A leading manufacturer of agricultural machinery has upgraded its entire range of Lexion combine harvesters to a propel system based on H1 pumps from Sauer-Danfoss.
German company Claas has been producing combine harvesters for over 75 years. The Lexion range is one of its flagship brands. When the company launched its new Lexion 600, this was the first mobile machine on the market equipped with servo controlled H1 pumps from Sauer-Danfoss. The paint was barely dry when it took the European market by storm. Within months, Claas and Sauer-Danfoss were underway with the next major project, this time to design an advanced hydrostatic propel drive for the entire Lexion range. Claas has now upgraded its entire range of Lexion combine harvesters to a propel system based on H1.
Cut the noise, save on fuel
The Sauer-Danfoss team was given the task of developing seven new propel systems that would bring similar drive performance to the rest of the range. They were up to the challenge. Björn Bullwinkel, project manager for Sauer-Danfoss Bullwinkel explains what is involved: “The Lexion 600 was the first Claas machine to have a propel system with full electronic control. This has extra features such as cruise control and the ability to calculate optimum speed for maximum harvest yield. When on the road, the driver can lower the diesel engine speed to reduce noise and emissions and save on fuel.
“What we had to do was to achieve the same behaviour from the smallest to the biggest in the Lexion range with different propel systems. It was a challenging process,” he adds.
Different systems, similar performance
The seven systems are based on the same components as the original and comprise an H1 130 ccm or 165 ccm pump, motors with displacements ranging from 100 ccm to 250 ccm, and a microcontroller. Customised software optimises the performance of each system. Top speed is up to 40 km/hour. “Our software development team visited Claas often to optimise the machines. Claas also involved them and our field test team in the machine tests,” says Bullwinkel.
Outstanding safety and comfort
In addition to their convenient size and efficiency, H1 pumps have two outstanding safety features. As the name suggests, the integrated overspeed protection feature (ISL) prevents overspeeding in respect of the diesel engine, H1 pump and other components, thereby extending their lifetime. The control override function (COR) is charged with taking the pump out of action should the controller fail, if supply voltage is lost or when braking sharply. This ability to bring the machine to a rapid halt ensures full compliance with international road safety laws.
Enhancing driver comfort, the bent-axis motor comes with a two speed gearbox. Having one gear for the road and one for the field significantly reduces the need for gear changing stops and starts. “Generally the driver can drive longer without getting tired because, apart from steering, all the functions are automatic. The high power means more can be harvested in less time. Claas offered valuable support during the testing of the compact, efficient pump, which is a primary component of the harvester’s closed circuit propel drive system,” he adds.
Securing a strong reputation
Claas spent many months testing each of the seven propel systems in turn, working with Sauer-Danfoss to ensure no requirement went unaddressed. This dedication to detail is the reason why the Lexion range lives up to the Claas reputation for quality and performance in every way.
With that kind of a reputation, it is small wonder that the new Lexion continues to be the preferred combine harvester of farmers in Europe. Driven by H1 propel systems from Sauer-Danfoss, the range is now experiencing growing sales in the North and South American markets as well.
For more information contact Ron Sheehan, Sauer-Danfoss Hydraulics, +27 (0)11 803 8390, [email protected], www.sauer-danfoss.com
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