The 8700 sticks with a Merc engine but goes from 585hp to 625hp (max power rating), while the 8800 exchanges the 653hp Benz for a 700hp MAN. As well as the extra power, the 8700 gets ‘bomb doors’ the full length of the rotors as per the 8800 and 8900.
Claas UK combine specialist Rob Portman points out that there is now a more even horsepower step between the 8700, 8800 and the 8900, the latter staying with 790hp. But as part of the new wide body hybrid shakeup, the 8600 which has been available in North America since the range was introduced in 2019 is now being added to the European range albeit with a 549hp MAN motor, the same engine and power rating as the narrow body hybrid 7700.
Mr Portman says that UK farmers currently running the likes of a 625hp 780 have a comparable model if they do not need an increase in output offered by the 8800 or 8900. He adds that while the larger 18,000-litre grain tank has been added as an 8800 option as on the 8900 the vast majority of UK customers will stick with the 15,000l version which holds 12.5-13.0t (the 18,000l is 13.5-14.0t) and proved more than adequate. All Lexion models get the option of a pivoting end spout, something which has been offered by competitors for several seasons for more controllable trailer filling and has proved popular in the UK with Trion customers.
All walker and hybrid Lexions now get the cab from the Trion. As well as providing more leg and headroom the slimmer A-pillars and larger glass area provide improved visibility. The seat can swivel side-to-side by 30° and it can be upgraded to leather and you can even have a subwoofer. Extra storage is another plus point.
Dynamic Steering also makes an appearance on the Lexion options list. This reduces the number of turns of the steering wheel to go from lock to lock by 40%. Speaking of steering, GPS Pilot is also added to the list of automated steering options. Claas has recently partnered with Trimble for its steering solution and it you opt for this then you get the CEMIS 1200 display as a secondary screen, replacing the long-serving S10.
The Claas Electronic Machine Optimising System or CEMOS has been further refined and extra optional featured added. CEMOS Dialog prompts the operator step-by-step through the losses calibration process to make it more accurate and prevent input errors. CEMOS Auto Header for the Vario tables uses the Field Scanner mounted in the cab roof to automatically alter the fore/aft and height of the reel plus the position of the knife in relation to the crop volume. Mr Portman notes that CEMOS Automatic is almost a default choice for UK Lexion 8000 series customers with a high uptake on the larger 7000 series too.
The Montana chassis levelling system is once again being offered on the Lexion ranges, namely the five-walker 5500 and the narrow-body hybrid 7700. As before the left and right front wheels can oscillate to counter cross slopes of up to 18° and longitudinally by up to 6° by raising and lowering the rear axle position. As before, Montana is restricted to wheeled models as the tracks cannot take the lateral forces.
Lastly, the single-piece reel Vario headers get the new drive system first introduced on the split-reel models that uses a gearbox instead of a chain. And there is a new lighter, mechanical side knifer design that is also simple to fit. Auto-header detection is a new standard feature, the combine recognising which table is attached and uploading the relevant settings.
