At Agritechnica earlier this year, Claas unveiled its new Axion 870 to extend the model lineup. Claas is following the trends from other manufacturers, delivering tractors with improved power to weight ratios. This makes them more appealing to a variety of tasks, especially for contractors and larger farmers.

Karol Duignan from Claas Ireland explained that if customers wanted a more powerful tractor than what was available in the 800 series, the only option was the bigger 900 tractor, which may not have suited them. According to Karol, this tractor has the power and size to perform high-horsepower operations and the ability to be used for all other tasks on the farm.

The tractor delivers this power from a 6.7-litre FPT engine using the Claas Power Management system. This delivers an extra 31hp overall when compared with the Axion 850 model, which has the same dimensions and weights. Claas claims that this makes the tractor more suitable for larger field and roadwork applications.

At speeds above 14km/h and whenever power take-off work is being performed, the system automatically provides additional torque and an extra 15hp of power through the electronic engine control system. The engine is Tier 4 compliant.

The Axion 870 tractor is equipped as standard with the continuously variable Cmatic transmission. Claas believes that this type of transmission is best suited to this size of tractor. It allows for high speed or low speed, with high torque demands on a variety of tasks, including using butterfly mower combinations. The Claas hexashift transmission is not available on this top-of-the-range model.

Controlling all major tractor functions in the cab is the Cebis control lever. In addition, the Cebis terminal allows the setup of all tractor functions, including a comprehensive headland management control.

The 870 can optionally be equipped ex-factory with the manufacturer’s GPS Pilot steering system, with its S10 or S7 touchscreen terminal. The new model will be available from 2016.

The Jaguar 960

One of the main changes is under the bonnet. While all Jaguar 930 to Jaguar 960 models will be powered by straight V6 or V8 Mercedes-Benz engines, using SCR AdBlue technology in order to meet Tier 4i emissions regulations, the top-of-the-range Jaguar 980 and 970 are powered by V12 and V8 MAN engines respectively.

A new feature to the chopping system is a hydraulic tensioning system that acts upon the rear pre-compression roller.

Unlike a spring-based system, this has the benefit of ensuring that a constant pressure is maintained on the material flowing into the forager regardless of crop density.

In the cab, a combination of the quieter feed roller drive system and the use of new noise-reducing glass in the front and rear windscreens means that the cab is far quieter.

Central to the setting up and operation of the Jaguar range is an updated version of CEBIS, which incorporates a number of new features designed to provide easier and faster operation.

The operator can now set a reminder as to when the knives need sharpening or the shearbar adjusting after a set operating time has elapsed.

Claas Ireland, Newlands, Dunleek, Co Meath.

Tel: 041-981 4410

Website: www.claasireland.ie

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