For farmers dealing regularly with field drainage issues – often heavy clay soils which are easily compacted by heavy farm machinery, it can make sense to switch from tyres to tracks. Whilst tracks are more expensive to replace, the benefit to the soil and crops from the increased weight spread is obvious. Tracked machines are also reported to provide a smoother ride with increased stability on hillsides and less slipping.
There are four tracked models in the new Fendt 1100 Vario MT range with power to the 511hp Fendt 1151 Vario MT, 564hp Fendt 1156 Vario MT and 618hp Fendt 1162 MT models supplied via a MAN six-cylinder engine with a cubic capacity of 15.2 litres.
Under the hood of the biggest Fendt 1167 Vario MT is a MAN six-cylinder engine with a cubic capacity of 16.2 litres and a maximum power output of 673hp.
The top end model Fendt 1167 Vario MT is specially designed for applications with demanding auxiliary consumers, such as the high hydraulic output of an air seeder.
Both engines meet the European Stage V emissions standard with exhaust gas recirculation, diesel oxidation catalyst (DOC), diesel particulate filter (DPF) and familiar SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) technology. The service interval has also been extended to 500 hours.
Making them move
Talking transmission, the new Fendts have the Fendt VarioDrive gearbox which is similar to the one in wheel tractors in how it works. The only difference is both hydromotors act on the rear axle, in the absence of a front axle.
The Fendt VarioDrive powertrain and the Fendt iD low-speed concept are already familiar from the large tractors Fendt 1000 Vario and Fendt 900 Vario, as well as the Fendt 900 Vario MT tracked tractor.
The Fendt iD low-speed concept works particularly effectively with the VarioDrive powertrain and is designed for high power reserves. This allows the engine to operate at a fuel-saving 1,500 rpm with a maximum torque of 3,100 Nm.
The two hydromotors of the hydrostatic mechanical powertrain in the Fendt 1100 Vario MT swivel independently of each other. The Hydro-Motor 2 is also automatically completely disconnected at high speeds when unladen, which eliminates drag losses.
Traction capacity
The SmartRide suspension, known from the Fendt 900 Vario MT, has been adapted and added to this power segment for the Fendt 1100 Vario MT. SmartRide+ includes two controllable hydraulic cylinders which balance out weight shifts during the work process, giving the Fendt 1100 Vario MT maximum traction capacity on the field without any interruption in traction power.
The hydraulic cylinders can also be controlled directly from the cab to lower the vehicle at the front. This allows the front weight to be easily attached and detached without the need for additional devices.
As part of the tracked drive, the four central track rollers, Fendt Longlife rollers, are suspended in such a way that they flexibly follow the ground contours to maximise traction.
Fendt Longlife track rollers feature a ring made with a patented polyurethane connection. It is more resistant to heat and tearing and increases the service life of the tracks.
