Cover story: Fendt 700 Gen 7 Series

Date: 24.11.2022

The newest seventh-generation Fendt 700 Series of tractors is inspired by the needs and ideas of customers, striving to develop a tractor that leaves nothing to be desired

A powerful performer across a range of tasks

Like all great dynasties, each generation is a developmental progression of the one before. The release of the much anticipated seventh-generation Fendt 700 series Vario tractor is steeped in the prestigious Fendt heritage, built on decades of Fendt expertise while delivering an impressive all-new design from the ground.

Gathering the technology, innovation, and carefully considered design elements from the past almost 25 years, the newest seventh-generation Fendt 700 Series of tractors is inspired by the needs and ideas of customers – striving to develop a tractor that leaves nothing to be desired.

First launched in 1998, the Fendt 700 Vario has won numerous awards around the globe and been Fendt’s best-selling tractor range ever since.

The Fendt 700 Series is a valuable all-rounder

Customers all over the world have come to depend on the proven reliability that comes with the Fendt brand. The extreme versatility of the 700 series tractor has seen models of the previous generations of the 700 Vario tractors on farms and roads throughout New Zealand.

The new generation

Technical innovations from the new models, such as VarioDrive and the innovative cooling concept, lead to ground-breaking manoeuvrability in this class. And so, the Fendt 700 Vario sets new standards once again.

In its seventh generation, the new range with five models (Fendt 720 Vario, 722 Vario, 724 Vario, 726 Vario, and Fendt 728 Vario) occupies the power range from 203 to 283 hp (147 to 206 kW; ECE R120).

Comfort and convenience is assured in the latest FendtOne cab

The Fendt Dynamic Performance (DP) extra power concept releases up to 20hp of extra power in the Fendt 728 Vario DP via a demand-dependent control system precisely when it’s needed. The top model achieves a maximum performance of up to 303hp. The extra power concept is not tied to driving speed or special application pick-ups and functions purely dynamically, even when PTO work is carried out at a standstill.

The new engine, the optional 60-inch track width, FendtONE onboard and offboard, and a new generation of the Fendt Cargo front loader distinguish the series as a valuable all-rounder for New Zealand farmers.

Also, for the first time, the 700 Vario is available with up to 60km/h road speed.

High tractive power with economical fuel consumption

The innovative low-speed Fendt iD concept, familiar on the 900 and 1000 series tractors, is now offered on the new 700 Gen7 tractors, with the engine, transmission, hydraulics, and cooling system designed to operate on the "high torque - low engine speed" principle.

In this way, the Fendt 700 Vario achieves high torque even at low engine speeds, resulting in significant fuel savings and a rated engine speed of only 1700rpm.

In the main working range, the speed is a quiet 1400 to 1700rpm. The new Fendt 726 and 728 Vario reach a top speed of up to 60km/h at just 1450rpm. At 50km/h, the engine speed is 1200rpm; at 40 km/h, it’s only 950rpm. The maximum torque of 1450Nm on the top model Fendt 728 Vario is achieved at just 1300rpm and ensures high tractive power and acceleration strength with minimal specific fuel consumption.

Additionally, the Fendt 700 Gen7 tractor is developed as a high performer, with flexibility and the careful use of resources and the environment in mind. Meeting the need for low emissions, exhaust gas after-treatment takes place via a diesel oxidation catalytic converter (DOC), diesel particulate filter (DPF), and with selective catalytic reduction (SCR) without the need for exhaust gas recirculation. Rounding off the impressive package is the maintenance-free hydraulic tappets that are installed in the engine.

Coupled with the new engine is an all-new VarioDrive transmission, building on Fendt’s revolutionary Vario transmission and taking cues from the higher horsepower 900 and 1000 series tractors.

The VarioDrive transmission is a single-range transmission offering optimum power from 20 metres per hour to 60km/h.

A key advantage of the Fendt VarioDrive is intelligently controlled all-wheel drive management, eliminating the need for manual switching when changing between field and road operations. This not only drives the front and rear axles as needed but also distributes the power dynamically.

In the field, the full tractive force is available, and stresses are avoided when driving on roads or curves. The so-called pull-in-turn effect pulls the machine into the curve during turns, resulting in a particularly small turning circle with full tractive power and less soil compaction.

The exclusive Concentric Air System (CAS) ventilation and cooling concept is familiar from the Fendt 1000 Vario and has been consistently designed for low engine speeds, compact construction, and fuel efficiency. Driven by its own hydraulic motor, it’s decoupled from the engine speed. The system is controlled flexibly according to demand and operates quietly and efficiently.

The compact cooling package enables unique manoeuvrability and combines this with efficiency. The innovative technology of pushing high-performance fan presses cooler air into the cooling pack, so speed can be reduced, and up to 40% less drive power is needed compared to conventional fan and cooling systems. This power is then available for traction in the field or on the road.

Powerful high-performance hydraulics

Distinguishing features of the Fendt 700 Vario’s high-performance hydraulics include a pump capacity of up to 220 litres per minute, a modular design (that allows the use of standard or new efficient, leak-free flat-facing hydraulic couplings), and up to five connections at the rear (up to two at the front and up to three connections in the middle).

Full control at your fingertips

Helping increase traction and improve the work result, the new draft control for the rear linkage shifts the weight of the implement proportionally to the rear axle of the tractor.

Setting new standards

With a power-to-weight ratio of just 30.5kg per horsepower and compact external dimensions, the Fendt 728 Vario is particularly manoeuvrable and exerts as little pressure as possible on the ground. Depending on the work application, the range can be flexibly ballasted at the front, as well as at the rear on the rear wheels. A gross vehicle weight of up to 15-tonne allows it to be used as a heavy towing tractor.

Optimum tyre pressure reduces slip and ground pressure. The fully integrated Fendt VarioGrip tyre pressure control system increases the contact area with the ground and boosts tractive power by up to eight percent. When driving on the road, the air pressure is raised and thus the rolling resistance is reduced, resulting in increased fuel efficiency.

In the terminal, the driver can conveniently control the tyre pressure via the dual-line tyre pressure control system. Fendt VarioGrip is optionally available directly from the factory for both flanged and stub axles, for row-crop with dual tyres and also with wheel weights.

Wheel options for various applications

Numerous tyre options are available. The Fendt 700 Vario, the Fendt 726, and 728 Vario models are equipped with large 650/85R38 tyres (2050mm diameter) as standard. For medium-sized farms, customers can choose tyres with the dimension 650/65R42 (diameter of 1950mm) for the rear tyres, among others. The Fendt 720, 722, and 724 Vario models are equipped with this dimension as standard.

For the first time, the Fendt 700 Vario is available as a 60-inch (row-crop) version for all models in the series. For row-crop use, both single and dual tyres are available from the factory.

Safety even with heavy transport

The optional top speed of up to 60km/h at only 1450rpm, a comprehensive chassis and safety concept as well as numerous options for rear hitching make the Fendt 700 Vario a true transport talent. The safety concept includes a dual-circuit brake system, Fendt Reaction Steering, as well as a brake light and deceleration assistant and Fendt Stability Control (FSC). FSC reduces side lean at speeds above 25km/h and minimises roll. This increases safety in curves as well as driving comfort.

For the first time, a new trailer brake assistant is optionally available for the Fendt 700 Vario. The trailer brake assistant ensures an even tow even in hilly terrain and thus safe driving behaviour. A sensor measures the thrust torque of the trailer via the transmission. When driving downhill, if the tractor detects that the trailer is pushing too hard, the trailer’s pneumatic brakes are activated. Trailer Brake Assist will be available from the end of 2023.

Individual operation with FendtONE

In the new generation of the Fendt 700 Vario, the tractor and implements are operated simply and individually via the multifunction joystick and the optional 3L joystick in FendtONE onboard. The Fendt 700 Vario is equipped with a 10-inch digital dashboard and a 12-inch terminal on the armrest as standard. An additional 12--inch terminal in the headliner is available as an option.

Smart functions such as the Fendt Guide guidance system, the automatic Fendt Section Control (SC), or the use of Fendt Variable Rate Control (VRC) are displayed as required on the individually assignable tiles on the terminals.

Other smart farming features include:

Fendt Contour Assistant
Fendt Section Control (SC)
Automated headland management Fendt TI Headland
Automatic turning with Fendt TI Turn Assistant
Connectivity with the Fendt Connect telemetry package

Safety and working comfort

The proven Fendt VisioPlus cab has once again been optimised in terms of safety and comfort. For the first time, the cabin air filtration can be optionally converted ex works to category 4 protection (according to the EU standard EN15695). The category 4 protection system protects the driver from dust, liquid crop protection agents, and their vapours. This means that the Fendt 700 Vario meets all the requirements for crop protection. In its basic setting, it meets all the standards of a category 2 protection cabin. The filter system will be available from the end of 2023.

On the road or in the field, the new Fendt 700 is a top performer

With visibility crucial for precise work, the continuous panoramic window with a viewing angle of 77 degrees offers an optimum view of the front loader, especially when working at height. A side window wiper on the right side keeps the window clean even in all weather conditions. Two optional cameras for the front and rear make manoeuvring easier, allowing a direct view of the implement and increasing working comfort. Two optional working lights in the bonnet provide the best possible lighting. LED taillights and a dynamic turn indicator further enhance safety in road traffic.

Long working days in changing weather conditions place high demands on the driver. Even during operations under full load, pleasant temperatures prevail in the cab, thanks to the improved performance of the air conditioning system. In addition, drinks and food can now be kept both chilled (0–16°C) and warmed (45–65°C) in a cool and warm box.

A new generation of driver’s seat

For the first time, there are six different seat configurations for the Fendt 700 Vario. A new premium seat with intuitive operation via the terminal is available as an option. This has numerous ergonomic and comfort functions. The driver adjusts the seat height and position as well as the backrest angle electrically via a lever on the side of the seat. When changing out drivers, personalised seat profiles can be created and activated with one click.

The comfort functions consist of: