Germany-based Claas has been making moves in recent years to expand the global reach and product line it offers farmers in several countries. But July was a unique first for the brand as it launched a new tractor line in North America, making that the first major launch of new models outside Europe for the brand. The company chose to unveil them at the Ag in Motion farm show in Langham, Sask., in July.
According to Franz Reijmers, North American product manager for tractors at Claas, there was a very good reason for having the reveal in North America.
“The 12 series Xerion tractor line was specifically built for North America,” he says. “A 590-horsepower tractor in both wheeled and tracked as well as a 650-horsepower tractor at the top end. They’re available in wheeled and tracked. This is an addition to the Xerion line, so now we’ll be offering four different horsepowers in the Xerion range.”
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The range-topping Xerion 12.650 model makes Claas a contender at the top of the horsepower race for those who want the most muscle available in a production tractor. But these aren’t just amped up versions of the existing Xerion models. They are a complete redesign, according to Reijmers, although they keep many of the features unique to the line. And that includes staying away from the articulated chassis virtually every other major brand has chosen for high-horsepower models.
The two new Xerions stay with a rigid frame design that is newly engineered and improved, making them the heaviest yet in the model line, and they offer more than one steering mode like their smaller brothers. The first thing you notice when driving the Xerions is their rigid frame eliminates the side-to-side jerking an operator feels as an articulated tractor steers. At the steering wheel, the new models are more responsive and steer easier than the smaller 4000 and 5000 series machines.
Drive axles get an upgrade to handle the extra ponies under the hood and the cabs get over 20 per cent more leg room, making them spacious. The new cabs ride on a four-point suspension, rather than the two-point design on the existing 4000 and 5000 series Xerions.
Delivering all that horsepower is what Claas calls a “purpose built,” in-house design Cmatic Eccom 5.5 CVT transmission that offers those precise settings and easy speed adjustments typical of a CVT, and it can move the tractors down the road quickly, 40 kilometres per hour on the Terra Trac versions and 50 km/h on the wheeled models.
The Cmatic Eccom 5.5 can remember up to three pre-set field operating settings.
“We give you three cruise ranges, and you can pre-program them,” explains Reijmers. Each one will have a cruise speed listed. You could have a main speed, a headland speed and a wet spot speed and just toggle between them.”
It’s also possible to program some “F” keys on the control handle to use to toggle between those pre-sets. “You can keep your hand on the C-Motion handle at all times,” he adds.
The Terra Trac models use a unique Claas-original track module. “This is a new track designed by Claas and Camso to be able to handle what we want it (the tractor) to do with the horsepower they have,” says Reijmers.
The wheeled versions come with 42-inch, 800-70R42 duals, which Claas claims is the largest tire currently available in the industry for production high-horsepower ag tractors, and that larger diameter gives them a 15 per cent larger footprint to help minimize compaction and maximize traction.
Under the hood
Under the 12 Series Xerion hood is a 15.6-litre Mercedes Benz diesel that produces peak torque at just 1,300 r.p.m. That lazy speed helps minimize fuel consumption while delivering all of the power an operator asks of it.
Even at that low engine speed, the new Xerions can still deliver a high hydraulic flow, which maxes out at a whopping 142 gallons per minute (537 litres per minute) with the optional three-pump system. Four priority remotes can be used to keep essential systems like air drill fans running at optimum speed. The base, single-pump hydraulic system delivers 58 g.p.m. (220 l/m).
Some rear remotes come with larger three-quarter-inch couplers to allow for greater oil flow rates. “About a third of them are the much larger three-quarter-inch couplers that can pass more oil through them instead of a half inch,” says Reijmers.
The Xerions are backed up by a telematics package, which has remote support and is simple to operate. Claas says feedback from North American growers was a key starting point for designing the new Xerions. Simplicity in the digital system and overall operation was a key design priority.
“We try and make it as easy as possible for a novice to operate these (tractors) at full capacity all the time,” says Reijmers. “That’s what the owner is looking for. They can’t necessarily find the best labour always.”
As Claas begins production of the new Xerions, there will be some limited availability for next season, but dealers are accepting orders for them now.
Arion 600 Series
The two big, high-horsepower models weren’t the only new tractors Claas had to unveil to Canadian farmers. It added more available machines at the lower-horsepower end of its North American tractor offering as well. They fit in just below the Axion series Claas has offered in Canada for a few years now.
The three-model Arion line of MFWD tractors is new to North America, and offers 165 to 205 horsepower from a 6.8-litre DPS diesel, which reaches peak torque at 1,500 r.p.m. The engines are mated to the brand’s Cmatic CVT transmission that can push the Arions down the road at up to 50 km/h. The “Powered Zero” mode makes it easy for operators to start and stop the tractor on slopes without using the brake. CVT transmissions are standard across all three tractor model lines Claas offers in North America.
“It (the Arion line) has been around Europe for quite a while,” says Reijmers. “But we’ve been testing it also for the last number of years here in North America to make sure it would fit here. It’s not just a straight European tractor — it has been adapted to the North American market. It has been tested in all weather, hot and cold. Minor changes have been made but, luckily, we didn’t have to make that many. A lot of it has been software updates to make North American implements work the way they should.”
While tractors in this range appeal in large part to forage growers and livestock producers, the Arions should be capable in a variety of field jobs too. They are built with a 50-50 weight distribution on both axles to give them maximum tractive ability. That sets them apart from many MFWD models on the market now that use something closer to a 60-40 split.
“We built our heavy-duty front axle to be able to handle the power just like the rear axle can. So, it is a 50-50 weight distribution to start,” he explains. “It’s balanced and able to get more footprint on the ground. We can do heavy draft loads and distribute the weight evenly across the front and rear tires to keep the compaction down.”
And the front axle is suspended, which also helps maximize traction and smooth out the ride for the operator. There is also a four-point cab suspension. Inside that cab is a 12-inch Cebis touch screen display.
When it comes to the typical front-end loader operations for tractors in this horsepower range, the Arions have some impressive capabilities there too. The factory FL150 self-levelling loader has a maximum lift height of 15 feet (4.5 metres) and can lift more than 7,500 pounds (3,422 kilograms).
For a video look at the Xerion tractor in action, visit AgDealer.com/AgDealerTV.
