Cummins has introduced its F4.5 Structural engine in the new Claas Arion 4 Cmatic tractor, marking the engine’s first application in a tractor. The range-topping Arion 4.150 Cmatic, powered by this engine, was immediately named Tractor of the Year 2027 in the Utility category, one of six category winners announced at EIMA
iVT conducted a video interview at the unveiling of the Arion 4, reported in more detail on the features of the tractor as well as rounding up the other Tractor of the Year winners
The engine was unveiled at EIMA International 2026 in Bologna, Italy the result of a five-year development programme between the two companies. Visitors to the show, which runs from 10-14 November, can see the F4.5 Structural on Cummins’ stand in Hall 15, Stand A3, as part of the company’s agricultural power portfolio display. iVT caught up with Cummins engineer Ian Philips on the stand to find out more – see video above.
Unlike a conventionally mounted unit, the F4.5 Structural’s cast-iron block, oil pan and gear housing form part of the tractor’s chassis. Cummins says this is designed to increase strength and durability while cutting the machine’s overall weight, and that the engine has been field tested across tasks including ploughing, field preparation, manure spreading and bale handling.
The compact four-cylinder engine delivers a maximum power range of 96-118kW (130-160hp) and peak torque of 646Nm (476 lb-ft), with the exact rating dependent on tractor configuration. Cummins says its steep low-end torque rise is designed to help prevent stalling during demanding field work.
“The introduction of the F4.5 Structural in the Claas Arion 4 Cmatic marks an important step in our commitment to agriculture customers and delivering solutions to meet their needs,” says Marina Savelli, vice president, Cummins Engine Business – Off Highway Markets.
“This highly integrated solution brings together the performance, durability and reliability required for demanding agricultural applications,” she adds. “It reflects our continued focus to helping equipment manufacturers deliver the productivity farmers depend on season after season.”
The F4.5 uses a common-rail fuel system for precise combustion and fuel efficiency, and offers oil drain intervals of up to 600 hours under stated maintenance conditions. Cummins says service points have been designed for easy access, to help reduce routine maintenance time during busy agricultural seasons.
The engine is certified to Stage V emissions standards and uses a single electronic control module for both the engine and aftertreatment system. It does not use cooled exhaust gas recirculation, which Cummins says reduces the number of components and the potential for service events.
“One ECM controls both engine and aftertreatment, which is a benefit for us for ease of integration,” says Ian Phillips, one of the Cummins engineers who worked on the F4.5 Structural’s development. “That allows us to improve and develop the transient response, the power curves, the torque curves and the fuel economy and fuel map to suit what the customer needs.”
Purpose-built for the tractor
Cummins says the structural integration allows the engine to act as a load-bearing link between major tractor components, reducing parts complexity and overall machine weight. The narrow engine profile also creates additional space for front-wheel articulation.
The F4.5 Structural was a five-year, clean-sheet design, according to Ian Phillips, one of the Cummins engineers who worked on its development. “We have very good experience of the 4.5 engine as a whole,” he says, “but developing this into a structural component for the actual tractor itself was where the real design intricacies… came from.”
Unlike some competitor engines, which concentrate the full structural load in a single component, Phillips says the F4.5 Structural splits this between the oil pan and the block. “Not one component takes the full structure,” he says. “It is equally split between the two, allowing the front axle carrier to be mounted to both the block and the pan.” On the rear of the engine, an adapter plate and gear housing provide the direct connection to the transmission.
Phillips describes the programme as a learning experience for both companies, noting that this was Claas’s first time working this closely with Cummins on a structural installation of this kind.
This packaging, Cummins says, enabled Claas to design a sloped nose for improved visibility and a slimmer oil sump for maximum manoeuvrability. For other equipment manufacturers, the company says the compact, higher-power-density design offers greater flexibility when optimising overall machine architecture.
The engine will be manufactured at Cummins’ Darlington engine plant in the UK.
Collaboration with Claas
“The new Arion 4 Cmatic reflects the strength of our collaboration with Cummins,” says Dr Martin von Hoyningen-Huene, chief technology officer at Claas Group.
“Cummins brought deep engine expertise and a strong understanding of agricultural applications to the development process,” he adds. “Together, we have integrated the F4.5 Structural engine into a tractor designed to deliver the compact performance, durability and efficiency our customers expect.
The introduction of the F4.5 Structural in the Claas Arion 4 Cmatic builds on Cummins’ experience in agricultural power and continued investment in solutions for equipment manufacturers. It also reflects the strength of Cummins’ engineering expertise, manufacturing and global support capabilities to meet the evolving demands of modern agriculture.”
