Ahead of Agritechnica, Fendt has introduced significant updates across its tractor portfolio, including two Tractor of the Year nominees
Over the past three years, Fendt has been gradually updating its tractor portfolio, with new generation 200, 600 and 700 machines introduced. Each update has come with more power and, in most cases, the introduction of the VarioDrive continuously variable transmission with independent power distribution to the front and rear axles.
To maintain the overlap between ranges, offering a similar power output across different chassis sizes and maximum permissible weight levels, the company has now almost completed its revamp, with a new 300 series, 500 series, 800 series and 1000 series, with additional updates to the 700 series.
800 Series Gen 5
Starting with the 800 Vario series. There are now three models available, each powered with a new six-cylinder Agco Power Core80 engine with a variable geometry turbocharger. Power outputs start at 260hp with the 826, increasing to 290hp on the 829 and 320hp on the 832. The latter of which is the company’s entry for the TOTY HighPower category in this year’s Tractor of the Year competition.
Each is also fitted with the DynamicPerformance system, an intelligently distributed boost system that ensures all ancillary functions continue to operate properly even when the tractor is underload. This provides an additional 23hp to each model. Torque levels max out at 1,450Nm, 1,550Nm and 1,680Nm respectively, with the Fendt iD low-speed concept integrated into the engine software to provide full torque between 1,200 and 1,400rpm and max power between 1,500 and 1,700rpm.
The engine reaches Stage 5 emissions regulations without the use of exhaust gas recirculation (EGR), which lowers the engine temperature from 100°C down to 90°C, and keeps only clean air running through the system. However, the company notes a moderate increase in AdBlue consumption to between 7-8% of diesel use. Helping retain the cool air flow, the concentric system from the 700 series has been brought across, pulling in cool air from the front of the tractor.
Linked to this is a self-cleaning air filter, which can be blown through with 12bar of clean air, significantly extending replacement times according to the company. For dusty conditions, it’s also possible to fit a reversible fan, which can be scheduled through the headland management system in the FendtOne terminal.
The newly designed TA250 VarioDrive transmission automatically adjusts power distribution to the front and rear axles, enabling functions such as the pull-in turn, which speeds up the front wheels during cornering to reduce the turning circle. Combined with the new engine and low-speed concept, the 800 can achieve speeds of 40kph, 50kph or 60kph and 950rpm, 1,250rpm and 1,400rpm, respectively.
By keeping transmission oil separate from the hydraulic oil, Fendt has also been able to extend gearbox oil change intervals to 4,000hrs or four years.
Speaking of the hydraulics, and if we move to the back, up to six valves can be fitted, with the option of flat face couplers. This puts out 140 litres/min as standard, with the possibility to specify two of them for 170 litres/min. There are various hydraulic pump options available, with the standard providing 165 litres/min; the option of an uprated 220 litres/min model; or a combined dual pump providing 385 litres/min.
With the dual pump option, the smaller unit is mounted on the left, supplying Power Beyond, the left-hand spools and the linkage, while the larger is on the right for just the right-hand valves. The rear linkage has a capacity of 10.5t, with a redesign that enables the operator to lift it 16cm higher to avoid contact with the PTO during drawbar work. The PTO is a four-speed system as standard, while at the front, it’s possible to equip at 5.3t linkage, two hydraulic valves and a 1,000rpm PTO.
The cab has been brought down from the 1000 series, with a new LED light package available, offering up to 114,700 lumens. Within the options list, a new GroundVision light package fits downward-facing LEDs on the rear mudguards to provide greater visibility to the drawbar and linkage without shadows.
Acknowledging the overlap between the 800, the smaller 700 Vario and the 900 Vario, the company states that the previous 800 series had a wheelbase of 2.95m. This has increased to 3.02m on the new generation, 12cm over the 700 series, the flagship of which matches the 826 for power, and 13cm smaller than the 954 Vario. It also offers a power-to-weight ratio of 30kg/hp, thanks to its base weight of 10t, with a maximum payload of 7.5t.
Gen 4 500 Series
The 500 Vario has been a key tractor for Fendt, with 27,000 units sold since it was launched in 2011. With the new generation of machines, the company has stripped back down to the frame, retaining the same dimensions but uprated components to ensure a maximum permissible weight of 11.75t, up 1.25t over the previous 500.
This enables operators to maximise the versatility of the machine. On the day, the flagship 516 was mounted with a double Guttler roller and spring tine set up at the front, with a rear-mounted Horsch power harrow drill combination. This would have been possible on the previous generation with the respective front and rear linkages, but would not have been safe or legal for the axle loads.
Four models are available, each powered with a new Agco Power Core50 engine, producing 134hp on the 513, 144hp on the 514, 154hp on the 515 and 164hp on the 516 – the flagship is also entered into this year’s Tractor of the Year for TOTY MidPower category. Each gains an extra 10hp through the DynamicPerformance, as well as the Fendt iD system, this time topping out at 1,900rpm.
The VarioDrive transmission has been brought down, the TA120 model, bringing with it the pull-in turn effect. Other features brought across from existing Fendt tractors include the four-speed rear PTO, the updated lighting system with the option of GroundVision and the cabin from the latest generation 600 series, with the option of a right-hand door.
At the rear, there’s the choice of either a 109 litres/min load-sensing pump or a 152 litres/min unit. These feed up to eight double-acting spools on the Power specification, or up to nine of the Profi and Profi+ models. The spools can be laid across the tractor to suit the operations, with up to five at the rear, a maximum of two at the front and up to three mid-mounts.
Fendt states that the 500 Vario is used extensively in transport, making up around 50% of the total use. Operators can now specify a trailer brake assist system, which activates the trailer brakes when travelling downhill to minimise tractor brake wear and lower the risk of jack-knifing.
It can also be fitted with the VarioGrip centralised tyre inflation system, as can every wheeled tractor range above the 500 in the Fendt range. This uses a two-cylinder, water-cooled compressor, and during our field test it inflated the front tyres (TM800 540/65 R28) and rear tyres (TM800 650/65 R38) up to 2bar – from 1bar and 1.4bar respectively – in around 2.5min.
If the 500 Vario is to be used for spraying operations, there is the option of category 4 filtration, and it can also be fitted with a dual-layer, laminated safety glass windscreen. This limits the risk of the window shattering if struck, as well as reducing noise levels in the cabin by up to 3dB.
1000 Vario – the largest standard tractor
Fendt first introduced the 1000 Vario at Agritechnica 2015, said to be the world’s largest standard wheeled tractor. A decade on and the company has updated the range to offer more power and some neat features. There are four models available, offering between 426hp and 550hp from the MAN D26 engine, with DynamicPerformance adding up to 30hp, and the VarioDrive TA400 transmission, which was first introduced on the original 1000 series.
Fendt iD has been integrated for a maximum engine speed of 1,700rpm, with new power and torque curves for a maximum of 2,650Nm on the flagship 1052 – an increase of 230Nm over the previous generation. As with other models at the event, transmission oil intervals have doubled to 4,000hrs/four years, the self-cleaning air filter has been added, as well as a self-cleaning cyclone cab filter.
Mechanical cab suspension has been dropped from the specification list, replaced with a combination of mechanical at the front and pneumatic at the rear. A four-point fully pneumatic system is also available. At the rear, Fendt has also discontinued the 165 litre/min hydraulic pump, instead only offering the 220 litre/min or the dual 440 litre/min system.
The 1000 Vario always represents a chance for Fendt to introduce new technologies, which will be brought down through the ranges in the future. While the new generation 1000 is in pre-series and some specifications might change, an interesting new system was the Adaptive Power function. As the engine and chassis remain the same across the range, operators can use the FendtOne terminal to adjust the power rating from smaller 1000 models to minimise fuel consumption.
This means that with the 1052, the full 550hp max power can be used for deep tillage or drilling operations, but if being used in grassland, operators can reset the system to 426hp or 466hp from the 1040 or 1044 to suit. The company states that there are no plans to reverse the system and enable customers to recall higher engine powers if, for example, a contractor takes on additional work that requires the extra hp, but this could theoretically change before full production.
Gen 5 300 Vario, and 700 Vario 7.1
The final new products were a completely revamped 300 Vario and some additional updates to the 700 Vario. A new entry model has been added to the 300 series: the 310, which offers 103hp, increasing to 113hp with DynamicPerformance. The other four models extended up to 142hp, each benefitting from an extra 10hp with DynamicPerformance.
There’s no VarioDrive in the 300, due to the additional weight of that transmission. There’s also no Fendt iD system within the engine software. Instead, Fendt has installed the ML75 Vario transmission. As with other new machines, there’s also trailer brake assist, the optional GroundVision system, and the possibility of fitting flat face couplers.
The axles have been uprated, providing a maximum permissible weight of 9.5t, an increase of 500kg over the previous generation, with a 5.5t base weight. At the rear, Fendt has dropped the gear-pump hydraulic system, instead only offering a load-sensing 110 litre/min pump.
According to the company, 40% of 300 Vario tractors are supplied with a Fendt loader, with an additional 10-15% leaving the factory with mounting brackets. Therefore, a new generation of Cargo loaders has been designed, with base units built with higher tensile steel for a slimmer design, as well as a new multicoupler system. A new Compact specification brings the loader 10cm closer to the cabin, enabling users to minimise the counterweight required and operate in tight conditions. However, this also means that the optional opening windscreen may come in contact with it, and it is possible that stacking operations will be limited as the bonnet can hit the lower levels.
The Profi specification adds sensors for weighing, as well as for tilt and height, enabling a series of smart functions including automatic height limiters, tilt limiters and bucket shake. This has a wider design to house the sensors and wiring within the body of the loader. When a third valve is added, the loader is always supplied with the Profi frame.
The cabin can be fitted with a laminated safety windscreen and is also available with a category 4 filter for spraying operations.
The updated 700 Vario now gets DynamicPerformance across the full range, instead of just the top model, adding 20hp to the rated power. The maximum speed of 60kph has now also been brought down to the 243hp 724 Vario.
Within the guidance options for the Fendt range, the company has now introduced headland lines for obstacles in the field, meaning that if there is a telegraph pole blocking a wayline, the system can utilise headland management functions to lift machines and lower engine speeds ahead of manoeuvring. Another new function is the coverage guidance system, a new entry-level guidance system which creates parallel lines as the operator makes their first run in the field.
