The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ASABE) has honored seven CLAAS product innovations with the AE50 Award. “We are very proud to have been recognized by ASABE for several of our new products and technologies, including the XERION 12 series and the TRION 740,” explains Eric Raby, Senior Vice President Region Americas and Vice President CoA. “Our engineers are constantly working to make farmers’ work even more productive, efficient, easy and sustainable. We want to enable them to be the best in their fields, and the seven award-winning CLAAS product innovations from the areas of tractors, combine harvesters, balers and forage harvesting represent exactly this goal.”
The AE50 Awards, presented by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), annually recognize the 50 most innovative new products and product innovations in North America that have significant impact on agricultural, food and biological systems. Of the numerous submissions in 2023, seven CLAAS submissions were recognized among the top 50 for their innovation, significant technical advances and market impact.
These are this year's seven CLAAS winners of the AE50:
XERION 12 series
With the XERION, CLAAS has been one of the global technological drivers in the large tractor industry for 25 years. After six years of design and development work, more than 10,000 hours of testing in five countries and hundreds of customer interviews, the XERION 12 series, introduced in summer 2023, is now setting groundbreaking trends, and not just in its class. With their low engine speed concept 2.0, the two models offer engine outputs of up to 653 hp with maximum torque of up to 3,100 Nm at 1,300 rpm. The 15.6 l Mercedes-Benz six-cylinder engines are approved for operation with hydrogenated vegetable oils (HVO) - all new machines are also initially filled in the factory with the sustainable fuel produced from waste and residual materials. Unique in this tractor class are the CMATIC continuously variable transmission with a maximum speed of up to 50 km/h (TERRA TRAC: up to 40 km/h), the low-engine speed working hydraulics with delivery rates of up to 537 l/min, and the newly developed and shock-absorbed TERRA TRAC triangular crawler tracks in addition to the unrivaled all-round visibility from the four-point suspension cab which is the most spacious in the premium tractor segment. The extreme load capacity and precise steering thanks to the central frame with two steering axles, the uncompromising all-wheel drive concept with balanced 50:50 weight distribution and the CEMOS driver assistance and process optimization system are also unrivaled.
CEMOS for tractors
CEMOS is the first and only driver assistance and process optimization system on the market that optimizes both the tractor and its attachments but is also self-learning. It helps the operator optimize ballasting, tire pressure and engine-transmission management, significantly improving productivity and efficiency in field work such as tillage. In addition, attachment settings can be optimized step by step and the risk of damaging compaction in the soil can be evaluated and visualized thanks to the integrated Terranimo® calculation model. In DLG test report 7096, area performance was increased by up to 16.3 percent and fuel consumption was reduced by up to 16.8 percent. Inexperienced drivers in particular can achieve optimal tractive power transmission, efficiency and work quality with this technology - however, CEMOS demonstrably improves these target areas even for experienced drivers.
TRION 740
Since 1995, CLAAS has been setting global standards for throughput and efficiency on agricultural farms with the LEXION combine harvester range. The TRION series was introduced in 2021, which transfers many of the functionalities and performance parameters of the LEXION to the medium combine harvester performance class. In North America, the TRION 740 with the APS HYBRID system and a large rotor complements the extensive LEXION product range.
Like the LEXION, the TRION is tailored to the highest campaign performance and a wide range of harvesting conditions and combinable crops. Based on proven components, it combines productivity, efficiency and reliability with maximum versatility. In addition to the five- and six-walker versions of the TRION 500 and 600 series, TRION 700 models with the APS HYBRID system and either one or two rotors are also available in numerous markets. Buyers can choose between extensive equipment variants, including TERRA TRAC crawler track units, auger and VARIO cutterbars as well as CONVIO and CONVIO FLEX drapers, various corn and sunflower pickers, CEMOS driver assistance systems and different versions of grain tank size, grain tank outlet auger or straw and chaff distribution. The CEMIS 1200 is available for automatic steering via GPS, which also enables yield mapping for precision farming.
VARIANT net wrap system
Exactly 40 years ago, CLAAS invented the net wrapping technology for round balers. Thanks to this experience and its simplicity, the net wrap system used in VARIANT balers is extremely sophisticated and reliable. To prevent dirt from accumulating, the net cover is on a roll. The net wrap brake is as reliable as it is simple and works independently of the size of roll. Rubber rollers under the net film roll allow for adjustable pre-stretching from the comfort of the cab. High-quality net wrap from CLAAS ensures that bales stay in perfect shape, with or without edge covers.
VARIANT 500 SMART DENSITY
VARIANT round balers ensure high bale density in all crops, from wet harvested silage to dry straw. At the same time, they are able to produce hay bales with a soft core for safe drying. SMART DENSITY controls the two tensioning arms independently of each other. This means that the VARIANT always has the optimal belt tension in all conditions and at all driving speeds. While the exact density as well as the size of the soft care can be adjusted, the outer shell of the bale is always firm and maintains the shape optimally. These properties lead to optimal nutrient preservation, less feed loss, lower risk of spontaneous combustion and better feed conversion.
Double roller drive for DISCO 3600 FRC
The double roller drive of the CLAAS DISCO 3600 FRC front mower is a new, innovative drive concept for the roller conditioner (RC), which was specially developed for high-yield and heavy crops. The technical highlight is the solidly designed scissor gear that runs in an oil bath for maximum reliability and the highest crop throughput. The pivoting design enables the highest throughput and optimizes feed processing. A scale on the side of the mower shows the operator the actual size of the roller gap. The spring tension of the rollers can be adjusted independently of the roller gap.
DISCO 9700 RC AUTO SWATHER
The DISCO 9700 RC AUTO SWATHER from CLAAS is one of the world’s most productive triple mowers with conditioner and merger bels designed specifically for large forage volumes and heavy crops. Special features such as the new side-shifting technology, innovative drive line, and the intelligent merger belt design with 1,100 mm wide merger belt design make it unique to the market. The DISCO 9700 RC AUTO SWATHER can easily handle yields of up to 60 t/ha. While the machine is rugged enough to tackle high-tonnage cereal crops like rye or triticale, its gentle crop flow makes it ideal for delicate legumes such as alfalfa as well. ACTIVE FLOAT pressure control and non-stop collision protection are part of the standard equipment. The centrally positioned swing arms deliver an infinitely adjustable working width from 8.80 to 9.50 m.
The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ASABE) is an international scientific and educational organization dedicated to advancing engineering for agricultural, food and biological systems. Entries for the AE50 Awards are submitted from around the world and reviewed by a panel of international experts to determine the 50 most innovative and influential products. Increasing efficiency and productivity are taken into account in the decision, as is improving user safety. The award winners will be presented at the ASABE Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference from February 11th to 14th in Louisville, Kentucky (USA).
