CLAAS is investing in a new climate-controlled power test bench for tractors at the Test and Validation Centre in Trangé

Trangé/Harsewinkel, September 2026. CLAAS is once again demonstrating its commitment to tractor development by investing nine million euros in the construction of an air-conditioned tractor power test bench at its Trangé site in France. With this project, the Test and Validation Centre is strengthening its position as a leading centre of excellence for the development and validation of modern tractors.

A tractor’s cooling system is fundamental to its reliability and efficiency. The requirements are varied, as the machines are used in a wide range of climatic conditions, some of which are extremely challenging. Development is therefore complex and must be accompanied by extensive test series – including in so-called ‘hot cells’. CLAAS is therefore continuously investing in the advanced development of tractors so that it can consistently utilise state-of-the-art technologies and testing procedures when trialling new tractors.

“With this investment, we are further developing our state-of-the-art in-house test infrastructure, enabling our R&D teams to develop and test new tractors even more quickly and flexibly,” emphasises Dr Martin von Hoyningen-Huene, CLAAS CTO. “In practical terms, the new infrastructure helps to validate new concepts for cooling systems right from the early stages of advanced development, thereby accelerating the market launch of our new products. In doing so, we are strengthening the positioning of our test and validation centre as a forward-looking centre of excellence for research and development against the backdrop of sustainability and productive agriculture.”

Measurements of up to 230,000 ^m³air flow rate and sustainability of electricity feed-in to the net
In future, power measurements on tractors will be carried out in the test benches within a heated chamber using a PTO shaft brake. 150 sensors measure, in real time, the temperatures in the water and oil circuits, the coolant flow rate and the air velocity, as well as the air temperatures around the engine and the bonnet.

The dimensions of the 950 m² building, which is 14 m high, were calculated based on the required performance of the test bench: it provides sufficient air volume to enable tests with air flow rates of 150,000 to 230,000 m³/h. The ventilation centre, installed directly above the test bench, plays a key role here: it ensures air exchange and precise control of the air in the test cells, maintains a constant temperature and, at the same time, dissipates the heat generated during the tests.

During the measurements, the PTO shaft brakes generate electricity, which is consumed on site and fed into the net. Within a year, this new plant will supply enough electricity to charge a mid-range electric car around 11,000 times or to run a washing machine through 1.1 million wash cycles.

Planning permission was granted at the end of July 2026. Construction work will begin in September and is scheduled to be completed by December 2027 at the latest.