For MF and Fendt
Agco launches new mega combine harvester
The parent company of Massey Ferguson, Fendt and Challenger has introduced a new range of combines: the Ideal. There are 3 models, with the largest model producing 647 hp. Everything about the combine is monstrously large. In its black-grey 'graphite' styling, it also stands out enormously.
Just when you think the limits of technology have been reached in combine harvesters, another manufacturer comes along and proves otherwise. It was not unknown that Agco was working on a large combine. Spy photos had been doing the rounds for several years. This summer there were a striking number of new combines in the field, equipped with camouflage stripes, making them even more noticeable.
MAN engines
Monday September 4, the curtain of the new Ideal series was drawn at the renovated factory in Breganze, Italy. There are 3 models, named Ideal 7, 8 and 9. They are good for 451 hp, 538 hp and 647 hp. The smallest model contains an Agcopower 9,8 liter engine. The 2 larger ones do it with a 12,4 and 15,2 liter block from MAN. This means that Agco does not have the strongest combine in their line-up. New Holland is coming with a machine that delivers 700 hp. There wrote we already have in June.
Biggest project ever
Development manager Adam Sherriff calls it the biggest new development ever within the company in terms of harvesting technology. The final version was preceded by 6 years and 45 prototypes. Good for more than €335 million in costs. It is immediately clear that Agco wants to gain a firm foothold in Western Europe, where it has never been able to keep up with Claas, New Holland and John Deere. Especially the first 2 it has formidable competition.
Huge threshing rotors
The heart of the machine is the new Dual Helix threshing system with 2 rotors. Measuring 4,84 meters in length, the combine according to Agco has 31% more screening capacity than any other machine currently on the market. For comparison: On the New Holland CR, the rotors measure 2,63 meters. At Claas this is 4,2 metres.
According to the manufacturer, the power requirement of the rotors is relatively low. The threshing area is 1,66 square meters. The Ideal 7, the smallest model, has 1 threshing rotor instead of 2. It is also not available with the largest grain tank. There are 3 versions: standard, Paralevel (with tilt) and T for tracks.
A high threshing capacity requires a large grain tank. It is standard 12.500 liters and optionally 17.100 liters. The largest on the market. This roughly means that you are constantly carrying a 14-ton tipper with you. To quickly empty the tank, there is an unloading auger that spits out 210 liters per second. It's huge, just like the rest of the machine. The auger has a standard capacity of 140 litres.
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The grain tank holds up to 17.100 litres. This includes a gigantic unloading auger, which can handle 210 liters per minute.
Electronic tricks
As you would expect from a machine in this class, electronics take many functions out of the driver's hands. The competitors have also developed a lot in that regard. Ideal harvest uses 52 sensors and a grain quality camera to adjust the rotor and fan speed and set the sieves. In this way, the maximum capacity is always sought.
Agco's proprietary Fuse technology uploads yield maps to the cloud. You can set the machine via the touchscreen terminal, or via an app on your smartphone or tablet. Unique is that you can virtually follow the crop through the combine.
3,3
meter
New track undercarriage
In addition to all the impressive figures, the manufacturer claims that it is 80 meters wide on the road on 3,3 centimeters tires. Option is the new TrakRide track undercarriage with 66 centimeters tracks. His weight has not been disclosed. However, even that figure is probably huge. Especially when you take almost 14 tons of wheat with you.
The Vision cab is also new. An automatic coupling system for the 12,2 meter Powerflow header is available. Hydraulics and electronics are connected automatically from the cab. Belts and chains have been used as little as possible throughout the machine. That means less maintenance and less fuel consumption, it is said. In total there are 13 v-belts on the combine.
Any color, as long as it's black
At least as special is the brand strategy that Agco has in mind. The combine remains black-grey. This makes him look a lot like the Gleaner combine, which the American group also has in their ranks. Whether you're dealing with an MF, Fendt or Challenger, you can tell by the chrome logos and a subtle stripe. For Western Europe you can come across an MF or Fendt version.
The new machine is a real European machine, 60 customers in 12 countries were interviewed. For Europe, among others in France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Poland. In addition, a survey was conducted among 500 users, which, according to the manufacturer, means that this machine fully meets customer requirements.
A limited series will be available from 2018 onwards. The real sale will follow from 2019. Undoubtedly, the price tag is also hefty. It is not yet known what that will be exactly.
The combine is only available in the 'graphite' styling as Agco calls it. A chrome-plated logo and subtle stripes reveal whether it is an MF or Fendt.
Niels van der Boom
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