By Peter Hill

A NEW range of dual track tractors from AGCO would normally enter the UK under the Challenger name but due to a significant switch in distribution policy they will instead be part of the Fendt range.

As AGCO managers seek to capitalise on the perceived ‘prestige’ and high performance image that Fendt now enjoys by transforming it from a tractor maker to a full-line marque, they have chosen to abandon the Challenger brand in Europe.

It’s the other way around in the US, where the tracked tractors continue to be built in the town of Jackson, Minnesota, and in some other markets where Challenger has greater presence and a strong performance image.

At the top end of the two-model range, the Fendt 1100 MT tractors merely have a new colour scheme, with features and the four power outputs from 492-646hp continuing as before.

But the 900 Vario MT line-up of three tractors represents an all-new design that brings Fendt’s CVT transmission technology to the range for the first time and some additional features intended to life performance over their predecessors and competitors.

Power outputs from the 9.8-litre, seven-cylinder AGCO Power engine are only slightly different than before at 380hp, 405hp and 431hp but the powertrain as a whole is designed to run at slower speeds to capitalise on copious quantities of torque.

The Fendt iD low engine speed concept, as first seen on the 1000 Vario wheeled tractors, aims to keep the motor operating within a speed range delivering maximum torque with minimum fuel consumption.

At 1700rpm, the rated engine speed is much lower than usual, reflecting a fuelling set-up that favours an operating speed range from 1200-1700rpm where fuel efficiency is said to be greatest.

Further fuel-cost savings are promised from the auto low idle feature that knocks the engine back to 800rpm once parked up.

More advanced Vario transmission technology is also derived from the big wheeled tractors; the VarioDrive system still has swivelling wide-angle hydraulic motors to deliver the hydrostatic element of the hydro-mechanical system.

There is no gearbox for field and travel ranges as on other Vario designs, so no stationary shifts are needed to go from maximum tractive effort in the field to a 40kph road speed with just 1550rpm on the clock when travelling from one location to another.

And at high speeds, one motor automatically disengages to eliminate oil drag losses for optimum power efficiency.

New suspension for the Mobile Trac assemblies aims to improve field and road handling and works with other new suspension elements to give the operator a more comfortable ride.

The SmartRide primary suspension connects the track units to the chassis using helical springs allowing an increase in independent track assembly movement to 260mm.

Integrated pressure surge dampers are complemented by hydraulic shock absorbers for anti-bounce damping that also limit spring travel, and a torque rod stabiliser bar providing the chassis with lateral stability.

The three idlers between the front guide wheel and rear traction wheel are now fitted on pendulum suspension allowing them to ‘twist’ as well as move up and down to help keep the traction belt in the firm contact with the surface.

Suspension has also been added for the first time to the cab, which itself is new and broadly similar inside and out to that of the 1000 Vario tractor.

That means the multi-function control console is mounted on the air suspension seat together with a 10.4in Varioterminal touch-screen display, with guidance, tractor and implement information and an ISOBUS option all available to the operator.

A high performance hydraulics package reflects the growing demands of seed drills and other folding implements needing lots of oil at key moments.

Electronic spool valves with timer and flow functions deliver up to 140-litre/min as standard but can be upgraded to 170-litre/min versions if necessary.

A further option comprises a pair of 220-litre/min load sensing pumps supplying two separate circuits that can be set up individually for a low pressure supply to a seed drill fan, for example, and a high pressure supply to hydraulic lift/lower and depth control cylinders.