USED MACHINERY For clarification purposes Claas divided its nominal 120 to 160hp six-cyl Arion tractor series into three lines: the entry-level C, and the more advanced CIS and CEBIS. Yet for the used Arion buyer these are far from the only specification differences to note, as James de Havilland discovers

In the increasingly complex world of tractor specifications within a given power band, Claas sought to make life simpler by dividing its new-for-2008 Arion tractor range into three distinct families — C, CIS and CEBIS.

First up are the Arion 610C, 620C and 630C.

Powered by 6,788cc, six-cylinder, DPS two-valve engines, these models develop a nominal maximum output of 130, 140 and 155hp respectively. All drive through a 16F/16R Quadrishift transmission, with four powershifts in four ranges and Revershift shuttle as standard. A 140m/hr creeper box option doubles the gear tally to 32.

Hydraulics are based around a gear pump delivering 60 litres/min, an extra tandem pump hiking this stat up to 98 litres/min as
a £500 new-price option. The latter set-up is the preferred choice for loader work, and the same pumps also power the steering circuit. You need to check the spec on a used buy because the additional pump cannot be retrofitted. Also bear in mind that, if purchasing the tractor for non-loader applications, perhaps surprisingly the single pump system could be more appropriate as it puts the full 60 litres to the linkage arms, where-as the double pump system sends a more modest 40 litres to the arms for a reduced lift speed. Capacity isn’t affected.

Rear lift capacity is a nominal 6,500kg for the 610C and 620C, with 6,900kg for the 630C. Up to four remotes would have been offered when the tractor was new, the TCE 15 T electronic draft control system remaining as a reminder of the Arion’s old Renault Ares heritage. Cab suspension was also an option, which many will have, but these C models could only be specced with a rigid front axle and top travel speed of 40km/hr.

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