Last month it was all about track design and power delivery, whereas in Part 2 of our tracked tractor comparison we take a more individual look at our titanic trio. And then there is the biggest, scariest question of them all — how much will one set you back?
KEEPING IT BRIEF
- These tracked tractors are not only top of the range in terms of performance, but also price.
- The cabs are designed for long working days, but the feeling of space differs.
In the first part of our test (see profi 2/2026), we compared the three tracked tractors in terms of their pulling power. This time, we look at each contender in more individual detail.
Attaching rear implements is easier than expected. The largest in the group, the John Deere 9RX, actually offers the best view of the drawbar, closely followed by the Case IH Quadtrac, whose top link for the optional rear linkage slightly restricts the view. With the Claas Xerion, the large fuel tank is bang in your way. While this may help to optimise weight distribution at all times, the tank’s position and ballast weights impinge on the view of the rear linkage.
These tracked tractors are designed for long-hour days, so the cab should be roomy and comfortable. The John Deere cab does this the best, with a decent mix of all-round visibility, build quality, spaciousness and all-round lighting.
Price comparison
In terms of prices, we only have the list prices for comparison. Although the 9RX 830 in test specification only costs £1,056/hp, the overall retail price adds up to almost £964,279. The well kitted out Quadtrac 645 (sprung HDS track drives, heavy-duty tracks, linkage and a nearly £3,100 steel tow rope) is priced at just under £800k in test specification.
So, is the Claas Xerion 12.650 a bargain at £654,790? Yes and no, because the model we used, run by the Wesenberg agricultural cooperative lacked a rear linkage (which is part of the standard set-up in the UK), rear pto and the heavy-duty tracks. Add these extra-cost options, and the customer has to find another £28k.
We describe the three tractors in detail on the following pages.
Tobias Bensing
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RED RASCAL
Case IH Quadtrac 645
The Case IH Quadtrac is a sophisticated tracked tractor with plenty of pedigree — it has been built in Fargo, USA, since production started in 1996.
You can only add ballast to the front, Case IH saying the tractor develops its lugging power from its centre of gravity. The front part and the rear halves of the chassis are connected at three points. This is designed to be a straightforward solution for achieving the ideal 50:50 weight distribution.
Our Quadtrac was equipped with twin hydraulic pumps with a combined flow rate of up to 428l/min (216 and 212l/min). The oil reservoir holds 314 litres and there is a shared circuit for the axles and the hydraulic system. The six spools (maximum of eight if there is no linkage) are clearly numbered and easily accessible with relief levers. Each hydraulic pump looks after three spools. There is an option of having one spool with a flow rate of up to 180l/min, providing the couplings allow it.
The cab is the largest on the market, says Case IH. This may be true in terms of volume, but the overhead consoles encroach on the driver, making it feel a bit more cramped. All-round visibility is fine, but, unlike on the 9RX, the operator doesn’t have a direct view of the front tracks. The leather-clad seat swivels up to 34° to the right.
Operation is almost identical to every other Case IH tractor over 150hp — except that the Quadtrac doesn’t have a foot accelerator pedal. What we missed during days in the field was the active cooling compartment (option) and footrests (also optional) on the right-hand side.
Recommended oil change intervals are every 600 hours for engine oil (36 litres), 1,200 hours for transmission oil (70 litres) and 1,800 hours for hydraulic and axle oil (314 litres).
GENTLE SEED GREEN
CLAAS XERION 12.650
The Claas Xerion 12.650 differs significantly from the American articulated tractors — it is CVT only and has a rigid chassis set-up. The four-wheel (well, tracks in this case) steering comes into its own with mounted implements as the tractor doesn’t try to shunt the implement sideways with every move of the steering wheel. Claas even argues that this is just as beneficial with towed kit, keeping things smoother, with the front axle doing all the steering up to 10°. And to overcome the high grease nipple count for the extra pivot points, Claas fits an auto-lube system as standard. The modular design is intended to make it easy to fit a linkage and a rear pto at a later date.
Hydraulically, our test model was equipped with a twin pump for a flow rate of up to 445l/min. The rear couplers are not very well laid out; in fact, this set-up is the worst in the comparison. Claas is well aware of this and has come up with an updated design for this year. Another downside is that only one spool comes with pressure relief and furthermore only this spool has a higher flow rate of 140l/min.
The sense of space in the cab is good, but the steering column is just as annoying as the large steering wheel ratio. To make up, the Xerion has a fast-steer function in the menu that can be activated. The cooling compartment offers plenty of space.
In terms of servicing, the Xerion doesn’t need to visit the dealer as often as the competition. Engine oil change intervals are 1,000 hours (31 litres), the transmission requires a fluid and filter swap every 2,000 hours (55 litres) and 120 litres of hydraulic oil should also be changed every 2,000 hours.
Further updates for model year 2026
YELLOW, GREEN, GIGANTIC
JOHN DEERE 9RX 830
The John Deere 9RX 830 is currently the most powerful production tractor on the market and is built in Waterloo, USA. Thanks to the 18-litre John Deere engine pumping out up to 672kW/913hp, it doesn’t need AdBlue to meet Stage V, as the exhaust emissions are not as strict once you go over 560kW/761hp. But it does have exhaust gas recirculation which means the engine oil service interval is shorter: 71 litres of oil must be changed every 500 hours.
Customers can choose between Select, Premium and Ultimate cab trims. Our test model had the high-end Ultimate cab, which not only includes the leather seat, but also a 40° swivel to the right and 25° to the left. Rear and side wipers are included as well as the full LED work light spec.
The sense of space, the all-round visibility and build quality of the cab are above average, even though the way up the steep stairs is only average. The rear window can be opened, the chilled compartment behind the passenger seat is somewhat small, but at least it comes as standard spec.
The hydraulic equipment with up to three hydraulic pumps and an output of 631l/min ticks all the boxes. The layout of the couplers, which are fitted with relief levers, gets a thumbs-up as does the flow rate of up to 140l/min for the first three spools. There is no rear linkage for the 9RX 830, not even as an option.
Access to the air filter and fuel tank is good. In addition to the engine oil, the transmission oil (201 litres) of the large 9RX must be changed every 2,000 hours and the hydraulic oil (226 litres) only every 4,000 hours.
