The has always been the sort of tractor that turns heads. And now, with the arrival of the Gen 5, the legend gets a facelift that’s more than just a bit of Botox.
This beast is targeted at New Zealand contractors who want maximum productivity, minimum downtime, and enough technology to make your smartphone jealous. Whether you’re a tractor enthusiast, a farmer with delusions of grandeur, or someone who simply likes big numbers and bigger tyres, then cometh on this reading journey my friends.
Engine
The new Fendt Gen 5 800 Series feature three models – the 260hp 826, the 290hp 829 and the range-topping 320hp 832. All benefit from 23hp of a ‘boost’ feature, which is aptly named Fendt Dynamic Performance.
Like all things Fendt, it is in its class of its own. Dynamic Performance works when stationary using the PTO, at low speeds and high speeds, only increasing progressively when it is needed – totally focused on the lowest possible fuel consumption. For example, if you want the aircon on while under heavy load, it will only use the amount of boost needed to use the air conditioning. It’s not simply an on/off function based on forward speed, PTO or engine load – clever.
Speaking of engine load, the new Fendt 800 Series does away with the Deutz engine and now has the CORE 80 AGCO Power 8L, 6-cylinder lump of glorious metal. This allows for the Fendt iD engine concept to be brought to the forefront. This low rpm/high torque combo means less wear, more tear – wait, scratch that, just less wear thanks to the engine only revving from 700 to 1700 RPM. Despite having a laser focus on fuel economy, the 540L tank will ensure those long workdays are well catered for.
Concentric fan
The concentric fan is a stroke of genius. It’s quieter, more efficient and hydrostatic, so only uses fuel when required. Unlike conventional radiators, the concentric fan forces air through the radiator. This also allows for a slim waist to maintain a tight turning circle. Additionally, it works as a reverse fan while cleverly also automatically cleaning the cab and engine air filters as you drive.
Transmission
The VarioDrive transmission system throws in seamless power shifting between axles and is another pillar of the new Fendt operating system. In this instance, it’s 0.02km/hr to 60 km/hr (optional) of seamless brilliance. The significance of the VarioDrive system is its two hydraulic motors controlling the front and rear axle independently of each other. This means you have variable four-wheel-drive up to 25km/hr, the pull in turning effect with no scuffing, and reducing the turning circle by 10% – but more significantly, you have no lead, there’s no power drain and you have full tractive power on both axles at all time.
Think that’s good? Another astounding fact about the VarioDrive is that it has a 4000 hour/4-year service interval on the transmission. That’s thanks to the hydraulic and transmission oil being separate, with a 2000-hour service interval on the hydraulic oil. This is purely designed to keep the cost of ownership low.
Hydraulics and Rear Linkage
Right: Five steps to plushness
Hydraulic capacity? You want numbers? We’ve got numbers! The Fendt Gen 5 delivers with three options. You can choose from the 165L/min pump, the 220L/min pump or the hydraulic equivalent of having your cake and eating it too with the dual pump set up of 385L/min. This means you can have a maximum of eight spools – six on the rear and two on the front plus the front linkage. Relief levers are standard on the rear couplers and have a max flow rate of 170L per minute out of the spool itself, so hauling your heaviest cultivator or the trailer full of silage won’t cause any existential crises.
In terms of lift capacity, the rear lift capacity is 10.5T with 5.3T on the front. The front linkage arms are the tried-and-tested short-but-strong design, which make 800 Series tractors a familiar sight on silage stacks around the country thanks to the inherent strength and the quick forward/reverse shuttling of the Vario transmission.
Operator environment
Featuring FendtONE and the gadget parade. Inside this cab, everything is the premium version and when I say premium, I mean premium like the Ritz in here. Comfort? There is comfort to the max – with air cab suspension, heated, air conditioned and the added massaging feature means this is literally the most comfortable tractor seat money can buy. Trust me, you won’t want to get out of it at the end of the day.
FendtONE Operating and Data Management System: this covers both the onboard machine control and guidance (including high-speed guidance of up to 40km/hr). Our test machine had the dual monitor setup allowing you to easily switch displays between both touchscreens. If you don’t need the second one, it simply slides up into the headlining. The armrest has more functionality than the Artemis rocket that recently circumnavigated the moon. Offboard functionality includes data management, enables seamless digital recording, analysis, and transfer of field data for documentation and farm planning.
Lights
Right: The 114,700 lumens of lighting power
It’s not often we specifically talk lights, but the ‘Pioneering 360⁰’ package where the LED lights have 114,700 lumens and four configurable settlings is a worthy mention. Now this sounds like a lot, so I did some research to get some gauge on exactly what that looks like. Turns out that is enough to light up a whole tennis court for competitive games – not just your backyard Thursday night tennis where middle-aged punters go to take advantage of the cheap after match beverages – this is stadium quality lighting folks!
Other features with mentioning
VarioGrip lets you adjust tyre pressure on the go. This means softer for mud, harder for tarmac. Net result – you don’t get bogged down, and you save fuel and tyre wear.
The tractors come with Fendt Stability Control (FSC), which reduces sensitivity as the speed increases so it’s not like driving a Formula One car on the road. It also has Trailer Brake Assistant (TBA), which monitors how much the trailer is pushing the tractor around and automatically adjusts the braking pressure to match. This happens before you’ve even thought about touching the brakes.
Digital bonnet and rear cameras provide high resolution views for safer operation and easier implement hitching.
With a maximum permissible weight of 17,500kg, you have over 7.5T of implement carrying capacity, another fantastic feature.
Verdict
The Fendt Gen 5 800 Series isn’t just a tractor, it’s a productivity machine and a technological marvel, with engine power, transmission wizardry, hydraulic muscle, and a cab that would make NASA jealous. Tech features turn fieldwork from science into art. This machine is for the purists, the Lotto winners and those who have a knack of convincing their significant other that spending this sort of money on a tractor is a grand idea. I mean I’m all for it – all power to you brother (or sister), all power to ya, #YOLO!
