The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Deutz-fahr, Fendt and John Deere add to tech tracks
New tech and increased performance characterise the latest releases from tractor manufacturers as they seek to provide farmers with greater productivity and enhanced digital resources.
Deutz-fahr 6 Series TTV tractors spanning 161hp to 188hp, for example, have updated software for the imonitor touch-screen display with added precision farming capabilities, while John Deere’s latest 100hp to 135hp 5M models sport a built-in guidance display.
Fendt, meanwhile, is rolling out the all-new 600 Vario range in Britain this summer, highlighting its unique engine and transmission combination within the 150-200hp class.
The TTV models in Deutz-fahr’s 6 Series continue to offer farms a choice of four-cylinder and longer wheelbase sixcylinder tractors with the same power outputs, depending upon whether users prefer the ultimate nippy manoeuvrability of the former or the greater stability with heavy implements offered by the latter.
All have a stepless transmission comprising the ZF Eccom unit and Deutz-fahr control software, and as an anticontamination measure, lubricating oil for the transmission is kept separate from the service hydraulics.
A welcome change for operators with big tipping trailers is a 50% increase in oil capacity to 60 litres, so there is more to draw out into long tipping cylinders.
Also, instead of forcing all-electric valves on operators, buyers can now choose a combination of electric and leveroperated valves.
Faster and smootherrunning re-designed graphics for the imonitor touch-screen used for setting-up and control functions is part of an upgrade package that also includes better A-B line and flag point guidance management, simplified Tasks workflow, more part-width sections for spraying, spreading and drilling, and the ability to run variable rate maps for two implements at once.
A neat little display built into the dashboard is included with John Deere 5M tractors when equipped with Autotrac satellite guidance, saving the added cost of installing a separate touch-screen display.
The package includes a roof-mounted Starfire satellite signal receiver, 15cm accuracy SF1 correction signal, and memory for up to 10 straight A-B lines, but for added functionality this can be upgraded to Autotrac Complete with the new G5 display, straight line, curve and
circle guidance, and online guidance routing set-up.
The tractors have gained 10hp in terms of engine output, a more powerful 135hp version, and two transmission options to complement the basic Powrreverser 16x16 or 32x16 installation.
John Deere users will be familiar with the 16x16 Powrquad Plus with its four powershift steps in each range but not the new Powr8, which as its name suggests has eight clutchless powershifts for greater speed control versatility within a 32x16 configuration.
Effective transmission of power and torque is a big focus for the Fendt 600 Vario tractors, which sport a new five-litre fourcylinder AGCO Power engine, and separate drivelines for the front and rear axles.
Variodrive, which was first seen on Fendt’s bigger 1000 Vario and 900 Vario tractors, features one hydrostatic drive motor per axle within the transmission casing, and automatic monitoring and adjustment of the amount of power and torque delivered to each axle.
The idea is to distribute the muscle according to traction levels and the type of work being done, with a clutch engaging to connect both drivelines in extreme conditions.
Having the correct front axle “lead” is no longer an issue and the front of the tractor is pulled through turns for a tight turning circle with minimal surface scuffing.
The new engine, meanwhile, is reckoned to have fewer components and be more fuel-efficient than its predecessors; and it is tuned to Fendt’s lowspeed philosophy, rated speed being 1,900rpm, max torque being available from 1,200rpm, and 50kph being attainable at 1,250rpm.
Power boost, delivering up to 15hp on top of the regular outputs of 149hp, 169hp, 189hp and 209hp, is also unusual in compensating for pretty much any power draw rather than just mobile pto, transport or highdemand hydraulics