Claas has been flat-out over the past three years renovating its entire 100hp+ fleet from the top-end Xerions downwards.

With the biggest tractors taken care of, the Claas engineers have turned their attention to providing some TLC to the lesser-powered ranges. That includes the small Arions – whose bigger brothers were given a once-over a couple of years ago – which are part of the 12,500 tractors currently built at the ex-Renault factory in Le Mans.

Dipping below the 100hp mark, the Elios models account for a chunk of the 1,500 tractors built away from Claas’ tractor-making base south-west of Paris. They’re popular on fruit farms and vineyards, but plenty are still sold as farmyard dogsbodies as well, according to Claas.

Arion 400

Previously a three-model line-up, the Arion 400 series has been bulked out to include six tractors that range from 90-140hp (the 420 is pictured above).

Claas’ policy of mixing and matching various component parts shows no sign of changing – this time Fiat provides propulsion with a 4.5-litre, four-pot block. The choice of a Fiat engine, rather than the Deere-made motor in the bigger Arions, means buyers will need to keep a supply of AdBlue handy.

However, there’s no boost so it’s what you see is what you get when it comes to spec sheet power.

Underneath the engine, Claas has followed the blueprints of its biggest tractors by using a cast structural sump. The end result is tighter turning because it does away with chassis rails, and loader brackets can be bolted directly to the engine framework, too.

Power is put to terra firma through a 16×16 gearbox, with four powershift steps within each of the four ranges. On CIS-spec models there’s also a system that fires through the powershifts and ranges automatically.

At the back there’s the choice of hydraulic outputs ranging from 60-litres/min open circuit for general yard work, to the 110-litres/min load-sensing circuit, which can also have Power Beyond.

Buyers can spec a maximum of three pto speeds which, like bigger Claas models, are engaged by B-pillar buttons. There’s also an auto pto function to turn it on and off according to the height of the link arms. Maximum rear lift is 4,500kg on the smallest two models, but it rises to 5,750kg for the Arion 430 to the 460.

Loaders will be popular on tractors of this size, so Claas’ R&D team has also spent time designing a new glass roof. There’s no cross-beam between windscreen and roof pane so operators get a clear view of the bucket all the way up the lift arc. Normal and low-profile roofs are also available for those less fussy about loader visibility.

Elios

First launched in 2009, the Italian-built Elios range has grown to include four models, which span the bracket from 75hp to just over 100hp.

Motive power comes, again, from Fiat, although there’s a smaller four-cylinder, 3.4-litre lump under the bonnet. Power outputs are 75hp, 84hp and 92hp, while the largest model has an 11hp boost at speeds above 13kph and for pto work.

New features include engine speed memories to jump quickly to a preset rpm. Four-wheel drive models are fitted with a 24×24 transmission, while two-wheel drivers get 12 speeds in either direction. The tractors have also shrunk lengthwise by 340mm thanks to the chassis redesign and a shorter front overhang.

However, the biggest changes have happened in the cab, where all the modcons can be specified from the options list and Claas says it’s a lot quieter than before.

Forage kit

On the forage side of business there has been a rejig of the Disco mowers. There are now five different mower ranges, which vary in complexity from the most basic Trend models up to more complex Autoswather- and Duo-badged machines. The basic ones are operated through the tractor spools and without a control terminal, while top-speccers are fully Isobus compatible.

Claas has also revealed a range of Cargos forage wagons. The new 8000-series is a smaller, less clumsy version of the existing 9000 models, and should be better suited to UK roads, too.

Capacities range from 30-41cu m and the driven pick-up and 40 reversible knives can be removed in 15 minutes so that the Cargos can double-up as a high-capacity trailer.