Claas announces new tractor and combine for 2023

Claas is bringing the Terra Trac friction drive track from its line of combines to the Axion 900 tractor series with the Axion 900 TT, making for the company's first half-track tractor with full suspension. 

Also announced was the new Trion 740 combine, a Class 7 machine, designed for small- to mid-size farming operations with a focus on corn and soybean production. 

“Innovative, efficient, reliable and bold are a few words I would use to describe the Trion 740 and Axion 900 TT,” says Eric Raby, senior vice president for Claas. “By listening to the needs of our customers and bringing our brightest thinking into research and development, Claas is providing customers with two truly innovative products that will take their farming operation to new levels of productivity.”

Axion 900 Terra Trac

The new Axion 900 TT is designed for better flotation, traction, operator comfort, and soil protection with the use of its drive track.

“We look to our customers to continuously evolve our approach to the design and innovation of new products,” says Drew Fletcher, tractor product manager at Claas. “Through extensive testing and discovering numerous advantages with this product compared with other manufacturers, this is technology we’re thrilled to bring to market.”

The most obvious update to the Axion tractor is the addition of the Terra Trac design used on other Claas machines. The front wheel and rear-track have independent suspension, which helps the 900 TT have less ground pressure and reduced soil disturbance while increasing traction. 

Claas

The Terra Trac on the 900 TT also has a larger rear driver wheel that increases the surface area of contact between the plates and inner side of the track.

Different from the combines, the wheels on the 900 TT are now spoked instead of solid to assist with clearing debris from the track. The individual tracks are also modular, meaning if the rubber gets chunked from contact with debris, it can be replaced individually. 

Combined with the four-point cab suspension and fully suspended tracks, the 900 TT is a smooth ride from Claas. Like other Claas vehicles with the Terra Trac, the wheels in the tracks use hydraulic pistons. 

“These rollers can move up and down, and it can ‘smile’ or ‘frown’ as it goes over changes  in soil, and going through waterways, we can always maintain constant ground contact,” says Fletcher. 

Taking it on a test ride through Claas’ testing facility, I noticed minimal bumps and jolts in the ride compared to a standard-wheeled tractor. 

• READ MORE: Q&A: ERIC RABY OF CLAAS

Another feature new to the Axion 900 TT is the height-adjustable drawbar at the push of a button, which can make for easier hook-ups when attaching implements, without the need of using tools to adjust. 

The 900 TT is powered by a Cursor9, 8.7 liter FPT engine, maintaining an efficient, low-speed, high-torque concept at 1,400 RPM. The four mode CVT CMATIC transmission system is designed for fuel savings, never using less than 60% mechanical drive or more than 40% hydraulic drive, according to Fletcher. 

Trion 740 combine

Claas

The new Trion 740 is a Class 7 combine designed to address the needs of 1000- to 3000-acre operations with a combination of familiar Claas components and some new technology.

“The Class 7 combine market segment has long been in need of new innovation,” says Greg Frenzel, combine product manager for Claas. “The company’s latest combine design re-energizes this segment by delivering Claas innovation in an unparalleled crop flow design on an affordable and reliable chassis.”

The new Trion brings individually controlled cylinder threshing and rotor separation together in one machine. Threshing adjustments are made in-line with changing harvest conditions throughout the day. A tri-cylinder APS threshing unit guides a 56-inch-wide crop mat across concave grates into a single rotor, ensuring grain makes it to the tank.

• READ MORE: CLAAS GOES USED WHEN NEW IS HARD TO COME BY

The Trion 740 is equipped with a 402 hp Cummins 9 liter engine that provides higher torque at low RPMs. The combine can handle 12-row chopping corn heads or draper headers up to 40 feet wide. The machine also has a 3.8 bushel per second unloading rate and a 341 bushel grain tank. A top road speed of 19 miles per hour means the combine can move between fields quickly. 

An externally accessible quick turn function makes changing from corn harvest to soybeans take less than five minutes, keeping idle time in the middle of the day to a minimum.

Claas

The cab has also been updated for the 740. For increased visibility, the seat positioning is further back in the cab, and it now has the ability to pivot. Additionally, the A-pillar design is slimmer, limiting less of your view. There are now foot pegs in the cab for operators to rest their feet on, as well.  

“The cab truly is a farmer’s office during the season, so we want to make sure it's comfortable for them, and make sure they're happy with it,” says Frenzel.

Machine reliability was a high priority for Claas in this Trion redesign. The new combine has longer greasing intervals and extended wear parts to minimize downtime. The 740 also has active slope compensation and minimal fuel consumption to ease running costs. 

Price and availability

The Claas Axion 900 TT series is available in multiple configurations. The 960 TT and 930 TT, come in at 440 hp and 350 hp, respectively. These models are currently available to order now with the Terra Trac with 25-, 29-, or 35-inch belts. Models with 18-inch belts will be available in 2023.

The Claas Trion 740 combine is available as a standard model or with the Terra Trac, and is available to order now. For more information, visit claasofamerica.com.