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Fendt 900 series tractor.
German manufacturer Fendt has released details of its new sixth generation 900 series tractors, which will be a big focus at Agritechnica later in the year.
There are five models -- 930,933, 936, 939 and 942, delivering 296, 326, 355, 385 and 415hp, respectively, from a purpose designed straight 6-cylinder, 9.0L MAN engine as distinct from the Deutz unit in the previous series.
The group’s own AGCO Power engine was bypassed as it was physically too large for the 900 series.
Fendt uses here a strategy of low engine speed, a concept seen in the larger 1000 series. Tickover is 650rpm, 40km/h comes up at 950rpm, 50 at 1200rpm and 60km/h is achieved at 1450rpm.
Maximum engine speed is 1700rpm and maximum torque is available between 1150 and 1400rpm.
The transmission is a TA 300 Vario, and the manufacturer notes that torque is distributed dynamically between the front and rear axles, depending on ground conditions.
The front axle is driven separately, so that during turns the tractor is ‘pulled’ around the turn, resulting in a tighter turning radius while maintaining full traction.
Notably, the tractors will be available with a 60-inch track width to fit row crop work in North America.
Operating weights are 11.3 to 19 tonnes and the tractors have rear linkages which can lift 9.75 tonnes, front linkages capable of 5.6t and a choice of hydraulic pump layouts to deliver a maximum flow of 427L/min.
Up front, the tractors run on a maintenance free, double wishbone, suspended front axle with 200mm of travel.
The operator gets an air suspended seat in the air suspended cabin, with a 10.4 inch full colour VarioTerminal for machine control.
The tractors can be optioned with Fendt Connect – a telemetry system for machine management.
And ProfiPlus models are fitted as standard with Smart Connect, allowing access via iPad and the tractor’s in-built wi-fi system to data such as position, area worked, speed, fuel use and engine loading.
Options include a new locking system which uses a tractor-specific coded key for access to the cabin, ignition lock, hood and fuel locking cap.
The 900 series can be specified with the company’s VarioGrip tyre pressure regulation system, said to give up to 15% better traction and ideal for a new 750/70 R44 tyre option designed for the series.
Released in New Zealand earlier in the year, the new Fendt 600 Vario series, serving the 150-200hp category, is a compact and manoeuvrable 4-cylinder tractor with high performance and payload, at a low power-to-weight ratio.
Taking pride of place at Central Districts Field Days, the new 600 Series was Fendt’s incarnation of a compact and manoeuvrable 4-cylinder tractor in the 150-200hp sector.
Following a quarter century of production, the 100,000th Fendt 700 Vario was recently driven off the production line in Marktoberdorf, Germany.
As a sign of the times, a sharp downturn in the global demand for tractors and machinery has seen some of the global players announcing lacklustre half yearly results.
Fendt has extended its VarioDrive concept further down the power range with a totally new Vario 600, four-cylinder range.
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State farmer Pāmu (Landcorp) has announced a new equity partnership in an effort to support pathways to farm ownership for livestock farm operators.
Following a recent overweight incursion that saw a Mid-Canterbury contractor cop a $12,150 fine, the rural contracting industry is calling time on what they consider to be outdated and unworkable regulations regarding weight and dimensions that they say are impeding their businesses.
Trade Minister Todd McClay says his officials plan to meet their US counterparts every month from now on to better understand how the 15% tariff issue there will play out, and try and get some certainty there for our exporters about the future.
Brett Wotton, an Eastern Bay of Plenty kiwifruit grower and harvest contractor, has won the 2025 Kiwifruit Innovation Award for his work to support lifting fruit quality across the industry.
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