CLAAS wins one gold and four silver medals

The German Agricultural Society (Deutsche Landwirtschafts- Gesellschaft, DLG) has again invited entries for the Innovation Award as part of Agritechnica 2017. The aim of the awards competition is to draw attention to groundbreaking innovations in the world of agricultural technology. CLAAS wins one gold and four silver medals this year.

Gold for CEMOS AUTO THRESHING - automatic threshing control for CLAAS straw-walker and hybrid combine harvesters
CEMOS AUTO THRESHING is another module which contributes to the automation of the combine harvesting process. This new assistance system provides fully automatic adjustment of the threshing concave clearance and the threshing drum speed in tangential threshing units, adapting dynamically to the prevailing threshing conditions. In this way, the threshing process in the threshing unit is continuously and automatically optimised to its technical performance limits. There is no need for lengthy set-up adjustments. However, it is possible for the combine harvester operator to intervene at any time if he so wishes. Beneath the CEMOS AUTOMATIC umbrella, CEMOS AUTO THRESHING is networked with all the other assistance systems of the combine harvester, especially with CRUISE PILOT, the automatic ground-speed control system. Interaction of the assistance systems is monitored and controlled by means of a central module. Taking as its starting point the basic setting for the crop in question, AUTO THRESHING is therefore always able to find the optimal set-up for the threshing unit which allows it to thresh as gently as possible and as aggressively as necessary. It does this in coordination with the residual grain separation, the cleaning and the ground speed. This arrangement has the added benefit that the work of these downstream automated systems is made easier.

CLAAS has been awarded a silver medal for the following innovations.

AXION 900 TERRA TRAC - the first half-track tractor with full suspension of the entire machine
The AXION 900 TERRA TRAC from CLAAS is the first half-track tractor with full suspension. Its key innovation is the inclusion of the suspended TERRA TRAC crawler track system. The TERRA TRAC crawler track system is based on technology currently in use in combine harvesters but has been specially adapted to meet the requirements of tractors. With its suspended crawler tracks, the AXION 900 TERRA TRAC combines the advantages of a tracklaying tractor in terms of traction and soil protection, with the more convenient drive characteristics of a conventional standard tractor. Thanks to its individually suspended rollers, the crawler track system permanently guarantees optimum ground contact and a maximum footprint, making the AXION 900 TERRA TRAC comfortable and efficient on the road and in the field, even when travelling at high speeds of up to 40 km/h.

CEMOS for tractors: the driver assistance system for optimum tractor and machine settings
CEMOS for tractors is a new, dialogue-based driver assistance system for optimum adjustment of your tractors and implements. It comprises a database containing a vast amount of expertise and guides the driver to the optimum settings in natural language dialogue steps via the user interface of a touchscreen CEBIS terminal, taking account of the current task and the ambient conditions. The recommended settings consider factors including a wide range of machine parameters, the operating conditions and the driver's preferences. At the user’s request, CEMOS can apply some of the settings directly. If required, the driver can also be guided through the settings for the tractor sub-systems, such as CSM headland management. The system first supports the driver while entering the basic settings. It then checks them under the actual operating conditions so that they can be optimised as necessary.

CULTI CAM stereoscopic row camera for mechanical hoeing
With increased restrictions on the use of herbicides and development of resistance, it is becoming increasingly important to find innovative mechanical crop protection solutions. This applies not only to specialist crops and organic farms, but also to conventional row crop cultivation. With this in mind, CLAAS is now launching a new, high-resolution 3D row guidance camera for steering row crop hoes as a joint development with Einböck, Hatzenbichler, Carre SAS and Bednar FMT. This camera analyses the leaf structure of the row crop on the basis of colour information and 3D surface models. Thanks to more detailed analysis, the image processing software is able to identify the rows and calculate precise control signals even in windy conditions, crops with severe weed infestation or plants which are not green. The new camera system therefore allows high-precision row guidance even in difficult conditions, or at higher working speeds and work rates.

Large Vehicle Alert System warns car drivers of agricultural machinery in road traffic
The Large Vehicle Alert System presented by CLAAS is an innovation that creates more safety in road traffic and should therefore also generate considerable interest outside of agriculture. The new system transmits telemetry data of agricultural machinery and tractors in road traffic to assistance/navigation systems and smartphone apps in the vehicles of other traffic participants in real time. This way, car and truck drivers can be proactively informed about and warned of the position and status of agricultural machinery on their way. Additionally, the system can offer alternative routes to drivers, if the number, width or speed of agricultural machinery causes delays (e.g. during intense transportation when harvesting maize for silage or spreading liquid manure).