Specialty tractors from Fendt

Fendt is not only known as the premium manufacturer for standard tractors, the same also holds true for specialty tractors. Implementing their high level of experience with transmissions and electronics, Fendt development engineers have succeeded in equipping specialty tractors with the state-of-the-art technology of larger tractors. The new specialty tractor range will be presented to the public for the first time at the SIMA international agricultural equipment exhibition in Paris.

Large tractor technology in a small space
 
Fendt looks back on many years of experience in the specialty tractor sector – in the area of development as well as production. More than 40,000 specialty tractors have been sold on the market over several decades. This clearly shows that for Fendt the specialty tractors segment does not just consist of offering bought-in products: these Fendt tractors are also designed and manufactured in the Allgäu region of Germany.

In order to provide farmers in this sector with the best quality for the future, the starting shot for the 200 Vario sounded in June 2006. Some 60 highly qualified engineers and designers have been working for over three years on a premium product for wine, fruit and hops-growing. The main objective in the development of the 200 Vario was to equip it with the continuously variable Vario transmission, since it provides many advantages, especially for wine, fruit and hops-growing. The experience gathered from 88,000 manufactured Vario transmissions was put to excellent use.
One of the greatest challenges was fitting the continuously variable transmission into a small space while keeping it maintenance-friendly. The transmission was especially developed and adapted to the specified vehicle size – the dimensions of the current 200 V, F, and P ranges were used as references. 

An ear for the market – customers have a say

To enable the design of a tractor that meets the demands and requirements of the market 100%, close cooperation with customers was very important during development. The engineers were in direct dialog with customers and sales partners during the development of the 200 Vario and gathered suggestions for the new vehicle.
Due to the diverse customer needs regarding the use of implements and the different sizes of farms in Europe, the development of the operating concept played a major role. That is why a representative customer group was invited to Marktoberdorf very early in the development stage. These customers included wine, fruit and hops growers from the most important European markets, from family farms to large estates. The objective was to develop an operating concept that meets all customer requirements optimally and provides high driving and operating comfort. The result was the development of a central operating unit as well as the choice between two joystick versions.  

200 Vario in endurance test

The prototypes of the new 200 Vario range were put to the test by customers in Germany, France and Austria. One prototype underwent a durability test in which it was driven in 3 shifts, racking up more than 3,000 operating hours in just eight months. All the feedback from the testers was very positive. Representative for the numerous responses received is one tester’s comment: “This machine is a step into the future that we are really looking forward too.”

More than 50 years of experience

With the 200 Vario, Fendt continues a long tradition in the specialty tractor sector. This area has always had great significance for the tractor manufacturer from the Allgäu region of Germany. Fendt already produced the first narrow track tractor in 1957, a proprietary development with a two-cylinder diesel engine, 24 hp and an outer width of only 98 centimetres. The breakthrough for Fendt in this segment came in 1974 with the introduction of the 200 V and P models with 38 and 50 hp and a reduced outer width of 92 centimetres. Fendt produced 8,900 units of this range until 1982 and became the market leader in the specialty tractor sector. In 1983, the next generation was launched. The older, tried and proven models were further improved in Series 2 and boasted engine power output of up to 70 hp. Other innovations were a three-circuit hydraulic system as well as a new four-wheel drive system with a wasp-waist design.

Another important milestone was the introduction of the next generation, the 210 range, in 1988, comprising the 250, 260, 270 und 275 V models. Important technical innovations were introduced in the area of electronics, such as the EPC power lift and the steering-angle dependent control of the four-wheel drive system.  Another technical highlight with a high degree of usability was the swinging power lift, which permitted the fully hydraulic adaptation of three-point implements to the terrain.

As the 206 to 209 series came onto the market in 2003, Fendt had already sold almost 20,000 narrow track tractors from the 210 range worldwide. Interesting technical features of the completely newly developed range were a comfort cab with a roof window, a side gearshift lever, enhanced controls for the swinging power lift with up to six electric proportional valves, the multiple award-winning front axle suspension with level control, as well as the addition of the F-series with a wide cab for wide spacings.

Complete tractor line

In the previous year, sales of Fendt tractors reached 15,428 units. The V, F and P narrow track tractors had an eight-percent share of overall tractor sales, which amounts to some 1,240 machines sold. It is therefore a very important segment for Fendt, which allows Fendt to offer customers a complete tractor line starting with the 70-hp vineyard tractor to the 360-hp high-performance tractor – all with the proven Fendt engineering and Fendt quality.

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.