Productivity the focus at Fendt press event
16th September 2021
Fendt’s annual press event at its German headquarters was broadcast online again this year as a result of continuing Covid-19 restrictions
Industry-leading smart solutions and farm-focused product and service developments were among areas highlighted as priorities by Agco chairman and CEO, Eric Hansiota, as he opened the conference. He stressed Fendt’s full line strategy remains a focus providing farmers with a full range of products for planting to harvesting grain and grass.
FendtOne more widely available
Updates to most product lines featured at the event, including smart farming solutions through added functionality and wider availability of the FendtOne operating system. Initially introduced only for 700 Vario and 400 Vario tractors, FendtONE will soon be available for 500 Vario, 900 Vario and 1000 Vario models too.
Fendt pointed out that FendtOne doesn’t only benefit the operator, and features such as Fendt Task Doc also make it easier to maintain accurate work and field records which are increasingly needed to meet legislative requirements. The onboard in-cab displays are customisable, and the operator can select display layouts and areas to suit the task, such as using the 12in terminal on the armrest to display field maps while a second 12in display in the roof provides implement set-up and monitoring as well as control through Isobus.
Easier control
Other advantages of FendtOne include easier control of complex machinery. A new 3L joystick can have up to 27 assigned Isobus functions in three levels, so that while the main multifunction joystick is used to control the tractor, the 3L joystick can operate complex Isobus-equipped implements. Tractor Implement Management (TIM) is also available, allowing tractor control by the implement for maximum productivity.
T1 advanced functions
Power+ and Profi+ include basic lane guidance as standard and are Fendt Guide-ready. Additional advanced functions for precision farming include Fendt Contour Assistant, Fendt T1 Auto and Fendt T1 Headland. Fendt T1 Headland is available from this November. It includes Fendt T1 Auto and Fendt T1 Turn Assistant. T1 Auto triggers the headland sequence steps as the headland line is passed without the user having to touch the joystick. T1 Turn Assistant causes the tractor and implement to turn automatically at each headland selecting the most efficient route, and avoiding unnecessary overlaps while saving time and fuel. It can also be programmed to carry out Y turns and K turns using reverse.
Fendt customers with FendtOne workstations already installed can upgrade to include T1 functionality for free in 2022.
900 and 1000 Vario updates
Fendt 900 and 1000 Vario models feature extra updates including an optional self-cleaning air filter which combines continuous dust extraction with active filter cleaning in 30-second cycles. The filter is blown out on the move using air from an integral compressed air tank. While the filter is being blown out, the fan speeds up to remove dust from the engine area. A specially developed filter cartridge is needed, with a service life of two years.
Cab upgrades include laminated safety glass as standard as well as a heated windscreen. The laminated glass reduces noise levels and provides a safer working environment.
Fendt 500 Vario
The 500 Vario gains FendtOne and the ability to perform complex loader operations easily through the 3L joystick. An Isobus socket is added at the front.
Cab options include the VisioPlus with a split windscreen and a door on the right and left, or the Panorama cab with a continuous windscreen and door on the left, or doors on both sides as an option.
Alternative fuels
Fendt is continuing development of its fully electric e100 Vario, and has announced its involvement with a research project based on a German fruit farm. This involves replacing hail protection nets and membrane sheets with agrivoltaic panels which generate electricity – some of which is used to power the tractor, and addressing conflicts in land use for energy production and agriculture.
Combine updates
For 2022, Fendt’s Ideal will be available with RTK guidance pre- installed for steering accuracy within 2cm.
New tyre options for Ideal 7 and Ideal 8 are designed for combines operated on narrow roads in Germany, France and southern Europe. With 710/70R42 tyres fitted – both models will have an outer width under 3.3m, while the wheel diameter optimises the ground contact area.
The cleaning system of the Ideal 9 is improved with the reshaping of the drop-down steps to the upper sieves. A new curved step profile means that heavier grains gather in the lower section while lighter grains accumulate above. With the curved profile, there is a wider air outlet, increasing the air volume for more efficient cleaning. With two drop levels, most short straw and chaff is separated at the first level and remaining non-grain components are separated on the second. The cleaning system works over four sections and two return floors ensure even distribution and coverage across the preparation floor.
Residue handling is improved with the Active-Spread SwingFlow straw distributor which can achieve an even spread; including in tough humid harvesting conditions.
Connectivity
Ideal and C and L straw-walker models can all be equipped with Fendt Connect telematics. This allows performance monitoring including speed, fuel and AdBlue consumption as well as location data through a PC or smartphone.
Ideal users can also monitor harvest data including yield, moisture and machine settings.
Dealers can access the machine data with the owner’s permission, including fault codes for quick remote diagnosis of problems. Fendt Connect is standard on Ideal, and an option for C- and L-series models.
Capacity increased
More than 650 Ideal combines are already working, and production capacity at the combine factory has been increased to meet growing demand. Sales for 2021 for Europe and the Middle East are expected to total 425 units across the range.
Grassland machinery
Fendt Slicer mowers and Former rakes were added to Fendt’s range in 2017, and since then the line-up has grown.
Several models have been updated and the latest 310 F front mower comes with a swing hitch giving a range of +/-7.5 per cent to adapt to ground contours. Hydraulic load relief is an option for the 310 F KC with a tine conditioner, and the 310 F RC with a roller conditioner. This regulates the ground pressure for the entire mower unit and helps reduce dirt ingress in wet working conditions.
The 310 F front mower is also available with a hydraulic folding side guard, allowing preparation for road transport without leaving the cab.
Slicer 860 and 960 rear mowers have a new SafetySwing mechanical collision safety system to help prevent damage.
Slicer front mower conditioners come with adjustable conditioning, allowing the intensity of the grass treatment to be adjusted in five steps.
Fendt Slicer 310 F front, and 860 and 960 rear mowers come with a blade box and blade change key allowing quick blade changes in the field for reduced downtime.
Fuel savings can be achieved by reducing the PTO drive speed to 850rpm while maintaining working performance.
Fendt Former
Latest Fendt Former 12545 and Isobus-compatible Former 12545 Pro rakes are available with a hydraulic lowering chassis giving a transport height under 4m in transport mode without removing the tines.
Rotana round balers
New options for Fendt round balers include an onboard film wrapping system for the Rotana 130 F. This allows bale wrapping using film only, while net wrapping remains available. The roller positions allow quick changing of wrap types making it easy to switch between straw and grass bales during work windows.
Other upgrades include a clean water tank and soap dispenser; allowing hands, tools and machine parts to be cleaned easily.
An optional hydraulic support foot makes it easier to hitch or unhitch the Rotana 130F Combi and Rotana 160 V Combi.
Loader wagon
A new Fendt all-in-one Tigo VR loader wagon joins current Tigo PR and Tigo XR models. With additional TIM and Fendt Stability Control self-levelling, the new VR has the same compact dimensions as the Tigo PR.
The Tigo VR series includes two models – the Tigo 65 VR has 38m3 capacity and the Tigo 75 VR has 44m3. Blades chop to 37mm and their shape ensures a long, shearing cut. Both wagons have a multifunctional bulkhead with VarioFill as standard.
The 2m swinging pick-up with seven tine rows ensures efficient feeding, and the wide pick-up width makes it easy to work around corners. Hydraulic drive allows stepless pick-up speed control from 70–150rpm to suit the conditions.
The FlexSharp knife sharpener is an option allowing blades to be sharpened on-board. Because it operates as a separate unit, it can also be used to sharpen knives from round or square balers from Fendt and other brands.
Fendt Stability Control ensures safe use on slopes and stable road handling, with full suspension travel always available regardless of the load.
The Tigo can also be used to transport other goods and it can be ordered without feed rollers but with a reversible scraper floor instead.
TIM allows fully automatic in-field operation with the wagon controlling the tractor. Travel speed is adjusted based on monitoring of the pick-up load and speed allowing maximum working speeds to be maintained while matching the conditions.
Targeted spraying
Agco has entered a collaboration agreement with Bosch Xarvio Digital Farming Solutions to evaluate targeted spraying technology to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of crop chemical applications.
Using real-time sensing technology the system will detect weeds in growing crops and on fallow land in light or dark working conditions, and allowing targeted herbicide applications to individual plant level.
Objectives include making the use of effective herbicides more affordable, and where optimal herbicides are already being used – to achieve volume and cost reductions. The initial concept is being tested on a Rogator sprayer in Europe currently, and trials in North America are due to start next year.
