CLAAS brings on the big one: along with the launch of the LEXION 590R, other harvesting equipment was introduced.

The recent field day of CLAAS North America gave about two dozen US and Canadian journalists the opportunity to question several Claas executives from the US and Germany about current and future products and about the company's position in the farm equipment industry.

"I am damned proud of the North American team and the products we sell," said Theo Freye, President of CLAAS North America and General Manager of CLAAS Omaha LLC. Since building the Lexion combine plant in Omaha, Nebraska in 2000, the company has seen an increase in its US market share of harvesting and hay machinery.

"I see our strengths in three areas: our product support, innovative designs and the people we serve." He cited the company's relationship with Caterpillar and Cat dealers and the North American farmers as instrumental in building the success of Claas products.

Freye said few companies in the world have the continuity and commitment of Claas, which has been a family business since 1913. He said Helmut Claas, Chairman of the CLAAS Group, has continued to lead the company's mission for excellence in engineering and innovation.

A field day for journalists would not be complete without the chance to inspect the new equipment features or to ride and/or drive the company's new machines. Here are the new machines presented by Claas.

LEXION 590R

Watching the huge LEXION 590R in action was an awesome sight. The sounds of brittle corn stalks being devoured ended when the golden giant broke through the end rows and came to a halt less than 20 feet from where I stood.

This Claas 9 LEXION 590R was introduced to US and Canadian ,journalists shortly before making its public debut at the 2004 Farm Progress Show on August 30, in Alleman, Iowa. It is the Latest and largest combine in the LEXION 500 series, which now has seven models--560 and 560R (290 hp rated/305 hp bulge), 570R and 575R (340 hp rates/355 hp bulge), 580R and 585R (400 hp rated/431 hp bulge) and 590R (462 hp rated/501 bulge). All these models are powered by Caterpillar engines - 3126B (560/560R), C-9 (570R/575R), C-12 (580R/585R) and C-13 (590R), respectively.

The Lexion 590R is the milestone of our products in the US," said Hermann Garbers, Claas Executive Vice President, Research and Development, Technology and Quality since 1999. He said the new technology used in Claas products is due to the company's engineering network across the countries that share innovative ideas.

The 590R's Jet Stream cleaning system provides even and powerful wind distribution, a 56 percent larger pre-cleaning cascade and a larger clean grain elevator. The greater cascade action takes the load off the cleaning shoe before foreign material hits the sieves. The system features a total cleaning area of 9,610 square inches, eight turbine fans and a standard electric sieve adjustment or optional 3-D sieve.

The threshing system for the 590R is a variable-speed APS with new on-the-go concave settings. The system features an exclusive overload protection and a central linkage to ensure constant productivity, a multi-crop paddle rotor with rippled grates for handling various field conditions and a MAV wide spread chopper capable of distributing chopped residue up to a width of 40 feet.

The 590's header attachments, also 40 feet wide, feature the new MaxFlex ground flotation system on a 40-foot flex head and a 16-row corn head for 30-inch row spacing. An exclusive multi-link coupling system connects headers to the combine with a single coupler that is self-tapping and self-sealing. This provides a contaminant-free operation, Frey explains.

The new foldable grain tank extensions can be operated from the cab to keeps moisture out of the combine. The extensions raise the grain tank capacity to 360 bushels. A 26-foot unloading auger delivers a 3.3 bushels/second rate.

The interior of the cab is wider and includes an additional full-sized trainer seat. A newly designed multifunctional lever directs adjustments of all machine settings and gear changes at the touch of a button. Xenon lights for night operation and an electronic board information system (CEBIS) are standard on all models.

Drive axle capacity for the 590R is 28 tons, with electro-hydraulic shifting from the cab. Mudhog brand rear axles, 1800 ccm powered, are optional.

The 590R will be available for the 2005 harvest, at a cost of about $300,000, according to Bob Armstrong, Product Marketing Manager for CLAAS North America.

COUGAR

New to the forage industry is the Claas Cougar, which was also introduced at the 2004 Farm Progress Show. Armstrong says it is the largest self-propelled mower in the industry, as evidenced by its 45-foot cutting swath.

The Cougar, powered by a 12-liter 480-hp Daimler Chrysler engine, has parallel hydrostatic motors that transfer the power mechanically to the all-wheel-drive axles. Each of the five mowing units is independently driven and can be raised or lowered individually for mowing in tight corners. Even cutting is ensured by the automatic hydropneumatic relief system that controls the ground adaptation of the mowers.

The Cougar's cab rotates 180 degrees for transport. This enables the mowers, which fold automatically to a 10-foot width, to be behind the operator during transportation.

In the field, the Cougar works at speeds up to 13 mph. It is even faster on the road, with a top transport speed of 25 mph.

QUADRANT 2100

Claas says this new mid-sized baler added to its line of square balers delivers a dense bale that will keep its shape during transport. The Quadrant 2100 features a power feed system (PFS) that smooths out the windrow before the material enters the baler chamber. This evens out the crop flow and increases productivity. The PFS is standard on all Quadrant Roto Cut models and optional on standard Quadrant 2100 models.

The Claas Communicator control system, standard on the Quadrant 2100, enables the operator to monitor baler performance during field operation. The operator can easily adjust bale size and density from the tractor cab. The Communicator, which also controls the pickup lift on the baler, has user-friendly, large boldface letters and numbers.

Bale density is consistent because of the three-phase packer system and a ram that operates at 52 strokes per minute. All packing elements on the unit are shaft driven, with a straight line drive that reduces wear and ensures maximum efficiency. The Quadrant, with a 24-ball twine storage capacity, is kept clean by turbo fans and four Claas knotters.

JAGUAR SPEEDSTAR

The 2004 Jaguar Speedstar self-propelled forage harvesters have a new contemporary styling, a remodeled cab and faster road speed capability.

The unit has an integrated additive tank and pump, which eliminates the need for an added carrier and pump assembly. The additive tank, made of heavy grade plastic, has a 108-gallon capacity, is mounted low for easy filling and incorporates a drain for emptying.

The integrated air compressor is incorporated within the engine. It has a capacity of 21 cu/ft per minute at 127 psi, sufficient to power most air tools used for regular cleaning and maintenance.

The redesigned cab focuses on operator comfort and efficiency. The joystick control, for example, has large buttons for spout control. An electronic driving control system allows the operator to select a reaction that is more or less aggressive, depending on the operator's driving style. A new AC-matic system adjusts temperature in the cab from 59 degrees to 95 degrees. Improved lighting increases forward vision for night work.

Other standard features include a 210 cubic meter hydraulic motor that can deliver a 25 mph road speed and a 12 percent increase in pulling power. The units are equipped with engine braking and emergency braking to ensure sure stops. A new active header suspension system reduces shock loads and road bounce during higher field speeds and road travel.

For more product, dealer and company information, visit the company's website at www.claasofamerica.com.