LEXION Combine Operations
Product Training 2017
CLAAS of America Inc
Company: CLAAS of America Inc.
Address: 8401 South 132nd Street
Omaha, NE 68138
Phone: 402-861-1000
Fax: 402-861-1003
Website: www.claas.com
Images and content are intended to cover ALL features and options available on 2017 LEXION Combines. Content may vary on each
machine configuration. The conditions and configurations recommended in this presentation are intended to cover most, but not all,
situations from a theoretical viewpoint. For this reason, descriptions are intentionally kept generic. Keep in mind that this is NOT a “a
substitute for the owners manual, but only a supplement to provide recommendations and tips to help optimize performance on a LEXION
combine.
LEXION Model: 780 – 670
Build Year: 2017
Effective Date: 7/1/2016
Last Revision: 3/8/2017
Product Training: Combine Operations2 Spring 2017
CLAAS ACADEMY
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Table of contents
Product Training: Combine OperationsSpring 2017
Demo evaluation
1. Header
2. Feeding
3. Pre concave
4. Main concave (Threshing)
5. Impeller
6. Separation (rotors / walkers)
7. Prep pan
8. Fan
9. Top sieve
10. Bottom sieve
11. Residue management
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CLAAS ACADEMY
Header
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations4
Side draper speed1. Too fast
- Crop flow concentrated in center
- Cannot utilize full combine capacity (width)
2. Optimal speed
+ Smooth, wide feed
+ Good capacity to keep up with incoming crop
3. Too slow
- Chance of wrapping under side draper belts
- Chance of pinching crop in side-wall
CLAAS ACADEMY
Header
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations5
Flighting extensions• Match width of feederhouse and conditions
• Wide feederhouse should have few/no extensions
1.
2.
CLAAS ACADEMY
Header
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations6
HP Feederhouse1. Too far forward
+ Aggressive cut angle
+ Knife may cut closer to the ground
- Increased risk of damaging knives or dirt intake
2. Too far backward
+ Less likely to intake rocks
+ Retain slightly more crop
- May not get under lodged crop well enough
- May not get close enough cut to the ground
CLAAS ACADEMY
Feederhouse
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations7
Drum position1. Drum up: wider intake of crop
+ Better feeding in corn/sunflowers
+ Less aggressive
- Less consistent feed in small grains
2. Drum down: narrow intake of crop
+ Better feeding in small grains
+ More aggressive for tough conditions
- Increased shelling/threshing action
CLAAS ACADEMY
Feederhouse
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations8
Speed1. High speed (420rpm)
+ Best feeding in small grains
- Increases aggressiveness of feederhouse
- Inconsistent feeding (grass seed)
3. Mid-speed
+ Good speed for corn & soybeans
- Moderate aggressiveness not ideal for pulse crops
4. Low speed (300rpm and below)
+ Most gentle speed range
- Can limit capacity in small grains
CLAAS ACADEMY
Pre-concave
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations9
Dis-awning plates1. Open
+ Pre separation
+ Decreased damage
- Increased chaff on cleaning shoe
2. Closed
+ More aggressive threshing
+ Decreased chaff on cleaning shoe
- Potential for increased grain damage
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Pre-concave
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations10
APS grates1. Key stock
+ More aggressive threshing
- Increased damage
- Increased chaff on cleaning shoe
2. Smooth
+ Less aggressive threshing
+ Decreased chaff on cleaning shoe
- Potential for increased grain damage
3. Large opening
+ More pre-separation (more capacity)
+ Large grain can be pre-separated
- More chaff on cleaning shoe
4. Small opening
+ Less chaff on cleaning shoe
+ Small kernels can be pre-separated
- Large material cannot pass (including grain)
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Main concave (threshing)
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations11
Configurations1. Round bar
+ Most open area
+ Least aggressive (ideal for corn)
- Can struggle to thresh tougher small grains
- Filler strips cannot be installed
2. N18
+ Key stock makes it more aggressive
+ Filler strips can be installed for small grains
+ Good open area for high capacity
- Can struggle to thresh tougher small grains
3. N7/18
+ Most aggressive
- Less open area – less capacity
*These are not interchangeable on short notice
CLAAS ACADEMY
Concave gap1. Tight (7-12mm)
+ More aggressive threshing
- Increased damage possible
- Increased chaff load
2. Medium (13-20mm)
+ Moderate threshing
- Moderate chaff load
- Moderate damage possible
3. Open (20+mm)
+ Gentle threshing
- Reduced chaff load
- Reduced damage possible
Main concave (threshing)
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations12
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Threshing speed1. High
+ Most aggressive threshing
- Increased damage possible
- Increased chaff on cleaning shoe
2. Medium
+ Moderate threshing
- Moderate chaff load
- Moderate damage possible
3. Low
+ Gentle threshing
- Reduced chaff load
- Reduced damage possible
Main concave (threshing)
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations13
CLAAS ACADEMY
Main concave (threshing)
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations14
High / low range1. High range
+ 400-1050rpm
+ Increased threshing action
2. Low range
+ 180-450rpm
+ Higher torque
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If working near this speed, switch to LOW range for best
performance & highest torque
CLAAS ACADEMY
Main concave (threshing)
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations15
Small grains kit1. Holds material in longer
+ More aggressive threshing
- Increased damage possible
- Increased chaff on cleaning shoe
- Limits capacity in high-volume conditions
Intensive threshing segment (ITS)
Pre-concave
cover plate
Filler strips
CLAAS ACADEMY
Rotors (separation)
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations16
Rotor speed1. High speed = high separation force
+ High separation force (lots of straw / material)
- Can limit capacity in high-yield crops (“auger effect”)
*In straw/stem crops, typically at least +100rpm over the threshing speed is
recommended for best material flow
3. Low speed = low separation force
+ Increases capacity in high-yield crops
- Low separation force can prevent grain from separating
CLAAS ACADEMY
Rotors (separation)
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations17
Rotor cover plates1. Closed
+ Cleaner sample (less trash on sieves)
- Limits separation area (capacity)
3. Open
+ Maximum separation area
- Increased chaff load on sieves (more trash on sieves)
CLAAS ACADEMY
Walkers (separation)
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations18
MSS drum finger pitch1. Aggressive
+ Better separation (fluff)
- Tough material may wrap
2. Passive
+ No wrapping
- Reduced separation
Curtain1. Higher position
+ Better capacity in lighter material
- More likely for material to back feed or wrap
2. Lower position
+ Better material flow and MSS performance
- Can affect capacity with lighter or tough material
CLAAS ACADEMY
Preparation Pan
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations19
Clean1. Moisture, dirt can buildup on tough conditions
2. Reduces amount of material pan can move per stroke –
which can affect machine capacity
CLAAS ACADEMY
Fan
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations20
Fan speed1. Too high
+ Very clean sample
- Potential for increased losses
- Potential for increased returns
2. Too low
+ Reduced sieve losses
+ Potential for decreased returns
- Potential for increased FM in sample
CLAAS ACADEMY
Sieves
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations21
Sieve selection1. Short-tooth
2. Deep-tooth
3. TM6
4. Frog-mouth
5. Fixed-hole
Opening size
• Large – better capacity, less cleaning
• Small – less capacity, better cleaning
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Short-tooth sieve
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations22
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Deep-tooth sieve
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations23
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TM6 sieve
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations24
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Standard frog-mouth
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations25
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Fixed-hole sieve
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations26
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Sieves
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations27
Upper sieve adjustment• Tighter – more potential for losses, cleaner sample
• Open – more capacity without losses, dirtier sample
CLAAS ACADEMY
Sieves
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations28
Upper sieve adjustment1. Too tight
+ Very clean sample
- Potential for increased losses
2. Too open
+ Fewer losses (higher capacity)
+ Reduced returns possible
- More FM in sample
*Setting the upper sieve ALWAYS affects the performance of the
lower sieve
Tight upper sieve Open upper sieve
CLAAS ACADEMY
Sieves
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations29
Lower sieve adjustment1. Too tight
+ Cleaner sample
- Potential for increased returns
2. Too open
+ Fewer returns
- More FM in sample
Tight lower sieve Open lower sieve
LossLoss
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Chopper
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations30
Stationary knives (A), Friction plate (B), Shear bar (C)1. Engaged
+ Smaller residue size
+ Better spread width (MAV, Standard)
- Increased horsepower load
2. Disengaged
+ Larger residue
+ Decreased horsepower load
If a better chop quality is desired:
1. Start with Friction plate
2. Engage stationary knives halfway
3. Engage stationary knives full
4. Engage shear bar
*Friction plate only on TURBO CHOP and PRO CHOP
A
C
B
CLAAS ACADEMY
Scenario #1
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations31
Too much returnsHarvesting 300bu/ac corn, you notice the return level is very high. Grain
tank is clean and losses are low.
Solutions:
• Feederhouse speed
• Dis-awning plates
• Change pre-concave grate
• Small grains kit
• Concave gap
• Threshing speed
• Rotor speed
• Rotor cover plates
• Fan speed
• Top sieve
• Bottom sieve
CLAAS ACADEMY
Too much returnsHarvesting 300bu/ac corn, you notice the return level is very high. Grain
tank is clean and losses are low.
Solutions:
• Feederhouse speed
• Dis-awning plates
• Change pre-concave grate
• Small grains kit
• Concave gap
• Threshing speed
• Rotor speed
• Rotor cover plates
• Fan speed
• Top sieve
• Bottom sieve
Scenario #1
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations32
Decrease
Open
Open
• Fan speed: decrease, to let more material fall through the sieves early
• Open top sieve: allows more material to hit the bottom sieve early, and make it more likely to pass
through the bottom sieve
• Open bottom sieve: Bottom sieve has biggest effect on returns levels, if sieve is too tight material
will roll over the sieve and into the return system
CLAAS ACADEMY
Scenario #2
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations33
Poor grain sampleHarvesting soybeans, you notice a few beans are being split, and it is
also difficult to keep FM out of the grain tank. Loss levels and returns
are low.
Options:
• Feederhouse speed
• Dis-awning plates
• Change pre-concave grate
• Small grains kit
• Concave gap
• Threshing speed
• Rotor speed
• Rotor cover plates
• Fan speed
• Top sieve
• Bottom sieve
CLAAS ACADEMY
Scenario #2
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations34
Poor grain sampleHarvesting soybeans, you notice a few beans are being split, and it is
also difficult to keep FM out of the grain tank. Loss levels and returns
are low.
Options:
• Feederhouse speed
• Dis-awning plates
• Change pre-concave grate
• Small grains kit
• Concave gap
• Threshing speed
• Rotor speed
• Rotor cover plates
• Fan speed
• Top sieve
• Bottom sieve
Open OR close
Smooth
Open
Slow
Close
Increase
Close
Close
• Open dis-awning plates: May reduce cracks/splits, but let more trash through
• Close dis-awning plates: May reduce trash in tank, but increase cracks/splits
• Change pre-concave grate: removing a key stock grate and installing a smooth grate may help reduce grain damage and also reduce the trash
breakup in the APS area
• Open concave & Slow threshing speed: be more gentle in the threshing phase to improve grain quality and reduce the trash
• Close rotor cover plates: hold more trash in the rotors, and hopefully carry it out to the chopper instead of falling to sieves
• Close top sieve: Will make the sample cleaner, but will not affect grain quality
• Close bottom sieve: Will make the sample cleaner, but will not affect grain quality
CLAAS ACADEMY
Scenario #3
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations35
Excessive damageHarvesting very dry crop, you notice excessive grain damage in the
tank. Sample is clean and losses are low
Options:
• Feederhouse speed
• Dis-awning plates
• Change pre-concave grate
• Small grains kit
• Concave gap
• Threshing speed
• Rotor speed
• Rotor cover plates
• Fan speed
• Top sieve
• Bottom sieve
CLAAS ACADEMY
Scenario #3
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations36
Excessive damageHarvesting very dry crop, you notice excessive grain damage in the
tank. Sample is clean and losses are low
Options:
• Feederhouse speed
• Dis-awning plates
• Change pre-concave grate
• Small grains kit
• Concave gap
• Threshing speed
• Rotor speed
• Rotor cover plates
• Fan speed
• Top sieve
• Bottom sieve
Slow
Open
Smooth
Remove
Open
Slow
• Slow feederhouse speed: Will have only a small effect, but can reduce grain damage
• Open dis-awning plates: Allow grain to bypass the threshing cylinder and go straight to the cleaning shoe
• Change pre-concave grate: Removing key stock and installing a smooth grate to be less aggressive on incoming crop
• Remove small grains kit: Pre-concave cover plate, Intensive threshing segments, and filler strips increase aggressiveness. Remove to
improve grain quality
• Concave gap & Threshing speed: Open the concave gap and slow the cylinder down to be less aggressive in the threshing phase
CLAAS ACADEMY
Scenario #4
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations37
White-capsHarvesting tough wheat, you notice white caps in the grain tank
Options:
• Feederhouse speed
• Dis-awning plates
• Change pre-concave grate
• Small grains kit
• Concave gap
• Threshing speed
• Rotor speed
• Rotor cover plates
• Fan speed
• Top sieve
• Bottom sieve
CLAAS ACADEMY
Scenario #4
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations38
White-capsHarvesting tough wheat, you notice white caps in the grain tank (outer coating around kernels
caused by not threshing well enough)
Options:
• Feederhouse speed
• Dis-awning plates
• Change pre-concave grate
• Small grains kit
• Concave gap
• Threshing speed
• Rotor speed
• Rotor cover plates
• Fan speed
• Top sieve
• Bottom sieve
Close
Key stock
Add
Close
Increase
Close
Close
• Close dis-awning plates: Hold more material in the threshing area for longer
• Change pre-concave grate: Installing a key stock grate instead of a smooth grate will increase aggressiveness
• Add small grains kit: Pre-concave cover, Filler strips, and intensive threshing segments (ITS) will all increase threshing aggression
• Concave gap & cylinder speed: Closing concave and increasing cylinder speed will increase threshing aggression
• Rotor cover plates: Closing may allow the whitecaps to rub against straw/chaff more and rub the whitecap off the kernel before cleaning
• Close bottom sieve: Closing the bottom sieve will send more material through the return system, giving it more time to work the whitecap off
the kernel
CLAAS ACADEMY
Scenario #5
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations39
White-capsHarvesting wheat, you are getting great thresh quality, but seeing rotor
loss and lower capacity than expected
Options:
• Feederhouse speed
• Dis-awning plates
• Change pre-concave grate
• Small grains kit
• Concave gap
• Threshing speed
• Rotor speed
• Rotor cover plates
• Fan speed
• Top sieve
• Bottom sieve
CLAAS ACADEMY
Scenario #5
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations40
White-capsHarvesting wheat, you are getting great thresh quality, but seeing rotor
loss and lower capacity than expected
Options:
• Feederhouse speed
• Dis-awning plates
• Change pre-concave grate
• Small grains kit
• Concave gap
• Threshing speed
• Rotor speed
• Rotor cover plates
• Fan speed
• Top sieve
• Bottom sieve
open
smooth
remove
open
decrease
Increase or decrease
Open
• Open dis-awning plates: let grain through earlier to increase capacity
• Change pre-concave grate: installing a smooth grate may create less trash in the cylinder/rotors, making grain easier to separate
• Remove small grains kit: Removing components will allow material to fall through concave/grates sooner (increasing capacity), as well as
decreasing trash in the cylinder/rotors (making it easier to separate)
• Concave gap & Cylinder speed: Open the concave gap and slow the cylinder to have less trash breakup and make it easier for the rotors to
separate
• Increase rotor speed: If cutting lots of material/straw, may need higher separation force for grain to escape the rotors
• Decrease rotor speed: If not cutting lots of material/straw, slow the rotors down to reduce the “auger” effect and allow more time for separation
• Open rotor cover plates: Create more separation area & allow grain to separate sooner in the rotors
THANK YOUQuestions?
Spring 2017 Product Training: Combine Operations41