THE biggest tracked prime mover yet from Fendt is coming to the market.

Fendt’s tracked machines will now be headed by the 1100 Vario MT gang of four, which ranges from 511 to 673 hp. This makes the range-topping 1167 Vario MT the highest horsepower of any tracked tractor with a stepless transmission on the market.

There are new features designed to increase efficiency, such as the pivoting drawbar and the pivoting rear power lift, plus the completely newly developed Smart Ride+ suspension, built in to the latest range.

All have Fendt’s well-proven VarioDrive, which works in a similar fashion to those in its wheeled tractors. The only difference is that both hydromotors act on the rear axle because there’s no front axle.

This powertrain and the Fendt iD low-speed concept are already familiar from the Fendt 1000 Vario, Fendt 900 Vario and the Fendt 900 Vario MT tracked version. The low-speed concept works particularly effectively with the VarioDrive powertrain and is designed for high power reserves.

Basically, it allows the engine to operate at a fuel-saving 1500 rpm and at maximum torque of 3100 Nm. The two hydromotors of the hydrostatic mechanical powertrain in the Fendt 1100 Vario MT swivel independently of each other, but one is also automatically disconnected at high speeds when unladen to eliminate drag losses.

The Fendt 1151 Vario MT, Fendt 1156 Vario MT and Fendt 1162 MT models all use a MAN six-cylinder engine of 15.2 litres, while the daddy of them all, the 1167 Vario MT has a MAN six-cylinder engine of 16.2 litres to deliver that max power output of 673 hp.

This massive engine’s size is ideal for applications with demanding auxiliary consumers, such as the high hydraulic output of an air seeder.

Both engines meet the European Stage V emissions standard via exhaust gas recirculation, diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), diesel particulate filter (DPF) and familiar SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology. However, the service interval has been extended to 500 hours.

Tp make the most of all that power, there is a wide range of ballast options – ballasting options on the rear drive wheels, the front guide wheel, with added weights on the sides of the tracked drive and at the front using a variety of front weights.

With light ballasting and higher speeds on the field, the Fendt tracked tractor can pull the likes of a precision seeder and switch to heavy ballasting and low speeds for heavy-duty soil cultivation.

In-cab comfort comes from Fendt’s SmartRide suspension – as used in the Fendt 900 Vario MT – but it has been adapted and added to for the 1100 models. This system has two controllable hydraulic cylinders which balance out weight shifts during work.

The hydraulic cylinders can also be controlled directly from the cab to lower the vehicle at the front to allow front weights to be easily attached and detached without the need for additional devices.

As part of the tracked drive, four central track rollers are suspended to flexibly follow the ground contours to maximise traction. These feature a ring made with a patented polyurethane connection, which is more resistant to heat and tearing, thus increasing the service life of the tracks.

Also similar to the Fendt 900s is a high-performance hydraulic system with two optional load sensing pumps of 220 l/min apiece. These can supply two separate circuits and reach max flow rate at 1700 rpm.

With the two LS pumps fitted, it can always provide the right oil pressure and the right amount of oil thanks to a demand-led control system. This reduces throttle losses and improves efficiency.

A special feature is an exclusive pivoting, swinging drawbar and pivoting rear power lift. The drawbar can be swivelled 28° in either direction, while the pivoting rear power lift, with three-point suspension, has a movement radius of 12° in both directions.

This means the pivot point of any attachment moves to the tractor’s natural pivot point and the attachment runs with much more directional stability in combination with a tracking system. If there is an obstacle on the field dragging the attachment on the side, the attachment can swerve around it without the tracked tractor leaving the track. It also means less power is required for steering and there is reduced wear with an attendant lower fuel consumption.

As with wheel tractors, the Fendt VarioGuide tracking system is available for the Fendt 1100s. Depending on the guidance system and correction services, this can work to an accuracy of 2-20 cm.

Customers can choose between the Trimble receiver and the new generation of NovAtel receiver, the latter of which can also receive signals from Chinese Beidou satellites, bringing a potential of about 30 satellites being used.

Driver’s can expect the trusted cab from the Fendt 900 Vario MT, with most controls monitored on the Varioterminal 10.4-inch touchscreen. That’s allied tp the familiar Fendt multifunction armrest and built-in joystick.