The best of both worlds - testimonial from Anthony Hesford on the CLAAS XERION 12 Series

Esperance region farmer, Anthony Hesford, reckons his new CLAAS XERION 12 Series high horsepower tractor delivers the best of both worlds, being big enough to effortlessly tow a 24-metre seedbar yet nimble enough for chasing.

Available with a maximum power output of 653, 585 or 544 horsepower, XERION 12 is the most powerful tractor yet built by CLAAS and is billed as the largest 4WD tractor fitted with a continuously variable transmission as standard. The series also incorporates category-leading hydraulics and the largest cab on the market.

Anthony and Jamie Hesford conduct a large-scale cropping operation spanning more than 11,500 ha across several properties in the Munglinup, Lort River, Scaddan and Neridup districts. The purchase of more land in 2023 in the Neridup district triggered the need for an additional tractor and air seeder. “We were lucky enough to find a second-hand 80’ Seed Hawk seeder and aircart exactly the same model and age as ours but we couldn’t find a tractor anywhere, so we started looking around,” Anthony says. “We wanted something that had more versatility than our 540 hp tracked tillage tractor but more power and weight than our 350 hp utility tractors. We simply can’t afford to have a tillage tractor that sits in the shed doing nothing for 11 months of the year,” Anthony says. “At the same time, we’ve outgrown our utility tractors.

Everything is getting bigger and they just don’t cut it any more for spreading and carting.” Anthony found himself gravitating towards a CLAAS XERION 5000, a 525 hp draught tractor. “I’ve been interested in these tractors from the get-go,” Anthony says. "We’ve been running CLAAS harvesters for more than 25 years and that speaks volumes about what we think of the brand. We had a couple of demonstrations with a XERION 5000 and finally decided to place an order, only to find out we wouldn’t be able to get one in time for this year’s sowing. CLAAS Harvest Centre asked me if I’d be interested in buying a pre-series XERION 12 instead. We have a lot of CLAAS gear but it’s not the only brand we run. We got a quote from all the farm machinery dealers in Esperance so we could compare apples with apples. I was surprised they were all more or less the same price but XERION 12 ticked more of the boxes for me."

“The other big thing for me is the service provided by CLAAS Harvest Centre in Esperance and that’s why we have been with CLAAS for so long. We’ve had mechanics here until 2 or 3 am making sure we’re ready to go the next day.” Anthony opted for the smaller XERION 12.540 model. “We specifically wanted the 540 because it’s got 900 mm single tyres on a three metre wheel spacing and automatic tyre pressure adjustment,” he says. “540 hp is what we need for tillage and the four-wheel steering and CVT is going to give us the versatility we’re after.”

XERION 12 follows the same proven design concept as all XERION models: four equal-sized wheels, permanent four-wheel-drive, all-wheel steering and equal weight distribution over both axles. All three models are powered by the same 15.6 L six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz OM473 engine found in CLAAS LEXION combine harvesters and JAGUAR forage harvesters. The 12.540 delivers a maximum power output of 544 hp and 2700 Nm of torque at just 1300 rpm.

CLAAS’ ‘high torque, low rpm’ powertrain management system means fuel consumption is significantly lower than similar-sized tractors. “The fuel efficiency has really blown me away,” Anthony says. “We’re going through 85 to 90 L/hour, even under full load, which is at least 20 L/hour less than our tillage tractor. That’s pretty impressive when you consider these two tractors have exactly the same horsepower, the same weight and are towing the same seeder.”

This is teamed up with a ZF continuously variable transmission and selectable differentials for optimal power transfer to the axles or PTO, even at low speeds or under heavy operating conditions. “To be honest, it took us a while to get used to because it is so different to an articulated powershift tractor." Anthony’s tractor is also fitted with rear linkages, five hydraulic circuits and two hydraulic pumps with a maximum flow of 447 L/minute. The new 1400-litre fuel tank is centrally-mounted, meaning weight distribution remains constant throughout the day.

The new deluxe cab, which is shared with the current CLAAS LEXION 8000 combine harvesters, features four-point suspension, a rotating driver’s seat, footpegs and a full-size passenger seat with an integrated cool box. “The cabin is massive and it’s so quiet,” Anthony says. The exhaust and emissions technology are incorporated into the body. XERION 12 incorporates a suite of operator assistance systems, including CEBIS operating system, which features an integrated armrest, multi-function control lever and 12” touchscreen.

Anthony is looking forward to experimenting with the tractor’s modular ballast system, which allows up to six tonnes to be quickly added to the front or rear axles in 400 kg increments. He also intends to purchase a set of 710 mm tyres for use during spreading and harvest. “We normally keep our tractors for 5000 hours so we’re not rushing into anything,” Anthony says. “It’s still early days but based on our experience so far, we’ll probably swap out both of our utility tractors for another XERION 12.540 and one day, maybe a XERION 12.650 (653 hp) with tracks to replace for our tracked tillage tractor. “The moment I can get a XERION on tracks, I’ll be sitting my hand up. Right now, XERION 12 wins hands-down for versatility and in most operating conditions, but the tracks are always going to win in heavy conditions.”

Interested in finding out more about the specifications of the CLAAS XERION 12 Series? Check out all the detail here.