Fendt has hit the jackpot at Agritechnica 2015 by sweeping up both Machine of the Year and Tractor of the Year titles, as well as one gold and 4 silver medals for its innovations.
The highlight at Fendt’s stand and perhaps Agritechnica this year is none other than the Fendt 1000 Vario series tractor which took out two of the most prestigious titles at the show, namely Machine of the Year 2016 and Tractor of the Year 2016.
The tractor, which was officially unveiled last year in Bavaria Germany, presents a brand new horsepower category by Fendt, and is the manufacturer’s most powerful offering yet.
Interest in the tractor at the show was apparent, with huge crowds surrounding the tractor at all times and people queuing up to get a glimpse inside the cab and to have a touch and feel of the multi award-winning machine.
According to Fendt Head of Sales Engineering Dr. Stephan Bea, the Fendt Vario 1000’s ability to put 500hp to the ground with a standard, lightweight tractor is its main appeal.
“This tractor weighs only 14 tonnes and we can use up to 21 tonnes on this tractor as a permissible load,” he says.
However, Bea adds it is the multitude of technologies available in this machine including its stepless VarioDrive transmission, Grip Assist terminal and VarioGrip tyre pressure control system that makes it a machine of the future.
“We brought a lot of technology into this tractor to bring power to the ground while giving you all the comfort,” he says.
“We really think this tractor will be successful in the European and American markets and of course in Australia as well because the machine has been created for global usage.”
Look up more details on the Fendt 1000 Vario
“We will have the first units available for customers in April and May next year and there will be bigger amounts available from September.
“I’m sure by summer 2016, the first Fendt 1000 Varios will be driving in Australian fields.”
Other Tractor of the Year winners include:
Best Utility: Massey Ferguson 5713Sl
Best of Specialised: Same Frutteto S 90.3 ActiveDrive
Golden Tractor for the Design: Valtra N174 V
Medals for innovation
Fendt’s VarioGrip Pro tyre pressure control system (pic above) which is the second generation of its VarioGrip technology introduced two years ago, has taken out a gold medal at Agritechnica for innovation.
The new system allows operators to change their tyre pressure from 0.8 bar (field) to 1.8 bar (road) in less than a minute.
“With VarioGrip it takes seven minutes which, for some people, is too long,” Bea explains.
“VarioGrip Pro can increase tyre pressure by one bar in 30 seconds. So the results and the benefits are more or less the same but the time between pressure changes has now been reduced a lot. “
Fendt also took home four silver medals at Agritechnica for its:
- VarioDrive transmission, which features a completely new drive train with an intelligent four-wheel drive.
- Grip Assistant system which assists drivers in choosing the right ballast weight or driving speed and setting the correct tyre pressure.
- 360 degree camera system which consists of four ultra-wide cameras that combine their digital recordings to one single image on the Varioterminal.
- Fendt Former 12555 X rake which Fendt claims is the first rotary hay rake with an electric motor.
Video: Carene Chong, footage credits: FendtTV