Continuously Variable Transmission Tractors for 120–160 hp Mixed Farming

Tractors of 120 to 160 hp on livestock, mixed and contracting operations often switch between yard loading, road transport and PTO or draught work in a single shift. CLAAS has addressed this with the ARION 4 CMATIC, a new four-model series with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), presented at EIMA International 2026, held from 10 to 14 November 2026 at BolognaFiere in Bologna, Italy.

Why CVT tractors matter in the mid-power class
With a powershift gearbox, the driver has to choose the right gear and engine speed for each load profile. A power-split CVT tractor varies the ratio steplessly, so ground speed and engine speed are independent of each other. This is what makes automated power management possible. The ARION 4.120, 4.130, 4.140 and 4.150 CMATIC come in COMFORT and BUSINESS variants. They sit alongside the ARION 400 and overlap with the ARION 5 CMATIC, carrying over drivetrain, cab and digital functions from the larger ARION and AXION tractors.

Engine and adaptive drivetrain management
A Cummins 4.5-litre four-cylinder engine delivers a rated output of 88 kW (120 hp) to 110 kW (150 hp), or 96 kW (130 hp) to 118 kW (160 hp) with DYNAMIC POWER. All models deliver a maximum torque of 646 Nm. Peak values are available across about 500 rpm, from around 1,100 rpm. The engines are approved for hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO), which CLAAS says can reduce the CO2 footprint by up to 90 per cent. The tank holds 228 litres and the service interval is 600 hours.

CEMOS AUTO POWERTRAIN combines three functions – AUTO DROOP adapts engine droop to the task, DYNAMIC POWER distributes power between the transmission, PTO, hydraulics and spool valves, and AUTO LOAD ANTICIPATION, which won a silver Agritechnica Award, uses a self-learning algorithm and efficiency maps to predict load spikes, such as lowering an implement into the ground. It raises engine speed and adjusts the ratio before the load arrives, so engine speed does not drop.

The power-split CMATIC gearbox from CLAAS Industrietechnik switches between pedal, joystick and PTO modes without changing engine or vehicle speed. The optional 50 km/h top speed is reached at 1,615 rpm, and 40 km/h at 1,300 rpm, depending on tyres. An automatic trailer overrun brake is standard on the 50 km/h version.

Front loader automation and hydraulics
Wheel loader mode, fitted as standard, uses sensors to stop the wheels from spinning while pushing, which reduces tyre wear and fuel use. SMART LOADING adds programmable lift and lowering heights, stored end positions and automatic bucket return. Its weighing function documents materials such as grain, fertiliser or manure job by job in CLAAS connect.

The load-sensing hydraulics deliver 110 or 150 l/min, with up to 97 l/min through a single control unit, and up to nine spool valves can be fitted. Rear lift capacity is 5,750 kg, or 6,250 kg as an option. The optional front linkage lifts 4,300 kg. A triple PTO (1,000/540/540E) is standard and the payload is up to 4.2 t.

Cab and operator workload
The 2.8 m³ cab runs at 69 dB(A). Its PANORAMIC windscreen extends into the roof, so the driver can see a raised loader. Three cameras and two extra camera connections cover the implements and the loader. Optional dynamic steering roughly halves the number of steering wheel turns from lock to lock, and up to 20 LED lights provide 48,000 lumens.

Precision farming and documentation
CEBIS connect integrates GPS PILOT guidance and ISOBUS. Auto RefLine selects the right reference track automatically, for example on headlands. CLAAS connect adds fleet management, remote display views and automatic documentation of activity, working time, fuel consumption and field maps, with costs and revenues linked to each field. MAXI CARE warranties extend cover to up to eight years or 8,000 hours.

Additional Context:
This section details technical specifications and competitive benchmarking not included in the original product announcement.

HVO is a paraffinic diesel fuel covered by the European standard EN 15940, and it is used as a drop-in fuel in approved engines. A benchmark in the compact CVT tractor segment is the Fendt 300 Vario Gen4. According to Fendt's technical data, its 4.4-litre AGCO Power engine gives the top model up to 152 hp and 650 Nm with boost, and it reaches 40 km/h at about 1,550 rpm. By comparison, the ARION 4 CMATIC offers up to 160 hp and an optional 50 km/h.

Edited by Natania Lyngdoh, Induportals editor, with AI assistance.

www.claas.com