The Claas Ares is a tractor series that Claas sold from 2003 to 2009 in the 500, 600 and 800 series. The design came from Renault, which had built tractors since 1932 and whose Le Mans factory passed to Claas in stages.
Claas Ares at a glance
| Maker | Claas, Harsewinkel, Germany |
|---|---|
| Origin | a Renault tractor, built as the Ares since 1996 |
| Claas version | presented in 2003 at the company’s 90th anniversary |
| Built in | Le Mans, France |
| Series | Ares 500/600 first generation, Ares 500/600 second generation, Ares 800 |
| End of production | 2009 |
| Successor | Claas Arion |
| Layout | two axles with rigid front and rear axles; the front axle is a pendulum axle |
| Transmission | six automatic powershift stages and four electronically controlled groups, 24 forward and reverse gears |
| Speed | 110 m/h in supercreeper, 40 km/h in the 24th gear |
| Engine | DPS six-cylinder turbocharged diesel of about 6.8 litres |
| Output | 80.9 kW, 91.9 kW or 103 kW, depending on the model |
There is no English Wikipedia article on the Ares; this page is based on the German article only.
History of the Claas Ares
From Le Mans to Harsewinkel
Renault had built tractors since 1932, took over the Société des usines de Pontlieue tractor factory in Le Mans in 1939 and in 1963 the tractor production of Porsche. Renault sold its tractor division, together with the Le Mans plant, to Claas in stages between 2003 and 2008. The Ares itself had been built by Renault since 1996; when Claas took a partial share of the business the tractor was restyled in the company’s own look, and the new Ares appeared for the first time in 2003 at Claas’s 90th anniversary celebrations. The machines continued to be built in Le Mans. Production of the series ended in 2009 and its successor is the Arion.
How the Ares 600 was built
The Ares 600 is a two-axle tractor with rigid front and rear axles. The front axle is a pendulum axle and could be ordered with individual wheel suspension; front-wheel drive can be disengaged, and both axles can be locked. The drive passes through a gearbox with six automatic powershift stages and four electronically controlled groups, giving 24 forward and 24 reverse gears. In supercreeper the lowest speed is 110 metres an hour, while the highest speed in 24th gear is 40 km/h.
The engine is a DPS six-cylinder diesel with turbocharging and electronically controlled injection. From about 6.8 litres it produces 80.9 kW, 91.9 kW or 103 kW according to model, measured to ECE R24. The Ares 600 has a rear power take-off running at 540 or 1,000 rpm, engaged through a wet multi-disc clutch, and a front power take-off was available as an option. The cab is of the ATZ type, with air conditioning and a fully suspended seat.
Three series under one name
Claas used the Ares name for three ranges: the first and second generation of the Ares 500 and 600, and the Ares 800. The technical description above follows the Ares 600, the model the German article describes in most detail. All three shared the Renault origins and the Le Mans factory, and all were dropped when Claas replaced the range with the Arion in 2009.
Design and features
- Renault engineering: the tractor was designed and first built by Renault, including the Ares name from 1996.
- Powershift transmission: six automatic powershift stages and four groups gave 24 speeds in each direction.
- Supercreeper: a lowest speed of 110 metres an hour for work that needs a walking pace.
- Comfort cab: an ATZ cab with air conditioning and a fully suspended seat.
Claas Ares versions
- Ares 500/600, first generation: the range as restyled by Claas in 2003.
- Ares 500/600, second generation: the later version of the same two lines.
- Ares 800: a separate series with its own number range.
- Engine versions: 80.9 kW, 91.9 kW or 103 kW from the same 6.8-litre six.
More Claas machines are in our Claas collection, including the Dominator combine and the Lexion.
Sources
- Claas Ares, German Wikipedia: history, Renault origins, transmission, engine and cab
