Fendt Australia gains Momentum

First, it was the IDEAL combine and now the Momentum planter as Fendt continues its product expansion streak Down Under.

The Fendt Momentum planter has been offered in Europe for some time but will be available in Australia for the very first time in 2021.

In fact, the first Momentum planter has already arrived in the country and will be put through its paces in different conditions, soil types and terrains to ensure it is suitable for the local market.

“For us, it’s important to have completed rigorous testing, evaluation and demonstration across the region and with a variety of crop types before final full public release,” said AGCO Australia and New Zealand Director of Marketing, Fergal Meehan.

“This way, we have first-hand feedback for our customers and can equip our teams across the country with the best knowledge.”

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There will be eight models of the Fendt Momentum available in Australia with a variety of rows and spacing.

The row offering will span 16 and 48 rows while spacing will be between 38 and 76cm.

“We believe that with the range of models available the Fendt Momentum will be able to suit a wide variety of farming applications, including areas where planters may not be traditionally used,” Meehan said.

“Farmers in Australia are constantly innovating and they look beyond the local markets for new technology. As such they have been observing the use of the Fendt Momentum overseas and were keen to apply the technology to the local market, especially for broadacre crops like canola and sorghum with the potential for use with cereals in the future.”

All Fendt Momentum models utilise the latest technology from Precision Planting to plant each seed at the optimal depth and spacing.

“What sets this machine apart from its counterparts is the technology it harnesses, one example being the Speed Tube,” Meehan said.

“This allows for the precision planting of the seed at very high speed because if there is row unit bounce, it doesn't affect seed spacing as the seeds are contained within a flighted belt, keeping them in place.

“When seeds are under control, speed can be increased without sacrificing accuracy and enabling speeds of up to 16km/h.”

Other Precision Planting technology available on the Fendt Momentum range include vSet2/vDrive meters, 20/20 Gen3 Seedsense monitor system and the Deltaforce Automatic Hydraulic downforce system.

The Fendt Momentum also features smart technology such as a unique weight management system which balances load across the planter depending on the current weight of product on board. Coupled with a staggered wheel placement complete with tyre pressure monitor, the Fendt Momentum adjusts air pressure downwards to ensure minimal compaction and allows pressure to be added for transport.

The Momentum also features a patented Vertical Contouring Toolbar (VCT) that keeps the planter in contact with the ground at all times regardless of the terrain it is working on. The VCT maintains the optimum position for row units in the center of the parallel linkage’s range of motion, level to the soil ensuring good soil contact even in undulating terrain.

“This is a feature that was necessary for our local environment, given the broad range of terrains we farm across,” Meehan explained.

“This particular feature is assisted by a sensor controlled hydraulic system which monitors the angle of the row-unit parallel arms and adjusting accordingly to ensure the toolbar height is correct and that the arms are kept level and engaged properly with the soil.”

The Fendt Momentum is scheduled to be available for retail purchase from Autumn 2021.