Combine operators come in for attention with the latest Lexion series to help them make the most of a machine that packs even more technical aids than ever. Peter Hill reports

With auto table controls, lasers or GPS taking care of steering and Cruise Pilot handling forward speed adjustment, Claas reckons combine operators now have enough “free time” to fine-tune their machines more effectively.

Hence the development of CEMOS – Claas Electronic Machine Optimisation System – to help operators get the best out of their machines. The “intelligent” system, displayed on the new CEBIS Mobile isobus terminal, suggests solutions to operators for ways to improve such aspects as separation or cleaning performance, and highlights the likely consequences of making these changes.

“It doesn’t just automatically change the settings – users can select or reject suggested solutions,” emphasises Tom Pine, Claas UK combine specialist. “Operators are still in charge, they decide what to do; but the system encourages them to explore possible changes.”

By drawing on the knowledge and experience of the Claas factory combine team across a wide range of crops and harvesting conditions, CEMOS is claimed to have an answer to pretty well every query.

“It will help a less experienced driver become a pretty good operator by giving him the tools and confidence to go beyond his comfort zone, and would be especially useful for someone moving from a straw walker machine or different make of rotary,” says Mr Pine. “But it will also help a good, experienced operator get even more out of his machine and make it more productive.”

Outwardly similar to their predecessors, the Claas Lexion 700 series (rotary separation) and 600 series (straw walker separation) have a lot of changes beneath their lighter-weight body panels, plus a new cab with additional control features.

The information package is optional on the Lexion 700 series – a new designation for all rotary separation models in the range, which along with the straw walker 600 series, has gained a number of upgrades and new features to boost performance.

Some models have gained a little extra power and most engines run at lower revs to improve fuel economy. Electronic engine management on the Lexion 760 (580+), 750 (570+) and 670 (560) means that Cruise Pilot is standard on these models in addition to the 770 (600).

“In its latest form, Cruise Pilot still regulates forward speed according to engine load and the volume of crop passing through the feeder-house,” explains Mr Pine. “But working speed can now be restrained by a maximum acceptable grain loss setting.”

Operators also get more features in the CEBIS control and instrumentation terminal, which now has an 8.5in colour display, including two quick-access “favourite” settings – for sieve configuration cutting uphill and downhill, for example – and a left-right quick-adjust selector for the straw spreader.

Hydraulic resources have been increased; the “constant pressure” system uses a variable output pump 50% bigger than before and with a 10% higher operating pressure contributing to faster table Auto-Contour and levelling response. A 10% increase in lift capacity helps the biggest models handle the 2.5m, 12m and 10.5m-wide cutting tables. These are both based on the 1250 1200 Vario design introduced for this year, with shaft drive to both ends of a split knife and divided reel and auger assemblies.

An all-new Terra Trac undercarriage with integrated suspension replacing the sprung axle system can be combined on the Lexion 750 (570+) with a 40kph transmission option in place of the 30kph version. On wheeled versions, the Michelin CerexBib front axle tyre is a Claas exclusive for 12 months, drawing on technology used in the low-profile AxioBib and XeoBib tractor tyres to provide low ground pressure performance from narrower section widths for easier mobility.

High output harvesting using less fuel is one of the claims made for the Massey Ferguson 9280 Delta combine, the first in the MF stable with a combination of conventional threshing system and rotary separation.

Making its working debut this year in preparation for commercial use in the 2011 harvest, the combine’s fuel economy – reckoned to save up to 10% of the diesel used by combines of similar capacity – comes partly from efficiencies in the internal systems, but also from the unique seven-cylinder Agco Sisu Power engine.

With urea injection after-treatment cleaning up the exhaust emissions, the 9.8-litre engine’s common rail fuel-injection can be set up with greater bias on power and fuel efficiency.

Variable power output also helps: in easy going, the engine delivers around 460hp, but this can rise to almost 500hp when crop conditions or unloading on the move demands more muscle.

Likewise, the Constant Flow speed control mechanism, which automatically adjusts forward speed to load, is reckoned to be worth up to 15% in terms of output versus manual control, while also relieving the operator of a task that otherwise detracts his attention from fine-tuning settings.

The main novelty of the new machine, however, is the separation department, where two variable speed rotors replace walkers to give a significant performance lift over the MF 7282 Centora. MF engineers reckon it puts the Delta on par with the Claas 580 (now 760) and New Holland CR9080 despite a 30hp or so power deficit.