FENDT'S 500 Vario tractors have just been given an IT makeover, making them just about the most technically suited and booted smaller tractor in the market.

The four-cylinder tractor series ranges from 125-165 hp and now features Fendt's well-known operating interface in the VisioPlus cab, which has had many updates.

Now achieving the standard Tier 4 final emissions standards, the 500 Varios now can come additional options gleaned from the high-horsepower tractors.

Innovations such as the new VarioGuide guidance system, the full glass front terminal, the 1000E pto, a 300° front wiper, LED work lights, optional immobiliser and a flange or stub axle, are now available to further down the Fendt food chain.

Fendt now uses electronically-controlled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) with map-controlled AdBlue injection and an auxiliary engine oil heat exchanger in the 500 Vario to keep emissions clean.

It reckons that using this new approach, AdBlue consumption can by reduced by up to 50% compared to the previous model. Power comes from a 4.04-litre four-cylinder Deutz engine with common rail injection and the tried and tested Fendt SCR technology.

In the ProfiPlus variant, the VarioGuide guidance system – which has only been available in high-horsepower tractors until now – is fitted. With this, owners can choose between two different receivers to match their requirements and local circumstances.

An entry-level variant is the NovAtel receiver with the correction services EGNOS/WAAS, RTK via radio or NTRIP. This Trimble receiver also supports further services and depending on the guidance system and correction services, it works with an accuracy of 20cm to 2cm.

Also filtering down is Varioterminals 7-B and 10.4-B in smartphone. These have LED backlighting and a scratch-proof, one-piece glass surface.

In addition to operating the basic tractor functions, the Varioterminal 7-B also can control ISOBUS-capable implements and program the VariotronicTI headland management. The 10.4-B adds two camera ports, the VarioGuide guidance system, VarioDocPro documentation system and data transfer per Bluetooth, with three different display modes.

Out back, the optional 1000E rear pto means that implements with a high speed requirement can be operated fuel-efficiently. According to Fendt, up to 7% fuel can be saved during pto operations.

The latest Fendt 500 Varios have a low vehicle weight of 6.1 tonnes and a 4.4-tonne payload and the rear axle has been beefed up to cope with a tonne more loading, at 8.5 tonnes.

A Fendt front loader is available from the factory in two different versions – Fendt Cargo or Fendt CargoProfi, with the latter offering an integrated weighing, shake and memo function.

Another selling point is the VisioPlus cab, with its distinctive curved front window – just don't break it! This has been reworked in several areas, including a wider operating front wiper, modern LED work lights of 37,000 lumens and a super comfort 'intelligent' seat.