A strong foundation of experience and future readiness
With around 100,000 and 75,000 units respectively, DOMINATOR and LEXION account for the largest share of the 500,000 CLAAS combine harvesters built to date. SUPER and SUPER AUTOMATIC (approx. 65,000 units) as well as EUROPA and COLUMBUS (together approx. 60,000 combine harvesters) and the TUCANO (approx. 35,000 units) also contributed significant numbers to the global success of the CLAAS combine harvesters. Series built in smaller numbers, such as the COMMANDOR TERRA TRAC, were also drivers of progress and have had a significant impact on the genetics of today's CLAAS combine harvesters.
A colorful start in North America
Over the years, many combines made their way onto US and Canadian farms under different names and in different colors. From 1960-1970, CLAAS was the OEM responsible for the production of the blue FORD 622 and 642 combines available for sale throughout North America. In 1989, CLAAS signed an agreement with Massey Ferguson where the DOMINATOR 98 and 108 were available in Massey Ferguson red and known as the MF 8450 and 8460. In 1997, CLAAS and Caterpillar formed a joint venture to manufacture and retail LEXION combine harvesters together. While the LEXION name was retained, it was the Caterpillar brand that dominated the machine with the Caterpillar (and later, CAT) name on the side and Caterpillar yellow and black paint.
International production network
Since 1992, CLAAS combine harvesters have no longer been manufactured exclusively at the Harsewinkel, Germany headquarters. That year, the first CLAAS CROP TIGER rolled off the assembly line in India, of which more than 10,000 units were produced. Since 2001, CLAAS has also been producing LEXION hybrid combine harvesters for the North American market in Omaha, Nebraska. Shortly after opening as a joint venture between CLAAS and Caterpillar, CAT exited the market and CLAAS took full ownership of the production facilities. North American LEXION combines – many of which continued to be sold through Caterpillar dealers – retained the CAT yellow and black color scheme until 2019.
Anniversary machines for demonstrations and trade shows
The special anniversary design is an homage to the CLAAS combine harvester product history: The silver metallic color represents the beginnings of CLAAS combine harvester production up to 1968, the seed green metallic represents the well-known CLAAS color scheme introduced in 1978 with the DOMINATOR. Knotting pattern in the CLAAS letters on both sides of the anniversary machines reference the old CLAAS shape logo with the CLAAS knotter hook - the first CLAAS patent from 1913.
“500,000 CLAAS Success Stories – this motto combines several important messages and statements for CLAAS,” explains Jan-Hendrik Mohr, CLAAS CEO. “First: the global roll-out of the anniversary machines. Second: Our international competence and production network. And thirdly, we are underlining the international success of CLAAS combine harvesters since production began in 1936.”
Customers can participate in the anniversary for the next harvest season with a Sales Edition, which, in addition to certain equipment features, is characterized by decals on the side panels. All CLAAS combine harvesters from the 2025 product year will also receive a sticker on the cabin door.