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.
Powered by a four-cylinder, 2.5- litre diesel engine, producing 163.5kW of power and 520Nm of torque, the four-wheel-drive workhorse offers a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity to complement its smaller existing T60 line-up.
Equipped with double-wishbone suspension up front and sturdy leafspring suspension at the rear, the Terron 9 also offers a 1100kg payload capacity, with a spray-on tray liner with four fixed tie-down points.
The 4WD workhorse is equipped with multiple terrain modes and offroad information includes altitude, compass, and approach angle, with a wading sensor to help drivers calculate the depth while driving through water.
The Elite specification also includes high-grade cloth seat covers, a six-way powered driver’s seat and a four-way manual adjustable passenger seat. Technology is abundant, with a 360-degree camera, daytime running lights, a dual 12.3-inch infotainment screen and instrument cluster and Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Safety is taken care of by lane keep assist, speed limit recognition and blind spot monitoring system as standard.
Kym Mellow, general manager of Inchcape New Zealand, which distributes LDV here, announced a recommended price tag of $59,990, excluding on-road costs, for the LDV Terron Elite at the annual event, commenting, “expanding our range, the TERRON 9 delivers serious toughness, intelligent capability, and highend performance, backed by LDV’s 7-year warranty, 7-year roadside assistance, and 7 years of WOF”.
