At the largest agricultural machinery and technology exhibition, „Agritechnica 2013“, Fendt will present a whole host of innovations: new high-power 800 and 900 Vario series tractors, updated Variotronic control programmes for all machines, and completely redesigned high-throughput X and P series combine harvesters.
New Fendt flagships
From 2014 in the flagship models produced by the German company „Fendt“ 800 and 900 Vario – a wide range of new technical solutions, many of which are used in the industry for the first time.
The most powerful manufacturer tractors are equipped with a new generation Deutz AG engine, complying with the strictest emission requirements that will come into force from January 1, 2014. According to Stage IV/Tier 4 requirements, the tractors„ power units are closely aligned with the requirements for commercial vehicles.
The new engine is equipped with a two-stage turbocharging system with sequentially connected variable geometry turbochargers (VGT) of different capacities. To achieve even better engine performance characteristics, two intercoolers are installed in the intake system. The advanced engine turbocharging system beneficially increases the constant power range, making the tractor even more efficient in traction work.
The engine is equipped with a reversible fan drive, allowing dirt accumulated on the cooler surface to be blown away. Fan control is integrated into the general Variotronic machine control programme, which allows for reversing cycles to be set and activated automatically.
Stage IV/Tier 4 requirements for limiting harmful exhaust emissions are implemented using both internal and external measures: an exhaust gas recirculation system (AGRex) (returning a considerably smaller proportion of exhaust gas to the intake system than in previous engines), a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst using a urea-water solution (AdBlue), and a passive regenerating soot filter (CSF). It is worth noting that, unlike an active filter, the latter does not require additional diesel injection for its operation. To achieve maximum economy (considering both diesel and AdBlue consumption), this combination of selected measures is the most effective of those used in the industry.
Reinforced Vario stepless transmission: the pump drive now uses roller bearings that are highly resistant to heavy loads (analogous to Formula 1 cars), and an independent transmission heat exchanger is installed. In the steering system, a more efficient variable displacement pump is now used instead of a separate constant flow pump.
High-power tractor front electrohydraulic lift systems can now also be equipped with the innovative PRC (Pressure Relief Control) system, which is already available on the 500 and 700 Vario machines. This is a contact pressure control system integrated into the front lift's hydraulic system. The contact pressure of the implement (e.g. a mower) on the soil surface always remains stable, regardless of changes in terrain. Therefore, the implement follows the surface contour better when working in hilly fields. Fendt 800 and 900 Vario, for the first time in tractors, use the internal tyre pressure control system VarioGrip. This ensures up to 15% greater traction (traction power up to 40 HP higher), less slippage and consequently lower fuel consumption. The integrated design, along with a higher-performance air compressor, allows for rapid changes – increasing or decreasing tyre pressure. For example, increasing the pressure by 0.8 bar from 1.2 to 2.0 bar in all four tyres takes no longer than 10 minutes.
„The Fendt 800 and 900 Vario tractors feature VarioGrip, an internal tyre pressure control system used for the first time on tractors. This ensures up to 15% greater traction (up to 40 HP more pulling power), reduced slippage, and consequently lower fuel consumption. The integrated design, along with a higher-performance air compressor, allows for rapid changes – increasing or decreasing tyre pressure. For example, increasing the pressure by 0.8 bar from 1.2 to 2.0 bar in all four tyres takes no longer than 10 minutes.
The new Fendt 800 and 900 Vario tractors are easily recognisable by their redesigned engine bonnets. These are by no means the only changes. The tractors can be equipped with the most advanced lighting systems: dual-intensity Bi-LED headlights with automatic levelling control, and LED work lights instead of the usual halogen ones. Additionally, the tractors have a lighting system timer – when the engine is switched off, the lights remain on for a while to guide the driver home. A new, laminated, and safety glass (LSG class) panoramic front windscreen, similar to those fitted in cars, is also included. The front wiper's sweep range is now 300°, giving the operator excellent visibility of the area between the tractor's body and the front wheels.
The main news in the cabin is a new 10.4″ diagonal control terminal with new touchscreen technology. The surface of the liquid crystal LCD display with LEDs behind it is made of an abrasion-resistant coating, so the device now externally resembles a tablet or a smartphone.
Updated software, which has been enhanced with new features, such as: an integrated parallel track steering desktop with an information bar at the top, a section control function (up to 24), which is convenient to use with implements connected to a common data transmission network via the ISO-Bus 11783 line. This allows for further simplification of precision farming systems (PFS) implementation when tractors are coupled with sprayers, fertiliser spreaders, and seed drills. It is worth noting that the control systems of high-power „Fendt“ tractors evaluate up to 63 different parameters during operation.
High-performance X and P series combines – a new control concept
„The new “Fendt" high-capacity combine harvesters – the hybrid 9490 X/AL and the 8-walker 8380 P/AL, 8410 P/AL models – feature new Skyline cabins on semi-tracked ATRAK chassis with 26″ wide tracks.
Inside the Fendt X and P series combine harvesters„ Skyline cab, there is a new branded Fendt Varioterminal control console with a high-resolution, 10.4-inch touchscreen. A new, intelligent control system is installed with a redesigned multifunction joystick, and all remaining control console controls are unified with similar devices used in Fendt tractors, self-propelled forage harvesters, and lower-throughput C series combine harvesters. The Fendt Varioterminal sets a completely new standard for machine control: it offers a desired desktop structure on the screen (up to 4 desired desktops can be displayed simultaneously) and allows for real-time operation monitoring, with the possibility of connecting two video cameras. Precision farming tools are integrated into it: the VarioGuide autosteer and VarioDoc Pro documentation system. The Skyline cab is already familiar to our country's farmers from the medium-throughput C series combine harvester presented on the Lithuanian market this year and awarded a medal at the ”Ką pasėsi… 2013„ exhibition.
In the combines prepared for the 2014 season, new generation AGCO Power engines, from 379 HP (8380 P) to 496 HP (9490 X), comply with final Stage IV/Tier 4 emission requirements.
The high-capacity X and P series combines are available with 10.74 m wide PowerFlow headers, featuring a Schumacher-type knife drive, hydrostatic reel drive, active dividers, and a belt conveyor located in front of the auger. The combines are equipped with a high-capacity HyPerforma threshing and separation system with a tangential threshing drum (P series combines) and a centrifugal rotor separation system (X series combines) instead of conventional straw walkers.
The threshing system on both combine harvesters features the original Venturi system, which supplies an additional powerful airflow axially through a special intake channel directly into the centre of the sieves. It also incorporates a patented independent threshing system that does not overload the threshing apparatus and straw walkers, with two interchangeable concave screens of varying aggressiveness. The threshed material is returned to the intensive airflow zone on the vibrating table extension.
The new X and P series combines have larger capacity – 12,500 l (8410 P, 9490 X) and 10,500 l (8380 P and all AL) grain tanks and redesigned, more effective discharge augers.
