Fendt is entering the harvester market for the first time in Australia and New Zealand with the introduction of the IDEAL combine harvester range.
Built at AGCO’s European Harvesting Centre of Excellence in Breganze, Italy, the Fendt IDEAL is a combine that has been designed and engineered from the ground up.
AGCO has worked closely with a team of experts and developed each aspect so that it gives perfect results in the most demanding harvesting conditions, the company says.
Special attention has been paid to efficiency, grain and straw quality, reliability, easy and logical user-friendliness, as well as an innovative sensor technology for optimal machine setting.
“We’re very excited to be offering the Fendt IDEAL combine harvester into the ANZ region”, AGCO Product Marketing Manager for Harvesting Jake Kerr says.
“The Fendt IDEAL is a high capacity and technology-leading combine that aligns perfectly with Fendt’s positioning in the professional broad-acre sector.
“Fendt has a proven history with professional growers who are seeking the best machine to deliver the best results and that’s what they’ll get with the Fendt IDEAL combine”, Kerr says.
AGCO has developed the IDEAL Combine range in four models ranging from 451 to 790 hp.
The Fendt IDEAL 8, 9 and 10 feature high-performance MAN engines, and the IDEAL 7 features an AGCO power engine, which ensures maximum output together with efficient fuel consumption, the company says.
The Class 7, 8 and 9 models are available now for both Massey Ferguson and Fendt.
Class 10 will be available for pre order for 2021 and will be Fendt only.
Helix threshing unit and separating system
Excellent grain quality and efficient acreage capacity are essential for the perfect harvest.
That’s what the new Fendt IDEAL combine series offer with its unique Helix threshing unit and separating system.
All grains are separated cleanly without negatively impacting on the straw quality, due to the longest rotor on the market today with its impressive 4.84 m length and 600 mm diameter.
In order to handle the harvest with as much care as possible, and to ensure a constant load on the rotor, the intake augers, threshing bars and rotor fingers are arranged in a spiral around the rotor.
The processor requires much less power and significantly increases the output and machine efficiency with perfect straw and grain quality, the company says.
It also features easy modification to suit any harvesting conditions. The IDEAL 8, 9 & 10 work with the Dual Helix threshing unit with 2 rotors, whilst the IDEAL 7 works with the Single Helix threshing unit and 1 rotor.
Two grain pans
An additional innovation of the Fendt IDEAL combine is the installation of two grain pans at the front of the threshing unit, meaning that the front end of the preparation floor can already be filled with crop.
The rear grain pan catches the material from the separation area, and distributes it in the rear area. The entire length of the preparation floor is therefore fully utilised and the crop is evenly distributed and efficiency maximised.
The curve of the two grain pans also allow optimal and consistent output even on slopes.
Losses on gradients of up to 15 per cent are reduced in comparison with conventional combines, which means the operator does not have to make additional adjustments.
WavePan system
The Ciclone cleaning system, together with the exclusive IDEALbalance have been redesigned to further increase the cleaning capacity of the new IDEAL 10T which features a 4-channel cleaning system.
The WavePan system with a curved double cascade, provides a wider air outlet, which can significantly increase the air volume. This makes the cleaning system more efficient; with most short straw and chaff is separated from the grain on the first drop between preparation floor and intermediate floor.
High capacity grain tank
The Fendt IDEAL is equipped with one of the largest grain tanks on the combine market today. It has a capacity of 17,100 litres.
The key to an effective harvest chain is the fastest discharge rate on the market at 210 litres, which the company says is 15 per cent faster than the nearest competitor.
This means that the operator does not have to drive back and forth to fill the wagon evenly.
The Fendt IDEAL has a new ScrollSwing control and when in use, the discharge tube can be moved back and forth during transfer with great precision using the wheel on the multi- function joystick. The hydraulic adjustment of the discharge rate through the streamer gates also helps create the ideal unloading process, the company says.
Ideal dimensions
The narrow vehicle frame of just 1.40 metres provides more space for even the widest tyres and crawler track options. The Fendt IDEAL therefore complies with the current traffic regulations with maximum vehicle widths of below 3.30 and 3.50 metres.
With a maximum vehicle width of 3.30 metres with the 26″ TrakRide crawler track; the Fendt IDEAL creates a contact area of 2.55m² and therefore ensures low ground pressure.
AutoDock for quick coupling
AGCO has developed the automatic AutoDock header docking system, which allows the operator to couple the table to the IDEAL combine quickly and safely from the convenience of the cab, and by the push of a button on the terminal, you can complete electrical and hydraulic coupling in just five seconds.
The automatic header docking works through an RFID code, the Ag Tag which can be fitted to all headers (optional).
The combine automatically recognizes the header in question. In the Varioterminal 10.4″ menu, the RFID code retrieves the last settings for the table – such as dimensions and sensitivity settings for the automatic header control- shifting the onus away from the operator.
For healthy output, the crop must be fed smoothly to the combine. The new SuperFlow table, which is available for the Fendt IDEAL combine now with a maximum operating width of 40 foot, offers just this.
IDEALharvest system
The IDEALharvest system was developed specially for the high-performance Fendt IDEAL combine.
It sends the capacity status of the threshing unit and cleaning in real time to the combine using Mass Acoustic Detection sensors (MADS).
The sensors are fitted along the rotors and the shaker shoe, and detect the flow of crop within the machine as well as any losses which occur.
Using the MAD sensors in combination with the grain quality camera, allows grain losses, percentage of cracked grain, and grain purity to be displayed.
The operator can look at the iPad display in real time to see whether more material can be found in the front or on the right of left of the processor.
With the aid of the SmartConnect app, they can select his customised harvest strategy between cracked grain, grain loss and purity, within a triangle adjustment displayed on the iPad.
The operator also sets the ratio between machine output and quality.
The machine then adjusts itself on a continuous basis based on these settings, and reacts in real time to changing harvest conditions. For example, the system can automatically adjust the grain separation and the rotor speed if cracked grains occur.
In the cabin
The spacious cabin provides outstanding visibility and user- friendly controls.
Developed from ground up, the Fendt IDEAL comes in a completely new design from any conventional combine.
The new option IDEALdriveTM, means there is no need for a steering column. Instead of using a steering wheel, you control the combine harvester with a joystick on the left armrest.
The joystick’s control and intuitive response are proportional to the driving speed and the steering lock angle on the wheel, so it is easy and safe to control in every situation.
Together with the unprecedented visibility, IDEALdriveTM increases also the operator’s comfort; as university studies confirm that the system reduces the muscle activity by 65 per cent compared to a conventional steering wheel.