New Fendt 900 Vario ready for more

Fendt’s new 900 Vario large tractor range are bigger, more powerful and better connected than ever before

First launched at Agritechnica 1995, with the 260 horsepower (194kW) Fendt Favorit 926 Vario, Fendt’s 900 Vario range has long been praised for its numerous technical highlights.

Now part of US-based AGCO, the latest additions to the range continue this tradition, with the five new models (930 Vario, 933 Vario, 936 Vario, 939 Vario and 942 Vario) also boasting an extensive connectivity package, a relatively low weight and a powerful new design.

The new models sit between 296 and 415hp (221 and 309kW) (according to ECE R120), in the compact high-power tractor class, slotting neatly into the power range between the Fendt 800 Vario and the 1000 Vario.

The new top model Fendt 942 Vario sees the 900 series venture beyond 400hp (298kW) for the first time.

As a popular all-round high-power tractor, the new 900 series generation is extremely versatile in its use. Made for heavy tractive or power take-off (PTO) work like mulching, the 900 series is also suitable for transport at up to 60km/h.

The low unladen weight of just 11.7 tonnes and the integrated VarioGrip tyre pressure regulation system makes this series ideal for work with low ground pressure and high tractive power.

Thanks to its modular equipment with or without rear power lift, rear PTO, front PTO, reversing driver station and a range of hydraulic, attachment and power lift models, it is compatible with all common attachments.

NEW POWERTRAIN

Now available for order, all models in the new 900 series are equipped with an all-new MAN six-cylinder engine designed for Fendt, with a cubic capacity of nine litres and VTG turbocharger with variable turbine geometry.

The change interval for the M3677 engine oil has gone up to an unprecedented 1,000 hours. The Fendt VarioDrive powertrain builds up together with the perfectly aligned TA 300 Vario transmission.

The Fendt iD low speed concept, geared towards high power reserves, is used in the 900 series for the first time. The nominal engine speed is 1,700rpm.

During idle running, the engine speed is a cool 650rpm. The Fendt 900 Vario reaches a top speed of 60km/h at a fuel-saving 1,450rpm, 50km/h at 1,200rpm, and at 40 km/h the engine speed is just 950rpm. The maximum torque of up to 1,970 Nm is just 1,100 rpm on the top-end model Fendt 942 Vario.

The torque is distributed dynamically over the front and rear axle, depending on the ground conditions. The front axle is driven separately. The decoupling of the rear and front axle avoids tension on the road and on bends and allows full traction in the field.

Especially during cornering, the tractor is pulled around the curve by the ‘pull-in turn’ effect. The result is a small turning circle with full traction. The further development of the Fendt 900 Vario included implementing the new Emissions Stage V (EU).

The exhaust gas in the new large tractor is purified with an exhaust after-treatment system using a diesel oxidation catalyst, a diesel particulate filter and the popular selective catalytic reduction technology (SCR) to reduce nitrogen. The MAN engine works with a common rail system at an injection pressure of 2,500 bar. This high pressure optimises the combustion.

FULL CONNECTIVITY

With the new Fendt 900 Vario comes a new class of cab, the Fendt Life Cab, with all the latest connectivity to display machine data in realtime. With the basic ‘ready’ telemetry package, it has all the hardware you need to capture and send on the data for a variety of new services.

Also available as standard on all ProfiPlus models, the Fendt’s Smart Connect system lets the driver connect a tablet device to the Fendt 900 Vario via the machine’s internal WiFi.

Machine parameters, such as the tractor position, the worked area, speed, fuel consumption and engine load, are sent straight to the tablet during use. This display can be plotted on a map or as a graphical sequence for the last 60 minutes.

The tablet’s screen serves as an additional display area for the successful Varioterminal. Smart Connect assists the driver to show information that is purely for control purposes.

ISOBUS attachments are intuitively controlled on the Varioterminal. With the help of TIM (tractor implement management), the settings of the tractor and attachment optimise themselves to increase the productivity of a machine combination.

With TIM ready attachments, like the Fendt Tigo XR combi wagon, operators can control certain tractor functions like the driving speed.

As well as the Fendt 900 Vario, the TIM-ready option is available on all series with the current Varioterminal 10.4 inch (26.4cm).

FOR MORE GRIP

The new Fendt 900 Vario was designed for heavy traction work – with its popular flange or bar axle meaning it can offer a variety of different tyre combinations as well as a 60″ (1.5m) track variant for row-crop applications.

The front axle, designed to fully power the tractor, has been further developed. Maintenance-free double wishbone axles provide for hydropneumatic single-wheel suspension.

The VarioGrip tyre pressure regulation system is also available as an option for the new 900 series.

What is unique, though, is that the operator can also adjust the tyre pressure for twin tyres from the comfort of the cab on the row-crop model, even while driving, by integrating it with the vehicle’s valve and air guidance technology.

If certain parameters are preset for one type of job, the Fendt Grip Assistant, now offered for the first time for the 900 series, supports the driver in the Varioterminal – either determining the ideal ballast and the right tyre pressure at a pre-defined speed, or it can determine the best possible working speed and optimal tyre pressure if the ballast on the tractor is already fixed.

To bring the power to the ground, transfer traction and increase the footprint, a new large tyre has been specially developed for the new 900 series, with a maximum diameter of 2.20m (750/70R44).

HIGH PERFORMANCE HYDRAULICS

The new Fendt 900 Vario features a modular hydraulics system. There are two load sensing pumps (LS) with 165 or 220 litres of flow capacity.

You can also install an optional high-performance hydraulics system of 430L/min with two independent hydraulics circuits. Two autonomous axial piston pumps meet the requirements of different flow and pressure levels in the two active hydraulics circuits.

The volume flow is 220L/min at control pump one, and 210L/min at control pump two. With built-in pressure limit valves, the pumps always supply the right amount of oil in their active circuits according to the pressure. The high hydraulic power is aligned with the low-speed concept Fendt iD.

EVEN MORE EXTRAS

As well as the conventional locking system with conventional key, the 900 Vario series will also be offered to customers with a safety locking system and combined immobiliser.

This system ensures the highest level of security against machine theft and unauthorised fuel siphoning. This coded key is for the cab door, ignition lock, bonnet and fuel tank (unique for that vehicle).

The new rear and wide angle mirrors are electrically adjustable. Users can move the telescopic mirror in and out using the hotkey (button or touch) on the terminal. A mirror heater is also available as an option.

At the customers’ request, a new extendible multi-functional tool compartment was built in on the right side of the new 900 Vario to provide an individual storage solution for the driver – with room for a pull-out toolbox or a washing box with a 12-litre water tank.

The new series now offers an infotainment system as an option, operated through the tractor terminal, as well as an option for a built-in radio with all frequencies and sources (FM/AM/DAB+/HD radio). External audio sources (Bluetooth/USB/AUX-in) can also be played through the new sound sytem.

This is available in two different versions – as an infotainment package with four speakers or as a premium version with a 4.1 sound system and subwoofer integrated into the soundbar. Two antennas are built in at a 90° angle into the side window, ensuring outstanding, reliable reception.

Eight intercommunicating microphones were integrated into the sunroof for the new high-end hands-free speaking system, suppressing interference and making speech clearer.