is then dried on the farm to 14 per cent. Having not seen an Ideal working before his own machine arrived, Stewart was immediately impressed. “Despite the header being five feet wider than our previous combine, the Ideal 8 travelled faster while achieving a cleaner grain sample with less damage, and losses were lower too,” he said. Average cutting speeds of 4.5kph in winter barley, and 5.0–6.0kph in spring barley were easily maintained, and Stewart commented that he could have travelled faster in the spring crops, but an additional grain trailer would have been needed to keep up. Performance and productivity The Ideal’s ability to maintain its performance when conditions are challenging surprised him. “We have a very short opportunity to harvest when crops are ready and the weather is favourable,” he said. “We have to make the most of these opportunities to work, and even when grain moisture is up at 23 per cent the Ideal 8 seems to handle it just as easily, while still achieving an excellent sample. Sometimes our harvest runs into late September or early October, so having a combine which can operate during the shorter days in damp conditions is essential. Checking in and under the swath there is very little grain to be found.” Fendt’s IDEALbalance double grain pan cleaning system was initially regarded with suspicion by Stewart, but he quickly appreciated its benefits. “I was sceptical of the channels that direct the crop flow as they didn’t seem that significant. However, the design works very well. We have some ground that is so steep it exceeds the ParaLevel system’s ability to compensate, so the combine operates at an angle. With IDEALbalance we continue harvesting at the same speed as on the flat, and losses just don’t increase. When we are trying to optimise work rates it’s a big advantage over our previous machine.” Grain is unloaded at up to 140 litres per second, but the rate is adjustable making it easier to top off trailers. Two full tanks from the combine fill each trailer. This has improved efficiency compared to the previous combine 26
which had a smaller grain tank, so trailers remained in the field for longer while the combine unloaded three times. With up to 538hp available, the Ideal 8 has never been short of power, and Stewart said that when cutting uphill, chopping straw and unloading grain simultaneously, there appears to be no change in performance compared to when working on level ground. Fuel use has reduced, with savings of eight litres per hectare in winter barley and just under seven litres per hectare in spring barley, compared to the previous machine. User-friendly controls Stewart said having Fendt tractors with similar controls was a help when getting used to the Ideal. “The Varioterminal and joystick are similar although the menus have different headings, but the operating logic is the same. Everything is adjusted from the cab, and the standard Fendt settings for each crop are reliable and achieve a good start, then I can make small adjustments to suit changing moisture content through the day. “We use an iPad alongside the main Varioterminal which is used for GPS guidance, leaving the main display for setup and monitoring. We have used yield mapping for many years as it helps us identify areas where there might be issues to rectify, and the Fendt system works well. “The cab is very comfortable. We upgraded to a premium seat which was probably worthwhile, there is plenty of room for a passenger, and the view of the header is exceptional. We hadn’t expected electric steps which pivot from the seat, but they make a real difference and save time.”
We had a few teething issues which were expected, and each time someone was with us to rectify the problem within a very short time even during the evening or at weekends,” he added. Confidence in brand “It’s the first time we have ever purchased a combine without seeing one working first, either on our own farm or at a neighbour’s,” confirmed Stewart. “Because of the very limited opportunities for harvesting in this area, most farmers have relatively large combines for the area they farm compared with farmers further south. There are currently few Fendts – but I believe that will change. “There has been considerable interest from other farmers in our Ideal 8PL, and they are watching how we get on with it. It’s still the new kid in town, but in terms of performance, features, grain and straw quality, we don’t think other brands match it. We will probably update it for another the same when it’s six to seven years’ old, and by then we predict that the series will have gained an excellent reputation resulting in high residual values and low costs of ownership.”
A Fendt Ideal 8PL with a 35ft SuperFlow header was chosen by a north Scotland-based family farm after more than 50 years using another brand.
The Ideal 8PL’s gentle grain handling means high work rates can be maintained to make the most of opportunities to harvest when weather is favourable
“When Martin Ross first showed me the Ideal, neither of us actually expected that we would end up buying one so soon - but I’m very pleased now that we did.”
“The cab is very comfortable. We upgraded to a premium seat which was probably worthwhile, there is plenty of room for a passenger, and the view of the header is exceptional. We hadn’t expected electric steps which pivot from the seat, but they make a real difference and save time.” Stewart Grant, TW Grant, North Scotland.
Back-up from Fendt and the dealer has also impressed Stewart. “It’s been fantastic from the start. The Fendt combine specialist, Ant Risdon, spent a long time helping us set up the combine initially, and remained on the farm while we got used to it. He has also returned several times since to demonstrate additional features and functions which I found particularly useful. “Ross Agri’s team has been incredible too, especially the Turriff depot Service Manager Drew Gibson and Service Engineer Gavin Gray – I rate their service as exemplary. Fendt tractors are also used by the Grant family, which enjoys an excellent relationship with local AGCO dealer Ross Agri Services Ltd.
Stewart Grant (pictured) is delighted with his decision to change combine brands and invest in a Fendt Ideal 8PL.
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