Fendt specialty tractors –
now with Vario transmission

With the 200 Vario, Fendt opens a new era in the area of specialty tractors. The 200 Vario unites maximum ride comfort and optimum efficiency and is also the first and only stepless specialty tractor with the Vario transmission on the market.

High-performance but nevertheless economical vehicle

The new 200 Vario range features a newly developed, water-cooled 3-cylinder engine from AGCO Sisu Power. Together with engineers from Fendt, it was developed especially for the new 200 Vario. The engine has a maximum power output of 70 to 110 hp and, with a cubic capacity of 3.3 litres, it also covers the power segment of the current air-cooled 4-cylinder models. Of course, the engine complies with the legal requirements of Tier 3 emissions standards.

The short design of the 3-cylinder engine makes it possible to accommodate a new cooling unit while maintaining the compact design of the specialty tractor. The newly designed cooling system has large intake areas. This results in less dirt in the radiator and optimised cooling performance – even under extreme operating conditions. The Picoflex engine air filter guarantees a high filter service life and less maintenance work. It also allows high air throughput despite the small installation space.

The engine features a speed-independent common rail high-pressure injection system as well as fully electronic engine control. The AGRex external exhaust gas recirculation system assists the high-performance injection system. This alone results in a fuel consumption advantage of about ten percent compared to internal exhaust gas recirculation systems.

The integration of the fuel tank in the bonnet is not only a special design feature, but also clearly demonstrates the great emphasis that was placed on a compact design during the development of the 200 Vario. Despite the additional components in the engine area, such as the water coolers, tank capacity has been increased.

Stepless to the top

When developing the 200 Vario, the engineers at Fendt stood before a great challenge: how to fit the Vario technology from the large tractors into a small space. The newly developed Vario transmission ML 70 was especially adapted to the smaller size and special needs of specialty tractors. The transmission only has one driving range and allows working speeds from 20 metres per hour to 40 kilometres per hour – including stepless, wear-free reversing. The top speed is already attained at a fuel-saving 1750 rpm. Since there is no power gap and the driving speed can be adjusted to any kind of work independent of the engine speed, area coverage can be increased by up to ten percent. Together with the high efficiency of the Vario transmission, this significantly reduces fuel consumption.

Constant power engagement also means a considerable gain in safety. This is evident on steep slopes: even there starting up or adapting the driving speed is possible without jerking.

The outstanding performance of the transmission is clearly seen during acceleration: 0 to 40 km/h in only seven seconds – that speaks for itself. The time has been more than halved compared to the previous range – acceleration is therefore much more dynamic.

The Tractor Management System (TMS), which has been used successfully for many years in the large tractor ranges, enables even more economical driving. TMS controls the engine and transmission. The driving speed is selected with the acceleration pedal. The engine speed and transmission setting is automatically adjusted so that the tractor is always operating at an economical optimum. That not only reduces stress on the driver, it also reduces fuel consumption by up to ten percent during operation.

The comfort cab

Due to the special design of the Vario transmission, it has been possible to integrate the drive components into the rear axle housing for the most part. Thus, with the new 200 Vario, Fendt is able to offer the first specialty tractor with a flat cab floor.              
There is no transmission tunnel and thanks to the central operating unit on the right-hand side, there are no operating elements to get in the way in the foot area. The height and tilt-adjustable steering wheel and the comfort seat with air suspension ensure that drivers are always in the right position to stay fit on long working days.

The efficient heating and ventilation system with integral air-conditioning ensures an optimum work environment. On cold days, the hot water heating, which uses heat from the water cooler, provides a comfortable temperature in the cab.

Noise development is very low, thanks to conical bearings and the cab being isolated from the tractor body. The extremely well insulated cab and the water-cooled engine, which is extremely smooth-running, especially at low engine speeds, ensure optimum noise reduction. These extensive improvements have made it possible to reduce the noise level in the cab by up to four dbA.

The 200 Vario has a central operating unit with an integral armrest on the right-hand side. The controls function similar to the controls on the other Vario tractors from Fendt. Acceleration and deceleration of the tractor as well as the reverser, cruise control and engine speed memories are controlled with the joystick. The standard joystick alone already offers more functionality than a synchronous transmission with up to four levers.

For more complex work, Fendt offers the 200 Vario with the Profi package. Up to four double-acting control valves as well as the automatic modes for the rear power lift and PTO can be operated with the Profi joystick. Mounted implements can be raised or diverse setting functions can be carried out during turning manoeuvres without having to reach for other controls. During turning manoeuvres that saves more than ten hand movements for certain operations. Not only during turning manoeuvres, but also when working in the row, the speed can be adjusted or the implement controlled without having to reach for other operating elements. The Profi joystick also offers electric switching functions for mounted implements – implement-specific control levers are not necessary. Even implements with sophisticated controls, such as leaf cutters, can be operated easily with the Profi joystick.

In addition to the optimisation of the hydraulic controls, the Profi equipment level sets new standards in profitability and functionality with an optional load-sensing pump and up to six newly developed double-acting control units. 

The other control functions are located on the right-hand side and below the dashboard. The layout and operating philosophy of all the components have been improved through the new CAN bus electronics and the new design of the operating elements. All the enhanced functions, such as the automatic modes for the four-wheel drive and the differential lock, the proportional controls for the hydraulic control units with oil flow control or the enhanced controls for the swinging power lift, have been maintained.   

The tried and proven features remain

The unique features that have already been implemented very successfully in the current 200 range are naturally also found in the new 200 Vario. These include, for example, the front axle with level control and the hydraulically adjustable swinging power lift – now with optimised operating elements. The three different versions, the traditional vineyard tractor V, the medium-wide specialty tractor F and the wide specialty tractor P, have also been kept in the new range.

Areas of application

The 200 Vario is not only ideally suited for wine, fruit and hops growing, but also offers enormous advantages for many non-agricultural applications, such as municipal or landscaping work. The exceptional manoeuvrability, narrow design, ergonomically perfected control centre as well as the continuously variable transmission of the 200 Vario make it ideal for these applications.

About AGCO

AGCO, Your Agriculture Company, (NYSE: AG) was founded in 1990 and offers a full product line of tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage, tillage equipment, implements, and related replacement parts. AGCO agricultural products are sold under the core brands of Challenger®, Fendt®, Massey Ferguson® and Valtra®, and are distributed globally through more than 3,000 independent dealers and distributors, in more than 140 countries worldwide. AGCO provides retail financing through AGCO Finance. AGCO is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, USA. In 2008, AGCO had net sales of $8.4 billion. Please visit our website at www.AGCOcorp.com.