It is hard to find them more advanced and advantageous when it deals with tractors – the CLAAS ARION 600 and AXION 800 series give the farmer more than he could dream of, and then even more!

This is no wonder because the CLAAS people talk to the farmer to establish exactly what his needs are, and then develop their tractors to comply explicitly with those requirements. With this policy Claas sold 150 000 tractors in the past 15 years to still delighted farmers.

It is exactly this policy that resulted in the tractor series offering many new advantages to make the work of the farmer easier, more enjoyable and more efficient. Just note: a new ARION leader model of 136 kW, a new CEBIS display screen with touch-screen control, and a new control arm on the easy chair-seat in the cabin of the CIS+-model. But that is not all – Claas also claims the greatest operator comfort and user-friendliness, intelligent and efficient Powershift and continuous-variable drive systems which ensure that the exactly correct engine revolutions is transferred to the drive train, as well as many other advantages that make the task so much easier and more profitable.

The farmer may choose from various options

CIS (CLAAS Information System) has almost everything the operator needs – 24-speed HEXASHIFT Powershift power transfer, mechanical spool valves and the CIS colour screen.

The new CIS+ has even more features with HEXASHIFT Powershift power transfer, or CMATIC continuous variable drive, electronic spool valves and CIS full colour screen.

The new CEBIS (CLAAS electronic on-board information system) includes absolutely everything with HEXASHIFT Powershift power transfer or CMATIC continuous variable drive, electronic spool valves, CEBIS terminal with 12 inch screen and additional functions.

The following ARION 600 and AXION 800 models are available in South Africa:

Model                                                           Engine power (kW)

ARION 610 CIS with DPS engine                           107 kW

ARION 630 CIS with DPS engine                           121 kW

ARION 650 CIS with DPS engine                          136 kW

AXION 800 CIS with FPT engine                          150 kW

AXION 830 CIS+ with FPT engine                         173 kW

AXION 850 CIS+ with FPT engine                         194 kW

AXION 870 CMATIC CEBIS with FPT engine        206 kW

A closer look at some of the advantages of these advanced tractors

The new CLAAS PROACTIV front axle system ensures perfect stability and eliminates unnecessary knocks and jolts when braking or accelerating.

The new HEXASHIFT Powershift transmission system shifts automatically when accelerating. It includes SMART STOP, which allows the operator to stop the tractor without using the clutch pedal, and HEXACTIV automatic gear change with speed control and REVERSHIFT forward and reverse engagement. The parking brake is electronic.

The new CLAAS CMATIC continuous variable drive in the CEBIS and CIS+ versions improves efficiency, saves fuel and makes the task of the operator easier as it continuously adapts engine speed and traction to the load. It also has the REVERSHIFT feature, speed control and an electronic parking brake.

 The advanced CLAAS DPS Powertech engines and power transmission systems are designed to provide maximum power with the lowest diesel consumption while developing torque at wide-ranging engine revolutions. This is complemented by the high-performance turbo superchargers.

The intelligent CLAAS POWER MANAGEMENT (CPM) is an electronic control system which conjures additional power when required.

CLAAS thinks progressively and has included mounting points for farmers who would want to attach a frontend loader bucket, front-end hoist an also a power take-off (PTO).

The long wheelbase and equal weight distribution (50% front and 50% rear) of the CLAAS tractor range ensure high traction, driving and travelling comfort, safe handling, higher pick-up ability due to better stability, improved fuel consumption and less need to add wheel weights, which would promote soil compaction.

 Further the short, full length of the tractor ensures easy handling, shorter tractor/trailer combinations on the road, good visibility and all of this make it easy to work with front-linked attachments.

Tractors are regularly used for towing on the open road; so CLAAS models have been fitted with hydraulic trailer brakes. The tractors also have brakes that can deal with speed. The “wasp waist’ front axle design gives an increased steering angle and adapts automatically to the load for stability and safety.

 The speed of the PTO on the CLAAS tractors is selected beforehand by pressing a button and the PTO can be switched on by pressing a different button on the armrest.

The hydraulic linkage points have release levers and can be connected or disconnected under pressure without spilling any oil. The load-detecting hydraulic system is an example of efficiency. 

The three point lift deals easily with the heaviest loads and different configurations can be fitted for different purposes.

 The CLAAS cabin is the dream of any operator, providing enough room, an unlimited view, a most comfortable seat and smart, but understandable, controls, most of which are placed in the armrest. The operator need never search for anything or have trouble reaching a control.

With CEBIS the information of up to 20 implements can programmed, which means that it need not be loaded every time an implement is changed.

 CLAAS TELEMATICS receive and send signals through GPS satellites, ensuring that all information regarding all the work is always available. This makes fault detection and tractor maintenance easier.

 Every aspect of the CLAAS range is fully supported by Kempston CLAAS ensuring that your CLAAS tractors will always just give the best service on the farm.

AGRA-GPS has good news

You can switch your existing tractor fleet to CLAAS and still maintain your present terminal, computer programs and send signal.

‘AUTOSTEER GUIDANCE’ from AGRA-GPS is a bridging module that enables certain CLAAS models to perform with the steering systems of certain other operators.

Discuss the CLAAS ‘OPEN STEERING INTERFACE’ and AGRA-GPS technology with your CLAAS dealer.

For more information, talk to Michael Howell or Etienne van Wyk on 083-701-8779 or 043-703-3100, or send an email message to Michael.howell@kagri.co.za or alternatively to etienne.vanwyk@kagri.co.za . You can also visit the website www.claas.co.za  for information about other CLAAS implements or your farm.