Exclusive test drive with the Fendt Ideal 9T combine harvester

Mato Grosso do Sul is one of the most inspiring Brazilian states for those who enjoy good agriculture, with productivity and efficiency, but also with good practices of integrating agriculture and nature conservation. The Bonito region is an example of connecting agricultural practices with ecotourism and contemplation of the natural environment.

To test the Fendt Ideal 9T harvester in the field, we went to this region of the Brazilian Midwest, specifically to the Bodoquena Farm, owned by the Verluz Sementes Group, in the municipality of Bonito. In an area designated for seed production, we had the opportunity to work with the Fendt Ideal 9T all day, in excellent weather and crop conditions.

Fendt Brasil has a line of four tractor models: the Fendt Ideal harvester, models 7, 8 and 9, the Fendt Momentum seeders and the Fendt Rogator 900 sprayer. After six years operating in Brazil, the brand is convinced that one of its strengths is reliability, demonstrated by the excellent records of its after-sales sector. The results of evaluations of its products by the company itself, as well as by national research institutions, have also shown that the brand has obtained excellent results in terms of operational performance.

Ideal harvesters are manufactured in Santa Rosa (RS), with some imported components, and are offered in three models, Ideal 7, 8 and 9, with models 8 and 9 being designated T, which refers to the assembly with a front track instead of tires. Among the models, there are some changes in the chassis and in the industrial part, the Ideal 7 model uses a single rotor instead of two rotors, as in the Ideal 8 and 9. These are exclusive rotors, different from other models of machines from the competition.

The smaller model, Ideal 7, has a grain tank for 12.500 liters, or approximately 160 bags, and can be equipped with 35- and 40-foot cutting platforms. In the Ideal 8 and 9 models, the grain tank increases to 17.100 liters or 220 bags, and the platform can be 40 and 45 feet in the 8 model, and 45 and 50 feet in the 9 model.

Motor

Although the three models offered for the domestic market are part of a family of products, at Ideal, each model has a different engine and not a repowered version of the same engine. The Ideal 7 uses the AgcoPower, 9,8 L 7-cylinder AP model with 481 hp, the Ideal 8 uses the Man, 12,4 L 6-cylinder model with 545 hp and the Ideal 9 is equipped with the Man, 15,2 L also with 6 cylinders, with 656 hp of maximum power. All engines comply with the Proconve MAR-1 emission reduction standard, with the use of post-treatment with Arla32 and follow the current trend of reducing engine speeds, providing maximum power around 1.900 rpm.

In the engine temperature cooling system, the “Airsense” ventilation system reverses the direction of rotation of the radiator fan to eliminate residues that could restrict the passage of air through the radiators. Also new, the “Airbox” was added to the 8 and 9 models, which consists of a pressurized air box, causing the exhaust pipe to pass through a compartment, reducing the accumulation of residues that could cause a thermal incident.

All platforms used by Ideal models manufactured at AGCO's Santa Rosa, RS, are of the draper type, Dynaflex model, with 35 and 40 feet for the Ideal 7 model, with 40 and 45 feet for the Ideal 8 model and for the largest, the Ideal 9, the platform is 45 and 50 feet long. Currently, the Ideal 9 is the only machine in the country that leaves the factory with a 50-foot platform, produced in Brazil.

The cutter bar is of the Schumacher type, divided into two sections, and can act as a flexible or rigid bar, controlled from the operator's station. In flexible mode, the vertical position and flexibility are read by potentiometers, which transfer the information to the operator. The vertical stroke of the knives is 203 mm, and can adapt to the ground surface, and both the platform and the feeder channel are driven directly by a cardan shaft through the “drive center”. Two sections of conveyor belt gather the material in the center and this is conveyed to the feeder channel by a small central auger. Each side of the platform is driven by a cardan shaft, which receives the central movement. The one on the right side drives the central conveyor belt, the right side conveyor belt and the right part of the cutter bar. The left cardan shaft, in turn, drives the central auger, the left side conveyor belt and the left side section of the cutter bar. The speed of the side conveyors can be adjusted from the cabin by the operator. On machines up to 40 feet, the windlass is single, but on 45 and 50 foot platforms it is divided into two parts.

The basic adjustments of all platforms and the three Fendt Ideal models are made directly from the machine's cabin, by electro-hydraulic actuation, as well as for adjusting pressure, angle of attack, reel adjustment, cutting and maneuvering height memory and conveyor speed, with no need for the operator to leave his/her workstation.

Industrial system

Although we have stated that the Ideal is manufactured in Brazil, some key components are brought from Fendt's European factories. Both the engine and the entire transmission and drive unit, the "drive center", are brought from abroad. During the test, we took the time to learn about the particularities of the Ideal 9T's "drive center". The entire industrial part is driven by just 13 belts.

Immediately after the harvested product mass leaves the platform, it enters the feeder channel, which consists of four chains in all models in the current version. This channel, also known as a feeder, can be adjusted in terms of its angle of attack and lateral inclination, as well as the feed speed by rotation, which varies from 611 rpm to 952 rpm, controlled by sensors. As expected in a machine with advanced technology such as this, the design included a change in direction and a reduction in the speed of movement for reversal, using a hydraulic motor.

From the channel, the grain passes through a feed cylinder that rotates slower than the rotors, between 280 rpm and 810 rpm, and has a box that retains stones. It directs the flow of mass to a single centralized rotor, in the smaller model, Ideal 7, and two rotors for the Ideal 8 and 9 models, which will perform the function of threshing, separation and starting the cleaning.

In the Ideal 9T model we tested, the two rotors have a smaller diameter than those of the competition, but are much longer, at 4.838 mm, resulting in a threshing and separation area of ​​4,5 m2. The rotors are divided into four parts, each with a very clear function. The first part of the rotor has a helical shape, with four propellers, which mainly feed the next part, which is responsible for threshing and separation and consists of two modules of offset bars. It is expected that all the threshing will occur in this section of the rotor, with a compression and decompression action, as well as most of the separation of the grains from the straw. Then, the next part of the rotor continues the separation, using fingers arranged in a helical shape on the rotor. Finally, the final part is responsible for unloading. To control the speed of the rotors, there is a divider in the form of a high and low box, which determines a range where control is done from the operator's station. Just like the feeder channel, the rotors can also have their movement reversed, using a switch placed on the side console.

The concaves are made of wire, and the grids placed on the bottom of the rotors can be made of wire and fingers and are very easy to remove.

The threshed grains fall onto a stratification tray, placed at the front and which performs the pre-cleaning function. From there, the clean grains go to the sieves and the light straw is removed with the help of the fan. Another tray, for return, takes the product to the beginning of the sieves.

The sieves are of the double cascade type, and both the upper and lower ones are selected according to the grain size, with corn and soybeans being of the same type. At the terminal, inside the cabin, the opening can be adjusted electro-hydraulically. Although the sieves are fixed, they have the ability to act as self-leveling, since the double cascade system and the stratification tray have curved sections in plastic material on the return trays and the dividers are higher, providing compensation in sloping areas.

After passing through the sieves, the grain is lifted to the tank by the clean grain elevator, which uses 40 rubber blades (scoops). The sensor for productivity and moisture is located inside it. The grain tank has extensions that can be collected directly from the cabin for transport and storage.

The fan is made up of three sections and the speed can be varied from 150 rpm to 1.350 rpm by the operator. Interestingly, during the rethreading, the grain returns to the return tray and not directly to the threshing, which undoubtedly reduces damage to the grain.

The discharge tube, called Streamer 140 in the Ideal 7 model and Streamer 210 in the Ideal 8 and 9 models, can discharge the entire grain tank in up to 81 seconds, but this flow rate can be reduced to avoid grain breakage, in cases such as that of the Bodoquena Farm, which produces seed. The base of the tube is reinforced, starting from a robust cast iron piece, through which the tube is articulated to the discharge position. The size of the tube is proportional to the length of the platform, with 9,15 m in the Ideal 7 and 10,6 m in the 8 and 9 models. A simple touch on the monitor opens the extension and with a roller switch on the multifunction lever opens and closes the tube and starts the discharge.

Finally, at the straw outlet, the residues must be handled, first with the straw chopper, which works at two speeds and is based on a blade rotor that acts on a fixed bar. After being chopped, the straw is directed by means of deflectors to the spreader, which works with two hydraulically driven finned discs (“spinners”). Adjusting the speed of the discs is crucial for the distribution width. We saw in the test that the machine fully covers the cutting width of the platform, without any concentration in the center of the machine, which favors the planting of other crops in sequence. At the straw outlet, before the spreader, on a flat surface, we have the grain loss sensor.

Self-propulsion system

The Fendt Ideal 7 is equipped with dual tires at the front, specified in 620/70R42, and at the rear 620/70R26. The 8 and 9 models can be fitted with dual tires at the front, designated 710/70R42, and at the rear in the size 750/65R26. In both the Ideal 8 and 9 models, the customer can choose to mount a rubber track on the front wheel, hence receiving the designation T. Therefore, the machine we tested in the field, the Ideal 9T, is equipped with tracks at the front.

It is not possible to install the tracks after purchasing the machine, as it leaves the factory ready for tires or tracks. The rear wheel is equipped with high-flotation tires measuring 750/65R26. The rubber track, manufactured in the United States, is 30 inches wide and is driven by a drive wheel at the top and its tension is provided by two automatic tensioners, placed at the bottom.

We have often followed the machine's movements in the field, verifying its excellent interaction with the soil, which results in a lower concentration of pressure on the surface, distributing the force over a huge contact area. This significantly improves the interaction and therefore the traction, but the main advantage is, without a doubt, the reduction in soil compaction, especially in the root development zone.

In general, a prejudice against the use of tracks on tractors and harvesters is based on the purchase price and the cost of replacing the continuous belt that forms the track, but this cost is offset by the durability, as they wear out much less than agricultural tires. While a pair of tracks is replaced, many tires have to be purchased for the replacement.

Ergonomics and cabin

As expected from a product in this category, the quality of the cabin is surprising. With a pressurization system, there is no dust or noise ingress, and comfort is felt from the seat to the visibility. Since the model we tested was the top of the line, we were able to take advantage of the opportunity to get to know all of this machine's features.

On the right side of the operator's seat, an armrest contains the main controls and a small monitor displays a series of information about the machine's operational part, as well as a graphic representation of grain losses. In front of the console, a 10,4-inch screen called the NT01 or Vario Terminal monitor is used to configure functions, dividing the screen into four quadrants to show the information that the operator finds most important, including camera images. This is a monitor that can be used to configure features such as the platform, machine, lighting, crop-specific calibrations, grain and straw management, grain losses and harvesting modes, selected by lateral movement of the joystick.

The multifunction control located on the side console brings together the main functions required for operating the machine, such as platform adjustments, grain unloading, activating the autopilot and maneuvers. With a forward and backward movement, it moves the machine forward and reverse, and you can choose between fast acceleration or slow approach to engage the platform. Moving the multifunction control to the right activates the chosen harvesting mode, and to the left stops the machine. We saw in the test that there are mechanisms designed to prevent operating errors. As our operator said, the machine is intelligent, but for safety reasons, it is necessary to tell it what you want to do.

When purchasing the Ideal harvester, the customer will be able to choose which GPS position receiver to use, with four alternatives. The first will be the autonomous system, free of charge; the second is the submetric system, with an accuracy of approximately 15 cm, with a free demonstration for one year after purchase; the third option is the decimetric system, with an accuracy of 2,5 cm and a free signal for 30 days; and finally, the centimetric system of 2,5 cm with an RTK base.

One of the technologies we used in the test that impressed us a lot is the one that allows programming of the automation of maneuvers, with Autoturn, which in addition to performing the headland maneuver, automates several functions, such as platform height memory, windlass position and rotation, fan speed and autopilot automation. In the test we always use this system, which can only be used on machines that are equipped with decimetric and centimetric correction levels.

The Fendt Connect telemetry system records and transmits the machine position and up to 67 parameters related to the operation and performance of the harvester to devices located either at the customer’s premises or at the dealership of their choice.

Modes of Operation

During the field test, we received support from engineer Juan Paulo Barbieri, who is a product marketing coordinator and has worked with these machines for a long time. Tactical marketing promoter Mario Oliveira also helped us learn about the features and operation of the Ideal 9T. We also had important collaboration from Impact's after-sales director, Taylor Olberman, who was operating the machine and demonstrating all his experience with the Fendt Ideal.

The tests took place at Fazenda Bodoquena, in Bonito (MS), which is owned by the company Sementes Verluz and produces quality seeds for several producers. The machine was on demonstration in the area and harvesting plots intended exclusively for seeds, which generated a need to reduce losses due to breakage. In the case of Fazenda Bodoquena, in seed production, the quality of the grain is the most important thing, even more so than the cleanliness of the grain in the hopper. The percentage of whole grains is the index they seek.

Unlike other occasions when we tested machines where harvest losses and grain mass cleaning were the target and should be reduced to very low levels, in this case the target was to maintain whole grains. To this end, adjustments were made to the machine. Each time the grains were unloaded into the truck, a sample was taken and the integrity of the grains was checked, aiming for percentages below 3% to 5% of broken grains. In some samples that we monitored in the main area, the percentage ranged between 0 and 3%. The grain losses of this machine were measured and the results were less than 15 kg per hectare in soybeans (0,4%) and 52 kg/ha in corn (0,8%).

There are three harvesting modes to choose from within the machine's automation system, HarvestPlus. The first mode establishes a constant speed, so this parameter will be prioritized and the speed will always be maintained between the limits established in the configuration (C1 and C2). The machine was configured to work at harvesting speeds between 3 km/h and 6,3 km/h, which are the limits for the integration between engine and transmission. The second mode prioritizes maintaining a constant load on the rotors, changing the travel speed if necessary to keep the load at the configured values. The third mode is the one that focuses on maintaining the operating and performance parameters, prioritizing that grain losses are as low as possible, within the maximum level established in the configuration. 

• In the 2025 model, the Ideal harvester has undergone some updates. Firstly, adjustments were made to the stickers, both on the machine and on the platforms.

• When operating the harvesting platform, the transmission box system is now sealed, to provide less maintenance and increase the useful life of this component.

• A new device was installed in the feeder channel to remove dust that enters with the straw and grain mass. From this version onwards, the dust will be sucked and removed laterally. The number of chains has also been standardized, which is now the same for all three models. Some structures have been reinforced.

• The drive center has been updated with a new lubrication circuit by adding a second pump. The number of discs in the load collector clutch has been increased from four to six discs, and new drive pulleys have been designed. A new breather has also been introduced in this component to relieve internal pressure and contain leaks.

• The modification to the rotors was the introduction of replaceable top caps on all three models. This allows these components to be replaced when they wear out, improving maintenance and increasing their service life.

• In all models, the discharge tube tip is driven by an electric motor and its discharge extension will be 40 cm higher at the end. The grain discharge auger has a new articulation mechanism in all three models. This means that the tube of the Ideal 8 and 9 models will bend at 130 degrees, instead of 77 degrees in the previous version.

• In terms of onboard technology, the TI standard has replaced the traditional headland maneuver management standard in all three models. Adjustment parameters have been changed and from now on a configured standard can be exported to another machine, through a file stored on a pen drive.

Fendt, the AGCO Group's premium brand, began organizing its dealer network shortly after its arrival in Brazil, starting in 2019 with the store in Sorriso, Mato Grosso, managed by the brand itself. Then, Fendt Impact, the first dealership in Brazil, set up shop in Sidrolândia, and is the reseller of all Fendt products for Mato Grosso do Sul, with stores in Sidrolândia, Maracaju, Dourados and São Gabriel do Oeste. Other dealerships were opened, and today Brazil is covered by Fendt Razzera, which serves Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina, with stores in Passo Fundo, Cruz Alta and Xanxerê, and Fendt Polisul, with a store in Capão do Leão for the southern region of Rio Grande do Sul.

Fendt Vamos is the dealership with the largest number of stores, serving parts of Goiás, Mato Grosso and Mato Grosso do Sul and part of Paraná, with establishments in Rio Verde, Silvânia, Formosa, in Goiás; Querência, Sorriso, Nova Mutum and Primavera do Leste, Confressa, Rondonópolis and Sinop, in Mato Grosso; Chapadão do Sul, in Mato Grosso do Sul, and also in Cascavel, Guarapuava and Ponta Grossa, in Paraná. Fendt Kato Comercial Agrícola Paranavaí serves part of Paraná, with a store in Campo Mourão.

Fendt Sotrec Agro also serves customers in part of Mato Grosso through its stores in Campo Novo do Parecis and Juara, as well as Rondônia through its store in Vilhena and Pará through its store in Marabá. Maranhão and Piauí are served by Fendt Mardisa, with stores in Balsas, Imperatriz and Portal dos Cerrados, in Piauí. Bahia is served by Fendt Nossa, with a store in Luís Eduardo Magalhães. For the state of São Paulo, the concession is held by Fendt Agrolíder, which has a store in São José do Rio Preto.

Jose Fernando Schlosser,
Agrotechnology Laboratory - UFSM