With the end of the ATO’s instant asset write-off scheme rapidly approaching last June, Lake Rowan district farmer, Greg Holmes, embarked on a major spending spree that has seen him replace most of his farm machinery pool. In short succession, he ordered two high capacity twin-rotor combine harvesters, a 585 horsepower tractor, a 18-metre precision seeder and air cart and twin-disc fertiliser spreader in a bold move that will power his farming business for at least another decade.

Greg and Georgie Holmes, along with their valued team, Lance Gilmour, Tom Irvine and Scott James, conduct a large-scale cropping program across 2920 ha of owned and leased land centred around ‘Melrose’, 25 km south of Yarrawonga, Victoria. Greg had been contemplating the move for several years. “We’d been running single rotor combines for years but we wanted something more,” he says. “I’d been watching three or four CLAAS LEXIONs operating around here and they were just so much better. They had far more productivity and they were able to work much later into the night. Plus, they were able to handle huge volumes of straw without thrashing it to pieces.”

Greg trialled a CLAAS LEXION 8000 series combine harvester three years ago and decided to go in ‘boots and all’. “I am 65 years old and I intend to keep farming for at least another 10 years,” he says. “I realised that if I wanted to try something new, then it was time to get on with it!”. Greg ordered two LEXION 8800 TERRA TRAC harvesters with CONVIO 1530 draper fronts. “It was pure economics – I could go from running three machines to two, which is one less driver and one less machine to worry about,” he says. “The trade-ins for my three existing harvesters and fronts paid for the two new machines. While waiting for the delivery of the combine harvesters, Greg placed an order for a top-of-the-line AMAZONE ZA-TS 4200 Profis Pro Hydro fertiliser spreader and then a new Väderstad Seed Hawk 60’ precision seeder and PD680 iCon cart. “I have never been guilty of procrastination,” he says. “I needed a new spreader and I needed to replace my existing seeder. I was comfortable with CLAAS Harvest Centre in Echuca, so I decided to go with them.” The pending arrival of the Seed Hawk meant a new tillage tractor was also in order.“

Adopting 10” spacing meant we were moving from 60 to 72 tynes, so we needed more horsepower than our existing 500 hp articulated powershift tractor,” Greg says. “Plus, we wanted another tractor we could use during harvest. We run two grain bins, so we were always one tractor short. Our main tractor is 500 hp but our other tractors are 380 and 280 hp, so they used to get pushed around by the carts.” Greg successfully trialled a 500 hp XERION 5000 during harvest last year and was then offered a pre-series XERION 12 model, which at the time, was one of only five in the country.

“I’ve always tried to buy the model that’s coming, not the one that’s been, so again, we just jumped in,” he says. In some ways, moving to the XERION was an even bigger leap of faith than moving to the LEXION but the level of service we have received from Brendan Caffery, Wayne Oellermann and the team at CLAAS has been first-rate.” Available with a maximum power output of 653, 585 or 544 horsepower, XERION 12 is the most powerful yet built by CLAAS and is billed as the largest 4WD tractor fitted with a continuously variable transmission as standard. The series also incorporates category-leading hydraulics and the largest cab on the market.

XERION 12 follows the same proven design concept as all XERION models: four equal-sized wheels, permanent four-wheel-drive, all-wheel steering and equal weight distribution over both axles. All three models are powered by the same 15.6 L six-cylinder Mercedes-Benz OM473 engine found in CLAAS LEXION combine harvesters and JAGUAR forage harvesters. The 12.590 delivers a maximum power output of 585 hp and torque of 2850 Nm at just 1300 rpm. CLAAS’ ‘high torque, low rpm’ powertrain management system means fuel consumption is significantly lower than similar-sized tractors. Greg says his XERION 12.590 model delivers ‘next level’ performance and efficiency. “Compared to our old tractor, we’re getting 85 more horsepower at just 1300 rpm and we’ve still got heaps more power in reserve,” Greg says. “This is pretty mind-blowing when you consider its pulling a 60’ seeder with 72 tynes and 24 tonnes of grain and fertiliser in the cart. Our old tractor was red-lining all the way.” This is teamed up with a ZF continuously variable transmission and selectable differentials for optimal power transfer to the axles or PTO, even at low speeds or under heavy operating conditions. Greg says the transmission and all-wheel steering come into their own during loading.

Holmes Ag stores most of its harvest on-farm, with more than 15,000 tonnes of wheat and canola out-loaded throughout the year. Grain is loaded into two Balzer 2250 tri-axle carts, which are equipped with 30 t/hr high capacity unloading augers, enabling a B-double truck to be loaded in less than four minutes. “Compared to our old articulated powershift tractor, the XERION is much easier to line up because it’s got the fixed chassis and all-wheel steering,” Greg says. “The CVT softly engages and disengages. When you pull up, the brake comes on and holds that position.” Greg’s tractor is fitted with 800/70 R42 dual tyres and two hydraulic pumps that deliver a maximum  flow rate of 447 L/min across six circuits. The modular ballast system, which enables up to six tonnes to be quickly added to the front or rear axles in 400 kg increments, allows the tractor to seamlessly switch between tasks. Between paddock preparation, seeding, harvest and loading, Greg expects to clock up about 1000 hours a year on the XERION.

Tom Irvine, who does much of the driving, says the new cabin is extremely spacious, comfortable and quiet. “We love the size of this cabin,” he says. “It’s so quiet – you turn on the key and you have to do a double-take to see if it’s actually started. It’s so much smoother and more comfortable than our other tractor. There’s a lot less vibration and the four-point suspension is next level.” Other creature comforts include a rotating driver’s seat, footpegs and a full-size passenger seat and integrated cool box. XERION 12 incorporates a suite of operator assistance systems, including the CEBIS operating system, which features an integrated armrest, multi-function control lever and 12” touchscreen.