MODERN agricultural machines are not just high-tech products – they can also score with their appealing industrial design. This is precisely what Claas has proven with two new products being named prize winners at the prestigious international iF Design Awards.
The high-performance Claas Jaguar 900 forage harvester won an iF Design Award in the category ‘Product’, while the mobile GPS transmitter, RTK Field Base, won a coveted iF gold award. Both products, which were in competition with 5575 entries from 59 countries, won the jury over with their harmonious blend of technology and aesthetics.
The iF Design Award recognises design achievements in all disciplines: product, packaging, communication and service design, architecture and interior architecture, as well as professional concepts.
Project manager Dirk Lahmann said the Jaguar 900 owed to the close and effective collaboration between Claas and the firm Budde Industrie Design from Münster.
The Jaguar 900 is a forage harvester in the highest performance category and used for harvesting green forage. Mr Lahmann said its contours follow the flow of material and epitomise performance and power right down to the chopper units.
“The high-quality machine provides a reliable and comfortable workplace with a good field of vision, he said. “In addition, all maintenance areas are easily accessible and are geared towards the needs of the user. The large air outlets at the back enable the optimal removal of hot air from the engine. The forage harvester has a striking appearance and is entirely harmonious in every detail.”
Claas’ mobile GPS transmitter, the RTK Field Base, received an iF gold award.
"It's not only in our machinery, but we also strive to achieve a perfect balance between function and form in our electronic components," said Christian Radons, managing director of Claas E-Systems.
The RTK Field Base fine-tunes normal GPS signals, transmitting them up to 6km and automatically steers entire agricultural fleets across fields with an accuracy of about 2-3cm.
“The Claas RTK Field Base display differs significantly from competing products in that it allows customers to make all of the adjustments directly on the display without having to use external tools,” Mr Radons said. “All of the other design elements of the mobile transmitter are also designed to make the use of the transmitter as easy as possible; for example the handles, which make it easier to transport and set the unit up.
The jury's verdict on the RTK Field Base: "With this mobile base station Claas is not only setting standards in terms of technology. The device is a winner because of its outstanding operation and ability to adapt perfectly to operating conditions.”
