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New Fendt 900 Vario sister of the 1050
Technology fans and enthusiasts of Fendt have been looking forward to it for a long time: the sixth generation of Fendt 900 Vario tractors. On Tuesday, July 2, the manufacturer of Marktoberdorfer will finally officially launch it. As expected, the brand has carried down many of the features of the 1000 series.
Few tractor manufacturers can count on as much attention as Fendt when a new model is introduced. Photos of the new '900er' have been floating around the internet for quite some time now. Whether or not circulated by the manufacturer itself. In North America it was already launched last month for intimates, so many details have already become clear. Fendt is now pulling the rug in Germany at a press conference where more novelties are presented, in the run-up to the world's largest agricultural machinery party in Hanover. More on that later.
Little Fendt is getting big
The sixth generation 900 series consists of 5 models. That is just as many as with the current S4 series. The smallest model (927 Vario) will be discontinued. New is the top model 942 Vario. The wheeled counterpart of the 942 Vario MT tracked tractor. The 300 hp 930 is now the entry-level model. Quite special, because in 2005 this tractor was launched as groundbreaking because it was the first standard tractor to break the 300 hp mark. With the 942 Vario, Fendt now sets the bar at a mere 400 hp.
There is some overlap in the 900 and 1000 series. The latter starts at 396 hp. If you are looking for even more (carrying) capacity and weight, you will end up with the 1000 series. The 900 steers between an agile road tractor and an all-rounder in the field. Precisely the type of tractor that European customers demand. Yet Fendt is also investing heavily in North America. Special detail: The new 900 is only sold in its own colors and no longer in Challenger yellow. That is still the case with the 1000 and crawler tractors.
Back to MAN
Under the hood you will find a big 9 liter MAN with 6 cylinders and variable geometry turbo. The fact that Fendt is returning from Deutz to MAN is a delight to fans of the brand. The older tractors were also equipped with this. They still have a rock solid image. The engine 'strums' at a maximum of 1.700 rpm but can already drive 40 km/h at 950 rpm. Top speed is 60 km/h and at 1.100 rpm, the 942 already has its maximum power of 415 hp available. Minimum speed is 650 revolutions.
This concept is also applied to the 1000 series. The VarioDrive system distributes the power to all wheels. You have 1 range and 2 pumps. The front and rear axles both have 1. This one Fendt calls TA-300. Lock and four-wheel drive are automatically engaged and disengaged. Due to a 15 centimeter longer construction, the tractor turns more tightly. The Vario of the front axle pulls the tractor through the bend.
The oil change has an interval of 1.000 hours. Fendt Care offers a maximum warranty of 8 years or 8.000 hours. The first models will roll off the production line from this month. The first series is 1.500 pieces. Fendt is known for its high power output, ever since the launch of the Favorit 626 and the Favorit 1995 Vario in 926. Given the popularity of the 1000 series, also in the Netherlands, there is undoubtedly demand for this new series. Empty it weighs 11,7 tons. That's not nothing, but keep in mind that a 1050 empty weighs 14 tons. Under 900, a maximum of 2,20 m tires in size 750/70R44 will fit.
New ministry?
Is it merely a tribute to Fendt, for which the trade press is often criticized? Not quite. For example, the brand is sticking to their X5 cabin, which has been on all 2005s since 900. The latest model has a little more space and better audio. The operation is known technique. An iPad is new, on which you as a driver can follow the telematics live. You can view all saved parameters for up to 1 hour. Are you looking for a new ministry? Then you have to go to the 300 or 700 series. The manufacturer is launching a whole new concept there: FendtOne.
The price tag of the 900 generation 6 has not yet been announced. Brace yourself! With a price tag that would suit any Ferrari, it's good to know that you can order a special unique coded key. This immobilizes the tractor and closes automatically the roof hatch and the fuel cap next to the door.
Niels van der Boom
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