Fendt Vario smashes new milestone

In 1995, Fendt launched what it claims to be the world's first tractor with a stepless variable drive developed in-house. 21 years later, in late November 2016, the company celebrated the 250,000th Vario transmission to roll off the production line.

"The stepless Vario transmission is the only transmission solution for us," says AGCO/Fendt CEO, Peter-Josef Paffen.

"At the time we consciously opted for this innovative technology and started implementing it almost right away in every range and power level.

"Due to the continuously variable drive, the tractor driver can now concentrate on what is really important; the work going on behind, in front or alongside the tractor."

With the Vario gearbox, Fendt's tractors are able to travel at speeds from 20m to 60km per hour, depending on the task at hand.

Today, the Vario transmission can be found in all Fendt tractors manufactured out of its facility in Marktoberdorf, Germany, from 50hp all the way up to 500hp.

"Whatever the operation, the customer can always carry out their work at the right speed. There's just no alternative for us," Paffen says.

To mark the milestone, Fendt will be launching its 250, 500, 700, 800 and 900 Vario tractor models in its new colour scheme, Fendt Nature Green,  with designer features.

Fendt's latest innovation, the VarioDrive transmission was installed in the range-topping Fendt 1000 Vario tractor which has swept up multiple international awards since its official launch in 2015.

The VarioDrive features a permanently variable all-wheel drive functionality and offers all the benefits of continuous driving, Fendt says. As a result, operators gain excellent traction, manoeuvrability and low fuel consumption driving the Fendt 1000 Vario.

All Fendt transmissions are developed and manufactured at its main facility at Marktoberdorf. Over 880 employees work to build 100 transmissions a day, with one drive unit rolling off the production line every six minutes.