January 2015

www.fendt.com 
www.fendt.tv

Test the best –

the Fendt 800 and 900 Vario
under scrutiny

Grassland expert Alfons Göbel

explains what is important

Fendt Down Under –

en route in Australia with Fendt
2 From the Fendt archives: tyre pressure gauge 3

The right air pressure has always been a However, the Dieselross ranges already
topic at Fendt. Today we offer the inte- had a tyre pressure gauge as standard
grated tyre pressure regulation system in the 1950’s. It is shown here as item
VarioGrip for our high-horsepower trac- 19 in the toolbox accessories.
tors – find out more on page 8.

Peter-Josef Paffen at the big Fendt Field Day in Wadenbrunn, August 2014.

Today operators can set the right tyre

pressure from the comfort of the cab
Dear Readers,
using the terminal. Back then, opera-
tors had to make adjustments directly
on the tyre. What has remained the A strenuous, but also very exciting, year lies behind us. And to be honest, one often prizes
same: the bar specifications are deter- the successes for which one had to fight the hardest, the most.
mined by the ground. The vintage tyre
pressure gauge is marked with the This year, you, but also we at Fendt worked really hard. We brought the new Fendt 300 Vario
positions “Field” and “Road”. and Fendt 700 Vario series onto the markets and presented the Fendt 1000 Vario to the pub-
lic. Our Fendt 800 and Fendt 900 Vario tractors
had to prove themselves in operation this year.

Nothing is sharper than a Katana. Your trust is also Both of them have passed with flying colours, as
you can read on page 6.
Visit our Virtual Forage Harvester Info Tour at www.fendt-katana.com our obligation in 2015
For many European agricultural markets, 2014
was not an easy year. We also felt this impact
on the agricultural equipment market. But thanks to exceptional machines and outstanding
customer support, we were even able to expand our market shares in all power segments.

Your trust is also our obligation in 2015, to continue to invest in technical innovations and
quality. That is not always easy, but you know: hard-won successes leave clear tracks.

I wish you and your family a wonderful holiday season and a successful start into the
New Year.

Yours sincerely,

Peter-Josef Paffen
Vice President and Managing Director Fendt
Chairman of the AGCO/Fendt Management Board
 Contents
4 5

Cover Story Fendt Women

> 20 “Hello Mrs Hill, gentlemen!“
> 6 Test the best – the Fendt 800 and A portrait of the branch manager of the
Fendt 900 Vario under scrutiny RWZ agricultural machinery centre in Alsfeld

Fendt International
Interview
> 24 Alpine Vario in the highest village in Europe
> 12 Interview with Volker Schröder,
Managing Director of Schröder Landmaschinen > 28 
Fendt Down Under –
En route with Fendt in Australia

18 > 38 Power contest in the arena –

WADENBRUNN 2014 Total Agri Beachpull in the Netherlands

> 18 The new 1000er with massive power – > 44 Safety first on the Porsche race track
Impressions from the Fendt Field Day 2014

FENDT Reports
> 34 
Stiftung Liebenau –
Home for special people

> 42 Rife with power –

6 44 34 A portrait of Luxembourg’s biggest contracting company

IMPRINT > 46 As dense as an English lawn –

Grassland expert Alfons Göbel explains what it takes
Publisher:
AGCO GmbH, Johann-Georg-Fendt-Straße 4, 87616 Marktoberdorf
Fendt Marketing, Press Officer Sepp Nuscheler
E-Mail: pressestelle.fendt@AGCOcorp.com
Fendt News
Chief Editors:
Sepp Nuscheler, Manja Morawitz > 26 
Anniversary3 –
20 years Poland, 50 years Switzerland,
Authors:
60 years Luxembourg
Manja Morawitz, Bettina Karl, Jörn Gläser, Ursula Brenner, Imken Krohn

Photographers:
> 50 Fendt tractor receives a silver medal in Russia
Brigitte Huber, Bettina Karl, Andreas Mohr
> 50 Important trade show dates 2015
Design/Graphics:
Martina Böck, Lorenz Löbermann, Monika Niedermair > 51 Move from Belgium to Southern France
with a Fendt tractor
Caricature:
Paulo Calleri
> 51 Fendt Katana on tour through Europe and online
Fendt FOCUS is a magazine for customers, sales partners and those interested in the Fendt brand.
28
Cover Story
6 7

Test the best –

Fendt 800 and 900 Vario
under scrutiny
About a year ago, you were able to take a first look at the new Fendt 800 Vario and
Fendt 900 Vario models at the Agritechnica. In 2014, the new series had to prove
themselves in independent tests and, of course, in the field. Read what scientists,
engineers, agricultural journalists and farmers have to say in this report about the
high-horsepower tractors after a year of practical operation.

“There are machines from the new 800 Vario and

900 Vario series on the field, which already have sev-
eral thousand hours of operation behind them,”
explains Johannes Kapfer, Head of Prototype Vehicle
Testing. How is that possible? The first tractors were
already delivered in the early summer of 2014.
“Those are naturally test machines from construction
stage 2, which we keep running for long-term test-
ing. We look for extra tough farming operations for
these field tests,” explains Kapfer. He and Max Ott,
head of the team for agricultural machinery testing,
and their staff are responsible for all the test tractors
at Fendt. There is no construction stage that would
go into series production without professional test-
ing in the laboratory and the field. “To give you an
example: in construction stage 1, we used alumini- Fendt 800 Vario: The self-levelling front axle suspension ensures excellent ride comfort.
um pistons in the engine of the new 900 Vario. In
construction stage 2, we already switched over to

New machines in
extra tough operations

steel pistons,” says Johannes Kapfer, explaining only

one of the further developments. “This naturally
completely changed the heat management, as well
as the values for the cooling capacity and exhaust.
But performance, stability and longevity are subjects
at Fendt, where we do not make any compromises.”
Another example for technical development in the
test phases is the common rail system. In construc-
tion stage 2, we changed the number of high-pres- Fendt 939 Vario: With flexible ballasting, it becomes an 18-tonne draught tractor.
8 9

Fendt 800 Vario with SectionControl: section control via fully automatic GPS signal. Lowering the tyre pressure with VarioGrip provides more pulling power. Fendt 900 Vario: livelier through the new six-cylinder engine with double charging.

sure injection pumps from two to three – on the one that is just as robust and efficient as the previous with a loaded and then an empty Krampe tipper, each was
dlz agrarmagazin tested the Fendt 936 Vario
hand, to increase performance, on the other, to low- ones,” says Kapfer, explaining the challenge. “Our measured at 1.5 bar, 1.8 bar and 2.4 bar air pressure. In the
in the field (26 November 2014):
er the load on the individual injection pumps to intention is to comply with the new emissions stand- second part, a cultivator was pulled (Köckerling Vario, true
increase their lifetime. Another result of the research ard and still create an added value for our customers. working width 4.70 m, working depth 16 cm) with varying
and test phases was the further development of That way customers notice that the performance val- tyre pressures of 1.8 bar, 1.3 bar and 0.8 bar. The measured • Engine: The excellent fuel-efficiency and good perfor-
the overall characteristics of the six-cylinder Deutz ues have improved and the fuel consumption is just data and the scientific evaluation clearly showed: adapting mance values of the 7.75-l Deutz engine are convincing
engine. “The biggest change over the previous as good as that of its predecessor, which was the tyre pressure in the field means in the Tier 4 i version.
machines is the double-charging with twice the best in its class with 240 g/kWh in the neutral DLG • Ride comfort: The cab with the 3-point suspension, in
cooling capacity. Instead of one turbocharger, there PowerMix test. And despite all of this, the vehicle • up to 10 percent more pulling power conjunction with the front axle suspension and the air-
are now two. The performance is clearly better – and must be ergonomic and provide excellent visibility. • up to 8 percent savings in fuel sprung seat, ensures relaxed driving. The cab is pleas-
that was the biggest feedback we got from test driv- Compact and manoeuvrable – those are our priori- • up to 8 percent more area coverage antly quiet. The new bonded front window with lami-
ers as well as customers. The 900 Vario is now livelier,” ties,” adds Max Ott. • less soil compaction nated glass in the current model permits a wiper radius
says Johannes Kapfer. of 180° or 300°. The independent wheel suspension for
Optimising the longevity of the entire drive train, Beneficial for the ground and wallet: VarioGrip In addition to improving soil fertility, VarioGrip also saves the front wheels with the double wishbone axle in con-
including the engine and transmission, boosting Another technical highlight in the new Fendt 800 Vario cash. “The cost benefit from VarioGrip with a trailed culti- junction with the cab suspension ensures excellent ride
performance, as well as increasing operator comfort and Fendt 900 Vario is the fully integrated tyre pres- vator is approx. 10 Euros per tractor hour,” according to comfort. The FSC stability control locks the swing com-
were our goals in developing the new 800 and 900 sure regulation system VarioGrip. “Here the devil is in Prof. Dr Ludwig Volk’s calculations. Head of the team, Max pensation between the left and the right side at speeds
Vario series. Compliance with Tier 4 Final emissions the details,” explains Kapfer. “If you had an idea of all Ott, performed the first tests with VarioGrip and reports above 20 km/h, which decreases the rolling movement
was obligatory, of course. “The goal: customers the places we had to lead the air channels, then you similarly good experiences. “We visited customers, who of the tractor in the curves. The vehicle stays in the track
should not really notice any change. After all, they could imagine that this was no easy task. Customers had tractors with a retrofitted system. After testing, these better.
did not want the new emissions legislation. Our job only see the VarioGrip sign plate on the rims and the customers gave us clearly positive feedback for our Vari- • Lift capacity and hydraulics: A maximum lift capacity of
is to implement it and still give customers a tractor setting options on the monitor. They don’t see any- oGrip system. This even led one big contractor in the 118 kN at the rear and 55.8 kN in the front, leaves noth-
thing else: no ugly protruding hoses and no assem- Emsland to want to buy our test tractor on the spot. While ing to be desired. The new park position for the lifting
blies built up around the outside, which are in dan- it was still being tested!” struts protects the drive shaft and trailer drawbar. An oil
ger of being ripped off.” delivery capacity of 152 l or upon request 205 l, is excel-
But what does the optionally available VarioGrip pro- Press commentary and the new PowerMix test lent. Up to eight control units with a flow volume of
Tractor development cycle at Fendt
vide? When does the integrated tyre pressure regula- The German author Karl Ferdinand Gutzkow (1811–1878) 100 l/min are possible.
• Mock-up: first, non-driveable prototype for evaluating tion system pay off? In August 2014, Prof. Dr Ludwig once wrote: “Journalists are the midwives and grave dig- • Controls: The Vario can be ergonomically controlled.
the concept Volk and his team at the South Westphalia University gers of the times.” Regarding agricultural journalists this The armrest is well structured. In the current model, the
• Construction stage 1: Prototype for basic findings of Applied Sciences (agricultural economy Soest) means that with their test reports and tractor tests, they 10.4 inch terminal has been fitted with a glass monitor,
• Construction stage 2: generally takes place twelve months tested the Fendt tyre pressure regulation system. For can help a new series survive or cause it to decline. like a smartphone. In addition to new documentation
later; incorporates newly gained findings a whole week, they took the new Fendt 828 Vario on For this reason, the current and thoroughly positive arti- and guidance, a telemetry solution has now been
• Pilot series: Findings from construction stage 2 have been various test drives and analysed its performance in cles on the new Fendt 800 Vario and Fendt 900 Vario are added to the terminal. SectionControl also supports the
implemented; the actual change from the prototype stage terms of the diesel consumption, area coverage, slip recognition for the updated machines – beyond the man- ISOBUS-capable terminal in the current model.
to series status of all complete parts and manufacturing and speed as well as the efficiency of VarioGrip in the datory compliance with the new emissions stage.
processes field and on the road. In the first part of the meas-
urements, the tractor was driven on the road once
10 11

Fendt 939 Vario Fendt 936 Vario

Profi magazine tested the new
Benjamin Enslein, 35, Jörg Henke, 46,
Fendt 828 Vario (1 December 2014):
contractor from Grub, Bavaria contractor from Wagenfeld, Lower Saxony
Benjamin Enslein inherited his love of farming from his “The double turbocharger technology makes the Fendt
• Transmission TMS automatic maximum output control:
grandfather. He was also the one that lay down the foun- very lively. It has more low-end power than the old tractor,”
On the subject of competition: In terms of actuation and dation of the Enslein contracting business by buying its say the employees, in regard to their driving experience. “
control modes – Fendt calls it automatic maximum output first Fendt 716 Vario in 2005. Since then, the contracting I can imagine that the tractor consumes less fuel, because
control 2.0 – there is still no competitor that can match the company has grown and now has three permanent you are not tempted to floor the gas pedal, because the
Vario transmission, whether on the road or in the field. employees as well as seasonal workers. machine has plenty of low-end power and accelerates fast-
• Hydraulics: With a lift capacity of 8 t over the full lifting Enslein has been driving a new Fendt 939 Vario since mid- er thanks to the two turbochargers,” says contractor Jörg
height and an oil delivery volume of 207 l/min (with the August. It has been in operation about 340 hours since Henke. He places great value on user-friendliness and the
optionally available large axial piston pump), nothing is left then. “We mainly wanted the new 939 Vario for the chop- compatibility of the tractor with all the other machines in
per. However, we also need a machine that we can use as the farmyard. “We like VarioGrip a lot,” he says. “We used to
to be desired. Especially since the 800er has front linkage
an all-rounder with a lot of horsepower and a low in have to retrofit our tractors with a tyre pressure regulation
with load relief control and the fourth valve at the rear can
weight. In addition to the chopper, we also use the system.
deliver up to 140 l/min , e.g. to be able to tip a dumper even 900 Vario with a mower and a Tridem tipper. Our first expe-
faster – excellent! riences show: fuel consumption has gone down far in com-
• Headland management TeachIn: On the subject of TeachIn: parison to the other tractors. That makes the value of the
We don’t need to talk about the functionality and opera- tractor even more apparent. Up to a quarter of the con-
tions here, we haven’t seen anything better! sumption per working hour less with the chopper – that
The agricultural contracting company Jörge Henke was
• Controls: The joystick is still exemplary, the new terminal pays off!”
founded more than 40 years ago. It started as a threshing
The agricultural engineer is also a shrewd money-manager.
has a glass surface and LED backlighting. service provider. In the meantime, the company specialises Fendt 939 Vario
“We look at the purchase price of the tractor, assume a ser-
• Tyre pressure regulation system: There are no protruding in all kinds of farming services. The work begins in the
Stefan Nusser, 31, farmer and contractor,
vice life of five to six years – that is the longest they stay in
pipes (width!) and the whole thing can be conveniently spring, with spreading slurry, and ends in the autumn, with
our business. The tractors are in operation 700 to 1,000 Uttenweiler-Dentingen, Baden-Wurttemberg
operated in the Varioterminal with two programmable air maize harvesting.
hours a year. After five years we draw a balance: How high
Jörg Henke’s staff tested the new 936 Vario for six weeks
pressures for each axle – excellent! were the maintenance costs? Did it break down? And we Otto and Renate Nusser continue to
exclusively for Fendt. During this time period, the Fendt
• Engine performance: While the previous model was speci- use this information to decide if we should buy a tractor manage the farm, which has been
was operated about 80 percent of the time with a slurry
fied with a rated power output of 260 hp and a 20 hp power again. We have always had a positive balance with Fendt owned by the family for generations,
tank, with equal time spent on the road and in the field.
bulge, the power curve is now straight in the upper engine after five or six years.” with their three sons Stefan, Markus
Furthermore, the Fendt pulled a five-metre wide Karat cul-
speed range – thanks to the twin turbos. Fendt was able to and Michael. From the beginnings to
tivator, which worked the soil up to a depth of 25 cm. Over-
today, the farm has developed into a
maintain nearly the same low diesel consumption, even all, the Fendt was in operation for about 300 hours. There
modern farming enterprise. First the
with the stricter emissions standard. 237 g/kWh at rated are various models from the Fendt 900 series being used in
biogas facility in Dentingen was built
engine speed and only 223 g/kWh at maximum power are the contracting business. In light of this, Jörg Henke says:
in 2001, starting with 80 kW electrical
“This Fendt does not consume more fuel than the tractors
excellent. Especially in light of the fact that the AdBlue con- power, today it has 500 kW. In 2008,
from the previous series.” The Fendt proved itself in the
sumption, with less than 10 g/kWh, is only half as much as in the biogas facility in Dürmentingen
real-life test. “In terms of ride comfort, the tractor has
the previous model. went into operation, district heating
become quieter,” says Jörg Henke.
was added in the following years. The
Furthermore, profi just recently tested the Fendt 828 Vario in facility produces 1,000 kWh of elec-
tricity per hour and about the same amount of heat. Some 2,000 house-
the PowerMix test at the DLG testing centre in Groß-
holds can be supplied with the electricity it generates. In 2009, a photovol-
Umstadt:
taic system was installed on the roof of the machinery shed, dairy stables
“The new 828 also sets the benchmark in the DLG Power- and barn.
Mix: 248 g/kWh (+14 g/kWh AdBlue) are in total even better “Nusser Neue Energie” performs all work, such as sowing, ploughing or cul-
than the 246 g/kWh (+22.5 g/kWh AdBlue) for the IIIB tivating. Stefan Nusser is the owner of a Fendt 939 Vario with integral tyre
machine – and it consumed over 15 percent less than the Fendt 828 Vario
pressure regulation system VarioGrip since July 2014. Since then, the new
average,” praised the magazine for professional agricultural 900er has been in operation about 850 hours. “I see the biggest advantage
machinery. That makes the Fendt 828 Vario a true fuel saver. Johannes Graf, 22, operator, Regenstauf, Bavaria of the new 900 Vario in the regulation of tyre pressure. The entire autumn
was extremely wet here. All the cultivation work was really difficult. The
And that the Fendt is a transport expert is not only apparent “We have had an 828 Vario since July 2014 and it has been tyre pressure regulation system really proved itself here.”
in the optionally available 60 km/h top speed. At 40 km/h, in operation for approx. 380 hours up to now. We use it for Another strong source of income for Nusser is slurry and silage transport.
the consumption is also almost 20 percent below the aver- various operations, such as mowing grass with a butterfly “Since we also do a lot of driving on the road as contractors, we were able
age of all previously measured tractors. mower, pulling a Horsch Tiger cultivator as well as trans- to adapt our new tractor quickly to suit our work. The integral air pressure
porting cereals and maize. I noticed that it is very quiet and control system works without a problem and has saved us quite a bit in
has very stable on-road driving performance. The VarioGrip fuel costs.”
tyre pressure regulation system allows the tractor to trans-
fer full power to the ground, especially important when
working with cultivators, and reduces damage to the turf
when mowing the pasture. When going from the field to
the road, I pump up the tyre pressure while I’m driving.”

You will find more information at

www.fendt.tv
Interview
12 13

Off to new shores

Volker Schröder has been one of three
managing directors in the family-run Schröder
Landmaschinen entreprise since 1984. Together
with his brothers Heiner and Bernd Schröder, he
manages the international Schröder Group with
more than 20 locations and over 600 employees
in Germany and Europe. He studied economic
sciences in Bremen. He lives in Wildeshausen
with his family. In addition to his enthusiasm
for agricultural machinery, he is also a declared
football fan. A conversation about his favourite
club and new sales avenues.

What began as a blacksmith’s forge in Wildeshausen in 1810, is still a down-to-earth family-run business today –
jointly managed by (from left) Bernd, Heiner and Volker Schröder.

Mr Schröder, your family-run busi- straight through, there is no time off on jack of all trades (laughs).
ness has been in existence for more Saturday or Sunday. The key to success My brother Bernd studied economics in
than 200 years. What is the key to was and is the commitment and dili- Münster and has training as an account-
your success? gence of our employees, so that custom- ant. His area of responsibility is finances
Bernd Heinrich Schröder started with ers are satisfied. and human resources.
a small blacksmith’s forge 200 years I come from financial accounting and
ago. Things really took off in the 1950’s Schröder Landmaschinen is managed switched to sales. I take care of the used
with the mechanisation of farming in by you and your brothers Heiner and machine business and also MEWI, our
Germany: from horse to field tractor. Bernd – how have you split up the agricultural machinery business in
We come from a humble background work? Romania.
and have always provided services for Heiner studied mechanical engineering Generally we delegate a lot to our man-
agriculture. My father has a lot of sto- in Hanover. His area of work includes agers in the individual branches. We
ries to tell. For example, how he had to ordering new machines, calculation give them a lot of decision-making
pick up the first tractors and machines and sales management. Heiner is also power, because our employees are closer
himself, before they came with the rail- responsible for all construction meas- to the customers and can therefore
way. In the summer months, we work ures. But as the boss, you are actually a make better decisions on the local level.

Volker Schröder
grew up with Fendt tractors.
14 15
Schröder owns 95 fully
equipped customer service
vehicles. When things go awry,
the mechanic comes with tools
and the appropriate spare parts.

They not only supply farmers and What were the reasons that you
contractors with machines in North- decided for AGCO and Fendt and to
ern Germany. They have also grown collaborate with them partners?
internationally. After we were completely surprised by
For us, it is important that our branch Claas’s termination of our collaboration,
offices have close contact with custom- we were looking for a reliable partner.
ers, that the customers like to come to Fendt had demonstrated exactly this
us – that we listen to them, when they kind of reliability in the past. The com-
have problems. That is top priority. If pany stood behind the decisions that
customers are satisfied, they will come were made. Furthermore, the colleagues
again, they might say to their neigh- at AGCO Deutschland GmbH are per-
bour: “You can go to Schröder, because sons of trust that one has come to value
they do a good job.” It is also impor- over the years.
tant to me that our staff works that way, We have realigned ourselves since 1 July
too. We also have the same philosophy 2014: we have added new regions and
for used machines and in export coun- branch offices, because the competition
tries. We don’t say, the further away is tough. We have completely renovated
the machine is, the poorer it can be. It’s our workshops in Völkersen, District
just the opposite: the further away, the Verden. Construction in Ahlerstedt
less service there is and the better the in District Stade will be completed in If you make a promise, you have to keep
machine must be. That is also how we December 2014; it will be our headquar- it. And then there is also a second one:
came to Romania. We built up a good ters for the Elbe-Weser Triangle. For new customers, the first machine
reputation there with used machines The Twistringen branch office in is sold by the salesperson, the second
and the customers came back again and District Diepholz has been substantially machine is sold by the workshop! That
again. Now they also come for the new enlarged so we can expand our services means that if the workshop functions
agricultural machinery. there. Our new location in Leizen, in the well, customers gladly come back again.
western part of the Mecklenburg Lake We have noticed that over the years: We
New sales structures have been in District, will be completed at the begin- are not the cheapest. Customers, how-
place in Northern Germany since ning of 2015. In this way, we are ready ever, see the overall package and there-
1 July 2014. What impact does this for the future. fore also that Schröder has more to offer
have on customers? than just good machinery.
Our task is to continue to offer the right The best salespeople, the best servic-
products for our customers. And this, of es for customers – how do you do it? What makes the customers in the
course, is AGCO’s job, so that customers Of course, one has to look at the CV of North tick?
are satisfied with the machines. Because a new employee, but decisive is how the Most of our customers are tough, but
you can attain growth through satisfied person comes across. At each job inter- fair, negotiating partners. In addition to
customers. That is our goal! view I hold, I ask myself: Would I buy a good price, the quality of the product
from him or her? It is a gut feeling – as well as the service in the workshop
at least for me it is. I follow the motto: and parts supply are decisive for them.
Many Schröder employees have been trained here, since Schröder also offers a training programme.
16 17
Volker Schröder looks calmly into the future:
The next generation for the
Schröder family enterprise is already ready to go.

schrÖDer lANDmAschiNeN
What do things look like at Schröder? actively in our club. But, let me say it
Will you continue to be a family-run this way: with the really, really, old guys 1810: Bernd heinrich schröder opens
enterprise? (laughs). a blacksmith’s shop in wildeshausen,
We now already have the seventh gen- the headquarters of the schröder
eration here. My brother’s oldest son is Okay, you want Werder Bremen to Group.
studying mechanical engineering right become the German champions. But 1964: Acquisition of the Bley company
now and already joined the company in what do you want for 2015, business- in cloppenburg, the Fendt represent-
practice a long time ago. wise? ative for the region. schröder sells the
My daughter recently started working in I wish that our customers remain loyal first Fendt tractor.
the company and my son, who is study- to us and that we have the chance to 1983/84: sons heiner and Volker
ing industrial engineering in agri/horti- present the new harvesting products to schröder join the company.
business in Osnabrück, is also inter- them in 2015. Our customers will surely 1990: three new companies are
ested. The next generation is ready to like the combines as well as the Fendt founded in mecklenburg-west
go. Katana 65 and 85. pomerania (penzlin) and saxony-
When I was 18 years old, I could not I think mostly all of our custom- Anhalt (Kleinmangelsdorf and
imagine working in our family busi- ers will be very interested in the new langenweddingen).
ness. My father was very clever, though. Fendt 300 Vario. The good entry-level 1996: the first foreign branch office is
He first let us study what we wanted, price of the new Power variant will founded in romania:
and didn’t put any pressure on us. It was surely perk the interest of drivers of s. c. mewi s.r.l., ortisoara.
only after we graduated that Heiner and competitor vehicles.
I decided to join the company together. Otherwise, the Fendt 700 Vario contin- 2010: the schröder Group celebrates
its 200th anniversary.
After we saw that our father hardly had ues to be a very popular model.
any time to take holidays, we thought 2014: off to new shores! the schröder
that if the two of us do it together, we Thank you for this interview. Group takes over the distribution of
might have a bit more time for ourselves new AGco products and begins with
later. This interview was conducted by Fendt sales in the elbe-weser triangle.
the schröder Group sells the 10,000th
Sepp Nuscheler and Manja Morawitz.
Fendt tractor.
Do you have any other interests Another branch office is set up in
besides agricultural machinery? Ahlerstedt in the stade District.
Werder Bremen is my football club. We
Schröder brothers are regulars at the Today, the Schröder Group is repre-
sented by 21 branch offices and over
Weser stadium. Unfortunately, in the
600 employeeson an area of more
last season, and this one too, we haven’t than 300,000 m².
had much to laugh about. You Bavarians
can laugh louder. I also play football
Fendt Wadenbrunn 2014

The new 1000er

18 19

with massive power

A day full of records and highlights: 62,000 visitors from more
than 31 countries. More than 100 machines on nearly 100 ha, 65 of You will find more photos
which were demonstrated in tough field operations. Numerous new and information
products and updates, headlined by a world premiere: the world’s at www.fendt.tv

biggest and strongest standard tractor, the Fendt 1000 Vario with

up to 500 hp, was shown live in operation. Some 80 exhibitors on
20,000 m². Plenty of refreshments: 8,000 roasted chickens, 16,000
bratwursts and 24,000 litres of beer. And to top it off, a mega party
with the cult band “Troglauer Buam”. That was the Fendt – Saaten-
Union Field Day Wadenbrunn 2014.

Tough field operations: there were numerous live

demonstrations despite the wet soil.

What everybody was waiting for: the opening of the Field Day with the legendary tractor parade.

Agricultural machinery everywhere: on nearly 100 ha.

Clearly the visitor attraction: The Innovations Show: three times a day, in the large arena with more than 2,100 seats, New visitor record: despite continuous rain in the days before, farmers, contractors and 46 new features: The new Fendt 700 Vario convinces
the new Fendt 1000 Vario, the biggest and strongest standard tractor in the world. thousands of visitors received all the info about the new Fendt products. technology enthusiasts crowded onto the Field Day grounds. with even more sophisticated technology.
Fendt Women
20 21

“Hello Mrs Hill, She took over the management of the new, modern agricultural machinery centre two years

gentlemen!”
ago. At the same time, she successfully managed the merger of two operating sites. And in
January 2014, Helga Hill and “her” guys received the National Service Award from Agrartechnik
magazine. The head of the Alsfeld office of the RWZ Agrartechnik Zentrum has three grown
daughters. If asked what her biggest wish is, she has no answer.

Neither the usual search machines in the internet

nor the recently updated navigation system in the
car can find the address. The commercial zone in the
“Obersten Elpersweide” right on the Autobahn A 5 is
brand new. This can be a problem for those unfamil-
iar with the area. However, this is no obstacle for the
customers of the Fendt distributors RWZ Agrartech-
nik Alsfeld. They know the way. And Helga Hill.
The boss with her 22-person team is available for
them day and night. “We have a really friendly rela-
tionship with many of our customers,” she says. The
petite woman with short blond hair walks across the
tidy yard of the modern business premises, past the
brightly polished Fendt tractors and harvesters and
into the large, modern sales and workshop building,
where her office is located. From here, she can look
into the workshop on the one side and, on the other,
into the yard of the RWZ company grounds with a
total area of 10,000 m2.

40 years with the company

Helga Hill completed her training as a management
assistant in wholesale and foreign trade 40 years ago
at the former Bäuerlichen Hauptgenossenschaft
(BHG, agricultural cooperative). At the beginning,
she still had doubts, if this was the right career for
her. “You can’t do this, you don’t want to do this –
that is what I said at that time. I didn’t want to sit in
an office all day!” she remembers, laughing about
her first day at work. Certainly it is because she, as a
farmer’s daughter, is down-to-earth that she com-
pleted her training after all and started working for
the BHG, which would later become the Raiffeisen
Hauptgenossenschaft (RHG) and in 1999 the Raiffeis-
en Waren-Zentrale Rhein-Main eG (RWZ). Step by
step, the agile young woman took on more and
more tasks in the office. Especially those things that
had to do with numbers and invoicing and costs.
She enjoyed that kind of work more and more. Some
work areas also change. And as the company struc-

Sometimes the RWZ staff holds up their boss.

22 23
A good working environment is important Helga Hill, Branch Manager
“If there are no exceptional tasks waiting or emer- of the RWZ Agrartechnik Alsfeld at her desk.
gencies occur, I have a regular work day and finish
work at 5 pm,” laughs the charismatic woman and is a bit different now, with the new size of the opera-
affirms: “But the company is still always with me. tions,” reports the only woman in the cooperative,
Even when I’m at home”. The nature-loving agricul- which manages such an agricultural machinery cen-
tural machinery boss often balances her work with tre. By now she has also gotten used to being the
long walks through the countryside. Even in the only woman amongst men in the senior manage-
heart of winter. Her faithful companion is Zoe, a Jack ment meetings. Then it’s always: “Hello Mrs Hill, gen-
Russell terrier, who is a part of the family and stayed tlemen!”
when the kid’s left the nest. Despite everything, she has remained down-to-
However, she is happiest when the whole family is earth. “I’m not the kind of person that has to travel to
together. For example, for the annual holidays with Canada or Australia to be happy,” she says. “I don’t
her daughters, who now live in Frankfurt on the have any big wishes. Actually, I just want everybody
Main and in Switzerland. “Then we have time to talk,” to feel good.”
she explains and goes from her office to the
entrance gate of the RWZ grounds, where Markus
Seipel has just arrived with one of the two RWZ
Helga Hill with her Jack Russel terrier on a long walk
Agratechnik service vehicles. He is coming back from
through the meadows and fields.
providing customers on-site servicing.
Team work is important to her in the Agratechnik-
The RWZ Agrartechnik Alsfeld Zentrum Alsfeld. “I try to decide most of the proce-
ture of the RWZ changed in 2006 and one person dures together with my colleagues,” comments the
sells all four AGCO brands.
had to be responsible at each of the agricultural lively woman, and one immediately notices that a
(from left) Helga Hill, Branch
Manager, Thomas Niggenaber, machinery branches, the management in Alsfeld did harmonious working environment is important to
Service staff, Stefan Arnoldt not have to stop and think long. her. Not only a friendly and respectful manner
Fendt factory representative, and amongst colleagues, but also joint celebrations and
Kurt Zinn, machine consultant, Grew up on a farm trips, for example to the AGCO combine harvesting
talk shop. She was born and raised on a farm in Ruhlkirchen, factory in Italy, promote good cooperation and
only 10 km away from Alsfeld, with three siblings. understanding.
The small family-run farm cultivated farmland and
held dairy cows, pigs and horses. Helga Hill basically
grew up with an understanding of farming and ani- “She sums up: in the past years,
mal husbandry. And that is very helpful when you
work for and with farmers. She is very familiar with there wasn’t a day on which I didn’t
the small agricultural structures here in Upper Hes- want to come to work.”
sen and knows about the growing demands on
high-tech agricultural machinery and the corre-
sponding service. “You are always received by good-humoured staff
Her work day begins around 8 o’clock in the morn- here,” comments Stefan Arnoldt, Fendt factory repre-
ing. From her flat in Alsfeld, she usually drives to the sentative for this region, highlighting the alert,
Agrartechnik-Zentrum with her car, sometimes she accommodating collaboration with the team in Als-
cycles. To get an overview, Helga Hill first makes a fled, who make many working processes easier for
“good-morning” round through the business. There him.
are often already several things that need to be dis-
cussed. After all, farmers within a radius of about 40 Almost always the only woman
km from Alsfeld are her customers. The multi-faceted The new agricultural machinery centre of the Raif-
tasks of the Agrartechnik-Zentrum are divided into feisen Waren-Zentrale Rhein-Main eG (RWZ) in Als-
the areas workshop, spare parts stock and sales. Hel- feld opened in November 2012. Helga Hill worked
ga Hill primarily takes care of the planning, ordering towards this for ten years. Two agricultural machin-
and processing of contracts herself. She sums up: in ery locations of the RWZ Rhein-Main were merged
the past years there wasn’t a day on which I didn’t for this: Alsfeld and Lauterbach. Helga Hill already
want to come to work. headed the old location in Alsfeld in the past years.
Her tasks will grow in the new business. There are
nearly twice as many employees. “In the old work-
shop, I always knew everything, for example, which
farmer is in the workshop with which machine. That

Womanpower4: Helga Hill (right) and her daughters (from left) Christina, Janina and Stefanie.
Fendt International
24 25

Alpine Vario
in the highest
village in Europe
The slopes of the mountains above the tree line are soft green and
criss-crossed with countless small streams. A cool wind carries the
sound of cow bells over to the weathered houses that hug the steep
slopes. The highest, year-round inhabited village in Europe is called Juf
and lies in Switzerland. Richard Luzi and the Menn brothers live here
with their families. At an altitude of 2,126 meters above sea level, the
farmers rely fully on the technology of
the Fendt Vario tractors.
The alpine Varios in front of
tares are cultivated meadows and 12 hectares are The Kohler Landmaschinen AG in Zizers is the local brothers, however, is the versatility offered by the
the impressive mountains in Juf,
unfertilised rough meadows. The Fendt 211 Vario is a dealer, which helped them choose the right tractor front loader, for example, for stacking hay bales or
the highest year-round inhabited
special help for the fodder production for the 24 by providing expert consultation. At the beginning, clearing snow from the paths in the winter. The trac- village in Europe.
mother cows. The grass on the meadows is cut with the Menn brothers were sceptical, because they tor is compact in size and very manoeuvrable. A
a front-mounted mower on the Fendt tractor. were not sure if the machine would be able to han- well-designed chassis with front axle suspension
Equipped with a front loader, the tractor is usually dle all the jobs on their farm. What helped their deci- and unique anti-roll control distinguishes the alpine
used in combination with a round baler. In the win- sion was that they were able to try out the alpine Vario. Together with the continuously variable trans-
ter, clearing snow with the Fendt is fantastic, accord- Vario for themselves in a test drive in mountainous mission and the powerful engine, this tractor is
ing to Richard Luzi. The Fendt 211 Vario is a compact terrain. Both farmers were quickly convinced by the exactly the right thing for their farm. With a smile on
all-rounder, which is convincing in steep terrain, machine, after all, the Fendt 211 Vario is a talented their faces, Rino and Adolf Menn say: “Even after a
mountain climber. In their farming operations, the year, it is still fun to drive the Fendt.”
Menns need the machine for the belt-type side rake
The Fendt 211 Vario is and tedder spreader. Especially important for the
a talented mountain climber

since the Vario transmission is always positively

About the region
engaged. The machine is very gentle on the soil and
Josef Kohler, dealer Dairy cows graze on the green alpine meadows; boasts low fuel consumption. The suspension on the Juf belongs to the Swiss municipality of Avers, which lies
for the Landmaschinen AG their milk is processed into butter and cheese. The Fendt tractor protects his back. Thanks to the Vario in the canton of Graubünden. The main sources of income
in Zizers, demonstrates the farmers sell beef from the cattle. Most of the farms technology, Richard Luzi can manage the multi-fac- for this high-altitude region are farming and tourism. There
Fendt on the slopes.
belong to the Natura Beef brand programme, which eted work on his farm in the highest village in are a few hotels, inns and restaurants, as well as a cross-
is distinguished by comprehensive husbandry and Europe with just one single tractor. country ski track and two ski lifts.
feeding conditions for near-natural meat produc- The farm that belongs to the brothers Rino and Ado- Additionally, 16 farms in the municipality of Avers cultivate
tion, respectful of the livestock. The outstanding lf Menn is embedded in green meadows. They also mountain pastures up to an altitude of 2,400 m. In this
quality of the beef requires the appropriate fodder live in Juf with their families. Of the 47 hectares that high-altitude valley, about 80 percent keep mother cows,
technology and mature tractor engineering. they cultivate, some 15 hectares are rough pastures. the other farmers breed and raise beef cattle.
For this reason, Richard Luzi decided to invest in a The fodder for the Angus mother cow herd with 33
Fendt 211 Vario. Together with his family, he culti- cows grows on this area. The two farmers were look-
vates 40 hectares of steep pastures. Of these, 28 hec- ing for a tractor suitable for their demanding terrain. Rino Menn, Adolf Menn, Josef Kohler (dealer for Landmaschinen AG in Zizers)
and Richard Luzi in front of the new Fendt tractors.
Fendt News
26 27

Korbanek headquarters
in Tarnowo Podgorne.

20 years Poland 50 years Switzerland 60 years Luxembourg

The Korbanek company has been ac- 2014. To ensure that all machines on The GVS Agrar AG began working to- fices were opened. The success of the The Fendt importer Agricom S.A. in recognition for outstanding perfor-
tive in the area of agricultural machin- the market operate reliably, Korbanek gether with Fendt in 1964, when they company became visible in 1974, Luxembourg is celebrating an anniver- mance, Roland Schmidt, Director
ery in Poland for more than 25 years. has built up a widespread service and imported their first Fendt tractor – when the 5 percent market share for sary this year: 60 years of Fendt in Lux- Fendt Marketing, handed over an ex-
The married couple began by trading spare parts network. The company has a Farmer 2 – to Switzerland. The Swiss Fendt tractors was reached in Switzer- embourg. Since Fendt was introduced clusive wooden Fendt model to

Anniversary 3 spare parts for Polish agricultural ma- access to a centralised parts ware- company GVS Agrar has been active in land. In 1976, Fendt was ahead of the in Luxembourg in 1954, some 2,200 Philippe Ries, Managing Director Agri-
chinery in 1989, the year the Berlin house with more than 40,000 parts, the agricultural machinery industry times and the competition and Fendt tractors were delivered to farm- cultural Machinery, and Fred Crochet,
Wall fell. Later they traded with Polish which provides overnight delivery of for more than 75 years. Adolf Gutzwill- brought the revolutionary high-horse- ers and contractors in Luxembourg by Sales Manager Fendt in Luxembourg
tractors and then also with interna- the required parts to the six macro er founded the Agrar, Fabrik Land- power tractor Favorit 622 LS with the Agricom S.A. and its predecessor at the open house in the Landtech-
tional brands. The official dealer con- branches, dealers or service locations. wirtschaftliche Maschinen AG in Wil 211 hp and the Favorit 626 LS with Lehnen. Fendt has been one of the nikzentrum Angelsberg. The successful
tract with Fendt in Marktoberdorf was Korbanek celebrated two anniversaries (SG) in 1936. At the beginning, the 252 hp onto the market. The following most-sold agricultural equipment joint work between Fendt and Agri-
Fendt and its sales partners – those are long-term
closed in 1994 and within just a few in 2014: 25 years of Korbanek and 20 small production site had seven em- new series, the Fendt 300 Farmer, set a brands in Luxembourg for many years. com will continue into the future.
partnerships. This year there are three anniversaries at years, the family-run businesses ex- years of collaboration with Fendt. To ployees and produced mainly horse- new trend in Switzerland. Then in Today, Agricom offers the Fendt tractor
Fendt. The 60th anniversary of the collaboration with panded its sales network so that more be well-prepared for the future, Kor- drawn grass tedders and hay rakes. 2001, when the GVS Agrar AG was cre- line from 70 hp to 390 hp and also Photo top right:
the Fendt importers Agricom S.A. in Luxembourg and and more Polish farms could be sup- banek decided to open another branch From 1964 to 1970, both the private ated through a fusion with the GVS, sells combines, forage harvesters and A wooden Fendt model is handed
also the 50th anniversary of the successful collaboration plied with Fendt machinery. The Fendt in Swiete, near Szeczin, in the year of dealer Hilti and the GVS Agrar import- the agricultural cooperative Genossen- balers from the Fendt brand. over, from right: Roland Schmidt,
with GVS Agrar AG in Switzerland. In Poland, the collab- 800 Favorit series was a strong draught the Fendt anniversary. The branch of- ed Fendt tractors to Switzerland. schaftsverbund Schaffhausen, the syn- The anniversary was already celebrat- Director Fendt Marketing, Fred
oration between Fendt and Korbanek already goes back horse, which was very popular with fice with sales, service and workshop, Thanks to great entrepreneurial spirit ergy effects that arose were used skil- ed in March 2014 at an open house Crochet, Sales Manager Fendt at
20 years. large-scale farming enterprises. But including a spare parts centre, encom- and continuously high quality, the fully: agricultural machinery trade event. On this occasion, Agricom pre- Agricom and Philippe Ries, Business
also the Fendt Farmer 300, which was passes a total area of 1,800 m2, of company developed magnificently. with machines from own their produc- sented its company and the Fendt ma- Manager Agricultural Machinery.
later built in the C-version and availa- which 680 m2 are covered by build- 1970 Hermann Sieber becomes the tion as well as leading global manu- chinery to the general public. “In the
ble today as a Vario, is found through- ings. Some 630 customers and guests new managing director of the GVS facturers. name of the AGCO/Fendt management
out Poland. came to the opening celebration in Agrar and one year later, the 1,000th In 2008, Ugo Tosoni took over the and all employees, we would like to
Since Korbanek started offering har- September. “It is important that we Fendt tractor is already sold. During management of the GVS Group, which congratulate our Fendt importers Agri-
vesting machinery in 2009, approx. can supply these customers optimally this time, the company built a new he continues successfully to this day. com S.A. on their anniversary and
80 Fendt combines have been deliv- here in the future,” says Wolfgang workshop including a spare parts Up to the anniversary in 2014, the GVS thank them for their outstanding sales
ered to customers every year. The Möhrer, Brand Manager for Fendt in warehouse. Finally, the GVS Agrar Agrar imported 13,000 Fendt tractors and service performance in Luxem-
starting shot for the Katana was in Poland. “Short paths, fast service and climbed up to become the general im- into Switzerland. The 50th anniversary bourg,” said Roland Schmidt, Director
competent support for the sales team porter for all of Switzerland and the of the collaboration with Fendt was Fendt Marketing, who travelled from
Aerial photo of the in the region are the key for a success- Principality of Liechtenstein in 1973. celebrated with a big festival in Brun- the Allgäu to Luxembourg on this oc-
new branch office ful future with Korbanek and Fendt.” To The dealer network in Eastern and nen on Lake Lucerne. casion, and he added: “We wish you
in Swiete near Szczecin. give this opening and also the 20th Western Switzerland were expanded To the next 50 years! success for the Katana market launch
anniversary a visible sign, he present- substantially and numerous branch of- in Luxembourg.” As a thank you and
ed the Korbanek family with a large
glass sign sporting a specially de-
signed partnership logo. Wolfgang Photo top centre:
Möhrer: “A closed circle joins both Anniversary celebration in Brunnen on Lake Lucerne:
partners, there is no end. With this, we fireworks above a ship with three Fendt tractors.
are setting a clear sign for the success-
ful collaboration in the past and a sig- A festive gala dinner rounded out the event
A glass sign sporting the nal for our joint future.” for the 50th anniversary of the collaboration between
Fendt and Korbanek Fendt and the GVS Agrar AG.
partnership logo
is handed over to the
Korbaneks for the 20th
anniversary.

Guests for the anniversary celebration of the GVS Agrar

AG in front of a panorama of the Alps and Lake Lucerne.
Fendt International
28 29

“Field work with a view” –

Fendt Down Under

Farming on Tasmania
i am very proud that i had the opportunity to go to
melbourne for Fendt directly after i graduated. my
internship began mid-April. one of my tasks was to
investigate how satisfied Fendt customers are with
the tractors from marktoberdorf in faraway Australia
and how they are used – nearly 16,000 km away. proFile
i immediately received a hearty welcome in mel- Jörn Gläser is 26 years old. After he graduated with a bachelor in
bourne. my workplace was in the marketing team of agricultural marketing from the University of Applied sciences
“Unbelievable dimensions and extreme contrasts,” is the way Jörn weihenstephan in Friesing, he was at the AGco location in
Gläser describes his impression of Australia. He was in Melbourne for melbourne for a 4-month internship for Fendt. together with his
four months for Fendt and visited several Fendt customers during Olive harvest = snail speed, brother tammo, he creates documentation worldwide on the
this time and asked them what they think about the brand and the working speed 0.4 km/h subjects of agricultural economics and farm machinery.
products from the Allgäu. In this report, Jörn describes what he
experienced at the other end of the world.
the different AGco brands. in the first few days, i
learned a lot about the agricultural machinery mar-
ket in Australia from my new colleagues. And then it
was already time to go out – to visit real Fendt cus-
tomers “Down Under”.

Premium olive production XXL with the small

tractors from Fendt
in my second week, at 4:30 in the morning, my col-
league cameron power, Digital marketing officer
AGco Australia, and i made our way from melbourne
towards the North in the dark morning light – as
always, i had my camera with me. we arrived at our
destination at sunrise: one of the largest olive pro-
ducers in Australia, maybe even the entire world.
30 31

rejuvenating night on a reclining chair, we arrived in

the port of Devonport at 6:00 in the morning. At this
point, it would make sense to rethink the term
“island” in regard to Tasmania, after all, it almost has
the same amount of area as Ireland. A bit later I met
Stuart in Deloraine, about 50 km away. The 35-year-
old is a contractor in an arable farming region. Stuart
took his place in a Fendt tractor cab for the first time
ten years ago at a field day.
That apparently left a strong impression on him:
after the first two Fendt 700 Vario tractors, the
current fleet includes a Fendt 820 Vario, a Fendt 822
Vario and a Fendt 922 Vario.
As I arrived, Stuart was just about to start working
with the Fendt 822 Vario and a 5-metre Lemken disc
harrow. I leapt up directly into the instructor seat.
Stuart tells me he loves his Fendts. That is why he
spends a lot of time in the driver seat, even though
he has an employee and temporary operators. In
addition to cultivation work, the tractors are used a
lot in grassland operations. Furthermore, he also has
a job harvesting opium poppies with two tractors.
The Fendts are equipped with reversing driver sta-
tions and, fitted with a header and transport wagon,
they turn into self-propelled harvesters. Opium pop-
py cultivation, for example, for producing morphine,
Tasmania: is strictly controlled by the government. The climatic
Opium poppy harvesting One million olive trees are planted on an area total- grove, next to the gigantic harvester. The vehicle, conditions, but certainly also the geographical
with reversing driver station ling 2,7000 hectares near the inconspicuous village called “Colossus”, lives up to its name. The full har- remoteness of this area, make it perfect for cultivat-
of Boort. Two additional locations belong to the vester literally swallows up the trees, the olives, how- ing this precarious crop.
farm, which brings the total area that is cultivated to ever, are combed out gently. At a working speed of The next day, before I visit another rig from Stuart’s
more than 6,200 hectares. Just a reminder: we are 0.4 km/h! The 200 Vario, which collects the harvested contacting business, I travel to one of the largest
talking about an olive plantation, not an arable farm- olives, also has to maintain this snail’s pace. It takes a vegetable producers on the island. Harvest Moon
ing enterprise! good two hours until a wagon is filled and the trip produces carrots, leek, broccoli and much more in
over the rolling farmland to the oil mill can begin.
The distances travelled are up to 12 km. Here the top
6,200 ha olive plantation. speed of 40 km/h plays a great role. The farm har-
Just a reminder: This is not an vests with 19 full harvesters simultaneously and gen-
arable farming business! erally in a 24-hour shift. An additional 120 seasonal
workers are hired for this. The olives are marketed
through the farm as the most widespread olive oil in
“Professional machinery is crucial in a farm of this the country, ”Cobram Estate”.
size,” says Gerard Healy, Farm Manager in Boort. The
farm has been relying on the 200 Vario and 400 Vario Tasmania – an island full of Fendts
series from Marktoberdorf for six years now. There It is 5 pm Friday and finishing time is nearing as I get
are currently 13 Fendt 200 Vario and eleven Fendt a call from Stuart Bowman. He is a farmer on the
400 Vario tractors in operation on the farms. For the island of Tasmania and invites me to come and visit
running harvest, the tractors are responsible for him this weekend. He didn’t have to ask twice. I Gerard Healy produces one of the best olive oils in the world –
transporting the harvested olives. Just how well they packed up my gear and just made it to the 6 pm with the help of “Colossus” and several Fendt 200 Vario tractors.
work for olive production can be seen in the olive ferry in Port Melbourne with my car. After a not very You will find the video at www.fendt.tv
32 33

Northern tasmania, but it also markets products Vegetable grower in paradise and four different employees. we all managed very Duncan started in the 1980’s, with a Farmer 309. in
from other farmers. things are relatively quiet right July is one of the coolest and most unattractive well with the new continuously variable transmis- the meantime, he has grown to become the biggest
now. sowing and cultivation is done with two Fendt months in southern Australia. An ideal time to sion from the very beginning. it really simplifies service provider in the region. And, thanks to their
tractors. Both work on very impressive, scenic fields. organise a tour to the farmers in the North. A three- operation and work,” praises Don. reliability, the Fendt tractors have played a great role
the cab is a “room with a view” with a panorama of hour flight takes me to the holiday town of cairns in in the success of his company, he says. the tractors
the tasmanian sea. steven is sowing with his 716 Queensland. the year-round summer temperatures A contractor relies on Vario Power prove themselves with high speeds towing a tridem
Vario above the steep coast and Geoffrey is working and the coast near to the Great Barrier reef make Duncan mcNeil is a very busy man. only on the next loading wagon and, last but not least, with rtK sys-
with his Fendt 939 Vario in the interior of the land on this region my highlight. Besides citrus fruits and to last day of my internship in melbourne, were we tems for precise tillage and seeding.
a slope with a 6-metre Kuhn rotary harrow. in the sugar cane, vegetables are also cultivated here. After able to arrange an appointment to visit him – the four months were a fantastic experience for me
background is the typical primeval tasmanian forest, a two-hour car drive on dirt roads, i meet Don mur- although his business is only 1.5 hours by car away, and the insight i gained about Australian agriculture
which covers nearly 30 percent of the entire island ray, who uses a 211 Vario on his farm for cultivating practically “next-door”. Duncan has 22 Fendt tractors will be a lasting memory. see you, Australia!
and is unexplored in many areas. organic vegetables. pumpkins and zucchini are the in his fleet, ranging from the Fendt tool carrier and
main crops. “on my farm, the Vario is driven by me the Xylon up to the 800er Vario and the 900er Vario.

Don Murray is an organic farmer and cultivates zucchini, Duncan McNeil is a contractor near Melbourne.
pumpkin, maize and onions – not far from the world’s largest barrier reef. He visited the Fendt factory in Marktoberdorf in 2014.
You will find the video at www.fendt.tv You will find the video at www.fendt.tv
Report
34 35

2,500 t of apples must

be picked every season.

Stiftung Liebenau –
Home for special people
To have a purpose and to be needed, that is espe-
cially important for disabled people,” says Ardlet,
who is responsible for farming, fruit-growing and
horticulture at the Stiftung. To give disabled peo-
ple a home was already the goal of the founder of
the Stiftung, the St.-Johann-Verein and Adolf Aich,
chaplain in Tettnang. Aich bought the “Schlössle”
(little castle) in Liebenau in 1870 to create a ref-
uge for the disabled and terminally ill. “He could
no longer watch how these people were treated
at that time. Together with a couple of nuns, he
renovated the Schlössle. First they lived there
together with the other residents. It’s easy. With
some cows, pigs, sheep and goats.”
The Pfleg- und Bewahranstalt Liebenau (Liebenau
hospital and custodial institution), as it was called
at that time, soon established an excellent repu-
tation both regionally and further afield. By the
end of the 19th century, it was home to over 400
people. Today the Stiftung Liebenau comprises
29 companies and has some 6,400 employees.
The pillars of the Stiftung Liebenau are assistance Starting with the smallest, a GT 235, up to our big-
and support for the disabled and elderly as well gest, a 924 Vario.” Answering the question of why
as education and training for young people with the company relies on machinery from Fendt,
special needs. Ardelt smiles and says: “On the one hand, because
we are convinced by the technology, and on the
“That is Fritz, Fritz Hofer. He Farming plays a central role other, because we must perform an immense vol-
makes sure that all colleagues in “Farming has always played an important role in ume of work with very little personnel, and that
administration are supplied with fresh the Stiftung,” explains Ardelt, a farmer. “Especially is only possible if the employees are satisfied and
apples every day,” explains Jürgen for supplying healthy and fresh food. This ensured motivated. Günther Reitter, who is responsible for
Ardelt and slaps him on the shoulder. the survival of the community during the war. agricultural machinery for us, has already publicly
Fritz beams. Here in the sorting hall And even today, the Stiftung places great value announced this in Fendt TV: “The Vario transmis-
at the Stiftung Liebenau on Lake on farming.” sion is simply a dream to drive.”
The Stiftung now cultivates 590 hectares, some
Constance, he packs ten apples in
240 ha fields and some 230 ha grassland. In addi- Grazing with a view to Lake Constance
each bag and brings them to the tion, there are 81 ha for the production of apples Some 300 cows from the Limousin breed graze on
individual offices. That is his job and and 7 ha for vegetables. “Modern technology is the farm’s grassland half of the year – some with a
although he is already retired, he still essential for cultivating areas of this size. Overall, view of Lake Constance. “We have five herds right
feels it is his responsibility. we have twelve Fendt tractors in operation. now, with a total of 150 mother cows,” explains
36 37

Ardelt. “We actually came to mother cow hus- horses and some rescued horses. “There is a lot of manual work required here and that is why is only a time period of about four weeks where
bandry in a round-about way. Originally our farm of work to do here, such as grooming the horses, many disabled people work in the nursery. When we don’t have our own apples.”
was planned as a dairy cow farm. At the begin- which can be done without stress. These peo- I started here, I knew about disabled people, but Another source of income for the company,
ning of the 1980’s, we built stables for 190 cows. ple cannot deal very well with too much pressure. not how to treat them. But you get used to it besides traditional farming and support for hand-
At that time, as Brown Swiss breeders, we had the We also care for the animals from the adjacent quickly. Then it’s a lot of fun to work with these icapped people, is providing training for young
ambition of not buying cattle, but rather filling Ravensburger Spieleland amusement park. people, these special people. You get so much people with learning disabilities. “The young peo-
our stables with our own calves. And then came Self-marketing of products ple can attend a three-year training programme
the quota limitation and that hit us really hard. “In general, we aim to include disabled peo- after they finish the special needs school. They get
At that time, the quota was based on the amount ple in all the work we do. A good place for this is “You get so much out of it.” a skilled worker degree from our business areas
of milk that was currently being produced on the our farm shop.” The name farm shop may be a bit farming, fruit-growing and horticulture. The train-
farm. For us that was milk from about 80 cows. understated, because it is a store with a sales area ees live here and receive practical as well as the-
At that time there was no quota trading and we of 650 m2 and an adjacent café. “We sell most of out of it. And it is very satisfying to see how they oretical training here on location. This is often a
therefore could not use our stable completely. our products there and offer a complete range of develop here with us.” A great example for this is real challenge for our teachers, since the trainees
At the end of the 1990’s, we decided to give up products, comprising meat, vegetables, flowers Marc Bulach. Like Fritz Hofer, he works in the sort- have very different skills and talents. For example,
Jürgen Ardelt, agricultural engineer dairy farming,” recalls Ardelt, who has been with and fruit, but also books and small items for dec- ing hall. In the three years that he has been work- one student may not be able to add one and one
and head of the business areas the Stiftung over 30 years. “I don’t know of anyone oration.” ing at the Stiftung, he has moved up to become a together while the student next to him is autistic
farming, fruit-growing and that has left farming, except for those that had to The flowers and vegetables offered there also fork lift driver and is now responsible for loading and a genius with numbers. One thing all of our
horticulture at the Stiftung
retire,” he answers laughing, if you ask about his come directly from the Stiftung. More than 40 dif- the modern sorting facility. The farm’s entire apple trainees have in common is their enthusiasm for
Liebenau, checks the mother cow
long staff membership. ferent types of vegetables are grown on 6 ha of harvest is stored on the farm and prepared for Fendt tractors,” says Ardelt, smiling.
herd every day.
The animal husbandry, especially the traditional open land and in the hothouses of the Liebenau marketing in the sorting facility. “The entire track, The soon-to-be accredited skilled
“Everybody likes to help us, not stable work, offers good opportunities for hand- Nursery. “Root and leafy vegetables, cabbage, from the cultivation of the apples to their market- You will find more information workers enjoy having their photo
least because of the modern icapped people to work. In addition to mother tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and herbs, even ing, is in our hand. We take the last apple out of about the Stiftung Liebenau online at taken in front of one of the farm’s
machinery.” For example, a former cow husbandry, the green area of the Stiftung melons, thrive here next to cut flowers and pot- storage in June and, at the end of July, we already www.stiftung-liebenau.de Fendt tractors.
trainee and Jürgen Ardelt’s son help also has a horse farm. It accommodates boarded ted, bedding and balcony plants. There is a lot start harvesting the new apples. That means there
with seed bed preparation and The Liebenau Schloss – head­
sowing. quarters of the Stiftung Liebenau.
Fendt International
38 39

Power contest
in the arena
Each year in the summer, the Dutch municipality of Putten in the
eastern province of Gelderland is the pilgrimage site for local engine
and machinery freaks and those that would like to become ones. Last
year in July, some 15,000 people made a pilgrimage to Nulde Beach.
Where water sport fans usually meet, there is now a deliberate state About the region
of emergency on two days in an arena that was purpose-built for this Putten lies on the Nuldernauw, a shallow mar-
event. Screaming engines and the hustle and bustle of a colourful folk ginal sea between the eastern Dutch province
festival mix here for the Total Agri Beachpull. of Gelderland and the province of Flevoland.
The body of water is a remainder of the Zuider
Lake. Surrounded by beautiful woods, the area
is a popular destination for campers and water
sports enthusiasts. The architectural landmarks
Fendt tractors pull the starter of the area include the Schovenhorst Estate
It is Friday, shortly before 6 pm. Everyone in the
from the track immediately and Vanenburg Castle. In addition to the Total
Fendt pool is waiting for the starting signal. Koos Agri Beachpull, Putten is also known for its
after the race.
Luijk from the Fendt importers De Vor Achterveld is a Ossenmarkt (ox market), which is held on the
bit restless. Will everything turn out alright? Soon 2nd Wednesday in October.
everything will have to have to be up and running
smoothly so that both the starters and spectators
will be satisfied. “For us, as Fendt representatives, the
Total Agri Beachpull is more than just motor sport.
We take this opportunity to meet with customers
and dealers and to convince them of the perfor-
mance of the Fendt machines. Fendt has to work against each other, they will be pulled to the scales
perfectly on the grounds, because a lot of people to be weighed, then to the starting place and back
come here and carefully observe the many different again after the race. All in record time, so that the
models and the performance of the Fendt machines,” competition stays exciting – a huge challenge for us.”
he says. This year, the Fendt Crew even had to add an
organisational talent. For the first time, she is respon- In one pull to a “full pull”
sible for making sure the race runs smoothly on the The stadium announcer calls the start. The tractors
two tracks in five grand national classes, one farm and trucks are ready, divided by power, weight or
stock class and two truck classes. Furthermore, addi- modifications. On the first evening of the Total Agri
tional master classes on the European level will be Beachpull, tractors in the standard classes 3.5 to 9 t
starting. To manage these numbers, the competition (not modified) will battle for the “full pull”. The
is held on two days. For the Fendt pool that means: a strongest tractor with the most skilled driver wins,
Nearly 280 tractors and trucks from all over Europe – tuned or fresh from full programme around the clock. “We work with when it manages 100 m on the 10 m wide, clay track
the field – started and drove to their limit with their drivers. As one of the bundled power and 30 different Fendt tractors, in one pull. That is the rule. However, it will be pull-
sponsors, Fendt contributed to the success of the event for the 13th time. including the 211 F Vario, 209 Vario, 211 Vario, 313 ing a weight transfer sledge, which makes every-
A strong Fendt pool with a Beachpull staff of 30 and 30 Fendt tractors Vario, 513 Vario, 516 Vario, 720 Vario and 724 Vario,” thing much more difficult. The further from the trac-
reports Koos Luijk. This evening, these tractors will tor it is, the more difficult it becomes to pull. There is
from the Fendt importers De Vor Achterveld ensured perfect organisa-
pull the starter machines off the track after every a weight box on the wheeled rear axle and a runner
tion and coordination on the 6-hectare event grounds. race and immediately prepare the lanes for the next (metal pan) in the front. As the sledge is pulled, the
start. Tomorrow, when the power houses compete weight box, driven by the rear wheels, slides forward
40 41

Bart Calis from the Fendt Crew coordinates Some 15,000 enthusiastic spectators The weight transfer sledge Fendt presentation
the operations of the Fendt tractors on the track. came to the 13th Total Agri Beachpull in Putten (Netherlands). is brought to the starting place. right at the beginning of the Total Agri Beachpull.

onto the pan. The centre of gravity of the sledge making sure that the Fendt tractors don’t get in one time to help to prepare the festival. Jeanette de Vries know who owned the strongest tractor. At first, two
shifts forward and thus increases the pulling resist- another’s way at these high speeds, that they are and her brother Wim from Putten for example. They tractors were chained together and competed
ance. The weight and parameters of the sledge are coupled with the right implement or starter were already fans at a tender young age, when their against each other. Later boulders were pulled. The
adapted to the different weight classes, so the same machines, and, and, and … father took them to the tractor races. Wim de Vries: weight transfer sledge developed at the end of 1960
sledge can be used with both small and large trac- “Each of our Fendt tractors has a number, which “It is now tradition for me, to set up the track and brought the sport to a new level and enabled higher
tors. matches the number of the driver and key. That way then to cheer on our local matador ‘Bandit’ from speeds. Spectacular competitions with DIY tractors,
If several drivers manage the “full pull”, more weight I can keep an eye on all of them and make good use Putten.” His young daughter and 71-year-old father which had engines from tanks, airplanes or helicop-
is added to the sledge. Only the winner qualifies for of them,” he explains proudly. While he is saying this, join him. Koos von Kesteren, one of the many Fendt ters, began and also found enthusiasts in Europe. On
the Dutch Championship. he is constantly keeping an eye on what is happen- dealers, sends one of his mechanics, Jos Konijn, into the occasion of the world ploughing championships
In addition, the sledge also has a push-down system, ing on the course. “Take a look at those machines. the race again with a “self-designed” Fendt 828. In in 1977, the first tractor pulling started in Flevohof
which decelerates the tractor within the shortest dis- They’ve got unbelievable power behind them!” He’s the past two years, he took first place in the 3.6-t and continued its triumphant success through
tance possible, in the case that the driver loses con- not referring to the truck on lane 2, which just failed top super sport class. Koos van Kesteren: “We put Europe from there. Now there are national associa-
trol over his vehicle. Despite all of this craziness, safe- at 80 m, but rather the two Fendt 516 Vario and 724 so much of our free time into the design of this tions, which specify a comprehensive system of
ty remains top priority! Vario tractors, which are pulling the loser from the machine, so much effort and so much money – you technical rules and safety provisions for the tractors.
course, while simultaneously smoothing the race
“I often even dream about track. The next start is already being announced. “We put so much of our free time Fendt pool proves itself again
Peter Hijwegen, one of the drivers, is taking a breath- Saturday, 3 pm. The seats in the tribunes along the
Fendt tractors, er for just a moment. “Each year I look forward to a into the design of this machine, track are completely filled. Everybody is wearing ear
somehow they are in my blood.” Fendt 720 Vario for the Beachpull. I have to move so much effort and so much plugs or headphones. Because today the true giants
quickly between lanes and each time I am thrilled money – you really have with thousands of HP and a huge sound will make
about its turning circle and agility. The electronics their appearance. New this time is a 4-tonner in the
Tractor in optimal balance function perfectly, even though they are in continu- to be crazy about the business.” unlimited class – with more than 9,000 hp!
The ‘art’ in tractor pulling is in correctly estimating ous operation. The comfort is top. I really love Fendt! For the Fendt pool this also means going to the limit
the competition track in advance and bringing the For me they are the best tractors in the world.” He non-stop. The well-rehearsed team steals the show
tractor in optimal balance. Speed does not play a says and he’s already back in the noise-protected cab really have to be crazy about the business. But all of and has everything under control. Fendt tractors and
role,” says Wim Torsius, 58. He volunteers his help and speeding over the track with a grading blade to us here are crazy,” he says and laughs. Arco Sterk the Fendt crew are there immediately, wherever they
every year to prepare the Total Agri Beachpull in smooth out the churned up ground for the next designed the previous 828er. The former Fendt boss, are needed. Towards midnight, everything is fin-
Putten. “My hobby and my liking for Fendt have now starter. Hermann Merschroth, gave him a bonnet of the ished. And the organisers are also finished, beyond a
become my job. I was a Fendt salesperson for many Fendt 930 prototype ten years ago. The technology doubt. The winners have been chosen, the lap of
years. Only Fendt – because for me these machines Tractor pulling has a long tradition enthusiast bought a used Fendt, removed the trans- honour has been completed. The audience is clap-
are the Rolls-Royce amongst tractors. “I always want Tractor pulling is gaining in popularity in the farm- mission and built a “new tractor” out of both of the ping – both for the exciting show as well as the great
to be on the winning side.” Wim Torsius says this so ing-oriented Netherlands. After all, the country has 828s. He also started successfully with it. “I have a lot organisation. Bart Calis and his Fendt team are satis-
enthusiastically that you really believe him when he five European champions. More and more visitors of respect for the performance and quality of the fied. “We gave our best and showed what we can do.
says: “I often dream about Fendt tractors, somehow come to the qualification races each year, including Fendt.” Today Arco Sterk supports the Total Agri That was worth it. Fendt has defended its image.”
they are in my blood.” to Putten, to experience this exceptional motor Beachpull as the stadium announcer. In the next few hours, everything will be taken down
The coordination is perfect, also thanks to Bart Calis, show. Henri Ouderdomp, 36, from Harderwijk, for so that the terrain will be ready for the water sports
Fendt salesperson at De Vor’ Achterveld from the example. He is a passionate autocross driver and The idea comes from the USA enthusiasts the next week.
Fendt pool. The young man is like a rock in turbulent comes to the Total Agri Beachpull because “it’s just a Tractor pulling is in no way a recent invention.
waters. He dashes back and forth between the lanes, lot of fun”. Some 200 volunteers spend their free Already 80 years ago, American farmers wanted to
Report
42 43

Fendt tractors:
In addition to the new
Fendt ranges, Josy Reiff

rife with power

also owns more than
80 vintage Fendt tractors.

The Reiff contracting company has its headquarters in the northern

part of Luxembourg. The friendly family-run business has grown
rapidly in the past years. With tremendous commitment, the family
has managed a lot with their staff. A reliable fleet of Fendt tractors has
contributed their success.

The operators at Reiff

luxembourg, with 130,000 hectares of agricultural 450 ha for the cultivation of potatoes and grain. All daily business. the mix of several decades of tractor Fendt fans. the two tractors were the most photo- are proud of their
land, may only have a fraction of the farm land of its in all, this is quite a bit of work for the 16 permanent design from marktoberdorf fits to Josy reiff’s philos- graphed machines at the farm festival at the end of well-cared for machines.
neighbour Germany, but regions such as the north employees and the tractors. reiff has been relying ophy. “in our workshop hall, we can complete most march. the one-day event on the occasion of the
of the country are very intensively used for farming. on Fendt for many years already, which any guest repairs on tractors quickly and with short distances. inauguration of the new location was a real major
the reiff contracting company is located at the edge can quickly see during a tour through the huge, can- the spare parts stock is well-organised. even whole event. more than 10,000 visitors, high-ranking politi-
of the small town of troisvierges, 10 km from the Bel- tilever machine hall. several different Fendt genera- engines can be replaced within a few hours, depend- cians and company representatives came to see the
gian border. the family-run business inaugurated its tions are in service here: from the Favorit 500 and ing on the case,” he says proudly during a tour of the contracting business and celebrate with the reiff
new business location at the beginning of 2014. the workshop. with 15,000 hours, some of the tractors team in the evening.
previous business, about 2 km away, became too big already have a proud history at the reiff contracting the public relations work is clearly from Jeff reiff’s
for the premises in the village. Some tractors have company. hand. “when i discussed my ideas regarding market-
the enterprise is managed by 28-year-old Jeff reiff. 15,000 hours behind them Fendt tractors, however, are not just tools for the ing activities with my parents two years ago, they
his mother Josette is responsible for bookkeeping reiffs, they are a true passion. this manifests itself in were not convinced. sure, my father presented new
and accounting, his father Josy takes care of the the large Fendt vintage tractor collection, which machinery and services at small customer events.
organisation of the workshop and the new construc- 800 to the latest models from the Fendt 800 Vario comprises 90 tractors that Josy collected from all Newspaper and radio interviews as well as the com-
tion. Besides the traditional contract work with com- and 900 Vario high-horsepower tractor series. But a over europe. most of the tractors have already been pany film, which i wanted, however, were virgin terri-
bines, forage harvesters, loading wagons and balers, true cult tractor, such as the Fendt tool carrier or the restored, true to the original. these include the two tory.” But both the film and the event were a com-
the services offered also include earth-moving and first models of the 926 Vario tractors with continu- meticulously restored rare Favorit 626 lsA and 622 plete success.
municipal operations. their own farm also has ously variable transmission still have their place in lsA, affectionately called “Nasenbären” (coati) by

ABoUt the DVD

the entire
Fendt fleet
from reiff
in operation.
playing time:
90 minutes

languages:
German, english, French,
luxembourgian, Dutch

isBN (D): 4260205410455

You will find more information at

www.fendt.tv
Fendt International
44 45

Safety first on the

Porsche race track
Easy to see from the air: Johann Planatscher, General Manager Fendt Italy, handed over the white Fendt 720 Vario
the round test track at the Nardò Technical Centre. personally to Edmund Sander, General Director of the Nardò Technical Centre.

32° C, glistening sunlight, the air above the asphalt is scintillating. The deafening sound
of a screaming engine cuts through the quiet morning. A Porsche shoots past on the track.
The world-renowned testing track lies in the vicinity only has enough water for four minutes. After that it
Faster than hardly any other vehicle can. In the inside of the circuit of the Nardò Technical of the city of Nardò in Southern Italy. This region of must rely on the 25 t water tank that is towed by the
Centre, on the dynamic surface, a Fendt 720 Vario makes it rounds, comparatively slowly. Apulia is mostly even and therefore perfectly suited Fendt.
The special white paint job has a precious gleam in the sunshine. The Fendt is the latest for a high-speed track. With only a few rainy days Forest fires are not rare in Southern Italy. Heat and
purchase of the Nardò Technical Centre. and hardly any frost, vehicles can be tested 365 days drought make it easy for fires to break out. The Medi-
a year in Nardò. The banked curve compensates for terranean vegetation of evergreen bushes and
centrifugal forces so that speeds of up to 240 km/h shrubs is flammable. While test vehicles and proto-
are permitted, even 500 km/h would be possible. types race by, the local farmers cultivate the areas
The Nardò Technical Centre is considered to be one within the circular track. Offside of the tracks, the
of the fastest test tracks in the world. farmers cultivate vegetables. To get to their fields,
The identifying feature of the centre is the 12.6-km the farmers go through a number of underpasses to
long circular test track with a 4-km diameter. It was access the grounds in the middle of a nature pre-
built in 1975 by Fiat with the aid of public funding to serve.
subsidise the economically weak region. Today Por- The track maintenance is also maintained with the
sche Engineering is responsible for the Nardò techni- assistance of the new tractor. Tyre residues are
cal Centre, which is open to all automobile manufac- removed regularly from the test track. The Fendt
turers for testing their vehicles. pulls a high-pressure cleaner over the asphalt, which
removes even the smallest bit of tyre residue.
“Thanks to the Vario transmission and the cruise con-
“When there is a fire, trol, the Fendt is exactly the right vehicle for working
Fendt comes.” with a high-pressure cleaner,” says Sander. “After all,
the specialty machine requires a precisely adjusted
In addition to the round track, the 700 hectare area speed to clean the test track.” This maintenance
also has different sections, for example, there are measure is very important for general safety at the
gravel and off-road stretches. Manufacturers can test high speeds that are driven on this test track.
their vehicles on sections with different road surfac- “After thorough and detailed comparisons and tests,
es. we decided in favour of the German company,”
Since January 2014, the white Fendt 720 Vario has explains the General Manager. “Cutting edge tech-
been in service for the facilities. The Fendt tractor is nologies and bundled competence in power trans-
used for the maintenance and repair of the grounds. mission and hydraulics guarantee versatile opera-
Primarily preventative measures are performed to tions and a long lifetime for the tractor.” Edmund
protect the testing grounds. For example, the Sander thinks the 720 Vario is clearly the all-rounder
machine assists the fire brigade in combating forest amongst tractors. The machine is an excellent addi-
fires. “We combated a forest fire, which covered 20 tion to the fleet at the Nardò Technical Centre.
hectares, here a few months ago with the help of the
Fendt,” relates Edmund Sander, engineer and Gener-
al Director of the Nardò Technical Centre. “We chose
a tractor in this high-performance class especially for
transporting the huge water tank.” The fire brigade

High-tech amongst themselves: Fendt and Porsche

Report
46 47

the garden with the old fruit trees. He grew up an English lawn,” he compares proudly. It has a tre-

As dense as
here in this house. “Only 15 years ago, the grass­- mendous affect on the profitability of the milk pro-
land was very poor. The grass only had 2,000 to duction: before, 1,000 to 1,500 l milk/cow were pro-
3,000 shoots/m2 and large gaps, where only sorrel, duced from the staple feed. Today it is 5,000 l and
dandelion or other less valuable herbs grew. We only more per cow and year, which means an overall
harvested 50 to 60 dt/ha dry mass of low quality per annual milk production of 8,250 l/cow. That saves on

an English lawn
year,” he recalls. costs for concentrated feed.

“Step out of your boots and get in front of the

Milk production has monitor”
quintupled through the use Alfons Göbel learned farming from the bottom up.
of new staple feed As the youngest of six children, he helped his father
in the stable and in the field at an early age. “It was a
Training
lot of fun. But I actually wanted to study mechanical
includes
engineering,” he says. But that didn’t turn out. His
checking for a The farmer did not want to content himself with this
dense sward. childhood experiences form a good foundation for
problematic situation. He searched for solutions and his agricultural training, the vocational school, the
asked the Chamber of Agriculture Rhineland-Palati- examination for the master craftsman’s certificate,
nate for advice. After an appraisal, he put together a and finally his studies for business administration, The farmers-to-be from Bad
plan with the consultants, for optimising the quality where he specialised in the area of grassland
Kreuznach listen to Alfons Göbel
and yield of the sward. With success. explain the proper cultivation of
improvement and management. Now, as the Chair- grassland. Christoph Steilen
Today the business harvests 100 and 110 dt/ha DM man of the Grassland and Fodder Production Com- (left of him), from the grassland
grass with the same amount of fertiliser, because the mittee of the Chamber of Agriculture Rhineland- group of the service provider
grass now grows with 8,000 to 10,000 shoots/m² on Palatinate and member of the DLG Technical Dienstleitungszentrum Ländlicher
Göbel’s grassland. “That is a density similar to that of Committee for Grassland and Fodder Conservation, Raum Eifel, Bitburg, assists him.

Except for the missing Alps, the Southern Eifel looks almost like the Allgäu:
pastures and milk production everywhere. This hilly terrain requires special
skills to optimise the cultivation of this grassland, which is an important
prerequisite for successful milk production. Alfons Göbel, farmer, Chairman of
the Grassland and Fodder Production Committee of the Chamber of Agriculture
Rhineland-Palatinate as well as member of the corresponding DLG technical
committee, is an expert for this.

Two well-cared for tractors are standing on the left in father then expanded the farm to 25 dairy cows,”
the farmyard: a 2014 Fendt 512 Vario, which is rented says Alfons Göbel, explaining the history of his
for training, and his own 2012 Fendt 724 Vario. The grandparents’ and parents’ farm. The accurate look-
quiet breathing of the cattle can be heard from the ing middle age man explains that he now has 40
opposite stall and every so often also some loud dairy cows and their offspring. He does not want to
mooing. The building is connected directly to the increase the number just now, since the successor
house; in front is a paddock for the young cattle. The for the farm is not yet clear at this point in time.
family-run farming business also has 75 ha of arable What Alfons Göbel is constantly developing further
land and grassland, which lie on the outskirts of the is his knowledge and experience in grassland man-
municipality of Ehlenz in the southern Eifel. This agement.
property has been used for farming for more than
100 years. First just part-time, since the founder, The- Some 110 dt/ha dry mass grass per year
odor Gilen, was a teacher in the village school from “Everything was actually developed out of necessity,”
1895 to 1935. He had four cows and two pigs for his sums up Alfons Göbel. He is sitting at the kitchen
own family’s use. After all, he raised 15 children. “My table. Through the window, you can look out into
48 49
he gives lectures on successful grassland cultivation Vario, the 6-m wide Vertikator pasture renovator for Kreuznach to Luxembourg. Often he has to stay
for colleagues. For this, he travels throughout Ger- sowing and turf maintenance and the mower. A hay overnight. “I always have a suitcase in the tractor for
many and Poland. “Why should I keep my knowledge rake is attached to the Fendt 512 Vario. Then he is this,” he says.
to myself? When I’m buried in the cemetery some already on the way to meet the young people on the In any case, he likes driving the Fendt 724 Vario in
day, my knowledge will go with me,” he laughs. One grassland before the gates of the village with a pop- the ProfiPlus equipment version. “I’m looking for-
reason why his lectures are always well attended is ulation of 490. The twelve trainees come from Bad ward to working with this machine, because it offers
surely not only that he imparts theoretical knowl- Kreuznach. Last week there were students from the so many options and everything works with the pre-
edge, but because he also applies this knowledge District Eifel there. Soon-to-be accredited masters of cision of a Swiss clockwork,” he says proudly and
himself. “Step out of your boots and get in front of horse management also visit his practical training admits that he has already read through the operat-
the monitor” course. ing manual six times. Not because it so complicated.
The group listens to the lecture about grassland No, Alfons Göbel wants to exploit everything the
The company has been providing training for 15 yields, optimising quality and maintenance work Fendt is capable of. He has been a loyal Fendt cus-
years with great interest. But they can’t get away with pas- tomer for decades already. The well cared for 1984
As he steps out into the farmyard, he is met by Elena sive listening only, they must also answer tricky Fendt 309 LSA and a 1966 Farmer 2D standing in his
Keller, 1st year trainee for farming, coming the other questions. Elena drove out with them. She likes her machine shed are proof for this.
way. She is in the process of completing her one- training post and uses every chance to learn some- “It was a giant leap switching from my 1997 Fendt
Elena Keller, 1st year farming trainee, lives with the Göbels during her practical apprenticeship
year practical training and had to work in the stable. thing new. Favorit 512C to a Fendt 724 Vario; it actually has
year. When she has time, she likes to spoil the young cattle with a bit of “cow wellness”.
The company has been offering a training pro- twice the power. I am fully satisfied. It was the right
gramme since 15 years. Today, however, some other With the precision of Swiss clockwork decision,” he sums up and explains why: Thanks to
pupils will be coming to Ehlenz. The Chamber of The annual 900 machines hours of the Fendt 724
Agriculture Rhineland-Palatinate has sent them to Vario are not only spent on his own land. A third of
learn how to teach grassland management. Alfons the hours he provides grassland maintenance servic- A giant leap: twice the power
Göbel, whose farm has also been a training business es to his colleagues: stock-taking, hauling, grooming, through the Fendt 720 Vario
The expert, Alfons Göbel, since 10 years, does not need long to prepare. He sowing and rolling. Each year he visits 40 to 50 farms,
teaches important basics for only has to get the machinery ready: his Fendt 724 from Saarbrücken to Aachen and from Bad the pneumatic cab suspension, he no longer has a
grassland operations.
backache after work, the ergonomics are super, that
all elements are easy to operate and the hydraulic
lateral stabilisation enables safe work in the hilly ter-
rain of the area. This is all rounded off with the active
steering on the 724 Vario, which reduces the time for
headland manoeuvres by 40 percent. The automatic
climate control works perfectly and plays an impor-
tant role in the well-being of operators during warm
weather and long operations. The fuel consumption
is sensational with an annual average of 11.3 litres of
Shop talk amongst agricultural machinery experts: (from left) Edmund Servatius, Managing fuel per hour.
Director of the Fendt distributors Agrartechnische Maschinen Servatius & Ehlenz, Rittersdorf, Ten years ago, Alfons Göbel began making farmers
Alfons Göbel, and Bernhard Brischwein, Fendt factory representative. in the southern Eifel aware of the need for good
grassland management. As a result many farms have
In full operation: clearly improved both quality and quantity and have
Alfons Göbel with the Fendt 724 Vario, fitted with a Vertikator at the rear and a grass cutter. become more profitable. The use of Fendt tractors
made it possible for Alfons Göbel to extend his cir-
cuits. The profitability and, not least, the comfort of
the Fendt 724 Vario help the popular grassland
expert to meet the expectations and demands
placed on him.
The collaboration with Fendt deepened, when he
presented his work to the AGCO/Fendt management
and Fendt staff three years ago in Marktoberdorf. For
some time now, he also has a family tie to Bavaria:
Göbel’s son Maurin, a technology enthusiast, is stud-
ying mechanical engineering within the dual educa-
tion system (work/study) at Fendt. It is quite possible
that soon even more practical expert knowledge
from the southern Eifel will find its way into tractor
production in the Allgäu.
Fendt News
50 51

Fendt tractor is awarded a silver medal in Russia Important trade fair dates 2015 Move from Belgium to Southern France with a Fendt tractor Fendt Katana on tour through Europe and online

The biannual AGROSALON internation- the other, an increasing interest in We will be presenting our new The demopark + demogolf Some would say: Marcel Rémant is a ily I don’t need much sleep.” The long- The Fendt Katana Eurotour starts ping quality,” explains the product
al exhibition for agricultural machin- Fendt tractors on the Russian market.” machinery at the following in Eisenach is important for crazy guy – in a good way. When the distance truck driver knows about the promptly for the maize harvest. From engineer. “The Fendt Katana 65 is
ery is held in Moscow. The AGROSALON The “AGROSALON Innovation Competi- 66-year-old decided he wanted to risks of the trip, but only small things 8 September to 3 November, the equipped with the innovative V-Crack-
important trade fairs in 2015. municipal operations:
is the largest exhibition for agricultur- tion” is a renowned competition for spend the golden years of his life in happened with the Fendt. The heat of 650-hp Fendt Katana 65 forage har- er. We can demonstrate the effective-
21–23 June 2015.
al machinery in Russia. Fendt present- cutting-edge technology and innova- sunny Southern France instead of Bel- the summer in the cab took its toll. vester will travel through five Europe- ness of this technology through a sim-
ed its machinery within this frame- tions in agricultural engineering. A The year starts with the gium, he promptly made his way And the navigation system wanted to an countries. Individual demonstra- ple water test. The chopped maize is
work this year. total of 61 innovations in agricultural International Green Weeks The trade fair year 2015 south, but not with a car. The Fendt use the motorway, although it is pro- tions for selected customers, will high- filled into a water-filled measuring
Fendt was awarded a silver medal by engineering were nominated, only in Berlin: ends with the world’s larg- fan took on the tour of more than hibited for tractors. He says he went by light the special technical features of cup with a sieve at the bottom. The
the independent jury 2014. The Fendt 19 innovations, however, received the 16–25 January 2015. est agricultural exhibition, the 1,100 km with his Fendt tractor. His his feeling to find the way to La Môle. the forage harvester from Fendt. maize quickly settles to the bottom.
933 Vario ProfiPlus received the award coveted award. An independent inter- Agritechnica in Hanover: trip started on 30 September 2014 in He greeted those behind him with a Jan-Christoph Hoffmann is Fendt We can check and evaluate the maize
for its overall design concept. The trac- national jury chose the award winners. The SIMA in Paris follows 10-14 November 2015. Walcourt, Belgium and continued over sign, which he mounted on the trailer: product engineer Katana internation- kernels individually, to see how many
tor unites several innovative technolo- Four gold medals and 15 silver medals winding roads, mountains and valley it read “Bonne Route – gute Fahrt”, al. He accompanied the forage har- are cracked. And as expected, the
in February:
gies, such as the ISOBUS implement were awarded for the most efficient to his destination, La Môle near St good trip. He got to know many peo- vester during the two-month trip. “We cracker quality was super.”
22-26 February 2015. You are invited. Visit us at the
control, Fendt SectionControl or the and most innovative technologies for Tropez. ple on this unusual trip, such as the drove to a certain importer or dealer Like all Fendt machines, the
continuously variable Vario transmis- agricultural machinery. Fendt Stand in 2015. We would Schmidts from Darmstadt. Marcel Ré- for one week. These had already con- Fendt Katana 65 has the Variotronic
sion, in one vehicle. The machine fea- be happy to present our new Marcel Rémant is moving into a house mant immediately invited the new tacted potential customers in ad- unified operating interface. This ena-
tures front axle suspension with inde- products and services to you. in Southern France. That is why he has Fendt friends to his house near St vance,” reports the product engineer. bles trouble-free switching between
pendent wheel suspension as well as loaded a small trailer behind the Fendt Tropez. Hardly arrived in Southern “We mostly drove to the customers’ different Fendt models. The ride com-
the integral Fendt Stability Control, with his all of his possessions. Bicycles, France, Marcel Rémant is already plan- farms and presented the Fendt Katana fort and fuel-saving maximum output
which ensures the perfect combina- files and folders, furniture – every- ning his next big trip with his Fendt – to them in a familiar environment. The control are unique selling points. A
tion of driving safety and ride comfort. thing is stowed away under the white to Dakar. customers then always had the oppor- contractor from Austria did not lose
“The award is of high significance for tarp on the trailer. Marcel Rémant tunity to drive and test the forage har- time and wanted to buy it immediate-
us and shows that professional farm- quickly disposed of the idea of renting vester for themselves.” In this rhythm, ly. The sales contract was already
ers have great confidence in the Fendt a van. “The Fendt is untiring and fail- three customers per week could expe- signed one day after the presentation.
brand,” says Yuri Zyabkin, AGCO Com- safe,” he raves. He drove the Fendt rience the advantages of the Fendt If you would like to learn more and see
mercial Manager for Russia. “On the tractor six days long at an average Katana. Just in time for the market customers in operation, then visit our
one hand, this means further incentive speed of 30 km/h. Along the way, the launch in selected European countries, Katana Info Tour at
for the development of the technolog- friendly Frenchman made many new besides Germany, the route included www.fendt-katana.com.
ically leading Fendt machines and, on friends. When he got tired, he just Austria, Luxembourg, the Netherlands
took a nap on the steering wheel of his and Poland.
tractor, says Marcel Rémant. “I have a What fine details make the Fendt You will find more information
pillow and blanket with me and luck- Katana 65 so special? “We can demon- at www.fendt.tv
strate the chopping quality to custom-
Photo upper left: ers very easily. We fill the chopped
Evgeny Zhilkin, Head of Fendt Sales Russia, maize into a shaker box. It has three
with the silver medal for the Fendt 933 Vario. sections of the same size, which have
big, small and no holes in the floor.
The more maize that remains in the
middle section, the better the chop-
fendt.com

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After all, you are the expert in your field. We deliver the technology. And the
quality. And everything that makes a tractor a Fendt. All in all, simply Fendt.  

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