A love for life

Photo: You can't tell from the Renault Ares 816 RZ that this tractor already has almost 15,000 hours on the clock. Klaas has brought his Renault up to a level of new in every detail. The cab is even carpeted. Shoes off before entering!

Klaas Tavernier is the more than proud owner of this July 2002 Ares 816 RZ. Everything orange gleams at you, because Klaas is an enthusiast who cherishes his tractor immensely. Klaas was only five years old himself when this Ares was delivered by the local dealer to his own contracting company. His father Kris still worked there and drove this Renault. He remembers it being in front of a tipper a lot during beet harvesting and in front of the baler at other times of the season.

It was the last Renault at the contracting company. Kris immediately called his son when the Ares turned up again at a dealer. It was intended for export due to some technical problems. But the Renault stayed in Belgium and ended up with his son Klaas in October 2017 (who was only 15 at the time.) At the time, the Ares already had 14,800 hours behind it. But having always had its maintenance on time, this Renault was technically in excellent condition.

Klaas: "I remember very well that the contractor used this Ares to work on our farm. Of course, my tractor had signs of use here and there, but no serious defects. The only thing I ever had was a broken sensor that prevented the front-wheel drive from disengaging. Other than that, I brought many details back up to standard. For instance, there are now Xenon headlights on it. The original ones had become completely dull. Moreover, the new bulbs give considerably more light. I also replaced several gaskets and seals myself to make the tractor leak-free. The seat was completely worn out, I bought a new one for that."

Cleaning is Klaas's passion and his life. Everything is clean and shiny. There are new wheels on it, also carefully painted of course. In terms of details, he went as far as he could. Because the rear window had once been replaced, the original Renault Agriculture sticker was no longer on it. But it could still just be ordered. The cabin is just as well cared for as the outside. The floor is carpeted and, when getting in, Klaas takes off his shoes and puts them on a special mat, of course with a Renault logo.

As a child, Klaas had only one dream, a Renault Ares. He is a true enthusiast who bought the tractor for the hobby. Yet it is not always shining in the barn. "My brother started a contracting business. He only has Renault tractors. If necessary, I help him with the Ares. At my friend's father's house, the Ares sometimes comes in handy. I have a big tipper behind it painted in the matching livery, but also a five-cutter plough. This is used for various jobs. In the tipper I actually transport anything that fits in it.

The Ares range got its start in early 1996 with the 600 series. Under the skin, the Ares still appears to have similarities with the famous TX and TZ series. Within the Ares range there were several variants, the four-cylinder 500 and the six-cylinder 600, 700 and this 800. The Ares 800 entered production in late 1998 as 815 and 825 RZ. The addition RZ refers to the cab suspended at four points. This technology came from the TZ models and the Renault Magnum truck. Because of a then new partnership, the 6.8-litre 6 cylinder came from John Deere: 150 hp with a rotary fuel pump and 168 hp with intercooler and linear fuel pump. Electronics made plenty of appearances with the Full Powershift gearbox (18 + 8 or 36 + 16 gears), Drivetronic differential, Proactiv front axle and Tracto Control Electronic linkage. In 2001, the Ares 800 underwent a facelift, most easily recognised by the new decals on the bonnet. The 150hp engine remained in the 816 RZ. New was the Quadrashift II gearbox, basically a four-speed transmission with a total of 32 forward and reverse gears.

All control levers are on the right towards the driver. Remarkably, the all levers have buttons in bright colours. Here and there you can discover small elements that were also used in Renault passenger cars. We think of the dials for heating and ventilation, but also the levers on the steering wheel and the digital clock against the roof.

In the cabin, there is a flat floor. Starting is simply done with the key. A funny detail is the bright red accelerator pedal that sticks up from the carpet like some kind of miniature artwork. Electronics already took possession of Renault tractors in the Ares years. For instance, there is a display on the right-hand window pillar of the windscreen.

Klaas intends to keep the Ares all his life, a love for life in other words. Does he have any wishes? "Despite being very satisfied and happy, I do have my sights set on a Renault Atles, the biggest tractor Renault has ever built. Perhaps I can realise that wish one day."

A total of 20,743 copies of the Ares were made. Specifically of the 816 RZ, there were 1,011 units produced. In addition, the 826 RZ and 836 RZ models also existed. The last Ares to come off the production line at Le Mans in July 2005 was exactly this type, an 816 RZ. The start of production of the Ares in Claas colours took place almost two years before, in September 2003 to be precise.

En détail...

Renault Ares 816 RZ (H4412)

Engine:

Type DPS 6068 TRT52, 6 cylinder in line, bore x stroke 106.5 x 127 mm, displacement 6,788 cc. Power 150 (DIN) hp at 2,200 rpm, torque 65.5 da.Nm, water-cooled.

Gearbox:

Type GBA 10, Quadrishift II hydraulic Quadrupleur 32 front/32 rear and Quadractiv hydraulic Quadrupleur with automatic shifting. Hydrostatic steering.

Brakes: Hydraulically operated with two pedals. Pneumatic trailer brake. Lifting device: Tracto-Control Electronic 15, option tip control (TCE 15 T) or TCE 25 with radar and active wheel slip control. Lifting capacity: 11,330 kg. Option front hitch.

Dimensions/weights:

Length 5.33 metres incl. front weights, width 2.54 - 2.83 metres, height to roof 3.03 metres, wheelbase 2.88 metres, ground clearance 0.37 metres, turning circle 9.80 metres. Weight: 7,600 kg. Tank capacity 300 litres.