CLAAS ARION 620C 2023 Review

Good spring pasture growth in northern Tasmania means this hay-making season will deliver impressive yields. Consequently, this CLAAS ARION 620C and its 3600-Disco mower are racking up plenty of hours in the paddocks.

What makes the CLAAS ARION 620C a popular choice with farmers is the numerous features included as standard on this model. Additionally, the availability of a wide range of options enables farmers to tailor the machine to meet specific requirements.

Adding to the versatility of this CLAAS ARION 620C is the inclusion of the CLAAS FL120C loader, which boasts a raft of useful features that add flexibility to the loader to enable it to function efficiently in a wide range of tasks around the farm.

With a combination of CLAAS’s ‘FITLOCK’ and ‘MACH’ systems, operators only need to leave the cabin once to connect the front loader. To connect the loader, the operator merely drives the tractor up to the lift arms. Then as soon as the ‘FITLOCK’ system is pre-locked in place, the operator gets out of the cabin and connects the ‘MACH’ multi-coupling system that stows the support legs on the boom. It’s that easy!

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According to the manual, ‘FITLOCK’ works effortlessly in any situation, even on uneven surfaces. The pre-lock mechanism secures the connection before the loader locks fully into position. From the driving position in the cabin, a quick glance at the lock indicator is all it takes to ensure that the lift arms are correctly engaged. Meantime, detaching the loader is just as quick and easy.

On the other hand, the ‘MACH’ multi-coupling system allows easy connection of all the hydraulic and electrical connections with just one action, even when the lines are under pressure. Simply place the multi-coupling system on the tractor bracket, pull the handle down, and everything is connected. The hydraulic connectors have flat seals that don’t drip and remain clean and dry. Problems caused by dirt in the hydraulic system or faulty connections are now a thing of the past.

The FL120C loader comes equipped with the PCH hydraulic self-levelling linkage, which maintains the attachment angle precisely and automatically. Two hydraulic rams underneath the lift arms compensate for the changes in the angle that occur when the lift arms move up and down. They are strategically positioned so that the operator can view the front loader uninterrupted.

A quick-release mechanism on the loader enables swapping lifting attachments from forklift tines to silage grab or gravel bucket in a matter of minutes, all from the comfort of the cabin, with CLAAS’s optional ‘FASTLOCK’ system.

As loader tractors have evolved, forward visibility has become an area often overlooked in favour of operator comfort and convenience, but that’s not the case with the CLAAS ARION 620C. Instead, the operator is treated with panoramic vision giving unobstructed forward and upward views, which is ideal for loader duties. Additionally, operators can open the transparent roof outwards to let fresh air into the cab.

The CLAAS ARION 620C has one of the best-riding cabins in the market segment, thanks in no small part to the four-point suspension that fully isolates the cabin from the chassis. In addition, longitudinal and lateral struts join the suspension points and keep the cab stable when braking or cornering.

In addition to the comfortable ride, the cabin is spacious, easy to get in and out of and uncluttered. The high roofline gives the impression of space, and the large mirrors allow operators to quickly keep tabs on the implementation behind them.

Power gets produced by a Deere Power Systems (DPS) 6.8L six-cylinder turbocharged common-rail injection system engine with two valves per cylinder. The 620C model sits squarely in the middle of a three-model line-up. It boasts a lively 104kW(140hp) and 580Nm (427ft-lb) straight out of the box with no boost. Interestingly, some operators argue that these two-valve engines are equally as good, if not better, than their four-valve siblings in the CIS models.

Accessing the engine compartment for the daily checkpoints under the bonnet is easy, even with the loader mounts. The large bonnet opens up high and is well out of the way, providing good access to the radiator.

For those familiar with the CLAAS Ares ATZ models, the transmission lever and function in the 620C are the same. However, the ARION C range features the Quadrishift transmission with a 16 x 16 gearbox, giving four ranges of four powershifts, rather than the 24 x 24-speed transmission in the ATZ and the new CIS versions, which has four ranges of six powershift speeds.

Functionality-wise, the transmission is excellent, and the hand throttle can also be activated by pushing the gear lever forward. Simply press the ‘+/-’ button and you will shift up through the ranges without using the clutch or pushing multiple buttons at once.

On the right-hand pillar are two transmission settings: Field and Road. Field mode shifts through the gears like usual, but Road mode, at an intersection, for example, will allow you to shift a complete range, i.e. from B1 to C1 to D1, then up through to D4, and you are back at top speed on the road.

The hydraulics system has two selectable circuits with provision for up to three auxiliary spool valves. The rear linkage can handle a maximum of 6.9 tonnes at the ball ends and is digitally controlled. The 98L hydraulic pump lets operators simultaneously use a hydraulic spool valve and rear linkage. So, farmers can equip the machine with various implement combinations to increase their work rate.

Two factors are crucial when it comes to having a tractor that can pull most things and remain stable: the wheelbase and the weight distribution. The CLAAS ARION 620C features a long wheelbase of 2.82 meters with an almost equal weight distribution of 53 per cent at the front wheels and 47 per cent at the rear. This delivers the impressive tractive power and stability that make the CLAAS ARION 620C versatile around the farm.

The core structure of the 3600-Disco is the mower bar with the wave-shaped bed, stamped from a single piece of steel, with a pressing force of 3000 tonnes. According to the CLAAS manual, this is the secret of its ‘MAX CUT’, giving it the required underlying strength and allowing the inclusion of a host of unique technical details. CLAAS claims its wave design is the only way to meet all the requirements for a mower bar today, efficiently and without compromise.

In practice, the wave design provides enough space for two unique connecting pieces, specially hardened for the purpose. Each connection piece comprises a raised section where the knives run towards each other, operating like a shear bar, preventing clumps of dirt from forming. It also protects the bar from cutting damage. Consequently, this delivers a precise cut, thanks to the specially shaped connecting pieces: at the point where the knife pairs are moving apart, there is maximum overlap between the circles of rotation of the knives, boosting the cut surface area.

A weatherproof blade box integrated into the 3600-Disco mower frame enables convenient storage for replacement blades and the installation lever. Operators can replace blades using the provided installation lever in no time.

A single-acting spool valve allows the tractor’s suspension pressure to be adjusted according to the conditions from the comfort of the cab, even during mowing. The current set value is displayed on an easily visible pressure gauge. Operators can set the mower to literally ‘float’ over uneven ground.

Arguably one of the better features of the 3600-Disco is the mower bar can run at a reduced PTO speed (as low as 850rpm) compared to some other mowers on the market. As a result, operators can expect fuel savings of up to 16 per cent with no detrimental effect on mowing quality, operating at lower engine rpm.

I like this CLAAS ARION 620C tractor. The large spacious cabin mounted on the four-post suspension makes it one of the more luxurious machines on the market. In addition, it boasts a wide range of valuable features with large mirrors and a decent number of working lights, making it a well-equipped tractor. Yet, the simplicity of operation for farmers is by far the finest feature of this machine. One that hasn’t been achieved at the compromise of quality or comfort.

Engine: Deere Power Systems (DPS)
Capacity: 6.8 litres
Power: 135 – 140hp (99 – 103kW)
Torque: 427lb-ft (580Nm)
Transmission: CLAAS Quadrishift 16/16
Wheelbase: 2820mm
Length: 4728mm
Height: 3055mm
Turing radius: 4.85m
Fuel capacity: 280L
Ground clearance: 464mm
Weight (full tanks): 5600kg
Weight distribution: 53%/47%
GVM: 9250kg
Hydraulics (Circuit 1): 60L/min at 200 bar
Hydraulics (Circuit 2): 98L/min at 200 bar
Number of spool valves: 2/3

Self-leveling linkage: Yes
Max height under bucket: 3.90m
Digging depth: 200mm
Dumping angle: 55°
Crowd angle: 47°
Lifting capacity: 2400kg

Working width: 3.40m
PTO speed: 1000rpm
Weight: 950kg
Conditioner speed: 910rpm
Machine height: 3.57m