The latest Fendt Momentum planter is being tested in Australian conditions ahead of its Autumn 2021 release.
The manufacturer says its new Fendt Momentum planter is an exciting addition to its stable of products, produced by its international engineering network to suit soil types and field conditions across the globe.
Agco Australia and New Zealand marketing director Fergal Meehan says the planter was designed for timely planting, but without sacrificing accuracy.
“As many farmers would tell you, time is money and inaccuracy is a price they cannot afford to pay,” he says.
“We have recently taken delivery of the first machine in Australia and will be testing it out across various soil types, terrain and field conditions.
“For us, it’s important to have completed rigorous testing, evaluation and demonstration across the region and with a variety of crop types before final full public release.
“This way we have first-hand feedback for our customers and can equip our teams across the country with the best knowledge,” Meehan says.
There will be eight models of the Fendt Momentum available with a variety of rows and spacing on offer. The range of rows will span between 16 and 48 rows and spacing will be between 38 and 76cm.
“We believe that with the range of models available the Fendt Momentum will be able to suit a wide variety of farming applications, including areas where planters may not be traditionally used,” Meehan says.
“Farmers in Australia are constantly innovating and look beyond the local markets for new technology.
“As such they have been observing the use of the Fendt Momentum overseas and were keen to apply the technology to the local market, especially for broadacre crops like canola and sorghum with the potential for use with cereals in the future,” he says.
Regardless of which model farmers select, Agco says the Fendt Momentum is designed to plant each seed at the optimal depth and spacing using the latest available precision planting technology.
“What sets this machine apart from its counterparts is the technology it harnesses, one example being the Speed Tube,” Meehan says.
“This allows for the precision planting of the seed at very high speed because if there is row unit bounce, it doesn’t affect seed spacing because the seeds are contained within a flighted belt, keeping them in place.
“When seeds are under control, speed can be increased without sacrificing accuracy – enabling speeds of up to 16km/h,” he adds.
The Momentum also comes with other Agco precision planting technology including vSet2/vDrive meters, 20/20 Gen3 Seedsense monitor system and the Deltaforce Automatic Hydraulic downforce system.
The Fendt Momentum also incorporates class leading smart technology such as its unique weight-management system which balances load across the planter depending on the current weight of product onboard.
Coupled with a staggered wheel placement complete with tyre pressure monitor, the Fendt Momentum adjusts air pressure downwards to ensure minimal compaction and allows pressure to be added for transport.
Consistent planting
Ground contact is a key component of consistent planting and this is often a challenge on undulating terrain when contact with the ground is disrupted. The Momentum features a patented Vertical Contouring Toolbar (VCT) to counter this issue.
The VCT maintains the optimum position for row units in the centre of the parallel linkage’s range of motion, level to the soil, ensuring good soil contact regardless of the level on undulation.
“This is a feature that was necessary for our local environment, given the broad range of terrains we farm across,” Meehan says.
“This particular feature is assisted by a sensor controlled hydraulic system which monitors the angle of the row-unit parallel arms and adjusting accordingly to ensure the toolbar height is correct and that the arms are kept level and engaged properly with the soil.