2004 – LEXION 580 TT
2016 – LEXION 770 TT
After four seasons work, the acreage had grown and the 480 was swapped for a 580 TT.
By 2016 the cropped area had risen to over 820 ha (2,026 acres) and another boost to harvesting capacity was required so a 770 TT was ordered.
“On the threshing front the big change was Variable Rotor Speed. Being able to simply tweak the rpm from the cab rather than getting out to swap belts meant the combine was always doing the best possible job with constant adjustments through the day as crop conditions changed.”
“Moving to the 770 was a bit like going back to familiar territory. We were back to a wide-bodied machine. Really it’s like having a 580+ with JET STREAM – an ideal combination.”
2009 – LEXION 580+ TT Five years on, the 2004 model was swapped for a 580+ with 9m (30ft) header. “Where we’d had a 25ft VARIO previously, that extra width made a huge difference. We were doing the same forward speed but covering 20% more ground,” says farm foreman and LEXION operator Neil Ramsay. “We’d never had an issue with power in the previous machine but the 580+’s engine was a step on again and that’s what made the difference to output.”
2014 – LEXION 760 TT “In 2013 we had a 760 TT in on demo alongside the obvious competition but nothing could match the LEXION for the big, often damp crops of straw we get in the Scottish borders.” “The others pushed to keep up but to match the CLAAS’ output they were losing more grain out over the back. The decision was simple – stick with what we knew was best.” “With the 760 the pace had picked up again. JET STREAM sieve cleaning made a huge difference to the sample we could achieve when running flat out. Importantly fan speed adjustments became much more responsive – small alterations resulted in big differences in the proportion of grain in the returns.”
“But there’s more to it than that. Whereas previously I would adjust fan speed myself going up and downhill, with 4D it’s all done automatically.” “And it’s a similar story with the bomb-bay doors on the rotor concave opening up to throw grain to the uphill side of the sieves. Although you don’t know it’s happening, we’re seeing fewer losses on side-slopes as a result so we can push on faster.” “From a driver’s point of view the whole set-up is just fantastic. The combination of auto-steering and CRUISE PILOT make a huge difference. We’ve always had LASER PILOT which worked brilliantly but on this latest machine we’ve gone to CLAAS ’ GPS steering. Being properly integrated makes all the difference.” “CRUISE PILOT on this new machine is spot-on. I engage it and the speed immediately picks up and output rockets. Constantly altering depending on load, it allows me to concentrate on all the other important settings.”
Anderson LEXION history 2000 – LEXION 480 2004 – LEXION 580 TT 2009 – LEXION 580+ TT 2014 – LEXION 760 TT
The 770 TT is equipped with the latest generation of 10.8m (35ft) VARIO header which has attracted particular praise. “The whole header is so much more robustly built to cope with its wider cut. Having three sets of sensor bands across the width makes contour following much more accurate and avoids bull-dozing.” “The split reel, bigger auger and twin knife drives means it runs so much more smoothly and being able to get the full range of knife movement without filler plates is brilliant. Changeovers take just a few minutes now.”
2016 – LEXION 770 TT
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