The Lexion combine harvester series from Claas has undergone a major technology upgrade. From model year 2023, the program will be supplemented by the Lexion 8600 as a high-performance hybrid machine, in addition to new Montana versions of the Lexion 5500 and Lexion 7700. All models will have a new cab and some models have increased engine power and greater grain tank volume.
Since it was first presented in 1995, the Lexion series from Claas has been a quality class machine in terms of performance, efficiency and versatility. With the launch of the latest Lexion series with APS “Synflow Walker” and APS “Synflow Hybrid” threshing mechanism in the summer of 2019, Claas once again had set new standards. Now the four Lexion series are being expanded and optimised with new equipment and performance features to provide even higher levels of performance.
New Lexion 8600
From model year 2023, the Lexion 8600 and Lexion 8600 Terra Trac, will be added to the Claas European hybrid combine harvester product range. With a drum width of 1,700 mm and powered by a highly efficient MAN D26 six-cylinder Stage V engine with a displacement of 12.4 l and a engine output of 549 hp, the new Lexion 8600 is positioned directly above the Lexion 7700, which has a drum width of 1,420 mm. Thanks to “Dynamic Power”, as with the other Lexion models, the engine output is automatically adapted to the operating conditions, thus saving up to 10 percent fuel in the partial load range, for example when swathing. Already successfully introduced in North America in 2019, the Lexion 8600 has proved itself in internal performance comparisons, including under European conditions in the 2021 and 2022 harvests, showing not only excellent throughput thanks to the wide threshing mechanism and powerful cleaning, but also efficiency. The grain tank volume is 12,500 l on the Lexion 8600 and 13,500 l on the Lexion 8600 Terra Trac.
More engine power
At the same time, the Lexion 8800 and 8700 models are also getting more engine power. The Lexion 8700 gains 41 hp to 626 hp, while the Lexion 8800 has an increase in power output of 47 to 700 hp. In addition, the 16.2 l MAN D42 six-cylinder from the 8900 will now also power the Lexion 8800. The increase in output and optimized torque curves mean that more power reserves are available, which keep the engine speed constant, particularly under difficult harvesting conditions.
Larger cab with rotating seat
The new cab generation introduced with the “Trion” in 2021 can also be found on all Lexion combine harvesters from the coming season. The generous space in the head and foot area as well as the optional leather seat, which can be rotated by 30 degrees on both sides, are particularly noteworthy for the optimal seating position at all times. Footrests are also available for various relaxed sitting positions. The wider command center offers a premium view of the header and the surrounding area thanks to larger front and side windows, thinner A-pillars and a cantilevered mirror design. The 360 degree wiper ensures a wide field of vision ahead in wet and dusty harvesting conditions. The 12-inch “Cebis” terminal with a high-resolution, high-contrast HD display guarantees excellent readability under all lighting conditions and offers three individually adjustable main display areas. “Cemos Dialog” and “Cemos Automatic” are also fully integrated here. It is operated by touch and the rotary/push control. In addition, all threshing and cleaning settings can be accessed quickly using direct access buttons on the right-hand side of the operating armrest. The Cebis terminal and armrest can be individually adapted to the driver independently of one another. Thanks to the “Cmotion” multifunction lever, the driver always has the most important functions under control and can save up to seven individual settings. A 30 l cool box and a 360-degree LED light package are optionally available, as is a multimedia package with subwoofer and gooseneck microphone.
When equipped with GPS Pilot for automated steering, the new “Cemis 1200” terminal is positioned on the right-hand side of the cab. In addition to purely automated steering, this enables online order management and documentation. Thanks to the ”Cebis” operating logic, drivers can immediately find their way around the functions and settings.
Another comfort highlight is the “Dynamic Steering” system, which has been available for years in Claas Arion and Axion tractors, in addition to the Jaguar forage harvester. Available as an option, it reduces the number of turns of the steering wheel by 40 percent when the steering wheel is fully locked, and makes it easier for the driver to turn into the next pass up the field at the headland.
Effective crop flow optimization
In order to further optimize the flow of material from the threshing unit to the “Roto Plus” rotors, a segmented feed drum has been introduced into the Lexion 7000 and 8000 series. Thanks to the new design in combination with the laterally and centrally attached feed plates, the crop flow is even better distributed and fed to the two rotors. The higher number of conveying tools also leads to a better crop flow and reduced matting with tough straw and under extreme operating conditions.
From the 2023 model year, all Lexion reversers will have a “slow retraction” function. After the reversing process, the direction of rotation of the reversing motor can be easily reversed at the push of a button, so that the crop is transferred slowly and more evenly to the threshing mechanism. This allows peak loads to be avoided after reversing.
More grain tank volume and optional swivel spout
Further updates include an increase in the grain tank volume for some Lexion models. The Lexion 6600 is now optionally available with a 11,000 l tank, while tanks sizes of 12,500 l are available on the Lexion 6700 and up to 13,500 l on the Lexion 7600. From model year 2023, the Lexion 8800 can be optionally fitted with a 18,000 l grain tank, which was previously exclusively available on the Lexion 8900 flagship. A 15,000 l grain tank is also available for the Lexion 8700, while the previously available variants with volumes of 12,500 and 13,500 l can now be found on the Lexion 7700 and upwards.
In order to control the transfer process even more precisely, both the 330 and 420 mm diameter grain tank unloading augers can be fitted with a pivoting spout. Thanks to the stronger bundling and the stepless angle adjustment, it allows precise control of the grain stream in a range of up to 60 cm. It is operated via the favorites management on the “Cmotion” multifunction control lever. The pivoting spout is equipped with an integrated cap that prevents grains from trickling out.
Three new Cemos functionalities
For model year 2023, Claas is expanding the “Cemos” environment with additional functionalities. A new dialog-based loss measurement in “Cemos Dialog” enables the loss sensors to be calibrated more precisely. Cemos Dialog guides the driver step by step through the entire calibration process so that measurement and input errors are prevented. Any loss level can be used for the calibration.
For fleet use, Claas is expanding the Cemos functionalities with “Cemos Connect”. Based on the transmitter and receiver principle, Cemos setting data can either be transferred from one combine harvester to other machines, or via the “Telematics” app to a mobile end device such as a smartphone. Optimum settings can thus be transferred to the entire combine harvester fleet if required. Cemos Connect is available from model year 2023 for all Lexion and Trion combine harvesters with Cemos on board.
“Cemos Auto Header” is a further innovation for Lexion and Trion that automatically optimizes the table length, reel height and horizontal position of the reel based on the crop height measured by the “Field Scanner” installed in the cab roof. In addition, a sensor records the layer thickness of the crop flow in the feeder housing. The driver can therefore fully concentrate on checking all machine data and quality parameters in Cebis and on the crop in front of the combine harvester, as well as on the transfer process when unloading while driving. The Field Scanner has an additional cleaning function for extreme operating conditions, so that reliable optical detection of the crop is always guaranteed both for automated steering by detecting the crop edges and for “Cemos Auto Header”.
Two new Montana models
As a supplement to the previous Lexion product range and six Trion Montana models, from 2023 the Lexion 5500 straw-walker and 7700 hybrid models will be available with Montana chassis slope compensation. Starting at 258 hp in the five-walker segment up to 549 hp in the mid-range hybrid class, Claas can now offer farmers and contractors an unrivalled choice of eight Montana machines for use on steeper slopes. Lateral slope compensation of up to 18 degrees and longitudinal inclinations of up to 6 degrees can be achieved via the hydraulic adjustment of the chassis. “Power Trac” all-wheel drive, electrically selectable differential lock for the front axle and “Auto Slope” cleaning increase forward speed and optimize cleaning performance with automated adjustment to slopes and inclines.
