Claas can rightly revel in its top-dog status when it comes to combine harvesters and foragers. But 22 years after swallowing Renault Agriculture, its tractor division continues to lag behind.

Market share plods along at a humble 3.5%, while juggernauts John Deere, New Holland and Massey Ferguson enjoy respective figures of 30%, 19% and 11%.

See also: First impressions: Claas Xerion 12.650 takes on US-built artics

The reason, says the firm’s top brass, is that its key models haven’t been quite as desirable as those from rival makers, despite matching their performance.

So, it’s going on the offensive. Some 10% of profits are being funnelled back into tractor development – double that of harvesting – and a clutch of fresh models are in the pipeline.

First on the scene is the Axion 9, available in both wheeled and half-track guise.

This takes the baton from the outgoing Axion 900, which had already punched well above the maker’s sales average, thanks largely to the popularity of its Terra Trac units.

The hope is that a refined transmission, uprated hydraulics and a completely redesigned cabin will help further strengthen its hand.

Bigger, smarter workspace

The latter is the big-ticket item and offers a tantalising glimpse of the interior trim and technology that will eventually filter down through the ranges.

Top of the design team’s agenda was addressing driver grumbles. Common complaints levelled at the previous version were a lack of space, minimal storage and an outdated display with no option of integrated GPS.

Their answer is a reworked structure with a 17% internal volume boost which, they say, makes it the largest in this horsepower bracket.

Access is wider too, and the shallow sloping die-cast aluminium steps have subtle lighting to prevent any stumbling in the dark, which can even be turned on using an external button.

Claas calls it the “stairway to heaven”; hopefully no one turns up their toes when they get to their destination.

Inside, there’s been a focus on operator comfort, with more storage, higher-grade upholstery and a plush pivoting seat, not to mention factory-fitted foot rests.

In line with other tractors of this size, the old shiny plastic dash behind the steering wheel has been ditched in favour of a smart A-pillar display.

This is mounted on a sliding rail, so drivers can set it at a position to suit them. Even the basic shuttle paddle has been swapped for a more solid lever with a soft-touch finish.

Better still is the redesigned armrest which benefits from a far clearer layout than its predecessor.

Controls are grouped together logically and there’s a neat dial that handles multiple functions, such as climate control, music and phone, as well as toggling through screen menus. There’s no conventional radio as a result.

It makes for a crisp, uncluttered workspace, although it will be harder for occasional users to fathom than old-school dials.

The trademark Cmotion drive controller is still in play and it gains an additional side-to-side movement, as well as the original back and forth.

This provides a speedy method of toggling between the three electronic speed ranges or cruise controls, avoiding the need to use a separate button.

Across from this is a high-tech secondary joystick, littered with switches that allow it to perform up to 30 programmable functions – either on the tractor or an isobus-controlled implement.

Upgraded displays

As for the armrest-mounted screen, this can at last run GPS, meaning a second display is only required if buyers really want it. There’s no hierarchy between them either, so each is capable of serving up any available information, be it tractor, guidance or isobus related.

They can also run feeds from multiple cameras – plugged into a series of integrated sockets at the front and rear of the tractor – which saves cluttering the interior with extra boxes and wires.

All of the above has been made possible thanks to a completely revamped high-speed electrical system, hidden away behind the trim.

Other enhancements include a 30% boost in air-conditioning power and a tune-up of the four-point cab suspension to prevent rolling that could induce a bout of motion sickness in some drivers.

Work lights have been improved too, with a raft of ultra bright LEDs and flashing beacons neatly integrated into the roof structure.

Operators’ ears have been another consideration, with the fitment of a sound-stifling acoustic windscreen and active noise cancelling for Bluetooth calls.

There’s even a redesigned casing for the ZF CVT transmission that smooths the flow of oil to reduce whooshing noises.

What else is new?

The basic mechanics of the drivetrain have stayed the same, but there’s a modified drive controller that makes it slicker to operate.

In tandem comes a handful of extra Cemos auto functions, one of which manages droop to get the best out of the engine.

Another allows the tractor to pre-empt the bogging that can occur when implements are first dropped into the ground. Rather than simply reacting to the load when it arrives, Axion 9s are able to alter the gearbox ratios and revs in advance.

Other party tricks include the introduction of the firm’s “auto stretch brake”, which allows the tractor to automatically control implement brakes to prevent jack-knifing.

It can also lock steering axles before reversing, saving the need to do it manually.

Claas’s investment in Dutch outfit AgXeed has yielded further progress in machine automation.

By fitting a so-called Vehicle Control Unit (VCU) the tractors can work with virtually no input from the person on the seat, although they do need to be present.

Cleverly, the system, which runs on a separate tablet, connects with the firm’s Connect service, allowing information to be ferried seamlessly between the two.

Engine and performance

There’s less to report under the bonnet, where the familiar 8.7-litre FPT remains.

Some slight tweaks to the tuning have delivered a mild power hike – to 326hp in the smallest 9.330, 448hp in biggest 9.450 – and it can now be fitted with a reversing fan.

Oh, and the maintenance burden has been reduced, with no 100-hour service and an extension of regular oil change intervals from 600 to 750 hours.

Other than a larger diesel tank, that’s about it.

More attention has been paid to the back end, where there’s now the option of a hefty dual-pump hydraulic setup that offers up to 370 litres/min of flow. In addition to the prodigious output, the system allows two valves to be prioritised.

Thought has even been given to drivers’ biceps (or lack of them), with a pneumatic assister ram that makes it easier to manoeuvre heavy top links.

And it’s possible to spec slick auto-locking hydraulic stabilisers on the rear link arms.

Track updates

A final component to be graced with upgrades is the track units.

These gain transparent idler and mid-roller caps that make it easier to check oil levels, as well as uprated idler wheel hubs and easier single-sided belt alignment.

An auto-lube system for the track units and front axle comes as standard on TT models and is an option on wheeled versions.

Tough, puncture-resistance tracks are also on the menu, as are heavy-duty aluminium drive pads. These are only required for clamp work, when pushing wet maize and wholecrop.

For now, just two models are available – the 9.360 and 9.450 in four-wheel and half-track format – with the full line-up going on sale next year.

Farmers Weekly verdict

The Axion 9 was already a popular tractor in this sector, particularly TT versions, so the addition of a far nicer cab will only enhance its appeal.

It might help shift a few more four-wheelers, too, which are currently outsold two-to-one by their track laying cousins.

The extra space and slicker control layout are indeed stark improvements that put Claas on a fairly even keel with its biggest rivals – even if it hasn’t quite rewritten the rulebook.

But perhaps more exciting is the prospect of this tech eventually filtering down to the volume sellers, the Axion 800s and smaller Arion 600s and 500s. Watch this space…

Axion 9 models
	9.330	9.360/ 9.360 TT	9.390	9.420	9.450/ 9.450 TT
Engine	8.7-litre FPT six-cylinder
Max power/ torque	326hp/ 1,571Nm	360hp/ 1,667Nm	394hp/ 1,767Nm	419hp/ 1,801Nm	448hp/ 1,850Nm
Transmission	ZF-built Cmatic continuously variable
Hydraulics	220 litres/min (370 litres/min optional)
Rear lift	13t	13t/11t	12t	12t	12t/11t