Claas unveils high horsepower tractors

Chief executive Richard Wilson says they are delighted to finally bring the new Xerion to the ANZ market.

“We know we are bringing in a superior product that is particularly suited to the farming conditions of our Australian customers, as we have already been running five evaluation units during this seeding season, that have completed over 2000 hours of work.”

With significant interest in the American and European markets, the Xerion has taken some time to get to this side of the world, but the impressive prime mover should generate a great dealer of interest in the Australian market, while New Zealand-based fans of the German heavy metal will also want a closer look.

Making good on its 2023 promise, at the German Agritechnica event, to take the high-horsepower tractor market head-on with the release of its all-new 12 series, the Harsewinkelbased company currently offers the most powerful all-wheel drive tractor with continuously variable transmission technology on the market.

Following six years of research and development, 10,000 hours of field testing across five countries, and multiple awards, since its launch, two units have been pre-sold into Western Australia and Eastern Australia.

Engineered specifically for broadacre markets, the flagship model delivers 653 engine horsepower, is fitted with 914 mm tracks and offers industry-leading hydraulics and a new luxe cabin with four-point suspension.

The 12.650, 12.590 and 12.540 models in the Xerion 12 range addresses four key features, including increased profitability via low fuel consumption, low maintenance and wear, greater pulling efficiency thanks to high torque, large contact areas and optimal 50:50 weight distribution under all operating conditions.

Also, greater operator comfort comes via the large, four-point suspended cab with excellent all-round visibility and the rubber-damped Terra Trac track units. Increased operator assistance is delivered by CEBIS, CMOTION, CEMOS and GPS PILOT CEMIS 1200 digital automation.

The Xerion 12 series is powered by the same 15.6-litre, six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz OM473 engine already found in Claas combine and forage harvesters.

The flagship’s 653hp and 3100Nm of torque is achieved at just 1300rpm, mated to a CVT transmission.

Said to offer an ideal 50:50 weight distribution, the tractor is particularly suited to heavy-duty pulling work in all speed ranges, making it a great match for cultivators, disc harrows, ploughs, air-seeders and trailers.

The Xerion 12 series Terra Trac model is equipped with newly developed triangular Terra Trac crawler units of 914mm or 762mm widths, while the wheeled variants can be fitted with 800/70 R42 dual or 900/60 R42 single tyres.

Despite its immense power and size, it is extremely nimble thanks to its precise twin-axle steering.

State-of-the-art onboard and offboard features for digital agriculture allow automated steering, section control, variable rate, and automatic documentation, as well as the optimisation of machine and process performance with CEMOS.