Claas Balers Turn 30
Claas built its first variable chamber round baler - the Variant 100 - in 1996, so 2026 marks 30 years and the fifth generation of the Variant name, recently complemented by the new Cerex Series introduced in 2025.
Organised by the Mid-Canterbury Vintage Machinery Club, the theme of this year’s event is 100 Years of Farmall Tractors.
Set on a 20ha site, with a further 3ha of standing wheat set aside to demonstrate vintage harvesters, organisers report that they are expecting more than 1000 exhibits. These include tractors and agricultural machinery, classic cars and motorcycles, stationary engines and a large display of military vehicles including a tank. Starting at 10.30 each day, a continuous parade will run until 3.30pm.
Giving visitors a chance to compare historic machinery with todays high tech modern equivalents, there will also be displays of units such as John Deere’s X9 harvester equipped with a 45-foot header, an example of Case IH’s impressive QuadTrac and a high output Agrifac self-propelled sprayer.
Previously attracting up to 4000 visitors over the two days, those looking to chance their luck will have the opportunity to take part in a raffle to win a gold-bellied Massey Fergusson 35, with surplus proceeds heading to the Westpac Helicopter Appeal.
