The old and new shine as CLAAS marks global milestone at Henty

A significant milestone of 500,000 combines sold globally in 88 years was celebrated at the 2024 Henty Machinery Field Days with a vintage header and its tiny front dwarfed by the latest million dollar harvesting technology. 

On display at the CLAAS Harvest Centre site was the CLAAS LEXION 8800 with a 12.1 metre CLAAS CONVIO draper front, valued at around $1.3 million and sporting special livery to mark the occasion, and almost outshining its little brother, a working 1967 CLAAS Columbus header.

Featuring a 1.5m front, the Columbus is owned by vintage machinery enthusiast, Bill Petzke, of Corowa, and is still in working order.

A member of the Corowa Historic Vehicle and Machinery Club, Mr Petzke said the header had previously been owned by Baker Seeds for harvesting small trial plots. 

“Baker Seeds had bought it from a bloke who had it sitting in his shed for 15 years and he in turn had bought it at a clearing sale in South Australia,” Mr Petzke said.

“There were two of the same model – I bought this one and Corowa seed grower Russell Black, bought the other. 

“I have used it to harvest barley, wheat and oats on my 14-acre block and am harvesting a few acres for other people.”

Lexion Landpower brand and events manager Erin Nurkka found Bill’s vintage header in an internet search and reached out through the local newspaper.

“I wanted to portray where the brand was and where we are now next to each other on the site at Henty to celebrate the significant milestone for the company of 500,000 combines,” Erin said.

Lexion Landpower Group product specialist Jack Jordan-Hill said it was good to have the history of CLAAS in Australia on display to celebrate 500,000 machines produced in the German factory at Harsewinkel since 1936. 

“This particular model we have at Henty is an 8800 CLAAS LEXION with a 700hp engine and featuring hybrid threshing technology,” Mr Jordan-Hill said. 

“We have produced 70,000 of this particular model out of Germany and this combine at Henty with the special silver and green livery, and 500,000 detail down the side is one of only 13 units in the world produced. 

“It will be used as a demonstration machine this year around Griffith and Echuca alongside nine other demonstrator units across the country.”

Mr Jordan-Hill said growers were now pushing beyond the 12.1m draper fronts in the lighter country to keep the headers full. 

“We are always looking at the overall efficiency of the machine, including litres of fuel used per tonne, throughput in tonnes per hour and minimising grain losses out the back,” he said. 

“At the end of the day if we can save on burning fuel, keep the grain in the machine and reduce rotor hours for the farmer, that means more money in their pocket.”

Mr Jordan-Hill said the Henty Machinery Field Days were a fantastic event for meeting with current and potential customers.

“Last year we had nine people out from Germany and the UK to help our current customers to optimise their machines so there seems to be a lot of positive feedback coming back to us here this year. 

“When it comes to the old header, I’ve heard a lot of stories from farmers reminiscing about having to harvest in a certain direction to keep the dust out of their eyes.”