The Farm Progress Show 2025 in Decatur, Illinois, lived up to its reputation as the biggest stage for agricultural innovation.
This year, the spotlight was firmly on combine harvesters, as leading manufacturers Claas, Case IH, and New Holland unveiled their latest machines designed to boost efficiency, power, and comfort in the field.
Claas Lexion 8500: Bigger, Smarter, More Comfortable
Claas drew crowds with the debut of its Lexion 8500 combine, an expansion of the popular Lexion 8000 Series.
The new machine comes in both wheeled and tracked versions, powered by MAN engines that bring improved horsepower and fuel efficiency. Farmers were quick to notice the 510-bushel grain tank—a size upgrade aimed at reducing unloading stops during peak harvest.
Inside the cab, Claas invested heavily in operator comfort. Heated and cooled swivel seats, better visibility, and advanced LED lighting highlight a push toward longer, safer operating hours.
Claas also rolled out new technology features to optimize throughput and grain quality, making the Lexion 8500 a strong contender for large-scale producers.
Case IH AF10 and Axial-Flow Series Updates
Case IH used the show to showcase its AF10 combine, alongside updates to its Axial-Flow 260 Series.
The AF10 is built for speed and durability, pairing with the new C500 corn heads that promise cleaner harvesting in high-yielding fields.
The Axial-Flow series, meanwhile, has been refreshed with design tweaks to improve reliability and uptime—two features Case IH is banking on to appeal to both mid-size and commercial-scale growers.
Company representatives emphasized the AF10 as a farmer-first innovation, designed after extensive feedback from operators across the Midwest.
Its appearance at the Farm Progress Show underscores Case IH’s commitment to balancing rugged performance with cutting-edge harvest technology.
New Holland CR11: A Showstopper With a Twist
New Holland turned heads not only for the engineering behind its CR11 combine, but also for the way it was presented.
Unveiled in a Busch Light-branded livery, the CR11 became a social media sensation while reminding visitors of its place as one of the world’s most advanced combines.
Beyond the eye-catching promotion, the CR11 continues New Holland’s push for higher throughput and reduced grain loss.
Farmers who stopped by the booth pointed to the machine’s automation features as a real advantage, helping operators maximize efficiency during demanding harvest schedules.
A Harvest of Innovation
The trio of launches at Farm Progress Show 2025 highlights a clear trend: manufacturers are racing to combine bigger capacity, smarter technology, and greater operator comfort.
From Claas’s grain-handling upgrades to Case IH’s farmer-focused AF10 and New Holland’s bold CR11 reveal, this year’s show underscored the importance of innovation in securing future farm productivity.
As harvest season approaches, many growers will be watching closely to see how these new machines perform in the field—and which brand sets the benchmark for the next era of combines.
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