The JAGUAR 1000 series and ORBIS 10500 were recognized for delivering major gains in capacity, efficiency, and operator-focused design for modern forage operations.
CLAAS of America has been recognized with two 2026 AE50 Awards from the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), highlighting the company’s continued leadership in forage harvesting innovation.
The awards honor the newly introduced JAGUAR 1000 series self-propelled forage harvesters and the ORBIS 10500 corn harvesting head (see image at top), both engineered to meet the growing capacity and efficiency demands of large-scale forage producers.
The AE50 Awards celebrate the top 50 agricultural innovations of the year, selected by a panel of engineering experts for their impact on productivity, sustainability, and real-world performance. CLAAS was among a small group of manufacturers to earn multiple awards in 2026, underscoring the company’s strong engineering momentum.
Dennis Ogle, Head of Sales for Self-Propelled Harvesters at CLAAS of America, said that the recognition reflects the company’s customer-driven development approach. “These two AE50 Awards reinforce what our customers already know—CLAAS continues to set the standard for performance, efficiency, and intelligent machine design in forage harvesting,” he explained. “Both the JAGUAR 1000 series and ORBIS 10500 were developed with direct input from farmers and contractors, focusing on real-world productivity gains and operational simplicity.”
JAGUAR 1000 Series: High Horsepower, High Efficiency Forage Harvesting
The new JAGUAR 1000 series represents a major step forward in forage harvester performance. With engine outputs reaching up to 1,110 horsepower, the machines are built for maximum throughput while maintaining consistent chop quality and fuel efficiency. Intelligent engine management, optimized crop flow, and operator assist technologies help reduce fatigue and improve daily harvest output.
ASABE judges recognized the JAGUAR 1000 series for its combination of extreme power, automation, and serviceability—attributes that help producers cover more acres per hour without compromising reliability.
ORBIS 10500: A High-Capacity Corn Head for Modern Forage Demands
Designed to match the horsepower and throughput of the new JAGUAR 1000 series, the ORBIS 10500 corn head features a working width of up to 35 feet, enabling efficient harvesting of large acreages. Its optimized crop guidance system, including AUTO CONTOUR, ensures smooth, consistent feeding into the harvester while minimizing losses.
The head’s innovative folding design improves transport safety and maneuverability—an increasingly important factor for custom harvesters and large operations moving between fields. ASABE highlighted the ORBIS 10500 for its engineering sophistication and its contribution to overall harvesting efficiency.
Industry Recognition for Engineering Leadership
The AE50 Awards remain one of the most respected honours in agricultural equipment development.
CLAAS’s dual recognition reinforces its long-standing commitment to engineering excellence and customer-focused innovation. Both award-winning products will be showcased at the upcoming ASABE Agricultural Equipment Technology Conference, where honorees are formally recognized.
CLAAS is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of agricultural machinery, producing tractors, combines, forage harvesters, balers, and hay tools engineered for high performance in the field. Founded in 1913 and still family owned, CLAAS employs more than 12,000 people worldwide, with North American headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska.
US website: www.claasofamerica.com.
Canada website: www.claas.ca.