After Europe, Central Asia, Australia and North America, a Xerion, the most powerful Claas tractor was officially launched in South Africa by importer Kempston Agri and Claas South Africa. With up to 650 hp, the Xerion meets the power class demands of South African farmers. In the presence of farmers, the tractor was presented on a horse racing court.
“Seldom, a new Claas machine aroused such an excitement in South Africa,” says country sales manager Hendrik Leege.
The first machine for South Africa left the Claas assembly line in Harsewinkel, Germany in November 2024. It is a Xerion 12.650 Trac with 653 hp output and a massive torque of 3.100 Nm at 1.300 rpm, delivered by a 15.6 liter Mercedes-Benz engine. As a special finish, the bonnet was signed by Cathrina Claas-Mühlhäuser.
Onwards the tractor was shipped to Port Elizabeth on the Cape, where the keys were handed over at the Kempston Agri site.
The owners of the new Xerion farm some 4,000 hectares in the north-east part of the country, where they grow maize and soya. The dual-wheeled Xerion 12.650 Trac will primarily be used for heavy-duty tillage with a subsoiler from Arlington Staalwerke. In a later stage, it will operate with a large planter.
Meeting South African challenges
Claas South Africa and Kempston Agri held the official launch of the XERION 12 in South Africa in a horse race court, in the presence of interested farmers and local agricultural media. With positive effect. To date, a dozen more XERION 12 have already been ordered in South Africa.
Additional impetus will be provided by exhibition machines at Nampo harvest days in Bothaville and Nampo Cape in Bredasdorp, as well as a roadshow with stops at various farmers’ days in South Africa. Importer Kempston Agri has already ordered two demo machines, one with dual wheels and a Terra Trac version. “Claas South Africa and Kempston Agri have consider the Xerion 12 to well fit South African conditions, as this machine is perfect for the large fields and wide, heavy implements,” Hendrik Leege concludes.
“Thanks to its full frame it is robust, comfortable and more precise to steer than an articulated tractor, with better power transmission and soil protection than a full crawler tractor. Unique feature in this class, is its stepless CMATIC transmission. Comfort comes from the quiet, spacious cab with four-point-suspension and operator assistance.”
