Machine spotlight: Fendt 927 Vario tractor

Four Fendt tractors stood side-by-side at a recent demo day in southern NSW, held by Wiesner Wodonga and Walla, with horsepowers ranging from 140 all the way up to 500hp.

“The farmers love them, particularly those who have had Fendt machines for a long time,” said Wiesner principal, Chris Wiesner.

“They know the reliability is high, cost of ownership is low and they are buying long term value.”

He said the transmission in Fendt rigs is the best on the market and is continuing to prove itself over thousands of hours in the field.

“We have had people from around the region here at the demo day – the 1000 Vario is something special to see yet it is simple to drive, like all the other Fendts.”

The 270hp Fendt S4 927 Vario was in the spotlight at the demo day. While not the biggest – that crown was taken by the Fendt 1000 Vario – it has proven itself over the years in a multitude of applications in medium to large operations.

Powerful

The Fendt 927 Vario is powered by a six-cylinder 7.8-litre Deutz engine, with twin-charging by two turbochargers ensuring fuel savings.

The engine performance allows the rated speed to be reduced to 2100rpm to improve fuel efficiency and reduce noise.

The cylinder pistons are made of durable steel, making them highly stable and giving a long life.

There is automatic radiator cleaning through a reversible fan, and fuel pre-filter for reliable cold starts.

“It is a Tier 4 final engine hooked to a well proven zero to 53km/h Fendt Vario transmission with high flow rate hydraulics, programmable electronic remotes, and its own compressed air system working the functions of the pneumatic cab suspension,” Wiesner said.

“It has an air-operated park brake system and a separate air system for pumping up tyres etc.”

Tyres and traction

The VarioGrip tyre pressure regulation system provides efficiency transferred directly to the ground.

This results in up to 15 per cent more pulling power with the same horsepower.

The tyre pressure can be controlled at the push of a button in the cab through the VarioTerminal.

“Another feature of the 900 and 1000 Series is built-in ability to change the tyre pressures when moving from a tillage operation when maximum traction is required, to a high speed operation where increased tyre pressure is needed," Wiesner said.

“The operator obtains good traction from reducing tyre pressure to a higher pressure when carrying more weight at speed – all done on the go.

“Tyre wear is reduced and there is more power to the ground – fuel is not wasted through traction losses.’’

Vario transmission

The Vario transmission has four planetary gears on models over 330hp.

A reinforced four-wheel drive clutch provides 10 per cent more transmitted torque.

“It is a proven, reliable CVT transmission with an efficient drive line – we have noticed when testing the tractor with its PTO output, it would lose only 10 to 15hp through the transmission to the PTO speed shaft at the rear,” Wiesner said.

“There are no parasitic losses within the transmission, enhancing performance and saving on fuel.

“There are two ranges with range one for heavy haulage work up to 32km/h and zero to 53km/h in range two.”

Power to the PTO stub flows through a direct driveline from the transmission.

Rated speeds are attained at an engine speed below 2000rpm, thus lowering fuel consumption.

The engine speed can be increased via the rear PTO automatic and desired PTO speed can be targeted.

“In the 900 Series, Fendt offer a 540E (economy) PTO speed as well as the 1000,” Wiesner said.

“Operators can use a 540rpm PTO machine at reduced revs – the engine is only revving at about 1400 pm to get 540 out the back, making it good on fuel and it idles along quite easily.”

Ride stability and comfort

The ABS and Fendt Stability Control system ensures stable handling in all situations. The 900 Vario has anti-locking braking system – a maintenance free system comprising wet multi-disc brakes.

In off-road mode, a braking concept is enabled for driving on loose surfaces.

“The wet disc brakes are an air operated system which are light on the pedal,” Wiesner said.

The chassis has a self-levelling front axle suspension, shock load stabilising, automatic steering axle lock and the Fendt Reaction steering system.

“The independent front suspension gives the tractor the ability to get power to the ground in rough conditions,” Wiesner said.

“As an active suspension, it keeps searching for its mid-point of movement and actively increase its load pressure.”

Pneumatic cab suspension minimises vibration.

“Because it has a compressed air system driven off the engine, it utilises that to pump up the air bags in the cabin for a better ride, as compared to the springs and shock absorber of the standard system,” Wiesner said.

Comfortable and tech-laden cab

The front windscreen provides a 300-degree field of vision with a new windscreen wiper and LED lights.

The VarioTerminal has a multi-function joystick, crossgate lever for the hydraulic control units, and a membrane keypad.

The six applications within the 10-inch VarioTerminal are the tractor controls, ISOBUS implement control, camera functions, automated steering, documentation and a help function.

Up to four applications can be shown simultaneously on the screen.

Extras include a bracket for the mobile phone and a cable lead-through point in the cab.

“The new windscreen wiper moves through 300 degrees, even cleaning the lower areas on each side so the operator can see the wheels,” Wiesner said.

“Visibility and roominess have been a real selling point for these new model cabs.”

The VarioTerminal is a colour touch screen for managing the remotes, engine and transmission, which is logically laid out and easy to use.

“Auto steer can be incorporated as a split screen, and the operator can toggle between the different quads, halves or full screen,” Wiesner said.

“The air-ride seat swivels and passenger seat comfort has been enhanced.

“With the cable lead-through, at least two cameras can be mounted front and back for monitoring equipment outside of the tractor.

“Tractor management data can be transferred through the cloud – an option is the VarioDoc Pro system.”

A SectionControl VarioGuide guidance system gives the operator fully automatic maximum output control.

“The Fendt guidance system is able to talk to a number of different GPS systems so there are no excessive screens in the cabin,” Wiesner said.

“Fendt offers a Novotel receiver under the roof so it is not exposed, or a Trimble-ready receiver that can take a Trimble system signal, such as RTK.”

Some other features

The Fendt Varios have external controls for the linkage, rear PTO and one valve.

Fendt offers factory installed connection points for forced steered trailers while the ball-type coupling has been extended by 165mm and offers a 3.3 tonne vertical hitch load.

Maintenance is from ground level with easy access under the hood to the condensers, intercoolers and radiators.

Dashboard indicators alert the operator to coolant levels and when the air cleaner needs changing.

The demo tractor was shod with Michelin 710/70 R 42 tyres on the rear and Michelin 600/65 R 34 on the front.

Wiesner said rear tyre options ranged from a 480/80 R 50 for spray applications to the large 750/75 R 46 for haulage work.

“The outer duals can be removed if the tractor is needed later in the season for spreading or spraying, giving great flexibility,” he said.

“Overall, it’s a reliable, long life investment tractor with versatility to suit all sorts of applications combined with fuel efficiency.”

The Fendt S4 927 Vario is priced from $333,490, excluding GST. For more information, contact Chris Wiesner on 02 6029 2151.

Fendt S4 927 Vario specificatioms

Engine maximum horsepower: 270 hp

PTO power: 250 hp

Rated engine speed: 2200 rpm

Engine speed at maximum power: 1900 rpm

Fuel tank capacity: 600 litres

Oil change interval: Up to 500 operating hours

Transmission: Model ML260 continuously variable Vario transmission

Maxiumum speed: 53 km/h

Unladen weight: 10760 kg

Overall length: 2750 mm

Overall width: 3322 mm

Ground clearance: 3050 mm

Wheel base: 2100 mm

Track width front: 2050 mm