Transmission benefits highlighted at customer experience days

Stock photo for illustration purposes only.

The CMatic experience days started with a presentation about the company, and then attendees were given guided tours around the impressive Claas UK headquarters including the sales, service, parts and training facilities.

Then followed a brief presentation and walkaround explaining the design and operation of the Claas CMatic transmission. The afternoon session included six workstations providing opportunities to try Arion, Axion and Xerion tractors fitted with CMatic transmission in a range of working situations at the Claas Experience Centre.

Each day was limited to just 12 attendees so that everybody had the opportunity to interact with the sales team and the tractors.

First CMatic experience days

“It was the first time we have we have run this type of event and it has been extremely succesful,” stated Claas UK customer care coordinator, Emily Baylis. “We had a fantastic response to the CMatic mailshot sent out in July which initiated enquiries for the CMatic event, It was great to meet so many customers from across the UK and Ireland, learning more about their businesses and tractor requirements.”

CVT pioneer

Claas began its CVT transmission development in 1968, when it wanted a more flexible drive system for combine harvesters. The HSG project involved building a prototype high-horsepower tractor initially to test the transmission concept, and then development work continued with the intention of distributing a range of tractors in collaboration with Daimler-Benz.

However, the project was shelved for several years until Claas continued its own high-horsepower tractor development, and the first Xerion was launched in 1978.

In 2003, a majority share in Renault Agriculture was acquired and the Claas conventional tractor range evolved, including the largest Axion models which gained a CMatic transmission option in 2008. In 2013, Claas began offering its own EQ CMatic CVT transmission as an option for mid-size Arion 500/600-series tractors.

The current target is to produce 20,000 tractors at the Le Mans, France factory each year.

Successful event

Claas UK tractor and materials handlers product manager, Michael Ives said that the CMatic experience days were a success. Michael continued: “Some had never tried our CMatic transmission or even owned a Claas tractor, so we were able to increase awareness of what we offer.

“The only disappointment was the wet ground conditions which prevented field work, but even so everyone spent a lot of time in the seats, allowing them to get to grips with the controls and debunk a few myths. Where there is an option, almost half of Claas tractor buyers already choose CMatic, but we expect its popularity to increase as the benefits become more widely known.”

Attendees gather around a CMatic transmission while Claas UK tractor and materials handlers product specialist, David Thornton explains its features and benefits.

Efficient, simple and reliable

At the event, Claas emphasised the efficiency, simplicity and reliability of the CMatic transmission. Michael Ives said that although power losses are slightly lower in a mechanical powershift gearbox, the efficiency gains achieved by operating engines for more of the time within their most efficient speed range when a CVT transmission is used will more than compensate.

At working speeds between 5–20kph, Claas Axion 800- and 900-series tractors transmit a minimum of 83% of the drive mechanically through their four–range CMatic transmissions, and smaller Arion 500- and 600-series tractors with two mechanical speed ranges achieve at least 60% mechanical drive at the same speeds. Michael Ives said this means drive losses are extremely low.

Farmers Guide caught up with all 12 event participants at the Claas Experience Centre.

Precise control

Henry Sammons is a tractor operator for Much Wenlock-based TR Craig & Sons. “I work on a mainly arable farm where we already use Claas tractors, including an Axion 830 and an Axion 870 – both with CMatic transmissions, as well as an Arion 650 with a Hexashift gearbox. Claas combines have been used for many years and we currently operate a Lexion 760,” he explained.

“Excellent experience of the combines led to us buying our first Claas tractor – an Arion 640. The current Arion 650 does general farm work such as fertiliser applications and transport tasks, and the two Axions do the heavier work including most cultivations. The CMatic transmissions perform well and operate smoothly in the field and on the road. In automatic mode the engine revs are maintained within the most efficient working range, making the most of the torque and reducing fuel consumption.

“Another big advantage of CMatic is when hitching up implements and trailers – just feathering the foot pedal allows extremely precise control.”

Henry said that when the Arion is replaced, he will recommend upgrading to a CMatic transmission. “I’ve used other brands and the Claas is much smoother, and the ride quality of all the Claas tractors is excellent. The opportunity to meet the tractor specialists and find out more about these CVT transmissions was useful and I’m glad that I attended the day.”

Henry is pictured with Claas UK technical trainer for tractors, Tom Venni.

Bridgenorth mixed farm

Bridgenorth, Shropshire-based Rob Pugh from RH Pugh & Sons was at the event. The family farm is predominantly arable cropping, but there are also 200 beef cattle including a suckler herd, followers and calves which are bought in. A Lexion 760 combine is owned as well as Arion 650 and Axion 830 tractors and a Quadrant 2200 baler.

Rob said that Claas machinery is liked for its reliability, and back-up from the Morris Corfield team is superb.

“The Hexashift transmission on our Arion tractor is good, but it can’t compete with the CMatic Axion,” he stressed. “We have a lot of steep banks, and the CMatic automatically adjusts the gear ratio and engine revs and power to maintain a constant travel speed, whereas the Hexashift limits us to the ratios available. The CVT transmission is ideal for drilling as we can slow down gently for the ins and outs and keep the drill’s air system running at a constant speed. With no fixed gears it’s a big advantage.

“One of our objectives in attending the Claas day was to try the latest models, as our Arion 650 was bought in 2013 and will soon be replaced. We will definitely have another tractor with CVT transmission, and it’s likely to be a Claas. We’ve had demonstrations of competitor brands, but Claas is right up there in terms of reliability and build quality, and the back-up from the Morris Corfield team is always excellent.”

Members of the Morris Corfield team at the event lr Sales representatives Steve Jordan, Ben Lea and Martin Wood

Has to be CVT

Mark Gennard from Bridgenorth, Shropshire was another Morris Corfield customer at the open day. Trading as JM Gennard, his family has an arable farm producing cereals and owns a Lexion 570 combine, a new Scorpion 736 telehandler and a Quadrant 2200 baler. “We deal with Morris Corfield for the after-sales service and because we get on well with Claas products,” Mark explained. “If we get a problem then we rely on ‘Geordie’ to come and fix it.”

Mark said that an Arion 660 was trialled earlier this autumn, and he is keen to borrow the demonstrator again for spring drilling.

“It will have to be the CMatic, as we wouldn’t have anything other than a CVT now,” he stressed. “I also use the tractor to provide a contracting service for other farmers in the area which includes a lot of de-stoning, so the infinite speed control is ideal. I was impressed by the Claas premises and team at the experience day. There was an opportunity to provide feedback and the Claas representatives listened.

Latest in-cab terminals

Contractor Dave Lea (not pictured) of John Lea & Sons doesn’t use Claas tractors currently, but he commented that he is more likely to in future after attending the Claas event. The family business is based near Much Wenlock in Shropshire, and Claas machinery supplied and looked after by Morris Corfield includes a Jaguar 970 forage harvester, two Lexion 760 combines and two sets of reverse-drive triple mowers plus two four-rotor rakes.

“We have dealt with Morris Corfield for at least 40 years, and receive excellent service,” Dave explained. “We had a Claas tractor with CMatic transmission many years ago, but it was changed for another brand. Recent models feature many improvements, and, during the experience day, I was impressed by the Claas Easy precision farming systems and the latest in-cab terminals which are particularly user-friendly. Next time we have a tractor to update, Claas will be considered.”

Comfort important

Claas dealer Olivers Reading-depot customer, Andrzej Milewski is a machinery operator for J Rayner & Sons – arable farmers based near Heathrow. The farming business bought three Arion 650 tractors during the summer, which will be used for a wide range of tasks.

A larger tractor of another brand is also operated and due for replacement, so Andrzej was keen to try the larger Axion models as a potential replacement. “We travel long distances between work areas, so comfort is very important,” he explained. “We tried other brands, but we really like the Arions and get on well with the Claas dealer, so we feel that a bigger Claas tractor with CMatic transmission would probably suit us well.”

User-friendly

Shropshire-based farmer Keith Cambidge runs a mixed farm with his brother. Trading as Trustees of TG Cambidge, the enterprise includes dairy cattle and arable crops. The machinery fleet includes the farm’s second Scorpion telehandler, as well as an older Arion 640 and a new Arion 660 CMatic along with a competitor brand which spends most of its time powering a feeder wagon.

“We like Claas as the back-up is superb – not only from our local dealer, Morris Corfield, but also from Claas UK,” said Keith. “I also drive a Claas combine for a local farmer, and the aftersales support is second to none.

“I came to the CMatic event to find out more about these transmissions. Our Arion 660 is our first tractor with CVT transmission, and it seemed a great opportunity to learn how to get the best from it. The latest controls are very similar to the combine in terms of the layout and operating logic, which is a help when getting into the combine at the start of harvest after a 10-month break as everything is quickly familiar.

“I also like being able to allocate the joystick buttons for different tasks. For power harrowing and drilling I need the same hydraulic spools, but I prefer to operate them using different joystick buttons. The Claas is very user-friendly.”

Keith said that he has visited the Claas Saxham site previously for combine operator courses. “It’s changed a lot and the new buildings are impressive.”

Claas fleet

Trading as ER Goodwin & Sons, the Goodwin family has farmed and offered a contracting service in the Malpas area since 1945. Now the business involves Clive Goodwin and his brother John, and Clive’s sons Lee – who is pictured at the Claas event – and Richard who manages a local beef herd and works on the family farm.

A large machinery fleet includes two Jaguar forage harvesters, Lexion and Dominator combines, three Liner rakes, Disco mowers and Quadrant square balers. “We had one of the first self-propelled Jaguars and have always used Claas combines. Nothing compares to Claas,” Lee said.

There are no Claas tractors on the fleet currently. “We had an Arion 650 several years ago but replaced it with another brand. However, Claas tractors have come a long way in recent years so now we are considering an Arion 660 and are also likely to purchase an Axion.

“I learned a lot from the day spent at Claas and it persuaded me that the CMatic transmission is the one to choose. It’s easy and comfortable to use and very simple. We use GPS guidance, and the opportunity to find out and try the Claas Easy precision farming systems was useful too.”

Lee said that it was his first visit to Saxham since the new buildings were completed. “The facilities are mind-blowing, such an improvement,” he commented.

Back-up from dealer

Jack Brisbourne of Shrewsbury-based DM Brisbourne & Sons is pictured with Claas UK tractor and materials handler product manager, Michael Ives. Jack attended the event as he is looking for a main tractor for his family’s mixed farming enterprise. Applications will include manure spreading, drilling and fertiliser applications.

“We had an Arion 650 with a Hexashift transmission on demonstration from our local dealer, Morris Corfield,” he explained. “We use a competitor-brand tractor currently, but the back-up from our Claas dealer is very good so we were keen to try the Claas.

“The CMatic event was useful. I have driven other tractors with CVT transmission in the past, but the Claas system is very easy to use. Having found out more about the advantages, including the ability to maintain constant engine and PTO speeds for tasks such as drilling while being able to infinitely vary the forward speed, I will certainly opt for the CMatic transmission if we buy a Claas.”

Prefer Claas

Edward Owens of FJ Owens & Co said he benefitted from attending the event. The Owens family farm is at Welshpool and the main enterprise is livestock and a contracting service is offered using the farm’s tractors.

The Claas Experience Centre at the Saxham, Suffolk headquarters was used to demonstrate the CMatic transmission in a variety of Claas tractor models and different applications

“We use Claas already and rely on Morris Corfield,” Edward explained. “Our current fleet includes an Axion 830 on a 67-plate, plus a new Arion 470 which was the first of its type in the country and we have a Renault, too.”

The farm’s Axion is due for replacement, and it will be replaced by a newer version of the same model.

“We receive excellent back-up from the Morris Corfield team, so although in the past I often considered different tractor brands, we stuck with Claas for the service. However, the more recent Claas models are excellent, and I don’t think there is any other brand I would prefer now. They are comfortable and have the best cab and axle suspension of any I’ve tried. If our new Arion 470 had been available with CMatic transmission then we would have specified it, as there are many benefits including simpler operation and increased working efficiency.

“The day at Claas was very useful and I enjoyed meeting the team.”

Great dealer team

Contractor, Chris Vallone is based at Much Wenlock in Shropshire. He has a self-propelled sprayer and offers a general contracting service using his own tractor.

“I get on well with the Morris Corfield team, but don’t run a Claas tractor currently,” he said. “But I was impressed after trying the different models for the afternoon. They are user-friendly and comfortable, and the Claas Saxham premises is unbelievable.

“If I change to a Claas tractor, then I have no worries regarding the back-up that will be available from Claas and my local dealer.”

Confident in CMatic

Southwell, Nottingham-based farmer Ed Hammond attended the day with the farm’s machinery operator Phil Hurt. Trading as John Hammond & Co, the family farm is mainly cereals with additional crops including sugar beet and potatoes. “We already deal with Claas Eastern at the Markham Moor depot and are impressed by the support we receive for our Lexion combine. We take advantage of the service packages which are very cost-effective, and so we are looking at buying Claas tractors too,” Ed explained.

“Our main tractor is due for replacement next year, and as part of our move to regenerative farming techniques including reduced cultivations and soil disturbance, we think that an Axion Terra-Trac would offer significant advantages for field work and drilling.

“We are establishing more cover crops and use a direct drill, but we also need a tractor capable of primary cultivations to prepare ground for potatoes. We borrowed a demonstration Axion a few years ago but didn’t buy one at the time, and the latest models feature significant improvements. The new display terminals are logical and user-friendly, and Phil and I agreed that the ability to operate them through the touchscreen or manual controls is an advantage.”

The opportunity to find out about the CMatic transmission from product specialists was considered particularly valuable.  “They explained it clearly so that we now know how it works, and understand its capabilities as well as its limitations,” he said. “Having been stung by expensive gearbox repairs on other brand tractors in the past, I’m confident that whatever else might fail during the first 20,000 hours worked by a Claas tractor, it won’t be the CMatic transmission.”

Ed said that seeing around the new Claas buildings has given him even more confidence in the brand. “Claas and its dealers conduct themselves well, and this sort of well-organised day is a much better use of our time than attending shows. It was personal and gave us exactly what we needed, rather than just looking at static machines on a stand.”

Pictured (l-r) Phil Hurt, Ed Hammond, Claas global tractor sales capability manager Max Groever and Claas UK regional sales manager Colin Arnold.