At Sima 2011 Claas presented a completely new development and design philosophy in tractor manufacturing in the form of the Axion 900. This year it built on that design philosophy with the newAxion 800 that is based on the same successful principles and developed using the same technologies. As a result, the new Axion 800 will have little in common with its predecessor of the same name when the first series-produced machines arrive on the market in2014.
With four models ranging in output from 200–270hp, the new Axion 800 completes the Claas tractor range, fitting in between the lower–powered Arion 500/600 ranging from 145–184hp and the Axion 900 offering 280-400hp.
Like the Axion 900, the new Axion 800 has a long wheelbase with a weight distribution of 50 per cent at the front and 50 per cent at the rear. To ensure that the tractor remains highly manoeuvrable, its front chassis shares the “wasp waist” shape of the Axion 900. The radiator package sits on the widest point of the front axle carrier, while the engine is mounted on an extremely narrow oil pan integrated within the frame. The advantage of this slender design is that it allows high steering angles and thus a small turning radius. The robust construction enables the use of front linkages with lifting forces of 3,500kg or 5,600kg without additional reinforcing struts.
Like the 900 series, the new Axion 800 series is equipped with a four-pillar cab, the Claas comfort concept with four-point cab mounting, vibration damping for the lifting gear and front axle suspension, thus providing significantly improved operator comfort. The similarity of the two tractor model series in terms of their design is clearly evident. The cab is not just located further towards the front, but is also larger and wider. Thanks to a single-piece windscreen without cross-struts and a curved rear window, the operator has a clear view of the attached implements both to the front and rear.
The new Axion 800 is the first Claas machine equipped with a Stage IV engine that meets the exhaust treatment requirements in place from 2014. This is achieved with a two-stage system consisting of a diesel oxidation catalytic converter (DOC/Oxicat), combined with an SCR catalytic converter. In contrast to a diesel particulate filter, the diesel oxidation catalytic converter is maintenance-free.
The tractors feature a six-cylinder FPT (Iveco) engine with a 6.7–litre displacement that provide up to eight per cent more torque than the predecessor model with a constant power range of up to 500rpm. This means more torque and more power at a reduced rpm, and thus lower fuel consumption. Another new feature of the Axion 800 is that the full engine power can be used at all times during any application and without limitation.
The new Axion 800 features a new Visctronic fan that’s electronically controlled and only ever provides the cooling output that is actually required by each radiator element in order to further save fuel.
Initially the Hexashift transmission will be available for the new Axion 800, with the continuously variable CMatic transmission following later. The development team from Claas Power Systems has also developed a new patented coupling system for the front power take-off transmission on the new Axion 800: if the front power take-off is not required on a seasonal basis, the entire transmission can be decoupled from the engine. The background to this purely mechanical development is that the front power take-off transmission of a tractor is normally driven permanently by the engine but only used seasonally. This means that the gears that rotate continuously in the transmission fluid require drive energy, even if the transmission is not under load. By decoupling the front power take-off transmission from the engine when working without the PTO, a further 0.4 litres of diesel can be saved every hour.
In terms of operation, the new Axion 800 uses the tried-and-tested concept of the Arion 500/600 with CIS or Cebis versions available. CIS is the basic version with mechanical control units and the Claas Information System (CIS) making this ideal for customers who require a tractor with few electronic controls. Cebis (Claas Electronic on-Board Information System) tractors are equipped with electronic control units and the Cebis terminal integrated into the armrest. The Cebis version includes intelligent headland and implement management functions as well as comprehensive connection options for Isobus devices. Many tractor and implement functions can now be operated via function keys in the armrest or using the CMotion multifunction control lever.
For more information visit: www.claas.co.uk.
