CLAAS is expanding its North American harvesting lineup for 2027 with a new high-capacity corn head, corn-specific combine automation and technology capable of analyzing grain characteristics as the crop moves through the machine.

At the center of the updates is the new ROVIO 5 Series corn head, which CLAAS says was developed specifically with North American harvesting conditions in mind. Available in 12-, 16- and 18-row configurations with 30-inch spacing, the new head is designed to pair with the company’s LEXION and TRION combines.

The changes go beyond simply making the head wider. CLAAS redesigned the picking system and crop-flow path and added a substantially larger intake auger to keep high-yielding corn moving evenly into the feederhouse.

A 21-Inch Auger Built for More Crop

One of the most noticeable changes to the ROVIO 5 is its 21-inch-diameter feed auger. CLAAS says the larger auger and redesigned trough can provide up to 30% more capacity.

Greg Frenzel, combine and header product manager for CLAAS of America, said the design addresses a crop-flow limitation that can show up when harvesting high-yielding corn.

“The 5 Series is specific for North American conditions,” Frenzel said. “There are a lot of features that allow more performance, more capacity, as well as quick change features.”

The flighting has also been redesigned to distribute material across more of the feederhouse instead of concentrating crop flow toward the center. According to Frenzel, that helps prevent material from accumulating around the center gathering chains while allowing the combine to use more of the feederhouse’s available capacity.

Operators can adjust picking-unit speed from the cab through a two-speed gearbox, allowing the head to be matched more closely to changing crop conditions.

The redesigned picking units use 24-inch linear picking rollers, synchronized hydraulic dual deck-plate adjustment and maintenance-free bearing points. Integrated side extensions can also be raised without tools to help contain ears when working in tall or down corn.

Four LED lights illuminate the stubble behind the head, giving operators a better look at harvest quality after dark.

Automation Specifically for Corn

CLAAS is also extending its CEMOS combine optimization technology with a system specifically designed for corn.

Beginning with the 2027 model year, CEMOS Corn will be available on both CLAAS combine lines. The system continuously monitors harvesting conditions and automatically adjusts machine settings with the goal of maintaining throughput and grain quality while reducing losses.

That builds on CLAAS’ broader CEMOS AUTOMATIC system, which already uses machine sensors to continually optimize functions including threshing, separation, cleaning and harvesting speed.

Rather than requiring an operator to repeatedly adjust the combine as moisture, yield and other field conditions change throughout the day, the system can make those adjustments automatically based on the operator’s priorities.

The technology reflects a broader direction across the combine industry: increasingly sophisticated machines are taking over more of the constant fine-tuning once left entirely to the person in the cab.

Measuring Grain While It Moves Through the Combine

LEXION combines are also getting another source of real-time harvest information through CLAAS’ new Nutrimeter Grain system.

The technology uses transmissive near-infrared sensing to continuously measure characteristics including grain moisture and protein while harvesting. Operators don’t have to stop the combine or manually collect samples to obtain the readings.

That information can then be recorded through CLAAS Connect, tying grain characteristics to the rest of the machine’s harvest data.

The potential value extends beyond watching another number on the cab display. More detailed information collected during harvest could help producers identify differences across fields, make crop-management decisions and potentially make better-informed grain storage and marketing decisions.

Bigger Equipment, Less Operator Workload

The ROVIO 5 arrives as combine manufacturers continue looking for ways to increase capacity without putting an equal amount of additional work on the operator.

An 18-row corn head places enormous demands on crop flow and combine capacity. CLAAS’ approach combines the physical improvements of a larger auger and redesigned picking system with software that continually adjusts the machine behind it.

ROVIO 5 also incorporates CLAAS AUTO PILOT row guidance and AUTO CONTOUR ground-following technology, further reducing the number of adjustments the operator has to manage during long harvest days.

Taken together, the 2027 updates show where CLAAS sees the next gains in harvesting productivity coming from. Bigger heads and greater mechanical capacity remain important, but increasingly, getting the most out of that hardware depends on sensors and automation capable of keeping the entire harvesting system optimized as conditions change.