LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The big Canada-only Fendt comes with enough horsepower to rival what was once considered articulated-only territory and reduces fuel consumption in the process.
While Tier 4 compliance might have prompted equipment companies to change their 2014 lineups, many are using the opportunity to improve their offerings. The new Fendt 936 pushes out up to 360 h.p. at the drawbar and 300 at the power take-off. (Sorry American readers, it’s only available in Canada. The U.S. model is 10 percent smaller).
Conor Bergin of Agco Fendt said the new Deutz engines produce more power than their predecessors and are more fuel and diesel exhaust fluid efficient as well.
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The Tier 4 final engines in combination with the computer guided constant velocity transmissions allow the new versions of the 936 to take advantage of a new set of torque curves that rise earlier and remain on the increase as the throttle opens.
A pair of turbochargers feed the system, allowing for steady boost growth for both low and high speed air intake. The 29,000 pound per square inch, common rail fuel injection system is fed by a fuel pump with three pumps. To improve cylinder loading, evacuation and sealing the heads have new valve seat angles.
To get the power with fewer emissions, a combination of selective catalyst reduction, cooled exhaust recirculation, hence the need for the second turbo, and soot filter are used.
Getting more performance from an engine means more heat, and the 7.75 litre engines in the 900 series Fendts get oil cooling for the new steel pistons.
A bigger cooling system keeps the engines and hydraulics colder and an optional reversible pitch fan can keep the units clean automatically. The DEF tank is now located inside the diesel one.
In the same horsepower range as the 936 Vario are Agco’s new Massey and Challenger models, leaking at about 370 drawbar h.p. using Agco engines, New Holland’s T8 at a maximum of 410, CaseIH has the 340, which also reaches 410 and Deere’s 370 h.p. 8R.
Several manufacturers, including Fendt say the new, high horsepower front-wheel assist tractors are targeted beyond the traditional row crop market in the U.S. and Europe. In Western Canada, the added power is adequate for use with many air seeding tools and grain cart operations. It also offers better resale opportunities than articulated tractors, say the companies.
Reid Hamre of Agco said that in North America the Fendt tractors used to be largely purchased by farmers that had moved from Europe.
“They knew the value of the ma-chines and wanted that combination of comfort and utility,” he said.
Hamre said marketing the Fendt has been getting easier in North America as competing tractors often offer as options some of the basic features offered on the Fendt machines.
“Front suspension is something that has been part of the Fendt for many years. For a price now you can buy it for your Deere or Case,” he said.
Hamre said the Fendt has also become more popular as the agricultural economy has improved. He said it has kept some older farmers active and they are looking to invest in their tractors.
“More comfortable owner-operator hours means less fatigue. That also translates into more acres from staff,” he said.
“And when you compare them to the competition you find they are similarly priced, with much better resale values. Dealers often have lists of folks looking for used models.”
