Fendt teases mystery rig
New tractor, possibly a specialist model, scheduled to be dropped in ‘Autumn 2020’German farm machinery expert, Fendt, is set to unveil a brand new tractor within the next few months overseas, though not much else has been revealed on what it is.
In a minute-long teaser video posted on the company’s social media pages recently, three tractors of varying sizes can be seen shining their headlights one by one, followed by footage of livestock, vegetable farms, vineyards and fresh produce. It then ends with a tagline of “light will shine into the darkness this autumn.”
Based on several clues scattered around the video and Fendt's website, it is safe to assume that the new Fendt is a brand new specialist model. Let us explain how we came to that conclusion:
Clue number one:
From the video footage of veggie rows, vineyards, wines and orchards, Fendt could be implying that the new model has been designed to work in these applications.
Clue number two:
The third tractor in the footage, also the smallest one out of the three, is the only one that got a close up. When the video zooms in on the model, the tractor appears to have a fuel cap on its bonnet, which is a trait of Fendt’s specialist tractors where fuel tanks are mounted at the front.
Clue number three:
On its website, Fendt has announced its existing Fendt 200 Vario and Fendt 200 V/F/P Vario compact and specialist tractor ranges are entering their final sales phase, which means the range as customers know it will be phased out. Therefore, it is very likely that the mystery new tractor will be replacing the outgoing Fendt 200 series.
At the Agritechnica 2019 trade show in Germany, Fendt had on display a Fendt 200 Vario with an innovative mechanical weed control system developed in conjunction with Braun, which apparently takes over almost complete control of the tractor/implement combination without much input from the operator.
The idea is based on the notion that mechanical substrate care is gaining traction in the viticulture space in controlling weeds instead of using chemicals.
The system, which won a silver medal for innovation at Agritechnica 2019, is based on a Fendt 200 Vario housing a Braun intermediate axle frame with two-sided vertical lift. A Braun mulcher works at the rear of the tractor while a Braun VPA (Vineyard Pilot Assistant) system collects and transmits the steering data.
With this system, active intervention by the driver is only needed at the headland, Fendt said. In the vine row, all the driver has to do is control the system, making for a stress free operation.
Whether or not the new model is the next Fendt 200 and will adopt some of these innovations, remains to be seen.
Watch this space!
RELATED READS:
Fendt 942 Vario named Tractor of the Year 2020
Tags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.