Omaha, Nebraksa
August 28, 2006

CLAAS Omaha, producer of the LEXION combine, announces a new chopping corn head for 2007.  The chopping corn head is available in 12- or 8-row models for 30-inch row spacing.

“Growers today are looking for innovative solutions to higher fuel costs and tighter margins,” says Bob Armstrong, product marketing manager at CLAAS Omaha Inc.  “With the LEXION chopping corn head, growers can chop and shatter stalks at the same time they harvest the corn, saving an extra pass across the field later.”

The row units on the chopping corn head are fitted with rotating blades which are driven from the row unit gearbox.  The blades chop and shatter the stalks while gently picking the corn ears.

Armstrong says the LEXION chopping corn head will not only save time, fuel, labor and equipment costs later, it will also allow the stalks to decompose better over the winter and provide a smoother planting bed in the spring, which is especially important for no-till farmers.

“We expect increased demand for the chopping corn head as growers look to better control residue and eliminate extra passes across the field,” Armstrong says.

CLAAS, founded in 1913, is one of the world’s leading producers of agricultural machinery, including the LEXION combine and JAGUAR forage harvesters.  CLAAS North America operations, based in Omaha, Neb., include manufacturing, engineering, parts, service, sales and marketing.  The LEXION combine line includes nine different models, ranging in size from Class 6 to Class 9, North America’s largest combine model.  For more information, visit www.lexioncombines.com.