Claas Ares 546, 556, 566, 616, 656, 696 service schedule
Claas Ares (ex-Renault) · Handbook ARES 506-606, February 2005 edition; check your serial plate
Every maker's service job for the Claas Ares 546, 556, 566, 616, 656, 696, counted in hours, with the oils, filters and parts each one needs. Add your tractor to Farmyard Workshop and it works out what's due from your hours and dates, and keeps the service history.
Track your Ares 546, 556, 566, 616, 656, 696 for freeVersions: Ares 546 / 556 / 566 (4-cylinder); Ares 616 / 656 / 696 (6-cylinder)
Service intervals
| Job | When |
|---|---|
| Greasing: swing bearings, Proactiv axle, linkage | every 50 hours |
| Engine oil and filter change | every 500 hours |
| Diesel fuel filter cartridges (pre-filter and main) | every 500 hours |
| Hydraulic / transmission filter cartridges | every 500 hours |
| Front power take-off box oil | every 500 hours |
| Front axle final drive oil | every 500 hours |
| Cab air filters | every 500 hours |
| Front axle differential oil and breather | every 1,000 hours |
| Hydraulic / transmission oil, filters and strainer | every 1,000 hours |
| Engine air filters | every 1,000 hours |
| Brake fluid | every 2,000 hours or every 2 years |
| Coolant and thermostat | every 2,000 hours |
| Valve clearance and injector check | every 2,000 hours |
Service jobs and parts
Greasing: swing bearings, Proactiv axle, linkage
Chassis · every 50 hours
The service chart lists greasing of the front axle swing bearings, Proactiv front axle, rear linkage and front linkage every 50 hours, and the rigid front axle wheel pins every 100 hours.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grease | 1 | EP2 general purpose grease (CLAAS EP 2 or ELF Multi). Aztec Oils match: VOLCATEC LITHIUM EP 2 | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Grease each nipple on the swing bearings, Proactiv axle and both linkages; wheel pins every 100 hours.
Tools: Grease gun
Engine oil and filter change
Engine · every 500 hours
The service chart lists engine oil, the engine oil filter cartridge and the diesel filter cartridge together at 500 hours. The first change is at the mandatory 100-hour service, where the handbook says to drain and replace the engine oil and replace the filter cartridge.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil | 1 | 15W-40. ACEA E3/E5/A3/B3/B4, API CH-4/CI-4 (CLAAS Engine Top). 4-cyl 10 to 12.5 L, 6-cyl 14 to 17 L. Aztec Oils match: EMPROTEC SHPD-X 15W-40 | check your handbook |
| Engine oil filter cartridge | 1 | CLAAS genuine. No part number in the handbook; check your handbook or dealer | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Run the engine at about 1200 rpm until warm, then stop it.
- Drain the oil from the sump plug (or the connection on air-brake tractors). The oil is hot.
- Remove the right cover, unscrew the filter cartridge, lightly oil the new seal, screw on until the seal touches then another half turn.
- Refit the plug, fill through the filler up to the normal mark on the dipstick, run and recheck the level (engine off for 5 minutes first).
Tools: Drain tray (20 L), Filter wrench
Diesel fuel filter cartridges (pre-filter and main)
Fuel · every 500 hours
The service chart lists the diesel filter cartridge every 500 hours. The 2000-hour line also lists a diesel fuel filter replace, which the handbook refers back to the same filter operation (operation 3), so it is covered by the 500-hour change.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diesel pre-filter cartridge | 1 | CLAAS genuine. No part number in the handbook; check your handbook or dealer | check your handbook |
| Diesel main filter cartridge | 1 | CLAAS genuine. No part number in the handbook; check your handbook or dealer | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Loosen the holding ring and remove the pre-filter; move the ring and sediment bowl to the new filter and fit it.
- Loosen the holding ring on the main filter and fit the new one. The ring is tight when you feel no more resistance.
- Bleed the fuel system as in handbook chapter D.
Tools: Filter wrench
Hydraulic / transmission filter cartridges
Hydraulics · every 500 hours
The service chart lists the hydraulic/transmission system filter cartridges every 500 hours, more often than the oil change at 1000 hours, so this is its own task.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| High-pressure hydraulic filter element | 1 | CLAAS genuine. No part number in the handbook; check your handbook or dealer | check your handbook |
| Low-pressure hydraulic filter element | 1 | CLAAS genuine. No part number in the handbook; check your handbook or dealer | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Stop the engine, apply the hand brake and remove the key before getting under the tractor.
- Unscrew the bowl on the right of the transmission, change the element and the seal (wet the seal in new oil), tighten the bowl by hand.
- On the low-pressure filter, unscrew the tubing first, then refit it.
- Run the engine and check for leaks.
Tools: Drain tray, Filter wrench
Front power take-off box oil
Driveline · every 500 hours
The service chart lists the front PTO box oil every 500 hours.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front PTO box oil | 1 | UTTO-type tractor oil. API GL-4, ISO HV 68 (ELF Tractorenault GA12), 1.3 L. Aztec Oils match: AGRITEC UTTO | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Drain and refill to the level plug.
Tools: Drain tray
Front axle final drive oil
Driveline · every 500 hours
The service chart lists the front axle final drive oil every 500 hours (a 100-hour first change).
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front axle final drive oil | 1 | 80W-90. TRANSELF BLS 90, API GL-5 (limited-slip type). Rigid axle 2 x 0.6 L (Ares 696 and Proactiv axle 2 x 1.5 L). Aztec Oils match: TRANSMATEC EP-5 80W-90 | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Turn each wheel so the drain plug is at the bottom, drain, refit the plug (7 daN.m) and refill to the level.
Tools: Drain tray
Cab air filters
Cab · every 500 hours
The service chart lists the cab recycled air filter at 500 hours and the main cab air filter replace at 2000 hours; both are given here at the shorter 500 hours for a dusty cab.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cab recycled air filter | 1 | CLAAS genuine. No part number in the handbook; check your handbook or dealer | check your handbook |
| Main cab air filter | 1 | Replace every 2000 hours. No part number in the handbook; check your handbook or dealer | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Fit a new recycled-air filter; replace the main filter at 2000 hours.
Front axle differential oil and breather
Driveline · every 1,000 hours
The service chart lists the front axle differential sump oil and the front axle breather every 1000 hours.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Front axle differential oil | 1 | 80W-90. TRANSELF BLS 90, API GL-5. Rigid axle 6 L, suspended axle 5.5 L. Aztec Oils match: TRANSMATEC EP-5 80W-90 | check your handbook |
| Front axle breather | 1 | Handbook says replace it. No part number in the handbook; check your handbook or dealer | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Drain, refill to the level, unscrew the vent (right for the rigid axle, left for the Proactiv axle) and fit a new breather.
Tools: Drain tray
Hydraulic / transmission oil, filters and strainer
Hydraulics · every 1,000 hours
The service chart lists the hydraulic/transmission oil, the rear axle breather and the hydraulic strainer every 1000 hours. The handbook tells you to change the filters (operation 34) and the strainer (operation 41) at the same time, so the filters are included here as well as in the 500-hour filter task.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and hydraulic oil | 1 | UTTO-type tractor oil. API GL-4, GIMA M 1143, ISO HV 68 (ELF Tractorenault GA12), 65 L. Aztec Oils match: AGRITEC UTTO | check your handbook |
| Hydraulic filter elements (high and low pressure) | 1 | CLAAS genuine. No part number in the handbook; check your handbook or dealer | check your handbook |
| Hydraulic strainer | 1 | Clean it. No part number in the handbook; check your handbook or dealer | check your handbook |
| Rear axle breather | 1 | Handbook says replace it. No part number in the handbook; check your handbook or dealer | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Put the front linkage up and lower the rear linkage fully.
- Drain from the rear axle and gearbox drain caps (4 daN.m on refit).
- Change the filters and clean the strainer, then fill through the filler and check the level as in operation 11.
Tools: Drain tray (80 L)
Engine air filters
Air intake · every 1,000 hours
The service chart lists the engine air filters at 1000 hours, and also as a clean or check item whenever needed.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine air filter element | 1 | CLAAS genuine. No part number in the handbook; check your handbook or dealer | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Replace the main element; check the dry air filter warning light works.
Brake fluid
Brakes · every 2,000 hours or every 2 years
The service chart lists the brake circuit fluid every 2000 hours or 2 years, whichever comes first.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brake fluid | 1 | ELF LHM mineral brake fluid, 0.9 L. Aztec Oils match: HYDRATEC DOT 4 BF | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Have the circuit bled and refilled with new LHM fluid.
Coolant and thermostat
Cooling · every 2,000 hours
The service chart lists the thermostat and cooling circuit fluid at 2000 hours under engine maintenance, to be done by a CLAAS agent.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coolant | 1 | ELF Glaceol RX GF (type D, to -37 C), 22 L. Thermostat changed at the same time | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Have the dealer drain and refill the cooling system and change the thermostat.
Valve clearance and injector check
Engine · every 2,000 hours
The service chart lists rocker arms (valve clearance) and injectors at 2000 hours. The handbook says these are carried out by your approved CLAAS agent and gives no clearance figures.
| Part | Qty | Notes | Part number |
|---|---|---|---|
| Valve clearance and injector service | 1 | Dealer job. Check your handbook or dealer for clearances | check your handbook |
Step-by-step
- Book the tractor in with a CLAAS dealer.
Oils, fluids and capacities
| System | Oil or spec | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4-cylinder (546/556/566) or 6-cylinder (616/656/696) turbo diesel | |
| Engine oil | 15W-40. ACEA E3/E5/A3/B3/B4, API CH-4/CI-4 (CLAAS Engine Top, or ELF Tractorenault SDX 15W-40 ACEA E5 API CH-4) | 4-cyl: 10 L to 12.5 L (min to max). 6-cyl: 14 L to 17 L (min to max). The handbook does not say whether the figures include the filter |
| Coolant | 22 L | |
| Engine sump | 15W-40. ACEA E3/E5/A3/B3/B4, API CH-4/CI-4 (CLAAS Engine Top or ELF Tractorenault SDX) | 4-cyl 10 to 12.5 L; 6-cyl 14 to 17 L |
| Transmission and linkage (shared hydraulic and gearbox oil) | UTTO-type tractor oil. API GL-4, GIMA M 1143, ISO HV 68 (ELF Tractorenault GA12) | 65 L (546/556/566 and 616/656/696 with smooth-shaft rear axle) |
| Front power take-off box | As transmission oil: ELF Tractorenault GA12, API GL-4, ISO HV 68 | 1.3 L |
| Rigid front axle: differential housing | 80W-90. TRANSELF BLS 90, API GL-5, MIL-L-2105 D; extreme-pressure oil for limited-slip or self-locking axles | 6 L |
| Rigid front axle: final drives | As differential housing | 2 x 0.6 L (Ares 696: 2 x 1.5 L) |
| Suspended (Proactiv) front axle: differential housing | TRANSELF BLS 90 (80W-90 GL-5) | 5.5 L |
| Suspended (Proactiv) front axle: final drives | TRANSELF BLS 90 (80W-90 GL-5) | 2 x 1.5 L |
| Cooling system | Coolant: ELF Glaceol RX GF (type D, protects to -37 C) | 22 L |
| Braking circuit | ELF LHM brake fluid (mineral) | 0.9 L |
| Grease nipples | EP2 general purpose grease (CLAAS EP 2 or ELF Multi) | As needed |
| Fuel tank | Diesel (see handbook chapter D) | 546/556/566: 170 L; 616/656/696: 250 L |
Specifications
| Handbook | CLAAS Ares 546/556/566/616/656/696 Use and Maintenance, 178 pages on ManualsLib (model types 5312, 5322, 5332, 8212, 8232, 8242) |
| Service chart | Handbook chapter L, one table: As required, 10 h, 50 h, 100 h, 500 h, 1000 h, 2000 h, 2000 h or 2 years, 3 years |
Known problems
First service at 100 hours
The handbook calls the first 100-hour service mandatory: change engine oil and filter, fuel pre-filter and filter strainer, hydraulic filters, front axle final drive and differential oils, grease, check wheel nuts and brake fluid. Book it with your dealer.
Air-con dehumidifier
The service chart lists the air conditioning dehumidifier and cab shock absorbers every 3 years.
Different from the 1999 Ares 540-640 book
This is the 2005 handbook for the 546 to 696. The older 1999 Renault-issue Ares 540 to 640 handbook is a separate entry (ELF Tractorenault SDX and GA12 are common to both).
Repair guides
- Fuel prefilter, fuel filter and drive belt (Claas Ares 546-696) (Moderate, 1 hour): Hard starting, loss of power, water in the fuel, or the filters are due; belt squealing or the belt tensioner arm hitting its stop.
- Hydraulic filters, hand brake travel and front axle oil (Claas Ares 546-696) (Moderate, 1.5 hours): Filter service due, slow or noisy hydraulics, hand brake lever pulling too far, or front axle oil due.
The full step-by-step guides are in Farmyard Workshop once you add your tractor.
Sources
More from Claas.