In an extension of our telehandler test in the 4t lift and 7m reach category, we have taken a look at the best-selling rigid-frame machines from Kramer, Claas, Cat and Bobcat.  

Kramer has been hard at work relaunching the old Claas Scorpion models in its own livery. With no agricultural dealerships on its books, the firm has managed to strike a deal to sell through John Deere’s network, which has led to some impressive early sales success

Meanwhile, following its split from manufacturing partner Kramer, Claas has put the finishing touches to its new range of Scorpion handlers, this time built by Liebherr.

See also: Telehandler test: 5 mid-sized loaders battle it out

Although not a key player in the agricultural market yet, Caterpillar is also looking to grow its presence with the recently released D-series handler. Massey Ferguson is in the game too, and continues to offer its flagship TH.7038, based on the same platform as the Bobcat we tested last year.

The test was carried out on a dairy farm near Besancon, close to the French/Swiss border, with our colleagues from French magazine La France Agricole and the German publication Top Agrar.

The two-week trial included typical on-farm tasks such as bale handling, trailer loading and muckheap work. But to accurately compare their hydraulic performance and lifting prowess, the Germans also hooked them to their comprehensive range of testing equipment.

Claas Scorpion 741

See also: Telehandler test: JCB 541-70 AgriPro

Cab

Scorpion buyers get a veritable greenhouse for a cab, with acres of glass and slim pillars that provide unobstructed views through the headstock lifting arc, rearwards and to the right.

The cab floor is on the high side (90.5cm), which made it one of the more difficult machines to clamber into, not helped by a missing grab-handle on the B-pillar and an unusual combine-style steering column.

It comes out of the floor and sits between the driver’s legs, with the throttle and brake pedals residing either side – just like you would see on any modern harvester.

It’s impossible to leap in and out without moving it each time, but it can also be manipulated into any position you like (it pivots on a foot pedal, shifts in and out, and bends in the middle).

Interior space comes up a little short, particularly in legroom terms, where it measures as one of the shortest machines on the market.

The back of the seat almost kisses the rear window, even with a relatively short-legged occupant at the wheel, which has obvious repercussions for storage space – we couldn’t find anywhere to stash chains or straps.

We also found there were a lot of exposed pipes and wiring underneath the cab frame – particularly compared with the bombproof underbelly of the Massey Ferguson/Bobcat.

Controls

There’s a distinct whiff of Kramer about the Scorpion’s controls, where the two share the same joystick (as does the Cat, incidentally) and both opt to go without a left-hand shuttle.

Instead, a thumb scroller deals with directional changes and returns to centre once forward or reverse has been selected. We considered this a big downside and would much prefer to feel which direction is selected without having to cast a glance downwards.

Sadly, the joystick and armrest aren’t attached to the seat either, making gentle adjustments on the move more difficult.

Most of the other controls are neatly grouped on the right-hand console, aside from the front locking-pin switch. New drivers will go bonkers searching for it (it’s bedded in the roof lining).

Engine

Unlike the cramped and higgledy-piggledy layout of the Kramer, Claas has managed to organise its engine bay neatly – even though the two carry largely the same components.

Three radiators are packed together and sit in front of the sideways-mounted 3.6-litre Deutz engine.

Access to regular service items is much easier than its rival, although the position of the AdBlue filler inside the rear wheel leaves it likely to get plastered in mud.

Driveline controls include the usual manual engine and transmission settings.

We found Claas’ version the easiest to use as both speed and engine revs can be set on simple and accurate sliding scales.

Transmission

A three-stage hydrostatic transmission provides a slick drive, but the real highlight is a neat two-stage brake pedal.

When pressing down on it, the first half of the push disengages the drive, while the second part brakes the wheels. This saves having a separate dump pedal and is really handy around the yard and when stacking bales.

Other small details include the option of setting the angle of the rear wheels – though it’s only really necessary if they come out of line – and an automatic electric handbrake, but we found it difficult to tell whether it’s engaged or not.

The big downside was the turning circle that measured 8.26m, which was the worst of all the machines tested.

Boom and hydraulics

Claas runs a healthy-sized 160-litres/min hydraulic pump and flow rates are very good with the engine idling, which proved useful for bale stacking and loading grain.

However, performance begins to fall behind the competition at 1,500rpm and strangely dropped with the engine at full chat.

Cycle times were also underwhelming – the total cycle of 33.9secs was the slowest of the lot, though it was the boom lift and extend motions that really let it down.

Lift capacity was pretty good (particularly with the boom extended), which sees the Scorpion come into its own when pushing up muck heaps.

Hydraulic pipes run underneath the boom to the headstock, so are pretty easy to get at should there be a leak, but the electrics to alter the oil flow diverter valve on the swan neck had far too much exposed wire.

In-cab controls include adjustment of the flow for the third hydraulic service through the screen and a return-to-position function that we found more reliable than the Kramer’s.

There’s also an auto greasing kit to keep pivot points lubricated more easily.