CLAAS Early Order Program.

The dealership, which already sells and services CLAAS tractors, balers, and hay tools is receiving additional training in support of their expanded role.

“Service is the number one priority for us at Porter’s Ag Solutions,” said Owner Bryan Porter. “We’ve had a really great relationship with CLAAS and look forward to expanding our role with the addition of combine parts and service.” 

A number of customers who buy their tractors and hay equipment from Porter’s Ag Solutions, also run CLAAS combines. The expansion of their service and parts business appears to be a natural one for those in the area.

“Porter’s Ag Solutions is yet another piece to fall into place as part of our transition plan for the area covered by Ziegler Ag until December 31, 2025,” explained Christoph Tetzlaff, Vice President Dealer & Network Development Americas. “While Ziegler Ag remains our primary combine service provider in the region until the end of December 2025, we are strategically adding new options for customers now to make the final transition a smooth one. Bryan Porter and his team have been excellent partners with CLAAS and we look forward to their expanded presence well into the future.” 

The 'Next step in farming' focusses on even greater connectivity and user-friendliness and a closer relationship between customer, dealer, manufacturer, and partners based on more effective communication.

One for all: seamless connectivity for hassle-free machine and farm management on one platform

From purchasing advice to purchase agreement and delivery of machine; digital operating instructions, Lubricant Advisor and connection to the CLAAS Parts Shop to Precision Farming; fleet optimization with tools such as CEMOS Advisor to documentation, license management and maintenance planning: the new CLAAS connect with Machine connect, Farm connect, Field connect and Fleet connect licenses seamlessly connects all digital solutions in the CLAAS product world, simplifies and speeds up many planning and documentation tasks and strengthens the bond between farmer and sales partner. While sharing many proven elements and functions of the current generation CLAAS connect, the new enhanced version features new tools and additional functions. Machine connect (formerly called TELEMATICS) comes standard on all new CLAAS self-propelled equipment and ensures seamless digital connection between platform and machine.

Experience gained from more than 25 years of digital farming: ready for the next step

CLAAS has a track record spanning more than 25 years in digital information technology for agriculture with a special focus on precision farming, online documentation and connectivity. Industry-defining milestones include the foundation of AGROCOM in 1994 (with farm management software from 1997), yield mapping on the LEXION from 1995, the establishment of CLAAS E-Systems in Dissen, Germany, and ten years ago, in 2013, the foundation of 365FarmNet. Now CLAAS is bringing its experience and expertise in these areas to bear in the next generation CLAAS connect. All solutions will be gradually combined in a single, cloud-based platform with the emphasis on simplicity and ease of use:

• All information on one platform with one CLAAS ID: multi-manufacturer machine and fleet management, license management, documentation and precision farming applications combined under one roof – with a standardized user interface.
• Seamless connectivity in all areas of digital machine management, from the quotation and purchase process to machine data management and service planning, Lubricant Adviser, spare parts ordering and other supporting service functions such as digital operator's manuals.
• Complete overview of all licenses for the first time: correction signals for automated steering by GPS PILOT, telemetry, ISOBUS activations and much more.
• Broad integration of agronomic functions such as yield mapping, task management, potential and application maps, and documentation. Access to all current data, anytime, anywhere – on smart phone, tablet and PC.

"Making use of all technical possibilities relating to the agricultural production process offers enormous potential for the future of farming. Often, added value no longer lies in the individual system, but in connecting systems with each other. In the interests of our customers, CLAAS aims to ensure that all solutions offered by the company are seamlessly connected,” explains Wolf-Christian von Wendorff, Senior Vice President Global Digital Solutions. “In further developing CLAAS connect, we focused on providing a common platform linking all relevant portals, shops and functions with a simple, user-friendly interface that is very easy to navigate, and one ID to access all areas and information. The new CLAAS connect delivers on these requirements, while at the same time retaining the well-established and well-used functions of the existing digital platform.”
 
The new CLAAS connect will be introduced in all sales regions where CLAAS connect is currently available. It will be marketed in over 30 countries initially, including ones outside the EU such as Ukraine, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina. Further regions, including North America and Asia, are in the pipeline. “So CLAAS connect will have a global reach. The underlying technology enables additional external suppliers and platforms to connect to CLAAS connect via the CLAAS Partner Program,” Georg Larscheid, Vice President Global Digital Business, adds. “This means that CLAAS customers will be able to take full advantage of digital machine management in CLAAS connect – either exclusively through our seamlessly connected platform with corresponding licenses or via other suppliers’ connected systems, which can be conveniently activated via the Connection Manager.”

Delivered fully connected: machine and cloud platform in one ecosystem

Rather than treating machine and digital fleet management as separate entities, the new CLAAS connect for the first time considers them as a whole. Starting with advice and a quotation for a new CLAAS machine: if the customer is already registered with CLAAS connect, they can access the CLAAS configurator directly via their CLAAS ID, configure their desired machine and request a quotation or demonstration. The appropriate dealership then prepares the quotation or provides a demonstration machine. If the customer makes a purchase, the machine data is uploaded to the customer’s CLAAS connect portal on delivery. This gives the customer direct access to the digital operator’s manual for their machine. They can also find out which lubricants their machine needs, as this information is automatically provided as well. With the 5-year Machine connect license supplied with the machine, the relevant maintenance intervals are automatically entered in the portal – giving farmers and contractors a clear overview of upcomng maintenance work and enabling CLAAS dealerships to plan schedules and capacities in advance. “CLAAS connect also enables us to enhance communication between the local CLAAS dealership and the customer using the latest communication technology,” explains Georg Larscheid.
 
Machine performance data can be prepared, analyzed, and documented in CLAAS connect – just as before in TELEMATICS. With a Fleet connect license, third-party machines in mixed fleets can easily be connected to CLAAS connect via the DataConnect interface, enabling data such as location, machine status or current fuel and AdBlue levels to be displayed there. In addition, machine data can be transferred to partner companies via the point data interface.
 
CEMOS Advisor, the platform extension of CEMOS – the leading assistance and process optimization system for numerous CLAAS tractors, combine harvesters and forage harvesters – is an integral component. Performance data and settings for all CLAAS machines stored on the platform can be viewed and compared with one another, enabling adjustments to be made to maximize the performance of the overall fleet.
 
Furthermore, with license management, customers can get a complete overview of license coverage and runtime at any time and can extend them as required or buy additional licenses from their dealer.

Precision Farming and documentation: easy integration via license

Farm connect – the second basic license – with add-on licenses for Field connect and Fleet connect provides farmers and contractors with a wide range of options for precision farming applications. In Field connect, farmers can access numerous functions from 365FarmNet – for example, to prepare potential and application maps from geodata such as satellite images or soil analyses. Field boundaries and other master data can easily be imported as SHAPE or ISO-XML files. Yield maps from different machines and manufacturers can also be incorporated with ease – a familiar feature from the map area in 365FarmNet.
 
Fleet connect automatically documents field-specific task data relating to yield, constituents, or application rate, enabling the status and progress of preplanned tasks to be tracked virtually in real-time on smartphone, tablet or PC. It is also possible to create reference lines and plan tracks based on field boundaries in Fleet connect – alternatively, this can be done on the machine’s CEMIS 1200 terminal if it has one.
 
Other compatible farm management information systems can be connected to CLAAS connect via the Connection Manager. Furthermore, with CLAAS connect it will be possible to exchange data between different CLAAS IDs using Data Sharing in future. This will simplify task planning, implementation, and documentation, including invoicing, for farmers and contractors.
 
Many CLAAS customers already benefit from using the existing CLAAS connect platform on their PC and as an app on their smartphone or tablet. The first customers will be using the new, significantly enhanced CLAAS connect from spring 2024 with a wider roll-out planned for autumn 2024, initially in Central, Western and Eastern Europe, North America and Australasia. 365FarmNet and CLAAS connect will exist in parallel initially, before CLAAS connect takes over from 365FarmNet as the farm management information system in the CLAAS product portfolio.

The new CLAAS connect at a glance:

• CLAAS connect is a cloud-based platform providing access to various functions from machine management to Precision Farming.
• Only one CLAAS ID to access all functions and licenses.
• New CLAAS machines are automatically created on delivery, and linked to the relevant digital operating instructions, Parts Doc and CLAAS Parts Shop, as well as the Lubricant Adviser and specific maintenance intervals. The relevant CLAAS dealership provides advice and is responsible for parts delivery and servicing.
• Machine connect basic license for every CLAAS machines: new CLAAS machines come with activated 5-year telemetry license and remote maintenance.
• Farm connect basic license for Precision Farming and entry-level digital farm management: online task management with status reports, map view, machine positions and machine status with easy online data transfer. Add-on licenses Fleet connect and Farm connect:
• Fleet connect: automatic, field-specific, fleet-wide documentation of machine and process data plus machine-specific alert messages.
• Field connect: digital library and workbench for high-resolution, interpolated yield maps, geodata with satellite images and soil maps as well as the option to generate potential and application maps based on vegetation monitoring for variable rate application planning. Includes route planning and creation of reference line.
• Connection to external providers and platforms via the CLAAS partner program.

See images here.

“While we appreciate that Ziegler has agreed to provide parts and service for CLAAS combine customers through the end of 2025 in areas where their ag stores are still open, we are committed to providing our customers with the very best support possible,” explained Senior Vice President of CLAAS Americas Region, Eric Raby. “I asked our Dealer Development team to deliver immediate solutions wherever possible while also fostering long-term sales, service, and parts relationships for our full line of equipment. I’m happy to report that they’ve made solid progress.”

New CLAAS FARMPOINT™ in Iowa

After establishing full-line CLAAS equipment stores in Indiana and Kentucky, CLAAS FARMPOINT™ opened a new location in Le Mars, Iowa this July to sell the full-line of CLAAS equipment. 

With one location already established, CLAAS FARMPOINT™ is now pursuing their second Iowa location in Webster County near the town of Ft. Dodge. This central-Iowa location was selected due to its proximity to a large number of CLAAS combine customers. According to CLAAS FARMPOINT™ Head of Commercial Development, Patricio Frangella, “We’re excited to bring CLAAS FARMPOINT™ to the state of Iowa. CLAAS FARMPOINT™ is a mobile-first, technology-driven parts and equipment service provider built entirely around the farmer and his farm — bringing them the solutions they need, when and where they need them.”

Frangella plans to open the new location in spring of 2025. “We’ve just hired four new technicians trained and certified on CLAAS combines by the CLAAS Academy to make sure we hit the ground running.”

Key Coverage in Missouri

CLAAS customers in Missouri now have added support, thanks to Parallel Ag. The CLAAS baler and hay tool dealer in Missouri has hired three experienced CLAAS combine technicians to provide combine support out of their Concordia location. The new arrangement, just in time for harvest, stocks the Concordia store with parts and allows them to provide service to existing CLAAS combine owners. 

While Ziegler still provides needed support out of their Maryville location, they recently closed stores in Chillicothe and Marshall, Missouri. Parallel Ag will help fill in the gaps left by those two locations.

“We are excited to share some positive news that should help support our combine customers through harvest this year and beyond,” explained Christoph Tetzlaff, Vice President Dealer & Network Development Americas. “With that said, we know we have a lot of work ahead us to build a network of dealers dedicated to delivering an excellent customer experience and representing the growing CLAAS product line.” 

CLAAS designed and manufactured the earlage adapter to seamlessly integrate a combine-style multi-coupler to the harvester’s existing header. It features:     

• Integrated hydraulic side-to-side lateral contour for equal stubble height for hilly conditions
• Integrated communication from header auto pilot wands to the self-propelled forage harvester
• Integrated hydraulic deck plate adjustment
• Extra-large, heavy-duty gear boxes for greater durability and longevity
• Wide feeding paddle to transfer crop efficiently from header to feed rolls
• 80HD chain to enhance durability and longevity

The adapter will help increase capacity, reduce overthrow and provide greater wear resistance for longer-term productivity. 

The V-FLEX Drum represents the most flexible cutting cylinder on the market with its three-bolt knife design, 10-degree knife angles and 21-percent more wear protection coating for a longer service life. A wide range of cutting lengths (36, 28, 24 and 20) can fit the same base drum providing greater flexibility. In addition, the new design lowers cab noise to 4dBA for greater comfort.

“The JAGUAR has been an industry leader for more than 50 years and now, with these new components, CLAAS continues to offer cutting edge advancements, providing our owners maximum productivity and flexibility,” said Tyler Roucka, marketing manager for Self-Propelled Forage Harvesters with CLAAS of America. “We’re looking forward to rolling out these expanded features for operators in early 2025 across North America.”

See images here.