By Peter Hill

OPERATORS of new Claas Lexion 600 straw walker combines can enjoy similar levels of automation next harvest as their those driving Lexion 700 rotary separation machines.

There is also a new variant in the Terra Trac version of the Lexion 660 and all straw walker models switch from Caterpillar to MTU Mercedes-Benz engines with cleaner emissions and get the Dynamic Cooling system from the hybrid rotaries for the first time.

There are winners and losers in the power stakes – the five-walker Lexion 620 gains 8hp to peak at 313hp and the 660 gains the same amount to top out at 408hp, but the 630 and 650 drop a tad to 354hp and the 670 drops to 435hp. Claas pointed out that better torque characteristics mean these changes are pretty much imperceptible in the field.

The electronics upgrades are of greater significance to operators. “Around 85% of Lexion 700 harvesters are fitted with Auto Crop Flow Control, which reacts rapidly to the risk of the combine becoming overloaded,” said product specialist, Adam Hayward, at the launch of the new machines.

“It gives the operator the confidence to push on, resulting in higher throughputs, because the natural tendency is to hold back a bit for fear of pushing the combine too hard.”

The flow control system uses sensors monitoring engine speed, the pre-threshing drum, impeller and straw chopper to react and alert the operator to a potential blockage.

“It will quickly stop the front end to prevent more crop being taken in and, if operating with Cruise Pilot engaged, will rapidly slow the combine as well,” explained Mr Hayward.

Auto Slope control is another new feature. It regulates fan speed relative to the slope the combine is working on, reducing airflow to the sieves when working uphill and increase it when working downhill.

As a further new option, the cleaning system can be fully automated through the CEMOS control system, using sensors to continuously monitor and react to changing harvest conditions by altering fan speed and the upper and lower sieve openings.

Residue management has also come in for attention, with the six-walker Lexion 650, 660 and 670 getting a new straw chopper and radial spreader designed to get material evenly spread across the wide cutting widths of these combines.

Wider cutting tables complement the Lexion 600 upgrades and benefit the Lexion 700 hybrid machines, especially when working in a controlled traffic system.

The 10.8m wide Vario 1080 table that replaces the 1050 version provides a bit more leeway for leaning crops – oilseed rape especially – and shares new features with the 12.3m Vario 1230.

Both have separate knives, reels and auger for each side of the table, and the auger diameter has been increased to 660mm to handle larger volumes of straw.

Being able to adjust and fold the Laser Pilot auto steering scanners on the end of the table when fitted also makes life easier for the Lexion operator.

Grain gets a long drop

An extra-long grain auger for operators of the biggest Lexions will make it easier to fit the combines into a controlled traffic system to confine wheelings to the exact same location every year.

Various solutions to keeping grain trailers on the permanent tramlines have been tried for combines working with 12m-plus tables, including a receiving conveyor on the side of a chaser bin and grain auger extensions.

Now Claas has produced the 7XL auger a properly engineered and integrated solution for 12m controlled traffic farming. It is incorporated into a reinforced grain tank to ensure it can withstand the added weight of steel and grain, and a folding end section for road travel.

It is available only on Lexion Terra Trac combines fitted with the strengthened 11,000-litre or 13,500-litre tank. For narrower CTF systems, Claas already offers the 4XL for 10m spacing and the 3XL for a 9m system.

Hi-tech trailer management

Tractor drivers hauling grain trailers at harvest can now have an iPad tablet computer in the cab – not for entertainment but to see the grain tank status of combines so they can get in position to offload without causing any delay.

A £250 annual license for one combine and up to five trailers is available for the iPad, with plans to have it available on iPhone and Android mobile phones next year.

Another development is the ops overview provided by the Telematics App, which helps harvest drivers locate a combine that has moved fields while they were in transit between field and store.