Fendt 900 Vario Marks 50,000 Units With Anniversary Edition
Fendt's 900 Vario was unveiled at Agritechnica 1995 and has since gone on to become a popular choice for farmers and contractors worldwide.
While telescopic handlers are increasingly popular on New Zealand farms, the arrival of German tractor maker Fendt in the sector takes things to a higher level – literally in the case of the operator.
Fendt had desired to be a ‘long-liner’, and the cargo designation had already been ‘pinned’ to the company’s frontloaders. Now a T-designation marks the arrival of its first telehandler.
Built in a co-operation with the German builder Sennebogen Machinefabrik – known for its port cranes and HD telescopic handlers – Fendt’s Cargo T955 has a maximum load capacity of 5.5 tonnes with a lift height of up to 8.5m.
Its standout feature is a unique lifting cabin that also has vibration damping.
It has the key advantages of a conventional telehandler – reach, overall lift height, low body height and high manoeuvrability.
And its cabin can rise in tandem with the telescopic arm to a maximum height of 4.25m, giving an exceptional view of the job at hand. It has no dashboard to obstruct the lower part of the front screen, so there’s floor to ceiling visibility -- particularly useful when placing loads at high levels or filling high-sided trailers or truck bodies.
Fendt says that even raising the cabin by 20 to 30 cms from its normal ‘parked’ position gives visibility only normally achieved by heavy duty, wheeled loading shovels.
It weighs a hefty 11.8 tonnes, is powered by a 4-cylinder 165hp engine, has a 200L/min hydraulic system, 40km/h road speed and 2.4 tonnes lift capacity at maximum reach.
Rural News has yet to learn on whether the Cargo T955 will be available on the New Zealand market.
A Palmerston North shearer has been sentenced to six months' community detention and 12 months' supervision after being found to have physically abused three lambs while shearing them.
Power Farming has launched a joint venture in Southland.
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As we move into the second half of 2026, the Tractor and Machinery Association (TAMA) reports that Year-to-Date figures ending June 30 saw new tractor deliveries hitting 1,386 units or 10.7% ahead of the same period in 2025.
The avocado sector is entering the new season with a larger crop and positive market opportunities.
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