The DLV technology editors were impressed with the combination of VarioDrive stepless drive, low speed design and newly developed spring-loaded track drive. As well as the technology, the panel of judges was particularly inspired by the relatively low fuel consumption of the tracked tractor in this performance class. The editors were able to form their own impressions beforehand, seeing it in action on the field. The Agritechnica fair sees Fendt present its new Fendt 900 Vario MT – performance range 380-431 hp – to its first wide audience.
“It’s unusual for us specialist journalists to be able to award a combine harvester designed from a blank canvas,” explains Matthias Mumme, Editor in Chief of traction, awarding the best combine harvester prize to the Fendt IDEAL. Developing the combine from scratch, its designers were able to get the machine’s dimensions just right. The narrow vehicle frame of the IDEAL at just 1.40 m provides more space for even the widest tyre or crawler track options. And yet the Fendt IDEAL still complies with the current traffic regulations with maximum vehicle widths of below 3.30 m and 3.50 m. The jury’s verdict was sealed with the number of other unique technologies such as the fully automated, realtime machine adjustment, new design of grain pan and 17,100-litre grain tank with an outstanding emptying speed of 210 litres per second.
And the customers agree with the jury: in the vote for the public’s favourite for “2018 Machine of the Year”, the Fendt came out top. Over 50,000 votes were cast online – most in favour of the Fendt IDEAL. “We are especially honoured to receive the farmers’ award and it shows us that with this new high-performance combine we are addressing people’s practical requirements”, says Peter-Josef Paffen, Chairman of the AGCO/Fendt Management Board. Fendt IDEAL combines will be ready for use next harvest.
