Older used Claas tractors - Ares 697 or 640

Lazy-Farmer

Lazy-Farmer

Member
Mixed Farmer
I’m looking for a good value machine for a small mixed farm. Won’t be doing masses of work but needs to be a good worker when I need it. Been looking about and like the look of the older Claas tractors as they seem to be good spec and cheap power. Looking for a versatile machine preferably with front lift and PTO and air breaks, ideally 50k but could live without it. Would need wide tyres on it as parts of my ground is a bit soft and I work full time as well as farm so need to work when I have time rather than when conditions are perfect.

If anyone have experience with the 120-160hp Claas machines I’d love to hear opinions and any bits to look for when shopping. I have been looking in the £15-25k range and seems to be a few about. Not to afraid of higher hours but would love to know what parts tend to go pop and when if possible.

Any info will be very helpful. Or if you have a machine for sale feel free to let me know. I’m in central Scotland but happy to travel for a good machine.
 
Lazy-Farmer

Lazy-Farmer

Member
Mixed Farmer
All my reading seems to come up with the opinion that they are good but not fashionable in the UK. That’s about it.
 
Scholsey

Scholsey

Member
Livestock Farmer
Location
Herefordshire
Should find a tidy 630-640 with your specs for 30-35k with 4-6k hours easily. Had a 697, now got a 630, had few silly problems but lovely tractor to drive.
 
wuddy

wuddy

Member
Location
Scottish Borders
Had a 640 for a while when in NZ. Wasn’t a bad tractor think it had about 4000hrs on it.did a lot of wagon work and round baling with it.
69914D35-11CE-47AD-B43F-219A0AF64D88.jpeg
 
C

ClaasCows

New Member
One of each here a 2006 Ares 697 and 2009 Arion 640 with just under 5000 hours on each, mixed farming and not doing big hours. Bought each at 3 year old with low hours so the 697 is here 10 years and the 640 is here 7 years.

The 697 has given a bit of bother but not much, several drivers hasn't helped and it does usually get the heavy road work, ploughing etc; the brakes have been done, new exhaust, hydraulic pump (the smaller less expensive one), a bearing in around the clutch, and a new ECU all between 2500 and 4500 hours. It has air brakes and you need to watch the hoses as they are lying over the top of each other and rub holes in themselves over time, easy fix but annoying and avoidable.

The 697 now has an intermittent fault in that it will not start if it is hot so you have to keep it running if you start using it and if you stop it you need to wait about 2 hours before it will start again. Also must have been run low in backend oil and has taken the edge off the crown wheel / pinion which get very noisy about 42k or 43k, going in to get these issues sorted shortly, again, too many drivers...

The 640 is on a diet feeder all winter and field work in summer and would be used after the plough. Only Dad, my brother and myself drive it and so far it has needed a couple of o rings, some fuses and a water hose.

Both tractors are comfortable and capable and the local dealer is only 10 miles away and is excellent as regards repair / servicing etc. but as I say we aren't clocking up big hours on either. The 640 is a bit ahead of the 697 in most areas (and has a bit more power) and is my 'go to' tractor for most jobs. It has front links fitted but no front PTO. It is easier to get in around the back of the 640 when hitching up any close mounted implement like a sower or sprayer, the mudguards on the 697 are the old Renault design and leave no space to get in to hook on the PTO and pipes etc.

To compare we have a JD 6125R which we bought new and it is night and day with either Claas being a better place to spend a day. The JD is a good tractor with plenty of poke for the size and better in tight spaces but the JD manual gearbox is awful and I usually come away from a day in the JD with pains down my legs and not able to walk for 2 days...
 
Lazy-Farmer

Lazy-Farmer

Member
Mixed Farmer
ClaasCows said:
One of each here a 2006 Ares 697 and 2009 Arion 640 with just under 5000 hours on each, mixed farming and not doing big hours. Bought each at 3 year old with low hours so the 697 is here 10 years and the 640 is here 7 years.

The 697 has given a bit of bother but not much, several drivers hasn't helped and it does usually get the heavy road work, ploughing etc; the brakes have been done, new exhaust, hydraulic pump (the smaller less expensive one), a bearing in around the clutch, and a new ECU all between 2500 and 4500 hours. It has air brakes and you need to watch the hoses as they are lying over the top of each other and rub holes in themselves over time, easy fix but annoying and avoidable.

The 697 now has an intermittent fault in that it will not start if it is hot so you have to keep it running if you start using it and if you stop it you need to wait about 2 hours before it will start again. Also must have been run low in backend oil and has taken the edge off the crown wheel / pinion which get very noisy about 42k or 43k, going in to get these issues sorted shortly, again, too many drivers...

The 640 is on a diet feeder all winter and field work in summer and would be used after the plough. Only Dad, my brother and myself drive it and so far it has needed a couple of o rings, some fuses and a water hose.

Both tractors are comfortable and capable and the local dealer is only 10 miles away and is excellent as regards repair / servicing etc. but as I say we aren't clocking up big hours on either. The 640 is a bit ahead of the 697 in most areas (and has a bit more power) and is my 'go to' tractor for most jobs. It has front links fitted but no front PTO. It is easier to get in around the back of the 640 when hitching up any close mounted implement like a sower or sprayer, the mudguards on the 697 are the old Renault design and leave no space to get in to hook on the PTO and pipes etc.

To compare we have a JD 6125R which we bought new and it is night and day with either Claas being a better place to spend a day. The JD is a good tractor with plenty of poke for the size and better in tight spaces but the JD manual gearbox is awful and I usually come away from a day in the JD with pains down my legs and not able to walk for 2 days...
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info. I have driven most brands over the years but never a claas. Most time I spent in one was in the passenger seat chatting to a guy while he loaded bales on my wagon.

Good to know they are a comfortable machine. I’d prefer a 640 myself but not sure I’ll get one for my budget.
 
O

Oh Deere

Member
I have a very tidy 630 with front and cab suspension. 40k linkage. 7000hrs . Had headgasket 1000hrs ago. Have used it all season. Been a very good tractor. Would sell for £18750
claas 630.jpg
 
Last edited:
Lazy-Farmer

Lazy-Farmer

Member
Mixed Farmer
Oh Deere said:
I have a very tidy 630 with front and cab suspension. 40k linkage. 7000hrs . Had headgasket 1000hrs ago. Have used it all season. Been a very good tractor. Would sell for £18750
Click to expand...

Where about are you. Be happy to have a look at some pics and spec a d see if it’s for me.
 
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640 arion 697 ares atz baling claas diet feeder lexion used tractor

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