The CLAAS AXION 800 series boasts an outstanding level of driving comfort and ease of operation that makes long working days seems short. We visited Tom Fowles at Higher Mickledale Farm near Frodsham, Cheshire who farms in partnership with his Dad Chris on their 350 acre dairy farm to find out more.

Tom started dealing with CLAAS dealers Morris Corfield in 2015, when he approached Peter Baldini at the dealership’s Chester depot looking for a quality second hand drill and bigger tractor to run alongside his Deutz which wasn’t heavy enough for the slurry tanker. Tom purchased a second hand CLAAS ARION 640 and put 1500 hours on the clock in its first year. He then swapped it for another 640, which has quickly became an integral part of the farm, using it for most jobs on their 350 acres plus an additional 100 acres which they rent, Tom likes how the 640 is comfortable, simple to use and any minor issues it has had through its demanding work schedule have been resolved quickly by the team at Morris Corfield’s Chester branch.

In 2021 they purchased an ex-demonstrator AXION 830, they needed something bigger in frame and weight for tanking and drilling. The AXION has taken on the leading role at the farm, working alongside the 640 and is used for a huge range of tasks including maize and wheat drilling and all their grass work. All the crops grown are used as feed for their 220 head herd of dairy cows.

The 256hp AXION 830 came complete with CMATIC continuously variable transmission, PROACTIV front axle with brake, 4.6 ton front linkage and PTO, CEBIS terminal with touchscreen, Isobus, AUTOPILOT, 5 electrohydraulic proportional spool valves, Power Beyond load-sensing connections, cab with 4-point suspension, premium LED light package with extra wide rear lights.

Huge fuel savings

Tom commented “The 830 is in a different league. The change from Hexashift to Cmatic transmission has been fantastic. The fuel savings we are seeing are massive.” Tom estimates he is saving 6 litres per hour compared with the 640 when used for a day’s tanking. Now pushing nearly 3000 hours he goes on to say that “on our hilly farm the 830 makes easy work on the ground even when wet.”

Not wanting the machines to lead a quiet life, the farm also uses both CLAAS tractors for contracting work with neighbouring farms. He has found CLAAS easy to speak to direct, and the back up from Morris Corfield is “second to none.”