A 16-row corn header, a 27.5-foot direct-disc unit and a corn-specific combine automation package anchor CLAAS of America's expanded harvesting portfolio, which the Omaha, Nebraska-based manufacturer says spans forage, grain and hay equipment for North American producers.

The rollout covers four product families: Jaguar forage headers, combine automation and sensing, a new corn head, and three mid-range tedders. Dennis Ogle, head of sales for self-propelled harvesters, framed the launch around customer input: "Innovation starts with listening to our customers. Every product we're introducing reflects our commitment to North American producers and the way they farm, bringing together advanced technology, proven performance and practical solutions that help them operate more efficiently every day."

What does the Orbis 12000 change for forage growers?

The Orbis 12000 is a 16-row corn header built specifically for CLAAS Jaguar 1000 series forage harvesters (self-propelled machines that chop whole plants for silage). CLAAS positions it as a match for the Jaguar's high-capacity chop stream, with smooth crop flow across a wide range of crop conditions.

Joining the Jaguar 1000 lineup is the DD 8400 Direct Disc header, offering a 27.5-foot working width for whole-crop harvesting (cutting and feeding the entire plant rather than grain alone). The header provides ground following and consistent crop flow to hold forage quality and machine productivity.

Cemos Auto Knife Condition rounds out the forage package. The automation system continuously monitors harvesting conditions and determines the optimal timing and number of sharpening passes for the chopper knives (the cutting drum segments that determine chop length). By automating sharpening, the system reduces knife wear and fuel consumption while holding chop quality through the season, independent of operator experience.

How do the new combine technologies affect grain and data?

The Rovio 5 Series corn head, designed and manufactured exclusively by CLAAS, integrates with Lexion and Trion combines. A redesigned picking system, larger intake auger and integrated horizontal choppers deliver smoother crop flow and cleaner residue management. The head ships in 12-, 16- and 18-row models with 30-inch row spacing.

For model year 2027, both combine lines offer Cemos Corn, an electronic machine optimization system that adjusts settings automatically as conditions change, targeting grain quality, reduced grain loss and less time spent on manual adjustments.

The Nutrimeter Grain system, available on Lexion combines, uses transmissive near-infrared technology (light passed through the grain stream to measure composition) to read moisture, protein and other crop characteristics on the move, without stopping the machine. Data flows into CLAAS connect, giving growers harvest records they can apply to grain marketing and crop management decisions.

What do the Volto tedders add?

Three new Volto T series tedders (machines that fluff and spread cut forage to speed drying) extend the mid-range hay line:

• Volto 800 TH — 25 feet, 3 inches
• Volto 900 T — 28 feet
• Volto 1100 T — 35 feet, 5 inches

All three carry the Max Spread crop concept for faster, more uniform drying through gentle crop handling and ground following. The driveline uses hermetically sealed rotor gearboxes shared with the larger Volto 1300 T through 1500 TS models, a reinforced rotor shaft, spreading angles up to 18 degrees, reduced hydraulic requirements, Kennfixx couplings and Permalink HD finger clutches carried over from the bigger machines — parts commonality that simplifies servicing across the range.

CLAAS ties the launches to its next equipment generation and continued investment in harvest-stage productivity, from first cut through grain fill. Dealers carry full specifications; details are also posted at claas.com.