updates............................................. 43

http://bit.ly/CUK_youtube

CARGOS update...................................................................... 42 43

www.facebook.com/ CLAAS.UnitedKingdom

DISCO 28 – Willie West, Dumfries............................................. 37 Parts support/PartsDoc............................................................. 38

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Facebook

AXION 960 – Mike Wilton, Stody Estate, Norfolk.................. 44-45 ARION 650 CIS+ – Richard Evett, Wenallt, Carmarthen............. 46 ARION 460 PANORAMIC – Kevin Heywood, Cornwall............... 47 Contact us on: 01284 763100 Email: cuk.reception@CLAAS.com or visit claas.co.uk facebook.com/CLAAS.UnitedKingdom

Website claas.co.uk

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CLAAS NEWS

Striking new CLAAS UK hea Drivers on the A14 in Suffolk driving past Saxham can’t fail to notice the impressive new CLAAS UK and MANNS headquarters, which was officially opened by Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser, Chairwoman of Supervisory Board and Chairwoman of Shareholders’ Committee CLAAS KGaA mbH on the 16th August.

Seven years in the planning, work on the redevelopment of the site, at the centre of which is an impressive new 33,000m2 state-of-the-art headquarters building, commenced in November 2017. Construction work has been carried out in phases to enable day-to-day work for the 130 people employed on the site to continue with the least possible disruption.

“By supporting this major redevelopment and impressive new building, both the CLAAS Group and the Claas family have shown their commitment to CLAAS dealers, their customers and UK agriculture as a whole, and also to Bury St Edmunds and west Suffolk where we are now one of the largest employers,” says Trevor Tyrrell, Senior VicePresident (Western Europe & Oceania) for the CLAAS Group’s Sales and Service division.

In addition to offices for CLAAS UK and their East Anglia dealer MANNS, the new 16.5 metre-high building, the design also incorporates an impressive full height, glass fronted TECHNOPARC machinery showroom.

This will be an important alternative to national exhibitions which are at risk due to the pandemic, and therefore a further field training and demonstration area is also being developed to complete a Customer Experience Centre.

To the rear of the office building is a new 10-bay workshop complex for MANNS and a large 4,336m2 parts warehouse for CLAAS UK, that supports its dealers throughout the UK and Ireland.

“The new building vastly improves the experience for customers and visitors from the UK, Ireland and around the world. It also enables CLAAS and MANNS to provide a superb working environment for their employees,” states Trevor Tyrrell. “Customers are welcome to use the new on-site Seasons Restaurant, where 70% of ingredients are locally sourced. The new offices, showrooms, modern parts logistics warehouse and more efficient workshop environment allow us to make far better overall use of the site, which will have an impact on the recruitment and retention of employees, in addition to a considerable improvement in Health and Safety procedures.”

The new state-of-the-art building makes use of the latest energy efficient systems in order to minimise its environmental impact.

CLAAS NEWS

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adquarters officially opened

The passive solar design of the building makes full use of its north facing aspect, and features a full height glazed facade, and the building incorporates 2,860m2 of glass. Renewably generated electric power and heating for the whole site is sourced from the neighbouring 1.4MW Symonds Farm AD plant. Power for the electric car charging points on site comes from a photo voltaic solar panel array on the roof generating 112 MWh. A water harvesting system with a total capacity of 30,000 litres serves a specially designed washdown bay for machinery, saving over 1 million litres of water a year.

The new central UK Parts warehouse has streamlined parts handling and replaces five individual buildings. It accommodates over 47,000 line items or 850,000 individual items totalling 700 tonnes, with space to spare for future expansion. For larger items there is now 45 metres of cantilever racking and the amount of bulk racking has been doubled, while a mezzanine area holds 70% of the total contents of the previous warehouse over three levels. All parts are identified and located using a scan and bar code system to help improve pick rate accuracy and efficiency for the 1000 tonnes of parts that pass through the warehouse each year.

The Saxham site is also home to the CLAAS Academy, which provides industry leading training for dealer sales, service and parts staff, in addition to customer operator training. Here the team of 11 staff provide over 4,000 hours of training each year, both on-site but they are also leading the way in the development of remote online training programmes.

SAXHAM REDEVELOPMENT IN NUMBERS Total footprint

32,907m2

Construction man hours

170,832

Total concrete used

3,560m3

Steel tonnage total

770 tonnes

Glass area

2,860m2

PV array capacity

112 MWh

Water harvesting capacity

30,000 litres

HarvesTimes

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CLAAS NEWS

Senior UK management appointments A number of changes have been made to the CLAAS UK senior management team. This follows the appointment on June 1st of Trevor Tyrrelll to the new role of Senior Vice President Western Europe & Oceania for the CLAAS Group’s Sales and Service division.

TREVOR TYRRELL – SENIOR VICE-PRESIDENT WEST EUROPE & OCEANIA Trevor maintains his role as CEO of CLAAS UK, but also now has responsibility for sales in France, Spain, Italy, Greece and neighbouring markets, in addition to Oceania, for which he has been Regional Director since 2011.

Bob Townson and Steffan Kurtz, who has been appointed to the new role of Product Marketing Manager.

David Thornton has taken on the role of Product Manager for Tractors and Material Handlers, based in the CLAAS Ireland office at Duleek north of Dublin, where he will continue with his current Regional Product Support role in Ireland. He will work alongside Michael Ives, who is also Product Manager for Tractors and Material Handlers based at Saxham.

BRIAN WAIN – CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER (COO) Brian takes on the new role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) with responsibility for the After Service and Parts divisions. Brian joined CLAAS UK in 2004 following the take-over of Renault Agriculture, initially as Technical Manager for Tractors, before progressing to Academy Manager in 2012. In 2015 he was promoted to Customer Service Manager and made a Director in 2016.

Trevor joined CLAAS UK as a management trainee over 30 years ago and has held a number of positions in Product Management, Marketing and Sales departments.

In 2008, he was appointed Regional Director with responsibility for sales within the British Isles, in addition to a number of importer markets, including Oceania, prior to becoming CEO of CLAAS UK in 2011. As part of this role, he has also been a long time member of the Region Western Europe management team.

Following his appointment to this new role, Jeremy Wiggins and Brian Wain have taken on full responsibility for their respective Sales and After Sales divisions within CLAAS UK, with Oliver Hölscher joining as the new Chief Financial Officer.

JEREMY WIGGINS – CHIEF CUSTOMER OFFICER (CCO) As the new Chief Customer Officer (CCO), Jeremy will oversee both Sales and Marketing, but also Logistics and Business Services. He joined CLAAS as a placement student from Harper Adams University, before enrolling on the 2-year Graduate Marketing Programme working in the Marketing Department in 1996. From there, he progressed to Product Specialist for Balers and Greenline products in 1998, then Product Manager and finally National Sales Manager, before taking on his current role of Sales and Marketing Director in 2016.

Jeremy will lead a new Senior Sales Management Team comprising John Haines in charge of Logistics, Business Development Manager

He will head a new Senior After-Sales Management team comprising David McEwan-Smith (Parts Manager), Alex Day (Technical Service Manager), Andrew Dunne (Academy Manager) and Rob Fillingham (Head of Tractors and Connected Systems).

OLIVER HÖLSCHER – CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER (CFO) Prior to joining CLAAS UK as the new Chief Financial Officer, for the past five years Oliver has been Head of Sales for CLAAS Industrietechnik GmbH based in Paderborn. Here he headed up a sales team of seven international sales managers, travelling the world selling cabs, TERRA TRAC units and axles to OEM manufacturers.

He joined CLAAS in 2008 and has held a number of Production Controlling and R&D Controlling positions within the company.

CLAAS NEWS

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Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser appointed Chairwoman Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser has become the third generation of the Claas family to head the family business having been appointed the new Chairwoman of the Shareholders’ Committee. The Committee sets the strategic direction of the business and works closely with the Group Executive Board. She takes over the role from her father, Helmut Claas, who has been named Honorary Chairman.

Helmut Claas held the position of Chairman for 25 years. During this time, he oversaw the considerable expansion of the company in countries beyond Europe. New production and sales locations were opened in India, the USA, Russia, China, South America and elsewhere. An important strategic milestone was reached in 2003 with the acquisition of the French tractor manufacturer Renault Agriculture.

This period also coincided with the development of flagship products such as the LEXION combine harvester and the JAGUAR, the world’s best selling self-propelled forage harvester.

Rainbow combine raises £10,000 What started as an idea to just cheer family and friends up during lockdown, has resulted in Thomas and Sophie Clayton raising over £10,000 for the NHS Charities Together.

The Claytons, who farm at Christmas Hill Farm near Lakenheath, originally came up with the idea of decorating their new LEXION 750TT combine as a bit of fun for family and friends.

However the idea quickly gained traction on social media and they found themselves being contacted from people not only throughout the UK, but as far away as the US. CLAAS UK were delighted to support the project and together with G Signs all 150 of the pictures received were used to create a film collage to cover the combine.

“The rainbow drawings started flooding in and they were lovely to receive and very heart warming,” says Sophie. “We set up a Just Giving page for donations that started coming in, and also as a farm when we lent out machinery or did work for other people we asked for donations. We also donated £1 for every acre the combine cut and a number of our neighbours said they would also do the same.

“The original idea was to just have some fun and bring people a bit of joy, but we have been amazed by how supportive and kind people have been. CLAAS UK has been very supportive and have kindly also donated some packs for give-ways which we will be doing soon. The drawings on the combine will always be there as a reminder of the important things in life.

“As farmers we do work hard, but unlike those in the NHS our lives are not on the line and we have been blown away by how brave those people have been.”

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CLAAS NEWS

Expansion in worldwide manufacturing capacity

KAZAKHSTAN The completion of the new CLAAS UK headquarters at Saxham is just one of a number of construction projects currently taking place as the CLAAS Group invests in worldwide manufacturing and distribution capability to meet expanding worldwide sales.

KAZAKHSTAN ASSEMBLY In the Republic of Kazakhstan CLAAS and Horsch have signed an agreement to jointly set-up a new manufacturing facility, working alongside CT Agro who are the exclusive importer for both companies.

Kazakhstan has around 14.5 million ha of grain crops and is the sixth largest wheat producer in the world, exporting to over 70 countries. The new manufacturing facility will be based in the city of Petropavlovsk in the main arable area in the north of the country.

Under the agreement, CLAAS will use the new plant to assemble tractors and both straw-walker and HYBRID versions of the TUCANO, all of which will be available with TELEMATICS. Horsch will be assembling drills, cultivators and sprayers.

in infrastructure, assembly including a new production hall and a driverless transport system, test facilities and offices.

In China, following the acquisition of Jinyee six years ago, investment is now planned to further expand within Asia and build on the success of locally manufactured products such as the MARKANT baler and the DOMINATOR 370 and MC H80 combines.

At the end of June, construction work also started on a new 6.8 million Euro expansion of the CLAAS factory at Krasnodar in Russia.

Here the work includes enlarging both the main metalworking and the paint shop, where an additional powder coating booth will be installed. The parts storage facility will also be enlarged.

At Ymeray in France, work has been completed on a major project that for the first time brings together the 200 people employed in admin, sales, parts, technical support, training and logistics under one roof. The CLAAS Technoparc centre has been developed on a 15ha site and the two main buildings cover a total of 20,000m2.

CLAAS and Horsch have been active in the Kazakh market for many years, and by assembling in the country, this will reduce the cost to farmers and give them access to a wider choice of machinery.

EXPANSION IN HARSEWINKEL, FRANCE, CHINA AND RUSSIA It is not just in Kazakhstan that CLAAS is investing in manufacturing capability. Work is currently underway at Harsewinkel in a large-scale project to modernise the combine harvester assembly lines. Over the next 18 months, the current two assembly lines will be merged, with investment

YMERAY

CLAAS NEWS

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XERION takes on the Nürburgring

The world famous Nordscleife section of the Nürburgring race track in Germany has seen many strange and impressive sights over the years, but none more so in August than the sight of a 530hp XERION 5000 TRAC VC powering its way round – in reverse!

Built in the 1920s, the Nordscleife is more used to racing super cars taking on the 12.8 miles of the ‘Green Hell’ with its 73 corners, including the infamous ‘Carousel’. Needless to say, the course record for a racing car of 5:19:546 set by a Le Mans Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo in 2018, or 6:44:97 for a road legal Lamborghini Aventador, were never in danger.

The challenge of taking the most powerful German-built tractor round the famous track was set by the German motoring magazine Auto Motor und Sport. And why in reverse? Because it can!

After a quick driving lesson and a bit of time to get used to a vehicle where weight is measured in tonnes rather than kilos, racing driver Christian Menzel took to the track, pushing the 50kph XERION to its limits, and enjoying seeing the track from a completely different perspective, 3.0m up in the XERION cab. Exactly 26 minutes, 50 seconds and 57 tenths of a second later he crossed the finishing line having achieved a very impressive average speed of 47.85kph (29.73mph), considerably higher than was expected.

Main and middle right: A 530hp XERION 500 is not what you would normally expect to see racing around the famous Nordscleife section of the Nürburgring.

Bottom right: Behind the wheel of the XERION 5000 was experienced Nürburgring Racer Christian Menzel.

HarvesTimes

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CLAAS NEWS

Scholarship award for Abigail Every year, the CLAAS Foundation award Helmut Claas Scholarships and other awards totalling 36,000 Euros (£33,000) to agricultural and engineering sciences students in agricultural engineering and affiliated disciplines.

This year, in a virtual awards ceremony, 13 students from universities in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, Poland, Russia and Uzbekistan have received awards.

From the UK, Abigail Allen from Harper Adams University was awarded a one-year Helmut Claas Scholarship worth 3,600 Euros. This recognised her work and final thesis, in which she investigated the properties of buckwheat for the weed suppression of black-grass.

One of the two bonus awards worth 1,500 Euros was also awarded to Hannah Baldwin, also of Harper Adams University, who has been investigating the microbial properties of turkeys in slaughterhouses.

2020 Graduates Congratulations to the 22 apprentices who have started their careers with CLAAS in the UK and Ireland, having graduated from the CLAAS Apprenticeship Scheme.

Of these, 20 have graduated from the 4-year CLAAS Landbased Service Engineering course, where they have split their time between working for their sponsoring dealership and formal training at either Reaseheath College or SRUC Barony. The other two graduated from the CLAAS Parts Sales & Marketing course

also based at Reaseheath working towards a reconsigned qualification.

For all the students, the completion of their apprenticeship is just the start of their journey with CLAAS. Following graduation, working with their dealership and CLAAS UK, they will have access to ongoing training and development, with the opportunity to move into more senior management roles within their dealerships over time should they wish to.

REASEHEATH COLLEGE – CLAAS LANDBASED SERVICE ENGINEERING GRADUATES

SRUC BARONY – CLAAS LANDBASED SERVICE ENGINEERING GRADUATES

Bradley Janney Louis Copeland William Bates Jack Streeter Freddie Fox-Furniss Luke Oliver Steven Jackson William Rogers Henry Walsh Einion Worth

Gavin Hastings Peter White Brendan McCarthy Callum Rudd Jamie Boag Andrew Frost Dallin Jorgensen Oliver Law William Smith Robert Clarke

CLAAS EASTERN, Markham Moor CLAAS EASTERN, Wilberfoss CLAAS UK, Saxham CLAAS WESTERN, Dorchester CLAAS WESTERN, Evesham MORRIS CORFIELD, Craven Arms OLIVERS, Luton OLIVERS, Reading OLIVERS, Winchester S&B ROBERTS

ALAN DOUGLAS (Ireland) LEINSTER FARM MACHINERY (Ireland) MCCARTHYS (Ireland) GORDONS, Castle Douglas GORDONS, Castle Kennedy RICKERBY, Alnwick RICKERBY, Alnwick RICKERBY, Penrith RICKERBY, Penrith SELLARS, Letham

REASEHEATH COLLEGE – CLAAS PARTS SALES & MARKETING GRADUATES Owen Edge Joseph Richardson

HAMBLYS, Launceston RICKERBY, Bowburn

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CLAAS NEWS

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30 new apprentices The CLAAS Agricultural Apprenticeship Scheme offers a wide range of benefits and opportunities to its students and demand for places on the Scheme is high. This year 30 successful students have been awarded places.

Of these, 13 students will be training at Reaseheath in Cheshire, where they will be undertaking a Landbased Service Engineering apprenticeship, along with a further two who will be studying for the CLAAS Parts Sales & Marketing apprenticeship. An additional 15 students from the north of England, Scotland and Ireland will be studying for their Landbased Service Engineering course at SRUC Barony near Dumfries.

For the Landbased Service Engineering apprentices based at Reaseheath and Barony, their time will be split between blocks at college, where they will receive comprehensive technical training, and working with their sponsoring dealer gaining experience in the field. In addition, during the four years, they will also attend additional specific CLAAS product training delivered at the CLAAS Academy at Saxham.

For the students on the CLAAS Parts Sales & Marketing Apprenticeship, again their time will be split between formal block training at the college, balanced with practical time back at their supporting dealership. Upon completion of the course, successful students will be awarded a Level 2 Apprenticeship Standard.

For further information on career opportunities with CLAAS UK, contact us today or visit https:// www.claas.co.uk/company/jobs-careers-uk

REASEHEATH COLLEGE – CLAAS LANDBASED SERVICE ENGINEERING INTAKE Joe Baxter Kolbie Taylor Ciaran Moat Edward Patten Bayley Anderson Connor Babb Rhys Morris Shannon Howe Charles Lewis Charles Hatton Oliver Franchi Joshua Bentham Daniel Lee

ALKMONTON TRACTORS CLAAS EASTERN, Ulceby Cross CLAAS MANNS, Essex CLAAS MANNS, Market Harborough CLAAS MANNS, Spaldwick CLAAS WESTERN, Cirencester CLAAS WESTERN, Evesham HAMBLYS, Honiton MORRIS CORFIELD, Broseley OLIVERS, Tingewick OLIVERS, Luton SHARNFORD TRACTORS SHARNFORD TRACTORS

REASEHEATH COLLEGE – CLAAS PARTS SALES & MARKETING INTAKE Emma Hill OLIVERS, Luton Elliott Matthews OLIVERS, Petworth

SRUC BARONY – CLAAS LANDBASED SERVICE ENGINEERING INTAKE David Coleman Philip Byrne James Cahill Cameron Atwell Alex Finch Alfie Turnbull Charles Crocker Owen Bell Josh Kerr Jake Plumb Joseph Common Harvey Jackson Alfie Chalmers Angus Riddoch Ewan Milne

ALAN DOUGLAS (Ireland) LEINSTER FARM MACHINERY (Ireland) MCCARTHYS (Ireland) RICKERBY, Alnwick RICKERBY, Bowburn RICKERBY, Carlisle RICKERBY, Carlisle RICKERBY, Carnforth RICKERBY, Cornhill RICKERBY, Hexham RICKERBY, Hexham RICKERBY, Penrith SELLARS, Old Meldrum SELLARS, Old Meldrum SELLARS, Old Meldrum

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DEALER NEWS

MANNS Norfolk In August, the MANNS team in Norfolk made the short move down the road from their old Thursford premises to the new purpose built MANNS Norfolk branch that sits on a 0.6ha site at Great Fransham near Dereham.

The new building covers 1,315m2 and offers the dealership more office space and a state-of-the-art workshop, capable of accommodating the largest CLAAS machines. The parts storage area is considerably larger and also includes a bulk storage area, so that these new premises will also be able to provide support to the Halesworth branch. Outside, there is a sizeable machinery display area, and also a large retail space for selling an extensive range of clothing, tools and other sundry equipment The MANNS Norfolk location in the middle of county, right alongside the A47, makes it ideally placed to provide a more efficient service to customers across the region. There has already been a noticeable increase in foot traffic, with customers dropping by to visit the dealership and take advantage of the new wider range of stock items available for sale.

GORDONS Wigtownshire In early November, GORDONS will be opening the doors of its new purpose built Wigtownshire depot at Wauphill. This replaces its Old Station Yard and Castle Kennedy branches, but there will now be a twice daily parts delivery to the fuel station there which remains open and the service team will continue to provide a full on-farm service.

The new 1,858m2 building includes a 1,300m2 workshop area, complete with an overhead gantry crane, from which a team of nine skilled service engineers will be based. The building also contains an extensive parts storage area, manned by a team of three advisors and a retail shop area. The building itself is heated using an air source heating system.

SHARNFORD TRACTORS become green harvest dealers Long time CLAAS tractor dealer SHARNFORD TRACTORS, based at Frolesworth in Leicestershire, has now taken on selling the full range of CLAAS Green Harvest machinery, in addition to CLAAS tractors. Relinquishing their previous green harvest franchise, SHARNFORD will also now be providing sales and service support for the TORION wheel loader and SCORPION telescopic handler ranges.

Take advantage of CLAAS early action finance.

Before 30.11.20

Act now for the very best deal on a NEW combine.

Early Action 0% Finance - Pay over 4 years - 1 + 3 Annual Payments - First payment on signing - Offer ends 30th November 2020 - For business users only. Terms and conditions apply. * We understand the need for flexibility, and work directly with you to develop bespoke finance solutions that can help you replace old machinery with new CLAAS machinery. You can choose between four core finance products.

- Hire Purchase - Operating Lease - Finance Lease - Commercial Loans (UK only) To find out which finance option is right for you, try our product selector, www.claas-finance.com/product-selector CLAAS Financial Services packages are available through any CLAAS dealer supported by a nationwide dedicated team of Regional Finance Managers. Every member of CLAAS Finance has excellent product knowledge and financial experience.

Find your local Regional Finance Manager via www.claas-finance.com/contact-us or contact our central office sales team on +44 1284 777 663 email salesoffice@claasfinance.com

* Finance for business purposes only. Subject to acceptance and affordability checks. Applicant must be 18 or over. Promotion valid until 30th November 2020. Available on new equipment only. The interest free offer is subject to a maximum balance to finance of 50% (based on RRP). The finance product offered under this promotion is Hire Purchase. First payment, full VAT and a documentation fee of ÂŁ160 are all due on signing. An option-to-purchase fee of ÂŁ85 (plus VAT) will be collected with the final payment. You will own the machine when all payments have been made. Alternative finance options are available. Terms and conditions apply. Images are for illustrative purposes only. Finance provided by CLAAS Financial Services Ltd, Northern Cross, Basing View, Basingstoke, RG21 4HL. Registered in England No: 5854271.

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PRODUCT NEWS

A new level of straw-walker As part of a revolution in combine harvesting the new LEXION APS straw walker 5000 & 6000 ranges see not only a considerable expansion in models available, but also the introduction of a host of new features all designed to take straw-walker combine output and efficiency to a new level.

SEVEN NEW MODELS A total of seven new models are now available in the range, comprising four 6-walker LEXION 6000 versions and three 5-walker LEXION 5000 models. At the top of the range are two new models, the range-topping 507hp LEXION 6900 and the 462hp LEXION 6800, which extend the overlap between LEXION straw-walker and HYBRID models. Also available for the first time is a 5-walker TERRA TRAC model – the LEXION 5500TT. So what’s new? Basically everything!! Starting with a blank sheet of paper the designers went back to the drawing board and have come up with a straw walker LEXION in which over 2/3rds of its parts are new.

GREATER THROUGHPUT The main focus of their attention has been on how to achieve greater throughput from a straw-walker threshing system, in particular the very well proven APS primary threshing drums. The result is the new APS SYNFLOW WALKER threshing system, which significantly increases throughput capacity.

To provide greater cleaning capacity, the LEXION 6000/5000 also now adopts the well-proven JETSTREAM cleaning system on all models. Tank capacities and unloading volumes have also been increased, while new engines provide greater power and the introduction of DYNAMIC POWER. In the cab, the operator benefits from a state-of-the-art workplace with the latest touchscreen CEBIS terminal and the option of advanced automated operator assistance systems.

755 mm threshing drum.

26% bigger for optimal crop flow.

Maximum separation performance.

Smooth acceleration of crop flow to as much as 20 m/s by APS SYNFLOW across all concave areas.

Large 600mm, additional separator drum with active

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separation delivers greater throughput.

Smooth and even crop flow.

Synchronised setting of speed for smooth crop flow in all speed ranges.

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4

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Pivoting concave bar.

Can be operated via CEBIS and engaged hydraulically from the cab.

For a fast response to a change in crop type or the conditions in the field.

Hydraulic threshing concave flap.

Can be engaged hydraulically from the cab or manually from the outside. For a fast response to a change in crop type or the conditions in the field.

Gentle on grains and straw.

Parallel and synchronised adjustment of all concaves.

Automatic adjustment.

All settings for the threshing unit are applied by CEMOS AUTO THRESHING.

5 6

LEXION 5000/6000

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performance

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APS SYNFLOW WALKER THRESHING The APS threshing system is key to the high performance of the LEXION and the development of the new APS SYNFLOW WALKER system takes the threshing and separation performance from the LEXION 6000/5000 to a new level. This is achieved by bringing together the accelerated crop flow provided by the APS system but adding to this an additional separator drum after the threshing drum.

First seen on the LEXION 8000/7000 HYBRID range launched last year, central to the all-new threshing system is a massive 755mm diameter threshing drum, fitted with 10 rasp bars, which is 26% larger than the 600mm drum on the LEXION 600 range. However, behind this is a new additional 600mm-diameter separator drum that provides further gentle separation of grain from the straw.

The greater diameter of the main threshing and separating drums means the concave wrap angle is shallower at 132° and 116° respectively. Straw flow through the APS SYNFLOW WALKER system is flatter and gentler, which maximises straw quality but reduces load on the threshing system, so saving power and fuel.

The main concave area is also considerably larger. At 1.30m2, the concave area on the 5-walker LEXION 5000 is now larger than on the biggest LEXION 670 six-walker model (1.22m2) while in the LEXION 6000 models it’s a massive 1.55m2.

Due to the higher centrifugal speed of the rasp bars, to maintain velocity, drum speed has been reduced and is now infinitely variable using CEBIS from 330-930rpm. Drum speed is also synchronised across all four drums.

Using CEBIS, there is both parallel and synchronised infinite adjustment of the pre-concave, threshing concave and separator concaves. For changing the concaves, for instance when harvesting beans, this is quickly and easily done and 40% of the main concave can be pulled out sideways.

Where greater threshing intensity is needed in difficult to thresh crops or for deawning barley, an additional pivoting concave bar located between the pre-separation concave and the main concave can be engaged hydraulically using CEBIS.

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PRODUCT NEWS HIGH CAPACITY GRAIN HANDLING Grain tank capacity ranges from 9,000 litres on the smallest LEXION 5300 to 13,500 litres on the LEXION 6900. Unloading augers up to 12m are available, with a forward pivot angle of 105° for improved visibility. Depending on model and auger diameter, the maximum emptying speed is 180 litres/second on the LEXION 6900, enabling its 13,800 litre tank to be emptied in just 75 seconds. If necessary, the unloading speed can be halved to 90 litres/second for topping off trailers and the augers are turned off gradually to ensure the unloading auger is fully emptied.

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY The new pivoting concave bar, synchronised drum speed and concave adjustment systems are fully integrated into CEMOS AUTO THRESHING, which uses information from the grain quality camera and QUANTIMETER to automatically adjust the concave settings and drum speed.

As before, CRUISE PILOT and the AUTO SLOPE grain cleaning system are also available on the LEXION 6000/5000.

Depending on preference, the LEXION can be controlled using either the CEBIS touchscreen terminal, the rotary push switch on the CEBIS control panel, or via direct switches on the new LEXION armrest.

Where CEMOS AUTO CLEANING is fitted this will automatically adjust the JETSTREAM fan speed and the upper and lower sieve settings. All this information is also now fully integrated into the new CEBIS touchscreen terminal.

Sensors in the new APS SYNFLOW WALKER and secondary separation system are also used by AUTO CROP FLOW to monitor flow and load through the LEXION and to automatically restrict crop entering the combine should it detect a potential blockage, so allowing the operator to confidently push the combine without the risk of overloading it.

GREATER ENGINE POWER The LEXION 6000/5000 is powered by either MAN or MercedesBenz engines with power outputs ranging from 313hp on the smallest LEXION 5300 to a high of 507hp for the largest LEXION 6900.

All LEXION 6000/5000 models have DYNAMIC POWER intelligent engine management system and DYNAMIC COOLING variable fan cooling.

A completely new drive system, based on that used in the JAGUAR forage harvester, ensures a more positive, smooth engagement of the threshing and auger systems. A new clutch system is used to engage and tension the belts, resulting in improved belt life.

LEXION 5000/6000

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NEW QUANTIMETER The latest QUANTIMETER yield measuring system uses a pressure cell in the grain elevator delivery point to accurately record yield without needing the thousand grain weight. Not only is this far more accurate and robust, but it only needs calibrating once a year for each crop type. It is also fully compatible with TELEMATICS for yield mapping and record keeping.

JET STREAM CLEANING A new feature on the LEXION 6000/5000 is the JET STREAM cleaning system. Depending on model, the six or eight turbine fans venting through a dual straw-walker step and a long airflow equalisation channel provide intensive pre-cleaning of the grain. The sieves and fan are adjusted electrically from the cab.

OTHER NEW FEATURES • Option of 40kph on all wheeled and TERRA TRAC models • TERRA TRAC available on a 5-walker model for the first time • Larger wheel sizes up to 42 inches and a diameter of 2.15m on the front axle and 30 inches with a diameter up to 1.75m on the rear • Differential lock on all wheeled models

LEXION 6000/5000 SYNFLOW WALKER RANGE Model LEXION 6900 LEXION 6900 TT LEXION 6800 LEXION 6800 TT LEXION 6700 LEXION 6700 TT LEXION 6600 LEXION 5500 TT LEXION 5400 LEXION 5300

Threshing drum Separator drum (mm) (mm)

Concave area (m2)

Total sieve area (m2)

Grain tank (litres)

Max unloading Max. hp speed (l/s)

1700 x 755

1700x600

2x 4200x445

6.20

13,500 / 12,000

180 / 130

507

1700 x 755

1700x600

2x 4200x445

6.20

12,500 / 11,000

130 / 110

462

1700 x 755

1700x600

2x 4200x445

6.20

11,000 / 10,000

130 / 110

408

1700 x 755

1700x600

2x 4200x445

6.20

110

354

1420 x 755

1420 x 600

2x 4200x445

5.10

130 / 110

408

1420 x 755

1420 x 600

2x 4200x445

5.10

110

354

1420 x 755

1420 x 600

2x 4200x445

5.10

110

313

6-walker

5-walker

10,000 / 9,000 11,000 / 10,000 10,000 10,000 / 9,000

HarvesTimes

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LEXION 6700

Rob Hales, East Sussex, August 2020 – by Nick Fone

A walker that ticks all the boxes Farming in the heart of the rolling Sussex countryside, the Hales family have considerable experience with CLAAS combines.

Over the last 30 years DE Hales have had more than 15 CLAAS harvesters pass through their gates, starting out initially with a DOMINATOR 106 and progressing on through the decades with 218s, 480s, a 530 MONTANA, a 570 LEXION TERRA TRAC and most recently an eight-year-old 770TT. “With our old LEXION being a HYBRID we knew we could comfortably cover the acres but I was conscious that we needed to maintain a reliable machine to keep our contract farming customers happy,” explains Rob Hales.

“Initially we had thought we’d being going down the same route as before, but talking to the team at our local dealer – MANNS Kent – they came up with an alternative option.

“Based on what they had seen, they were confident that the new generation of straw-walker machines could match our expectations in terms of output.

“To be honest I was very sceptical at first, but on closer examination I could see the merits of going back to a walker machine, if it could comfortably handle our workload which extends to about 700ha in total.

“I was impressed with how much the technology had moved on and I liked the idea of having a straw walker combined with JET STREAM sieves. Having had quite a bit of experience of both HYBRIDs and walkers in the past, I was convinced that the sieves would make the difference.

“I’d always felt that we could achieve lower running costs with a walker machine but until last year there hadn’t been anything on the market that could provide the output we require. These new 6000 series LEXION seemed to tick all the boxes so we took the plunge and signed up for a mid-range 6700.”

HOW HAS IT PERFORMED? “With our old 770 we could comfortably churn out 50 tonnes an hour in standing wheat. Despite being a much lesser machine on paper, the 6700 can get pretty to close to that if we’re pushing it.

“What’s so impressive about that is that it’s doing similar tonnages on about half the fuel. The 770’s Merc V8 would guzzle through 550-600 litres a day, whereas the straight-six in the new combine is only using 300-330 litres in the same time.

“I’m convinced that’s all down to the smoother crop flow through the threshing gear. The bigger drums and concaves make all the difference – it never feels pushed. On top of that, the DYNAMIC POWER system is clearly helping too – it senses when the grunt isn’t needed and cuts back the fuelling accordingly.

“That smoother crop flow also makes for much quieter running – I can now hear the returns and can tell when CEMOS AUTOMATIC is tweaking the bottom sieve.”

HOW DO YOU GET ON WITH CEMOS? “We’ve had LEXION in the past with CEMOS but this is a completely different animal. Initially I didn’t trust that it could do as good a job as I could, so when I started out I had it switched off.

“Then gradually I started turning on the various elements and quickly realised that it was doing a far better job at constantly tweaking everything. Enabling CEMOS to first start making its own drum and concave settings and then working that in tandem with fan speed and sieves as well as cruise control, I gradually gained confidence.

“Now I just pull into a field, hitch on the header, select the crop type and just let it do its own thing, tweaking settings constantly throughout the day.”

AUTO SLOPE “Adding AUTO SLOPE into the mix with CEMOS is just fantastic. By automatically adjusting fan speed as the machine goes up and down hill, it keeps output to the max without any increase in losses – it’s really impressive on our undulating ground.”

GRAIN QUALITY “The GRAIN QUALITY CAMERA is an essential part of the CEMOS set-up. I like to be able to see it identifying rubbish and broken grains on the screen, but ultimately I let the combine decide what it wants to do about it and the result is consistently a fantastic sample.

“Part of that is down to the JET STREAM sieves which I know from previous experience are unbeatable. But also CEMOS is running the drum faster and the concaves more open than I’d ever have felt comfortable with before. The result is fewer broken grains and less smashed straw, but strangely not at the expense of losses.”

QUANTIMETER “The new yield-monitoring system is unbelievably accurate – in one 200 tonne batch of barley it was just 620kg different from what was measured over the weighbridge.

“But that level of accuracy isn’t just for cereals, in rape it’s equally precise. In fact, it’s now given me the faith that we can reliably build up some proper yield maps with a view to potentially moving towards variable rate applications of fertiliser and seed in the future.”

TELEMATICS “Although we’re not running a fleet of combines I find the TELEMATICS app on the phone very useful.

“Simple things like being able to check the fuel level means I can decide where to take the bowser out to. Critically it’s a fantastic health and safety aid, providing traceability and tracking for loneworking.”

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Pre-series report

“What’s so impressive is that the new combine is doing similar tonnages on about half the fuel. I’m convinced that’s all down to the smoother crop flow through the threshing gear.

The bigger drums and concaves make all the difference – it never feels pushed.”

Rob Hales

WHY CLAAS? “It was a big leap of faith putting our names down for one of the first new generation straw-walker LEXION, particularly not having had a demo.

“However I have absolute faith in the team at MANNS and if they say a machine is capable of doing the job, I know that it will be. More importantly, if we have any issues I know we’ll be well looked after and if it isn’t a quick fix then a replacement will be in the yard within hours.”

HarvesTimes

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“With the differing crop conditions over the last two seasons we can now confidently say the 8900 will do at least 20% more than the old combine, if not more.�

Richard Ledger

Richard Ledger, Kent, August 2020 – by Nick Fone

2019 PRE-SERIES LEXION 8900

There’s no stopping it This season is the second harvest for Little Mongeham Farms’ LEXION 8900 which has the task of single-handedly knocking down some 1,425ha (3,520 acres) of combinable crops.

A pre-production model last year, it took over from a 780TT and immediately impressed the team at the Kent-based operation with its appetite.

“Initially we were sceptical about how much more capacity the 8900 would have but from the outset it was clear it was something else,” says Richard Ledger.

“With the differing crop conditions over the last two seasons we can now confidently say it’ll do at least 20% more than the old combine, if not more.

“But that’s not the most impressive part. What’s really striking is the fuel use. It’ll cut all that extra tonnage while using significantly less diesel.

“While the old combine would go for a maximum of 11 hours between fill-ups, the new machine will stretch to 14 hours. Logistically that can make a big difference, avoiding a stop at a time when you could still be combining.”

This difference in both output and fuel use is felt to be mainly down to the improved flow of crop through the LEXION 8900.

“It’s a whole lot smoother and quieter than our 780,” says operator Nigel Richardson.

“Sitting in the seat you can feel that the combination of the bigger diameter drums and concaves, the new engine, the new unloading auger and the rubber-belted intake elevator all work to put less stress and strain on the machine which has got to be better for diesel consumption.”

CEMOS AUTOMATIC There aren’t many operators with more experience of flagship LEXION than Nigel, who has been at the helm of Little Mongeham’s combines for some 35 years. Two seasons in with the new range-topper, he believes he’s still got plenty to learn.

“I’ve been lucky to see the evolution of CLAAS’ CEMOS auto settings system over time and this new version is a real step forward.

“Being more familiar with the combine in this second season I’ve

21

Preseries catch-up

experimented a bit more, tweaking settings and fine-tuning the system to get the best from it. Each time I delve deeper into CEMOS I find something else that either ups output, improves the sample or helps to kerb any losses.”

GRAIN QUALITY CAMERA Nigel continues, “Having the camera constantly monitoring sample quality is what really makes the difference with CEMOS – I can just leave it to do it’s own thing safe in the knowledge we won’t see any extra rubbish in the tank. In fact I never touch the sieve or fan settings, the only thing I tend to tweak is rotor or drum speed and, even then, more often than not I find that I’m better just sticking with what CEMOS has selected.

“The sample itself is so clean that I nearly always have CEMOS set to maximum throughput. Even then there’s hardly a sign of any chaff or straw in the tank.”

QUANTIMETER “Yield monitoring is so much more accurate than before. We can now trust that what the combine says it has cut is pretty much exactly what’s in the heap.

“Last year we cut 11,640 tonnes according to the 8900 and the total across the weighbridge was pretty close to that – that level of accuracy is pretty impressive.”

MAINTENANCE “The 8900 is a much cleaner machine than anything we’ve ever had before. Along with the horizontal radiator package, there are so many fewer places for dust to hang up, especially on the pulleys.

“As a result I’m only having to clean it down once a week with our big road-towable compressor. Each morning I just whip round with the on-board air-line and blow off the worst of it.”

WHY CLAAS? “We’re probably a bit over-capacity with the 8900 on our acreage but it gives us the peace of mind that we can comfortably cover all our ground with just one machine rather than two - that’s a huge efficiency gain,” explains Richard Ledger.

“I believe CLAAS has the edge when it comes to output from these biggest LEXION and the technology they use. But ultimately it all comes down to back-up.

“We know that in our area our CLAAS dealer will look after us better than any other brand if we have anything go wrong.”

HarvesTimes

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Tom Dye, Albanwise Farming Ltd, 12,000ha, Yorkshire and Norfolk

Two new LEXION 8900TT combines, both equipped with CONVIO FLEX 1380 draper cutterbars, have revolutionised harvest on Albanwise’s two Norfolk farms.

Revolution

Growing a total of 3,200ha of combinable crops, split between 1,800ha at Barton Bendish in west Norfolk and 1,400ha 36 miles away near Holt in north Norfolk, each farm previously ran a LEXION 780 with a contractor brought in as necessary to back them up.

By changing the LEXION 780s for the higher capacity LEXION 8900, AFL Managing Director Tom Dye’s plan was that the combines would give him the option to back each other up, avoiding the need for a contractor.

“I reckoned that each combine would have the capacity to do about 1,600ha a year,” he explains. “In reality, even with an average harvest, we have been really surprised by the hunger of the new LEXION. Their appetite, not least due to the momentum of the larger threshing drum, is huge and they have so much capacity there was no need to run the two together. Losses have also been minimal at less than 1% across all crops.

“I budgeted that each combine should clear over 50ha a day over a 30 day harvest, which would take some doing, but I felt was possible based on testimonies from pre-series users. We had a good start to harvest and made good progress but missed seven days due to wet weather. But on a lot of days they were both clearing up to 100ha a day, while on its best day the west Norfolk LEXION alone cleared 105ha.”

Like many farms, this year’s cropping saw a considerable increase in spring barley which, says Tom yielded just on budget, while winter wheat at around 9.2t/ha across both farms was slightly down and with winter barley and OSR yields being hit hard.

So in a year where harvesting every last grain possible has been important, opting to equip the new LEXION 8900s with CONVIO FLEX cutterbars has proven to be a sound investment.

“The CONVIO FLEX allows us to really hug the ground and so lose far less crop, particularly in spring barley. Overall flow into the combine is far better, but the biggest benefit has been in brackled barley where cutterbar losses have been considerably reduced. The other big benefit is that because it avoids damp straw wrapping around the reel, we can start at 7.30 to 8.00 in the morning instead of 10.00, so gain an extra couple of hours combining. Overall I believe the extra investment in the CONVIO FLEX will pay for itself in about three years just due to reduced losses.”

“The aim is to have as much capacity in as few machines as possible so as to keep the combine cost per hectare at an acceptable level. The combination of one combine, a chaser bin and a lorry works very well and running more smaller combines would just reduce field efficiency by about 7% on average.”

To fully maximise output, both combines are equipped with CEMOS AUTOMATIC which, states Tom is very clever and a

Tom Dye, Managing Director, Albanwise Farming

definite step above the CEMOS system on the LEXION 780. Both Jono Darby and Michael Balls, the farm managers on each farm, make full use of TELEMATICS and their combine drivers regularly talk to each other to compare settings, apart from having a bit of healthy competition comparing positions on the TELEMATICS performance league!

“Even though we have run CLAAS combines for a long time, I always consider the other options and what else is on the market. But I am very glad we made the decision we did. In our opinion CLAAS and MANNS take a lot of beating and the development of their new branch at Fransham shows their commitment to the area’s CLAAS customers.

“The new LEXION is closer to a revolution than an evolution and I would not be overly concerned if we had 2,000ha to put through each machine, which I would never have dreamt of doing before,” concludes Tom.

2020 LEXION 7000/8000

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nary not evolutionary

HarvesTimes

24

Frazer Jolly, Saltby Estate, Leicestershire

Everything a combine should be A change of combine to a LEXION 7700 APS SYNFLOW HYBRID equipped with a CONVIO FLEX 1230 cutterbar has transformed harvest and subsequent crop establishment on the Saltby Estate.

Farm manager Frazer Jolly has many years of LEXION combine driving under his belt. However, for the past 5 years, since moving to Saltby in Leicestershire this has not been the case. However, although having historically received excellent back up for his old combine, the reliability and confidence had gone. So when in April the decision was made to change the combine, Frazer was only too keen to contact Philip Gandy at CLAAS Eastern.

“As the decision to change was so late, the whole deal was done in a matter of days. The decision was never going to be a difficult one, as my experience with the LEXION product, the backup I had experienced with past machines and the people within CLAAS, gave us the confidence to change brand.

“As soon as the new LEXION arrived and I got going, with the CONVIO FLEX cutterbar at the front, the new HYBRID threshing system in the middle and the excellent straw chopper at the back, its everything a combine should be,” states Frazer.

Cereal cropping on the 1200ha estate amounts to 780ha, mainly growing winter wheat for Weetabix, rye for Ryvita and spring malting barley, along with beans and oilseed rape. Crops are grown using a CTF system based on 6.0m multiples, with the LEXION being the final element in the system, as its 12.27m CONVIO FLEX cutterbar and 7XL unloading auger enables trailers to stay in the tramlines.

“For a narrow body combine, in a big field with the CONVIO FLEX header and the new APS threshing system it has some serious capacity. Nothing phases it. The CONVIO is increasing productivity over a VARIO before we start thinking about the combine itself.

I’m convinced the APS threshing system alone does as much separation as the whole of our previous combine. We now have more than enough capacity without going over the top.

“I did question whether we should go for the conventional VARIO. But this is an investment for at least the next seven years, so the specification needed to be right to future proof the combine. It’s a decision I would have to live with, and I’m glad we did go for the CONVIO FLEX as I have been really impressed with how it works. As a result we have now ordered the same combination for our other farm near Corby, which will be run on a machinery share basis.

Frazer Jolly, Farm Manager

“In really short straw the ability to pitch the cutterbar forward to get under the crop without bulldozing meant it was a godsend in spring barley this year, and it’s a credit to the cutterbar that it doesn’t need lifters. Previously with a rigid header we would leave about a 12cm stubble in places, but with the CONVIO FLEX we are down to just 5cm. With a rigid 12m header you’d never get that low evenly across the full working width and it gives you a lot of confidence when you see how sections of the knife bar just lift up and ride over stones.

“Accepting a reduction in straw volume this year, we were very impressed with the straw chop and spread capabilities to the full width of the header and more, even without the stationery knives in place. 60% of our OSR area has been established by broad casting the seed into the previous year’s standing crop two weeks before harvest. The chop quality and evenness of spread is crucial for us to retain the moisture around the seedlings with the chopped straw.

The system on the CLAAS allows the operator to fine tune the spreader through the touch screen terminal for the day’s conditions and straw volumes.

“The belt feed into the combine is so smooth and you don’t get any of the usual bunching. I tended most of the time to just leave it in Auto mode with the pressure set at 50/50, which was more than enough to follow contours. It was only really in wheat where I would set it to rigid, but even then it’s very simple to just press the button to change back to ‘flex’ mode again so as to get under the crop.”

2020 LEXION 7000/8000

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Technical note

CONVIO and CONVIO FLEX cutterbars Launched last year and available in working widths from 7.7m up to 13.8m, the CONVIO and CONVIO FLEX draper type cutterbars both feature a hydraulically driven reel with an adjustable cam track that allows the tines to pick-up the crop before it’s cut.

Both cutterbars have AUTO CONTOUR for precise contour following. AUTOMATIC BELT SPEED adjusts the belt speed relative to the ground speed for an even flow into the combine. All the belts and reel can be reversed and there is driver warning of a belt slippage or a stopped belt.

On the CONVIO FLEX, the knife and cutterbar table are able to move over a range of 225mm, from 90mm upwards and 135mm downwards. ACTIVE FLOAT comes as standard which allows the operator to alter the ground pressure.

CONVIO FLEX has four operating modes: GRAIN mode in which the knife and table are rigid; LODGED CROP mode in which the knife bar is rigid but can be changed to flexible mode at the press of a button; in MANUAL FLEX mode the knife bar uses sensors to follow ground contours but exerts no pressure while in AUTO FLEX mode the cutterbar automatically determines the best position for crop flow and contour following, while maintaining the lowest possible cut height.

Photo: John Uttley Photography

HarvesTimes

Revolutions start in the heart.

The LEXION 7000-8000 series featuring: APS SYNFLOW HYBRID – for improved throughput and threshing performance

FIELD SCANNER – for precise guidance

QUANTIMETER – for precise measurement of yield with simplified calibration

CEBIS Touch Screen Display Larger Grain Tank and faster unloading auger with up to 18,000 litre grain tank and 180 litre/second unloading

Engines – up to 790 hp with DYNAMIC POWER and DYNAMIC COOLING

Larger Concaves – for more controlled threshing and greater flexibility in different crop types

Ground Drives – more powerful ground drives for road and field transport with the option of 40K road speed on narrow and wide body machines

CEMOS AUTOMATIC – for intelligent operator assistance at the touch of a button Cab – additional cab space, greater legroom, greater insulation and new grain tank window

The 7000 and 8000 LEXION HYBRID series, revolutionising harvesting efficiency.

Call your local CLAAS dealer today for a demonstration and for our Early Action Finance Terms.

Before 30.11.20

claas.co.uk

Nick Morton, Farmer and Contractor, Lincolnshire

2020 LEXION 7000/8000

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Impressive chopping with an even spread

With an increasing number of his customers using minimal tillage or direct drilling, the quality of straw chop and spread from the new LEXION was the main reason behind Nick Morton deciding to change make to CLAAS.

“Although I have had demos of the LEXION in the past, I have always been quite happy with the combines we ran,” he says.

“However, one thing that let it down was the straw spreader and with a move towards minimal tillage or direct drilling we needed a better chop and even spread of straw. I could see us potentially losing customers because of this.”

“I had the latest version of our combine and one other on demo and they were no better. I have known Jon (Baxter) at CLAAS Eastern for a long time and after talking to him and his explaining about the chopping system on the new LEXION, he arranged for me to visit one of the pre-series combines last year and the chop and spread on that was impressive. We went to Saxham so I could see both the new LEXION and also the TUCANO, which confirmed that the LEXION was the right way to go.”

Based near Horncastle in Lincolnshire, in addition to their own 140ha of crops, Nick and his son Sam contract harvest for four neighbouring farms, giving them a total of 520ha for their new LEXION 7400 APS SYNFLOW HYBRID with a VARIO 770 cutterbar to harvest.

“The technology on the LEXION as a whole, but even on the straw chopper itself is impressive. The wind sensors are such a simple idea but very effective. We are exposed and during August had some high winds. But you could see on CEBIS how the sensors were constantly altering the deflectors in the chopper to allow for this and it maintained an extremely even spread right across the full cutting width without any blowing into the standing crop.

“Overall the new LEXION has exceeded my expectations. You hope for the best and prepare for the worst, but it has been fantastic.

Because of lock-down we never had an operators course, so went in blind but it is so easy to operate. The cab is a really nice place to spend the day and I really like the controls. Changing from a straw-walker to a HYBRID took a bit of getting used to, but the new touchscreen CEBIS terminal is so easy and intuitive to use, and the pre-set settings are very good. It’s very different to what I was used to, but if I was really stuck I downloaded the CEMOS app onto my phone, which was helpful, and I could always ‘phone Jon or get the operator manual out!

“The pressure was definitely on to do something about straw residue and my customers have been more than happy and I have had a lot of positive comments back. The spread is so good we have even tried drilling rape straight into the chopped straw which I have never done before. And I really like that it can be switched over just at the press of a button.

“The sample has been fantastic. I did use the pivoting concave bar quite a bit in barley, which worked well. But also the amount of adjustment you have between the combination of the APS drum and HYBRID rotor speeds, the concaves and the ‘bomb doors’ gives you so many options. It makes it so easy to get a really good sample at a high output and with hardly anything going through the returns.”

One aspect of the new LEXION that Nick and Sam were not expecting is how quiet the combine is, and how much less fuel it uses. “Although we have not accurately measured it, we are certainly using about 20% less fuel and AdBlue consumption is so low we only filled it twice in the whole harvest.” comments Nick.

“In the LEXION 7400 we have bought a lot of technology and output. It’s not been an easy season and yields have been all over the place. I am sure I have not had the best out of the LEXION yet and will learn more about it and how I can push it even harder.”

HarvesTimes

28

John Langmead, 1,000ha cereals, West Sussex

TUCANO 570/580

Pocket rocket flexibility happy at the same time! Also it avoids the risk of having all my eggs in one basket, so should one combine go down, I still have another harvesting.”

Being near the coast, one compromise he didn’t want to take was to change back to a straw-walker machine, so this meant either running the smaller LEXION HYBRID or the TUCANO HYBRID. “The damp can come in quickly at the end of the day, so the higher output from the HYBRID enables us to push on and make the most of the prime harvesting hours in the heat of the day. Also the ability of the HYBRID system to thresh every last grain out in potentially heavy straw crops is important.

“Punches well above its weight.”

John Langmead, TUCANO 580 and 570

As John Langmead has found, increasing your cropping acreage by 70% to 1,000ha in one year is not without its challenges, not least harvesting the crops and the dilemma of do you go for one big combine or two smaller ones.

BIG INCREASE IN ACREAGE The last year has been one of considerable change for John as he gears up his machinery fleet to cope with a 400ha increase in acreage, giving him 1000ha either owned or on different management agreements. This is split between nine farms and six landowners, spread over 15 miles along the Sussex coast between Worthing and Chichester.

“Taking on that acreage has been a big step and needed some bold decisions, not least about the machinery needed and logistics,” he says. “One of the major considerations is that half the cropping is down to Group 1 milling wheats, plus there is 100ha of seed peas for Birds Eye. So there is a lot of pressure to get those crops in quick as a lot of premium is at stake. It’s one thing if I miss the premium on my own crops but I potentially face a lot of questions if I lose it on someone else’s crop.”

ONE OR TWO COMBINES? Faced with the need to replace his 6-year old LEXION 750, the question was should he stay with just one higher capacity combine or go for two smaller machines.

“One option I looked at with Gavin (Elliot) at OLIVERS was to go up to a LEXION 7700, which logistically would be far simpler and organising the trailers to support it would be considerably easier. However, it can only be in one place at one time, and over that acreage and spread of land the option of two smaller combines would give me a lot more flexibility to jump between crops, react to adversity and also keep two landowners

MAKING FINANCIAL SENSE “Technologically the TUCANO is a simpler combine and in the past, I would not have considered one. But in the latest model the technology creep down from the LEXION to the TUCANO HYBRID means the gap has certainly narrowed. Cost wise having two smaller LEXION wouldn’t work – you need to step far enough away to keep the capital cost between buying one and two combines realistic.”

With this in mind, Gavin came up with a deal that included a new TUCANO 580 and a local 3-year old TUCANO 570, both with VARIO 770 cutterbars, that had been looked after by the Petworth team from new.

“Cost wise this meant the two options were similar, but while the running costs of having two combines may be slightly higher, that’s what you pay for flexibility. Because the TUCANO is technologically simpler, I am planning on a 6-year replacement, so the 570 fits well into that as I certainly don’t want to be buying two combines at the same time again!

“We have run CLAAS combines from Petworth since 2000 and the service support from the team there has always been excellent. And although I did have demo’s of other machines, the historical service and support we have had accounted for a lot and was a major reason for staying with CLAAS, as I know OLIVERS will look after us and go the extra mile when we need it.

“Both the TUCANO went very well and I have been very pleased with the performance. They certainly seem to tuck the acres away and we finished wheat on the 8th August. Typically together they cleared around 52ha a day, but yields were down so the real challenge will be next year in hopefully thicker crops. Both the combines are equipped with TELEMATICS and weigh cells so I can provide accurate yield maps.

“I did do a bit of a double take when I saw what the new generation LEXION is capable of, but pound-for-pound the TUCANO HYBRID really does punch above its weight. It’s a little pocket rocket. Time will tell if I made the right decision and this year has definitely been a severe test of the system. Hopefully the next few years should seem easy by comparison!”

TECHNICAL FOCUS

TUCANO HYBRID

29

Technical focus on the TUCANO HYBRID

First introduced in 2015, the TUCANO APS HYBRID offers all the benefits of the unique and well proven combination of the APS primary threshing system with the extremely efficient ROTO PLUS secondary separation system.

Like their larger LEXION cousins, this combination means that both the TUCANO 580 and 570 HYBRID models provide separation qualities and output that differs considerably from a straw walker machine.

As on the TUCANO straw-walker models, the crop initially flows through the APS threshing system. This consists of an accelerator drum to even out and start speeding up crop flow from around 3m to 20m a second. With a wrap angle of 151°, the large multigrain concave area around the main threshing drum is designed for gentle but effective grain separation, so that around 70% of the grain is removed prior to the crop flow carrying on through an impeller drum into the ROTO PLUS rotor for the secondary separation process. The concaves are easily adjusted using the latest CEBIS Touchscreen terminal, as is the drum speed in tandem with the accelerator drum.

Unlike the LEXION, the TUCANO features a single ROTO PLUS separation rotor that’s 4.2m long and 57cm in diameter. Being so wide, this creates an extremely high centrifugal force for extremely effective secondary separation but without damaging the straw.

The rotor speed is also controlled using the CEBIS Touchscreen, and is set independently to the APS drum speed, so giving the operator a wide range of setting options while protecting grain quality. The range of drum speeds is reflected in the greater diameter of the ROTO

PLUS rotor, which as conditions change during the day can be infinitely varied from a maximum of 920rpm down to just 480rpm.

This wide range of speeds means that where straw is to be baled, the high centrifugal forces allow the rotor speed to be reduced for minimal damage but without compromising separation or output.

The rotor has a total of six concaves, the first two of which can be manually closed either individually or together in order to alter the separation area as conditions change. This means that in damp conditions later in the day or in green-strawed crops, a larger separation area can used to achieve improved separation of harder to remove grains, or in very dry conditions both concaves can be fully closed for maximum throughput without overloading the sieves with short straw.

With the added benefit of AUTO CROP FLOW now available on the TUCANO to detect and react to a potential overload or blockage and AUTO SLOPE CONTROL that continuously alters fan speed relative to the angle of the combine, this ensures that the operator can confidently set and push the unique TUCANO APS HYBRID to its limits, while gaining optimum grain separation and quality, at consistently high outputs regardless of conditions.

TUCANO APS HYBRID RANGE Model

System

Grain tank

Max. hp

TUCANO 580

APS HYBRID, 1,580 mm

11,000 l

381

TUCANO 580 MONTANA

APS HYBRID, 1,580 mm

11,000 l

381

TUCANO 570

APS HYBRID, 1,580 mm

11,000 l / 10,000l

354

TUCANO 570 MONTANA

APS HYBRID, 1,580 mm

11,000 l / 10,000l

354

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PRODUCT NEWS

TORION 1511

Stage V for mid-range TORION

Among the latest updates for the TORION wheel loader range, the three mid-range models make the move to Stage V engines, with the TORION 1511 now packing a more powerful 6-cylinder engine under its bonnet.

As part of its move to Stage V, the TORION 1511 has been given a 12% power boost thanks to it now being powered by a 188hp, 6.8 litre 6-cylinder DPS engine, which develops some 741Nm of torque.

In addition, the power within the VARIPOWER ground drive has been increased by 23%, giving it more dynamism and agility for loading and clamp work.

Meanwhile the Stage V engine fitted to the TORION 1410 gives a 5% power increase to 163hp, while the TORION 1177 remains at 140hp.

Larger pressure rams means that lift force on both the TORION 1511 and 1410 has also been increased by 20%, so providing more power for handling work.

The cabs on all three mid-range models have also been brought into line with those on the larger framed TORION 1914 and 1812, so get more legroom and a 9-inch high resolution colour touch terminal instead of a 7-inch one previously. The armrest has been redesigned, as has the windscreen to provide greater field of vision and a larger wiper area. Up to six LED lights can now be fitted on the rear of the cab and the bonnet is now flatter.

The wide range of options include a new reactive joystick steering system for working at low speeds, along with SMART HANDLING, dynamic steering, integrated weighing and tyre pressure monitoring.

Hannah Arnold, Spring Farm Partnership, Norfolk, October 2020.

TORION 1812

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High torque TORION Operated mainly by Andy Thurston, one of the main jobs for the TORION is muck handling, when on larger jobs it can be kept busy loading the company’s two 12t capacity Terragators and a 15t capacity trailed Bunning spreader.

“The cab layout is brilliant,” states Andy. “Nothing’s cluttered, it’s so quiet and the VARIO is a Godsend. When I first saw it I thought the TORION looked clumsy, but the manoeuvrability and turning circle is extremely good and the pushing power is phenomenal.

Hannah Arnold, Contractor

The combination of a high engine torque driving through a power-split CMATIC CVT transmission has enabled Spring Farm Partnership’s new TORION 1812 to more than take on the workload of the two wheel loaders it replaced.

Cab comfort, ease of use and plentiful hydraulic power have also all been stand-out features on the new TORION for Hannah Arnold and her team at Spring Farm Partnership.

Supplied by MANNS Norfolk this autumn, one of the loaders the TORION 1812 replaced was a 7-year-old powered by a 252hp engine developing 1,186Nm of torque, that weighed 15 tonnes and had a tipping capacity of 8.2 tonnes. The other was a more modern 4-year old 18 tonne machine, with a 11 tonne capacity powered by a 256hp engine developing 1,250Nm of torque.

“With our previous loader, which was water ballasted, on silage it would take at least three goes to clear an 18 to 20 tonne trailer load, whereas the TORION will do it in two, and on the first go it will just push right through the middle of the load and keep going. It’s got the weight so it doesn’t need ballasting and feels comfortable, so you can push it. For muck loading the raw hydraulic power is very good and it will comfortably lift 7 tonnes at a time so in two and a half grabs the Bunning can be gone.”

“It’s a very nice place to work,” adds another operator. “Within 15 minutes I felt right at home and it’s even got a fridge! The all-round visibility is good and having auto greasing makes daily maintenance simple. The large terminal screen is easy to use and it’s simple to setup and operate the TORION and functions like SMART LOADING.” “It arrived at the start of the maize harvest, so it’s early days. However, coming from Leibherr it will be well built and having CLAAS tractors I know that MANNS will look after us well,” says Hannah. “So far we have been extremely pleased with it and with its long service hours (2,000 hours and 6,000 hours for the transmission with a 3,000 hour check) the running costs should be low,” she concludes.

On paper, the TORION 1812 which weighs 18 tonnes, has a load capacity of 11 tonnes and is powered by a 195hp engine would not seem to have the power to compete. But as the Spring Farm team have found, in reality engine power isn’t everything; it’s the engine’s 1,215Nm of torque developed at just 1,100rpm by the 4-cylinder Leibherr driving through the CMATIC transmission that makes it stand out.

“Of the two the TORION replaced, the 2016 machine didn’t have the pushing power and just didn’t tick all the boxes. And when we looked at the newer version of the 2013 machine, the guys said nothing seemed to be any different on it. Price also played an important part,” says Hannah Arnold.

“By comparison, when we tried the TORION its performance was just so much better. The TORION is heavy, but it has the power to just keep pushing – nothing phases it. Also because its low revving and has the VARIO ‘box, it’s fuel efficient compared to the 2016 replacement machine.”

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PRODUCT NEWS

Telescopic TORION

A new articulated telescopic model, the TORION 738 T SINUS, has been added to the TORION wheel loader range which offers outstanding manoeuvrability and stability.

The TORION 738 T SINUS features a central telescopic boom with an impressive bucket pivot point height of 4.96 m. Fully articulated payload with the boom lowered but at its 2.69m maximum reach is 2,300kg. The maximum tipping load articulated is 3,800kg, and the maximum loading and stacking height with loading forks is 4.80m.

The Z kinematics of the mast provide a high breakaway force and fast dumping speed. The headstock can rotate through 172° and fitted as standard is a fast implement changer and end-of-travel damping for the telescopic boom.

The 93l/min, 230 bar hydraulic system has ample power for lifting and stacking tasks and an optional additional 28 l/min high-flow pump can be fitted to provide additional power for attachments such as sweepers and mulchers. As an option, two control circuits

for attachments can be fitted at the front, and a single double-acting control circuit at the rear.

EXTREME STABILITY AND MANOEUVRABILITY To ensure the TORION keeps its wheels firmly on the ground, even when lifting heavy loads to maximum height, the unique SINUS steering system uses a combination of articulated and rear axle steering, to give a maximum articulation angle on either side of just 30°.

To achieve this, the rear wheels are directly connected via two steering rods to the front section, providing synchronised steering capability on turning of the articulated joint to a maximum wheel angle of 25°. This results in an outstanding turning radius at the bucket edge of only 4.22 m – unparalleled in this equipment class – and the inside turning radius is just 1.49 m.

The articulated pivot joint allows the front and rear sections to pivot

TORION TORION738 738

33

STAGE V 4-CYLINDER ENGINE Power for the TORION 738 T SINUS comes from a 73 hp Yanmar 4-cylinder engine with wastegate turbocharger, which meets Stage V exhaust emission requirements without needing AdBlue. Positioned behind the cab, this also serves as a counterweight. An optional automatic reverse fan is available to keep the radiator system clean, which can also be manually activated.

Drive is through a hydrostat and two-speed automatic gearbox with SMART SHIFTING. Two gear ranges can be selected with a rocker switch, with a ground speed of up to 20 km/h in range 1, and up to 40 km/h in range 2. A key feature of the SMART SHIFTING system is automatic gear shift in both gear ranges, with synchronisation of the gearbox and hydrostat for optimum shift reliability and smooth operation.

ALL-ROUND VISIBILITY With just four narrow cab pillars, a steeply downward-sloping bonnet, a deep windscreen and slimline boom there is unsurpassed all-round visibility and a clear view of the implement carrier. The flat-floor, air-conditioned cab comes with a heated, air-suspended seat for maximum operator comfort.

by up to 8° on each side. Layered springs fitted as dampers in the articulated pivot joint noticeably boost operator comfort, particularly on the road.

All key functions are conveniently located in the right side control panel and the joystick, which is connected to the seat. A 9-inch adjustable monitor on the A-pillar keeps the operator fully informed of all significant machine parameters and dynamic load limit status.

SMART LOADING For repetitive loading tasks, the optional SMART LOADING package can significantly reduce operator stress. Functions include programmable lift height and lowering depth limit, automatic bucket return, dynamic load limit, and display of telescopic boom and headstock operation on the 9-inch touchscreen terminal.

The dynamic load limit function operates with pressure and angle sensors. A colour bar diagram display on the control terminal keeps the operator fully aware of the current load status. When the safe load limit is reached, the extension and retraction of the lift arm is initially restricted, and then locked altogether. Restriction of the telescoping speed and the boom lift/lower speed is dependent on the carrying load and height.

A unique feature is automatic retraction of the telescopic boom in combination with automatic bucket return and transition to the lowest lowering depth limit point. The boom and headstock are moved to their stored positions with a single movement of the joystick. The optional end-oftravel damping for the lifting and lowering kinematics can also be set individually on the state-of-the-art terminal.

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RJ & A Dennis, Dairy farmers, Cornwall – by Mick Roberts

Agile loader handles all tasks

While many businesses wouldn’t be without a telehandler, one Cornish family has opted for an agile TORION compact wheel loader to carry out loading duties on its dairy farm.

Reliability and manoeuvrability are more important loader requirements than telescopic reach for Edward Dennis, who farms with his parents Roger and Angela and brother in law, Mark Hughes at North Park, Tregastick, nr Looe.

“There isn’t much room in the yard and around the buildings, so the machine cannot be more than 6ft (1.8m) wide and must be able to negotiate some tight corners,” says Edward. “Also, we can only feed the milking cows when they are in the parlour and collecting yard, so we can’t afford to have any problems with starting or break-downs. If the loader stops it mucks up the whole routine.”

The family team doesn’t miss the reach of a telescopic, because they have never had it, he explains. For the past 20 years loading work has been the responsibly of a JCB 2CX compact industrial loader/ backhoe.

“We have been using one of these for the past 20 years. But the latest was getting old and needing replacing,” says Edward. “So when, one morning on the weekend, it refused to start due to a fuel problem we started looking for a new one.”

The 6ft (1.8m) width limit does constrain choice – with few telehandlers coming close. “We also quickly realised you can buy a new compact wheeled loader for the same price as a second-hand telehandler. And because we need absolute reliability a new machine was a far better option for us,” he explains.

HAMBLYS Launceston was the obvious first call to start looking for the replacement loader, explains Edward. “We currently run an ARION 650 and have had others in the past. We have had good experience with HAMBLYS, who have always given us really good service and back-up,” he adds.

The firm’s James Poad suggested looking at the new compact TORION 639. At just 1.79m wide on 405/70R20 Mitas tyres, its other compact dimensions and artic-steering not only fit the operating requirements, but it also came at a price that enabled the family to buy new, rather than used.

Another advantage of buying new is the option to include a five-year

TORION 639

35

Edward Dennis, with father Roger and Mark Hughes (in cab).

Articulated steering provides a tight turning circle, and allows the bucket to be always positioned parallel to the loader, regardless of the approach angle.

Less than 6ft (1.8m) wide, the TORION can negotiate narrow passages, while is still able to stack big bales up to the eves of high buildings with the farm’s grab.

At maximum articulation it has a full tipping load capacity of 3,850kg with a maximum lift height of 3.20m. Power is delivered by a 68hp, 3.3 litre Yanmar, four cylinder engine, which Edward adds, has the benefit of not requiring AdBlue.

The wheeled loader’s industrial roots are obvious in the cab. The operators, however, have no complaints with the workmanlike interior, which is easy to access and clean. Controls fall to hand easily with a large joystick in charge of all operations. There is also a great view of the bucket through the front screen as well as behind through the large, curved window (fitted with electric demister).

At North Park the loader’s main role is to load the Keenan Mech Fibre 340 diet feeder with four mixes a day, twice for the milking cows and one each for the dry cows and youngstock. Edward, Roger and Mark are all impressed with the loader’s agility and ability to move easily around the tight spaces. extended warranty. “While it has to be serviced by the dealer, we know it’s always well-maintained and we won’t pay for any nasty surprises,” says Edward. “Apart from checking the oil and water and other things we don’t have to touch it. And we know exactly how much it costs.”

After a successful demonstration, the TORION 639 arrived in early April. It is actually the same one they had on demo, which went away to Albutt who fitted it with a Euro 8 headstock to match the existing implements.

The TORION 639 is the larger of two new compact handlers introduced last September. It has an overall cab height of 2.5m and with its articulated steering offers a tight turning circle. Hydrostatic drive to all wheels operates in two ranges, with a top speed of 20km/hr.

The front-mounted boom means the operators can always see the whole implement and its position. This, they add, provides much better visibility and control than you get from a side-mounted boom machine. Roger is particularly impressed with the way the articulated steering allows the bucket to be always positioned parallel to the loader, whatever the angle of approach.

They don’t even miss the reach when loading and stacking big bales in the yard. Using their own home-made grab it’s possible to stack them six to eight high – right up to the eves in a high barn.

Now, after the novelty of the new machine has worn off Edward, Roger and Mark are all pleased with the purchase. The TORION 639 does everything they want it to do and as yet they haven’t found a task it can’t handle.

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36

PRODUCT NEWS

DISCO 100/10

New DISCO 100/10 with MAX CUT Two new centre-of-gravity side mounted rear mowers will be available in 2021. The DISCO 100 and DISCO 10, comprise seven brandnew models that cover working widths from 3.4 down to 2.2m and also incorporate the proven MAX CUT mowing bed, previously only available on wider working width models. They replace the DISCO Inline and DISCO 50 series for the 2021 season.

The new centre-of-gravity hitching system ensures that the mower bed, much like mowers with centre pivoting, has a uniform contact pressure over the entire working width using a large suspension spring that engages in the middle of the machine frame. The line of force of the spring runs exactly through the centre of gravity of the mower unit, so force is evenly distributed to the mower bed by the inner and outer support, resulting in clean forage and an undamaged sward.

The DISCO 10 can work on slopes up to an angle of 45°. A drive with a double gearbox comes as standard, allowing an extremely narrow transport position and a new folding angle of 95° and has a powerful belt drive that attenuates load peaks and can be tensioned without tools using a rotary knob. The PTO shaft speed can be reduced from 540 rpm to 460 rpm in light crops or when topping, which significantly reduces diesel consumption.

DISCO 100: The DISCO 360 and 320 are straight mowers that have a working width of 3.4 and 3.0m respectively and replace the outgoing DISCO 3150 and 3450. The DISCO 100 series also features a double gearbox, integrated anti-collision device and quick blade change.

DISCO 10: MAXIMUM CUTTING QUALITY WITH LOW WEIGHT Three DISCO 32, 28 and 24 have working widths of 3.0, 2.6 and 2.2m and are all fitted with the MAX CUT mower bed. Manufactured using two pieces of bolted pressed steel plate, MAX CUT features a waved shape leading edge that enables the cutting discs to be mounted close to the front of the bed. This provides a greater overlap between the blades, creating an enlarged cutting area for optimum cutting quality and flow through the mower. Each mowing disc is protected by a CLAAS SAFETY LINK module, that will shear in the event of a collision, and is easy to replace.

DISCO 100 AND DISCO 10 Model DISCO 360 DISCO 320 DISCO 320C DISCO 280C DISCO 32 DISCO 28 DISCO 24

They fold to 105°, so ensuring safe transfer even with lighter tractors, and have a damped end-stop. Visibility from the tractor’s rear-view mirrors is not restricted by the mowing unit and the rear lights are not obscured. The new double-acting hydraulic ram ensures a reliable and safe folding process even on hilly ground.

The DISCO 320C and 280C are mower conditioners with a working width of 3.0 and 2.6m respectively and are fitted with a full width steel tine conditioner, and fold to 95° for transport.

A headland stop is fitted as standard on DISCO 360, 320, 320C and 280 models and will also be a new option on the DISCO 32, 28 and 24. The optional parking frame allows space-saving and at the same time safe storage in the transport position for the DISCO 360, 320 and 280. All new DISCO 100 and 120 series mowers will also have road lights as standard.

Working width (m)

Discs (2 blades/disc)

PTO speed (rpm) (reduced speed)

Transport angle (°)

3.4 3.0 3.0 2.6 3.0 2.6 2.2

8 7 7 6 7 6 5

1000 (850) 1000 (850) 1000 (850) 540 (460) 540 (460) 540 (460) 540 (460)

105 105 95 95 95 95 95

DISCO 28

Willie West, Contractor, Dumfries

37

DISCO 28 takes it all in its stride Photo: AML AIR DUMFRIES

A pre-series 2.6m DISCO 28 has proved the ideal mower for part time contractor Willie West, who was looking for a compact mower that he could use with his 38-year-old tractor, but would leave a clean finish and be easy to get in and out of small fields and narrow gateways.

Willie specialises in making conventional baled hay, mainly for horse owners, so often finds that he is having to work in paddocks as small as 0.2 of a hectare up to fields of about 5ha.

Type of grass also varies considerably from long-stalked Timothy type grasses to thick, short silage leys.

Having been used to drum mowers, this was his initial thought when looking to replace his mower at the start of the season. It was only after talking with Kieran McKerrow at GORDONS in Dumfries, who explained about the new DISCO 10 series mowers and the benefit of the MAX CUT disc bed, that he came around to the idea of trying one.

Pre-series report

“My concern about disc mowers has been about their ability to get under laid or run down parts of the crop and how clean a finish it would leave,” explains Willie. “Kieran explained about the MAX CUT, now being available on the smallest mowers, and how having the discs further forward gets around that problem. I then also went and spoke to some other farmers and contractors that I knew ran larger CLAAS mowers, and they all confirmed how well it cut and how good a swath it left. I did also price it up against all the other main makes, but no-one could touch the three years interest free finance and two years warranty that Stephen Cook at CLAAS Finance was able to arrange for me, so done deal.

“Because I would be using it on a 1982 Ford 7610 weight is very important to me, so I arranged to just hitch on a larger DISCO 290 and see how it handled that, which was fine. Also the way it folds and sits behind the tractor is ideal, because I have to get through a lot of small 2.4m gates, so I don’t want a mower that slews round to the back.”

In a wide range of crops, Willie has been extremely pleased with the performance of his new DISCO 28 and how well it has worked behind his tractor. “It’s a very easily driven mower and the belt drive is

extremely good. I’ve never had any belt slip and if I hit a tough patch it’s the tractor that dies first.

“The new suspension system works very well and leaves a good even stubble. One thing I was hesitant about was whether light crops wouldn’t slip over the back of the bed, but regardless of how light the crop is, flow over the MAX CUT disc bed is very smooth and there was no difference in mower performance. I also opted for the extra swath board so as to leave a good, narrow swath as this then allows the ground between the swaths to dry quicker.”

Being in an area where stones and rocky outcrops are an occupational hazard, Willie has also been extremely impressed with how well the break back system works. Compared to past mowers which would often get damaged or he could hear the drums hitting obstacles, with the DISCO there was none of this and he only broke one blade.

“Over the years working for other contractors I have used a lot of CLAAS balers, tedders, rakes and mowers, starting with a ROLLANT 46 and WM 250 mowers. Also I have known Davie Lamont and Graeme Fraser for a long time, so I knew CLAAS products and the dealer service would be good.”

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PRODUCT NEWS

PARTSDOC

Online PartsDoc launched Available to users throughout the UK and Ireland, the new Parts Doc electronic parts catalogue enables customers to quickly and easily identify any parts they require, which can then be ordered through their local dealership.

Parts Doc can be accessed either via the www.claas.co.uk or www.claas.ie websites where it can be found under the ‘Service + Parts’ – ‘Applications’ heading or directly via ‘www.claas.co.uk/service new/applications/spareparts-catalogue’.

From here, having selected the machine type and model, you just need to enter their machine’s serial number to bring up the appropriate machine sections, from which the parts required can be identified. For simplicity, instead of a long parts number, each part is given a simple drawing number.

Having found the part required, it can then be ordered from your local CLAAS dealer, giving them the machine model or serial number and appropriate drawing number for the part. They can then cross-reference to the full part number and advise on price and availability.

Once ordered, the part will be dispatched from the central CLAAS UK Parts warehouse at Saxham for next day delivery to the dealership for collection by the customer. For parts that have to be dispatched from the CLAAS Parts Logistics Centre in Hamm, Germany, again the majority of these items will be delivered overnight direct to the dealership for next day collection.

www.claas.co.uk/service_new/applications/ spare-parts-catalogue

New CEMIS 700 ISOBUS terminal A new ISOBUS compatible terminal, CEMIS 700, has been introduced that will gradually replace the OPERATOR and COMMUNICATOR II terminals.

The new CEMIS 700 terminal incorporates 10 backlit ISOBUS hard keys as well as a rotary/push button. The high-contrast colour 7-inch touchscreen display has automatic day/night switching. It can also display real-time images from up to two cameras, which can be changed at the touch of a button or automatically.

As an ISOBUS terminal, the CEMIS 700 terminal supports Aux-O and Aux-N as well as UT1 and UT2 functions. In addition to language and screen brightness, the operator can individually adjust the volume of the integrated speaker.

The CEMIS 700 will be initially available as an option for DISCO Butterfly mower combinations, the ROLLANT 540 round baler, QUADRANT square balers and CARGOS loader wagons.

PRODUCT NEWS

TELEMATICS

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Easy automatic documentation TELEMATICS on tractors, foragers or combines provides not only a quick overview of machine status and settings in real time, but also a convenient solution for reliable documentation of field and harvesting work.

Automatic Documentation enables machine data and agronomic information to be assigned to specific areas in a time-saving and uncomplicated manner. Having stored the field boundaries in TELEMATICS, as the machine drives through the gate, the field is automatically recognised. Then, while working, based on the field boundaries and recorded tracks for each activity, TELEMATICS will automatically create and update field-related documentation.

DOCUMENTING YIELD MAPS WITH NIR SENSOR On JAGUAR foragers fitted with an NIR sensor, harvest quantities and measurement values can also be evaluated for each field. The NIR sensor provides information about dry substance content and also constituents such as starch, crude protein, crude fibre, crude ash, crude fat and sugar content.

TELEMATICS can also produce clear and highly precise yield maps for subarea-specific analysis. Data and maps can be exported and transferred in ISOXML format if required. In addition, the amount of silage additive applied, controlled based on the NIR measurement, can also be documented.

AUTOMATIC DATA TRANSFER—ALSO FROM ADD-ON DEVICES Using the new CLAAS API function, TELEMATICS can now be directly connected to many well-known farm management systems. This enables information such as field boundaries or data from automatic documentation to be directly transferred to the respective farm management system, so avoiding the need to manually transfer this information.

The TONI function in CLAAS TELEMATICS continues to be unique.

The ISOBUS interface can also be used to document data from stored add-on devices such as balers or loader wagons or, if necessary, to export it in ISOXML format.

In the future, for farmers with a mixed machinery fleet, by using DataConnect it will also be possible to also display information from networked John Deere, Case IH, Steyr and New Holland machines in TELEMATICS. TELEMATICS also offers digital dealer support through remote service, on request. This includes the transmission of faults to the responsible CLAAS dealer, who can order and deliver the right spare part after remote diagnosis, thereby saving time. A proactive maintenance plan is a further component of the remote service for sophisticated, rapid and perfectly-timed maintenance that is optimally tailored to the customer.

Yield mapping with the JAGUAR is also possible via TELEMATICS using a DLG-approved NIR sensor.

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PRODUCT NEWS

ORBIS 900

Narrow transport width ORBIS 900

cob retainers always ensure that cobs that have fallen down are also transported to the feeder unit.

The guide strips in the high-wear areas can be replaced easily and wear-resistant PREMIUM LINE versions can be specified as an option. The latter comprise guide strips in steel, feeder drums with an additional coating and particularly wear-resistant knives with the proven, reliable crescent shape. The modular design of the drums makes repairs easy.

The V-shaped, energy-saving crop transport system is supported by two feeder cones on the impellers on each side. Feeder drums with three speed adjustment settings handle the safe, longitudinal transfer of the crop to the feeder unit. When lodged maize is to be harvested, side covers with a hydraulically driven lodged maize auger as well as lodged maize cones for the outer transport discs, an extended centre point and point extensions are available. Optional guide bracket extensions can be fitted when working in very tall maize.

Ready for the 2021 maize harvest, features on the latest version of the ORBIS 900 row-independent header include a transport width of only 3.0m, automatically folding transport protection and integral lighting.

As with the ORBIS 750, the frame of the ORBIS 900 consists of 5 parts. This makes it unrivalled for fast folding and results in an extremely compact, road-travel-friendly design without compromising visibility to the front or sides.

During folding/unfolding, the optional fully integrated transport protection with warning stickers and lighting automatically pivots into the appropriate position for road travel or field work. The entire folding process takes only 30 seconds and does not even require the operator to leave the cab. This cuts transit and setup times considerably and reduces the operator’s workload during transfers.

At speeds between 2 and 7 km/h, a touch of a button is all that is required to start the automatic folding process. With the front attachment in working position, the transport protection remains safely out of the way in its parking position.

In order not to exceed a drive-axle load of 11.5 t, an integrated transport system is available. This is deployed automatically when road travel mode or oscillation damping is activated. Attaching the 8.93 m wide ORBIS 900 is also straightforward thanks to front attachment detection and an automatic drive coupling.

UNIVERSAL USE The flat mounting angle with two different positions and the very flat design make it possible to attain stubble heights as low as 85 mm. Large discs immediately ahead of the feeder unit ensure that even large crop volumes can be handled reliably. Paddles and

The two-speed main gearbox makes it easy to adjust the speed of the cutting drums to different operating conditions, and the three speed feeder cone gearbox allows speed adjustment to suit different chop lengths. Where the forage harvester has a variable front attachment drive, the first speed is always used. The gearboxes operate at low revs and therefore reduce wear. Furthermore, all drives have comprehensive overload protection.

The new tilting frame with a +/- 5° tilt correction in combination with AUTO CONTOUR ensures that the ORBIS 900 can accurately follow ground contours. In addition to the two standard sensor bands at the outer edges, a third, centrally fitted sensor band is available as an option. This provides a further noticeable enhancement of the ground contour following performance, especially on uneven ground.

JAGUAR 970

Drew Watson & Co. Agri Services, Contractor, Dumfriesshire

A different beast

John Watson and Ryan Skillen.

This year the firm’s front line forager – a 2017 JAGUAR 970 – was swapped for a new generation JAGUAR, again a 970. With a new engine, crop intake set-up, variable speed header drive and CEBIS touchscreen controls it behaves like a very different beast.

“We were initially very sceptical about the move from a V8 motor to a straight-six but we’ve been proved totally wrong. The first thing you notice is how much smoother and quieter running it is,” says John Watson. “More importantly it’s much more ‘torquey’ – it hangs on in there better and doesn’t get dragged down as easily when you hit a heavy patch.”

But this smoothness isn’t just down to the engine, changes to how crop is fed into the machine have made a big contribution on this front too.

“The hydraulic feed-roller tensioning has made a big difference in how material is presented to the drum. Because the mat of crop coming in is so much more compressed, you don’t get lumps making the machine surge,” explains operator Ryan Skillen.

“But the really significant thing is how much more consistent our chop quality is as a result. We’ve got some customers who want long fibre up to 18mm and others running AD plants that want it minced down to 4mm. We can achieve all that with a standard 28-knive V-MAX drum, safe in the knowledge the machine will alter the feed roller pressure itself to maintain an even chop.”

Hydraulic feed roller tensioning has also played a significant part in improving the

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While running one silage gang can be stressful enough at times, operating four forage harvesters can be fairly full-on. But with big acreages to clear and some very tight weather windows, for Dumfriesshire contractor Drew Watson & Co. it’s the only way of getting the job done.

performance of the ‘STOP-ROCK’ stone detection system.

“Because the feed rollers are under constant pressure and are producing a flatter mat of crop, they don’t tend to bounce as they did with springs. That’s meant we don’t tend to get as many false alerts and as a result I can run the system with higher sensitivity, picking up more of the genuine foreign objects.”

The other big contributor to chop quality and material flow through the machine is its variable speed header drive. By automatically matching it to the feed roller speed, the feed is smoother and the rate at which crop enters the drum more consistent.

These factors are also felt to have reduced wear and tear on both the shearbar and blades, according to the Watson team. In addition to ease of maintenance there are a number of other new features on this latest generation JAGUAR designed to make the operator’s life easier.

“Not only is the cab quieter, the new CEBIS touchscreen is so much easier to set up. With the various menu pages so much quicker to access, it means I’m able to change more settings on the go, keeping the machine running at its best all the time.

“With CAM PILOT automatic row following keeping the machine on track and Dynamic Steering reducing the amount of steering wheel turns, my life has become so much easier. On top of that, with AUTO FILL spout control loading trailers I can concentrate on what’s going on and keeping the machine running at maximum output. When I get out of the chopper after 14 long hours in the seat I’m definitely not as tired.”

“Ultimately with the tricky weather patterns and heavy grass in our corner of south west Scotland we’ve got to have the capacity to cover the ground when we need to,” says John Watson. “With all the new features on this latest CLAAS forager it’s become a whole lot more achievable.”

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PRODUCT NEWS

Higher capacity CARGOS

Among updates for 2021 on the CARGOS forage wagon is the availability of optional side extensions for the CARGOS 8400, which increases the loading volume by 2.5 m3, giving it a total capacity of 38 m3.

Also available for CARGOS will be the new ISOBUS compatible

CEMIS 700 universal terminal, which replaces the COMMUNICATOR II terminal. This has a 7-inch high-contrast colour display with touchscreen, backlit hard keys and a rotary/ push switch provide optimum ease of operation, plus the ability to display images from two cameras.

Cornering front linkage A hydraulically swivelling front lower links system is now available through CLAAS dealers for use with mounted front and rear mower combinations.

Developed by Hans Sauter GmbH in collaboration with green harvest engineers from CLAAS, this significantly reduces or even completely eliminates strips of grass being left when negotiating bends and mowing on slopes.

Hydraulically shiftable rear mower units are nothing new, but often the strip of grass left by the front mower unit when negotiating bends is partially crushed by the wheels of the tractor before being mown by the rear mower units. This results in part of the strip remaining pressed down and uncut with more dirt getting into the forage.

fixed in place like normal lower links when they are not needed.

The hydraulically swivelling lower links simply replace the standard lower links and can be retrofitted. No structural changes are needed on the front mower, so both new and older mower units of all types are suitable for operation with the retrofitting kit.

The lower link kits are pre-fitted for use with CLAAS DISCO mowers and suitable for use with CLAAS AXION 900 and 800 series tractors, but also with Fendt 900, 800 and 700 models.

The new Sauter hydraulically swivelling lower links are designed so that the front mower unit actively swivels inwards on bends. This completely eliminates unwanted strips and overlaps depending on the steering angle. When mowing on slopes, the offset can also be compensated for by swivelling the lower links.

The linkage can swivel by up to 30cm, to either the left or the right, and a double acting service is required so that it can be controlled using a spool valve. The swivelling lower links are secured by a locking block for road transport and can be folded upwards and

The hydraulically swivelling lower links ensure that the front mower unit can be shifted laterally by 30 cm to the left and right.

PRODUCT NEWS

STAGE V AXION

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Stage V AXION

The AXION 900 and 800 range tractors are the latest in the CLAAS Tractor product range to make the move to a Stage V compliant engine. At the same time, a number of other specification upgrades have been made.

AXION 900 Under the bonnet, the 5-model AXION 900 range continue to be powered by FPT Cursor 9 engines developing between 325 and 445hp at a fuel-saving 1,800rpm, while peak torque of 1,600 to 1,860Nm is available at just 1,400rpm.

A new feature on the AXION 900 is the option of CEMOS, which enables the operator to call-up advice on ballasting, engine settings and implement settings. CEMOS can also be used to provide suggested settings for the new CTIC tyre pressure control system that’s now an option on the AXION 900.

As standard, the AXION 900 comes with a 150 l/min hydraulic system, but a 220 l/min system is also an option, supplemented by a load sensing booster, which in Power Beyond mode ensures even faster and more precise response.

AXION 800

ISOBUS CTIC VARIABLE TYRE INFLATION Latest updates to the CTIC and CTIC 2800 tyre inflation systems include ISOBUS compatibility, so that in addition to the CEBIS touchscreen terminal, the system to be controlled using any ISOBUS universal terminal, such as the CLAAS S10 or new CEMIS 700.

CTIC tyre inflation systems are now available ex works for the AXION 900 Stage V tractors while the new generation CTIC and CTIC 2800 can be retrofitted to the ARION 600/500 and AXION 900/800 regardless of the year of manufacture.

CTIC is a variable tyre pressure system using the tractor’s air compressor. CTIC 2800 is a more powerful system using its own compressor with an airflow rate of 2,800 l/min. This is more than enough to raise the pressure in a 600/70 R28 or 710/70 R38 tyre from 0.8 to 1.8 bar in just 1 minute and 20 seconds.

While engine outputs, ranging from 205hp to 295hp for the 5 models in the AXION 800 range remain the same, there has been a slight increase in the torque curve, giving them more low end pulling power.

As with the AXION 900, the new CEBIS touchscreen terminal with integrated ISOBUS UT is standard. This also includes a USB socket for data import/export and the ability to link the terminal to external cameras.

In addition to the standard 110 l/min hydraulic system with a 150 l/ min option, there is also now a further option of a 205 l/min system.

An engine speed memo button can also be linked to the external PTO button using CEBIS and the PTO system now features an upgraded 7-plate PTO clutch for greater durability.

HarvesTimes

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Michael Wilton, Stody Estate, Norfolk

Impressive, cost cutting traction A reduction in horsepower to a 445hp AXION 960 CEBIS has given Stody Estate the capability of handling all the heavy cultivations previously completed using a far more specialist powerful tractor, but with flexibility to do other jobs and so spread tractor costs over more hours.

Farming with the environment while pushing their soils hard is central to the ethos of the 1750 arable hectares on the north Norfolk estate, where up to 14 crops are grown over a 12 year rotation on its light, sandy soils, which are highly reliant on irrigation.

“We have a large area of stewardship, and we do work the soils hard but are very mindful of managing grass weed risk, with the result that we have very little blackgrass,” explains farm manager Mike Wilton. “Having root crops means that we are often having to work soils in less than ideal conditions, so we are at the higher end of the horsepower scale for a lot of tasks.”

The arrival of the AXION 960 CEBIS last October marked a considerable change for the farm as it replaced a more specialist equal wheeled articulated tractor, which was around 100hp more powerful and 6 tonnes heavier. However, despite this reduction in power and weight, the AXION has proved more than capable of handling all the same cultivation equipment, including a 5.5m He-Va Combi-Disc, a 5.0m Vaderstad TopDown, a 7-leg He-Va subsoiler and 7-furrow Lemken plough. ”The catalyst for the change was that our previous tractor had a breakdown and Simon Bloomfield at MANNS lent us the AXION, which was his demo tractor. We couldn’t believe how well it gripped.

Adam Godwin the operator also liked it and it ticked a lot of boxes.

From there it was down to price and service support,” explains Mike.

“In the past we tended to use deep cultivations because the tractor gave us the horsepower to do it, rather than because we had to.

But the tractor was only any good for cultivations and so spent

a lot of the year parked-up. With the AXION I want to move to a system where cultivations will be chosen appropriate to the soil and conditions. By going back to a rigid tractor, the AXION is a compact workhorse that has the weight distribution and high traction that enables it to pull all the same equipment, albeit that with the CombiDisc it is at its limit, but it has the flexibility that allows it to be used for other jobs such as hauling grain or sugar beet.”

This flexibility is evident in the fact that compared to their previous tractor which did around 7-800 hours a year, the AXION in its first year has already clocked up 1,200 hours. Not only does this reduce its running cost but, states Mike, are extra hours that would otherwise have had to go on another tractor.

So pleased has he been with the performance from the AXION 960, that he has now added a AXION 870 as a second string tractor.

The policy is that tractors are paired, so supporting the AXION 960 is another 370hp tractor, while the 280hp AXION 870 supports an older 290hp tractor for secondary cultivations and corn carting, with another pair of 175hp tractors below these.

For operator Adam Godwin, while the arrival of the AXION 960 marked quite a change, he has also been very impressed with its performance and pulling power and having technology such as the S10 with RTK gps and CEBIS touchscreen terminal makes it very easy to set-up and use.

“The AXION is a far more refined tractor and overall I have been very impressed with it – it has far exceeded my expectations. The CEBIS is so intuitive and easy to use. Every button does what it should.

So it’s very simple to change the engine settings, for instance from max power for the Combi-Disc to a more economic setting for the TopDown or ploughing. Likewise the S10 makes it so easy to save your settings and A/B lines. It works very, very well.

“Also the LED lighting package is phenomenal and it’s such a comfortable tractor. As a rule I hate leather seats – but the ventilated leather seat in the AXION is brilliant; I love it!”

“The AXION is a good product that’s well priced, and the support MANNS provide is faultless. Also the relationship the service team have with Adam is important as it helps him to get the best out of the tractor,” concludes Mike.

AXION 960

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“The CEBIS is so intuitive and easy to use. Every button does what it should.

So it’s very simple to change the engine settings.”

Adam Godwin

Both Mike Wilton (right) and operator Adam Godwin have been impressed by the puling power of the AXION 960 and the flexibility it offers.

HarvesTimes

ARION 650 CIS+

46 Richard Evett, Wenallt Spraying, Carmarthen

Easy to use S10 sophistication

Changing back to an ARION 650 CIS+ and a 24m mounted sprayer from a dedicated self-propelled sprayer is not a decision Richard Evett regrets.

Simplicity, comfort, the S10 terminal and overall reliability, together with the service and support he receives from supplying dealer RIVERLEA all combine to provide the ideal package for his spraying needs.

Based in Carmarthenshire, as its name suggests Richard’s company Wenallt Spraying specialises in the application of herbicides and pesticides, working in both the agricultural and amenity sectors.

The majority of his agricultural work is on dairy and beef farms in the Carmarthen area, but he does also do some arable spraying in Pembrokeshire.

Prior to buying the 185hp ARION 650 this Spring, which is coupled to an Amazone 24m sprayer with an additional front tank, Richard ran a self-propelled sprayer. While on paper it seemed ideal, in reality it had its drawbacks, not least when working on steep ground and reliability also proved an issue.

Having bought a 135hp ARION 540 last year, which is primarily used for weed-wiping and smaller spraying jobs in more restricted areas with a 12m sprayer, Richard started talking to Carwyn Evans about alternative options and in particular the ARION 650 CIS+ which they had in stock.

“The ARION 650 is a popular tractor in this area. Going back to a tractor made a lot of sense. From the operator’s point-of-view the ARION is so comfortable and the high road speed makes it very easy to get around,” says Richard.

As part of its specification, which includes electric spools, the ARION is also fitted with the latest ISOBUS S10 terminal, with variable-rate (TC GEO) and section control (TC SC) capability, headland AUTO TURN and GPS steering using a SATCOR 15 signal.

“To an extent the self-propelled had too much technology on it, which was troublesome, so I was initially wary of the S10, but it’s great. It’s sophisticated but so easy to use and I like the fact it’s not a tablet type interface. Also I hate cables in the cab, so having just the one loom cable up into the cab roof is ideal.

“It’s easy to save your A/B lines and other data, and I like the fact you don’t have to set-up a new field file every time. I love the auto headland turning function, it’s great and spot-on. The various ISOBUS options give me options for when I replace the sprayer and I am also looking at adding a camera to it. I am now seriously considering getting another for the ARION 540.

“Just as importantly the service I get from RIVERLEA is spot-on.

Back-up is an important part of the package and with my previous tractors I didn’t feel looked after, but it’s something the team at Whitland do very well. Carwyn and Paul Rogers on the sales side and Jamie Evans on service are great and if ever I have had a problem they have been straight out to sort it.”

Kevin Heywood, 122ha, Cornwall

ARION 460

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‘Do everything’ ARION 460 “The ARION 610 was the main tractor on the farm and we also had a second loader tractor, so by buying the ARION 460 my aim was to trade in both and have just one smaller, but more powerful tractor that could do everything.

“The ARION 460 is fantastic. It’s compact for getting around the yard and for loader work, but it’s easy to drop the loader off and it has plenty of power for field work.

You certainly know the power is there as its really lively and responsive.

“For loader work the PANORAMIC cab is fantastic, but it also makes the cab seem far more spacious. And I really like having all the loader and tractor operating controls on the multifunction joystick. That is definitely one of the tractor’s best features and it makes it very easy to set-up and use the transmission and hydraulics.”

An ARION 460 PANORAMIC is the latest in a long line of tractors and machinery that Kevin Heywood’s family has bought from HAMBLYS, going back to his grandfather and the days when he used to buy a new David Brown tractor off them most years.

The number of machines and implements with HAMBLYS stickers on, bears witness to the excellent relationship Kevin has with his local CLAAS dealer HAMBLYS. “HAMBLYS have always been good and there when we have needed them,” says Kevin. “It’s a long established relationship and its one that’s based on the service they provide, which is invaluable.”

The 122ha farm is mainly down to grass to support a flock of sheep, but Kevin also grows 12ha of winter barley, with the aim that he does as much as possible in-house. So aside from general livestock work, the ARION is also used for arable work such as ploughing, power harrowing, drilling and spraying, supported by a second 1976 David Brown tractor and loader.

The 140hp ARION 460 with its FL80 loader arrived in June 2018 to replace a 115hp 6-cylinder ARION 610C which had been the first CLAAS tractor to be bought. “After my father retired, as I was going to be running the farm by myself I decided to get rid of the cattle and just concentrate on sheep.

HarvesTimes

The revolution continues.

The NEW LEXION APS SYNFLOW STRAW WALKER 5000-6000 series The new APS SYNFLOW system takes threshing technology to another level in the new 5000-6000 range. Together with new drive systems, intelligent operator assistance systems – CEMOS AUTOMATIC, greater comfort in a larger cab and the new field scanner for precision guidance, efficiency is unrivalled in the new LEXION straw walker range. The proof is in the performance.

APS SYNFLOW New larger threshing system with wider drums and an additional separator drum for increased separation performance.

NEW PIVOTING CONCAVE Can be operated via CEBIS, for a rapid response to change in crop type or conditions in the field.

Call your local CLAAS dealer today for a demonstration and for our Early Action Finance Terms.

Before 30.11.20

claas.co.uk/products/combines/lexion-6900-5300

NEW JET STREAM CLEANING SYSTEM Comes as standard on all new straw walker machines.