Next month’s Agritechnica show will see the unveiling of Claas’s mid-hp Arion tractors, which replace the Ares series.

Two ranges are on offer, the 105-155hp 4-cylinder 500 series with eight models and the 115-175hp 6-cylinder 600 range with 11 models. There are three spec levels – Cebis, CIS and C ranges – aimed at everyone from tech-hungry arable farmers to those looking for something straightforward.

On Cebis and CIS versions, power comes from common-rail 4-valve Deere engines with variable turbochargers, exhaust gas recirculation and intercoolers. C versions use the same 6.8-litre engine, but with two valves per-cylinder and fixed turbocharger.

There is a new cab interior, an enlarged fuel tank and redesigned back-end to bring the Arion in line with its larger stablemates.

Transmissions

Claas’s Hexashift transmission on Cebis and CIS models provides four ranges with six powershift gears in each, all operated from the same multifunction armrest found on Axion tractors. The C versions have a 4-range, 4-powershift Quadrashift transmission and do without the multifunction armrest.

The top-spec Cebis versions also incorporate full Hexactiv auto-shift transmission, whereby all 24 speeds can be set to change on engine load and speed and throttle position.

The Arion 540 and 640 models are also equipped with Claas’s Power Management System, giving an extra 20hp in ranges C and D (or in ranges A and B when the pto or hydraulics are being used). A 50k box is available throughout the range apart from the 510 and C specifications.

Foragers

Claas has found a new way of giving high power outputs as well as flexibility, and that is by fitting twin engines on its latest 900 range of self-propelled foragers.

The top-of-the-range Jaguar 980 has twin 415hp Mercedes engines giving 830hp in total and the slightly smaller Jaguar 970 has two 365hp power units giving 730hp. The operator can work with just one engine or both according to working conditions.

Both these two flagship models and the smaller 950 and 960 models have new curvy exteriors that disguise more fundamental changes, like the altered axle positions that shift weight distribution and, says Claas, make it the lightest machine in its class.

A new feed roller design means there is 28% more throughput than previous Jaguar models and to cope with this, each is fitted with the latest Claas V-Max chopping cylinder.