B & F Potatoes

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 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.”

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. 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.”

“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.”

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 “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.

Belmont Farms

“We don’t want a complicated harvest - we just want to get it done, and the Fendt Ideal 9T consistently achieves high work rates and low grain losses without a fuss.”

Andrew Fletcher - Partner, Belmont Farms, Peterborough, Cambs.

A north Cambridgeshire farm is benefitting from increased output, ability to harvest in a wider range of conditions, and simpler farm record keeping since investing in a Fendt Ideal 9T combine.

The Ideal 9T replaced a competitor brand single rotor combine at Belmont Farms, near Peterborough. Combinable crops on the arable farm owned and managed by the Fletcher family include approximately 500ha of wheat, 100ha of oats, 50ha of oilseed rape, 120ha of beans and last year there was also a trial of Canary seed. Potatoes and sugar beet are also within the rotation.

Impressed by demonstration

“Our objectives when choosing the new combine were to achieve higher work rates and gain flexibility for timely harvesting,” explained partner Andrew Fletcher. “We saw an early version of the Fendt Ideal and were impressed by the design. Many years ago, we ran Massey Ferguson combines and liked the PowerFlow header which is similar to the range for the Ideal. We have a great relationship with the local AGCO dealer Chandlers and borrowed an Ideal 9T with a 35ft SuperFlow header on demonstration. With its Dual Helix rotors and IDEALbalance cleaning system it easily outperformed our existing machine. The rubber track design was far superior too and gave a much better ride. Following the impressive demonstration, we ordered a Fendt Ideal 9T with rubber tracks and a 40ft SuperFlow header.”

Wireless data advantage

The Ideal 9T has Fendt Connect telemetry, and VarioDoc Pro which automatically records task information and exports it to the ‘cloud’ from where it can be downloaded by authorised users from anywhere with an internet connection.

Fendt Connect allows the combine’s location and operating status to be monitored in real-time through the Fendt Connect App. “We use the App throughout the day to check progress, and the Chandlers team uses it to locate the combine when servicing is needed,” added Andrew. “When we contact the dealer for support, the team is often already aware of any issues and expecting our call. They either talk us through solving problems ourselves, or if they need to attend then the issue has usually already been diagnosed through the fault codes, and they bring appropriate tools and the correct parts - saving extra travel and downtime.”

Accurate field records

With farm details preloaded within the task management software, each field is automatically identified as the combine crosses the boundary. If Andrew has created a harvesting task for that field, then the system asks combine operator, Kieran Oliver to confirm by touching the display that recording should commence. As the field is finished, data related to the task, the field and crop yields is automatically stored as a package and sent to the ‘cloud’. Andrew then downloads it into Gatekeeper where it is stored and available for analysis by the farm management software.

“Each field is treated as a separate package, and the system is simple for operators to use. Everything is automatic, so there is no need to remember to start and stop data recording,” continued Andrew. “When I send jobs to the combine for completion; instructions include the field name and location, the boundaries are already set, and the tramline track headings are detailed too. The same basic information for each field is shared across our tractor fleet as part of the work instructions, so for every task in that field the working strategy is similar.”

If for any reason a task hasn’t already been created, then Kieran can create one manually from inside the cab. With the base field information already stored, he only has to select the task type and location, complete the task, then export the work data to the ‘cloud’.

User-friendly controls

As well as the main 10.4-in Varioterminal, the farm’s Ideal 9T also has an iPad linked to the main display. “I use the iPad to display field maps and some of the machine settings,” explained Kieran. “The displays ‘talk’ to each other and share the information. It’s a userfriendly system and it’s easy to find relevant settings in the menus. These are logically arranged in order from the

Kieran also likes HarvestPlus. This monitors the intake elevator working load and adjusts the travel speed to maintain a constant flow. Maximum speed and permissible losses are pre-set, and productivity is automatically maximised within these limits.

Manufacturer and dealer support

The 2021 harvest was Kieran’s first operating a combine, but he said back-up from the Chandlers team as well as from Fendt Combine Specialist, Ant Risdon was excellent. “They were aware that it was all new to me and provided plenty of support and instruction,” stressed Kieran. “Despite its capabilities it is actually a very simple design and being able to adjust almost any aspect of operation from the seat through the Varioterminal is a big help. Applying standard settings for each crop will produce a good result, then fine-tuning the system to suit the conditions is easy. “It’s a very satisfying machine to drive - the cab is spacious, quiet and comfortable and I enjoyed my first harvest.”

Effortless performance

Although for the Ideal’s first harvest in 2020, crops were thinner than usual and easy to harvest, in 2021 conditions remained damp all day, and straw volumes were much higher. “The Fendt coped very well and made easy work of picking up and processing the crop in conditions where our previous combine would have struggled,” confirmed Andrew. “One of the most impressive characteristics of the Ideal 9T is that it so easily out-performs our previous combine without appearing to work hard, and it seems economical in terms of fuel use too. “We don’t want a complicated harvest – we just want to get it done, and the Ideal 9T consistently achieves high work rates and low grain losses without a fuss. I find it very deceptive – after a day’s harvesting I’m often surprised how much has been achieved although I never feel we have pushed it to its limits.”

Header impressed

The Fendt SuperFlow header supplies a constant crop flow to the rotor for processing, so threshing, separation and cleaning performance is always optimised. As well as high straw volumes last harvest, there was also a lot that was green even though the grain was ripe. Andrew said the header picked it up easily and delivered an even flow.

“We are very pleased with the Ideal 9T and having a combine with that much capacity was a definite advantage last harvest,” confirmed Andrew. It maintained impressive work rates while achieving excellent grain samples and with barely any losses, in situations which would have severely challenged our previous machine. “Fendt Connect and VarioDoc Pro ensure important field records are accurately maintained, and we don’t struggle to manage the data as it transfers direct to our Gatekeeper system as each field is finished. “The support from the Chandlers team and Fendt has been excellent too, including making sure the data handling technology performs correctly.”

“It’s a very satisfying machine to drive - the cab is spacious, quiet and comfortable and I enjoyed my first harvest.”

Andrew Fletcher - Partner, Belmont Farms, Peterborough, Cambs..

Cambridgeshire-based Belmont Farms selected a Fendt Ideal 9T combine with up to 647hp and Dual-Helix rotors to replace its previous single-rotor machine. The Fendt Ideal 9T achieves impressive work rates. Fendt Connect wireless data transfer and VarioDoc Pro task management systems send data to the ‘cloud’ ready to download into the farm’s Gatekeeper management programme. “Fendt Connect and VarioDoc Pro ensure important field records are accurately maintained, and we don’t struggle to manage the data as it transfers direct to our Gatekeeper system as each field is finished.”

Andrew Fletcher - Partner, Belmont Farms, Peterborough, Cambs.

Belvoir Farming Company

“In laid crops of storm-damaged wheat, the Fendt Ideal 10T with the Geringhoff 40ft header just deals with it effortlessly and produces an excellent sample with losses well below one percent.”

Keith Challen – Farm Manager, Belvoir Farming Company, Notts.

For a large Leicestershire arable farm which invested in a Fendt Ideal 10T combine last year, the timing was excellent as it made light work of the challenging harvest.

“It was the wettest ‘dry’ harvest I’ve known in 34 years of farming, but I actually felt less tired,” said Keith Challen, Farm Manager for Nottinghamshire-based Belvoir Farming Company Ltd.

Keith’s comment refers to the 2021 cereals harvest when frequent showers and limited sunshine meant crops were rarely dry, although total rainfall during the period was little above average. Compounding the problem for many farmers were very high straw volumes, resulting from ideal late spring growing conditions. It was also Keith’s first harvest operating the new Fendt Ideal 10T, with joystick-controlled steering and a Geringhoff TruFlex draper header - and he credits his lack of fatigue on the user-friendly package.

The first Fendt tractor arrived on the farm in 1995 and is still in use. The current fleet includes three Fendt tractors, two Rogator trailed sprayers and the Ideal 10T combine.

Just under half of the land is owned, and the rest is rented on long term tenancies. Most is heavy, wet clay and Keith explained that challenges include preventing ground compaction and reducing black-grass populations. A controlled traffic farming (CTF) regime has been adopted, and spring cropping has replaced some winter crops in the rotation allowing time for stale seedbed creation to aid black-grass control.

For many years, rotary combines of a competitor brand were used to harvest 1,200ha of combinable crops, although Keith also kept an eye on options available from other local dealers. The combines were updated every four years but, during negotiations for the purchase of a new Fendt sprayer, the B&B Tractors Group Sales Manager Colin Blood suggested upgrading to a Fendt Ideal at the same time. “Our combine wasn’t due for changing until after the 2021 harvest, but we had heard a lot about the Ideal from the B&B team during the previous few years. We were offered one of only a few new flagship Ideal 10T machines due to arrive in the UK last year and confirmed an order.”

Joystick steering

Keith specified the IDEALdrive steering option, with an armrest-mounted joystick which replaces the conventional steering wheel. Draper-type headers had been considered in the past, but Keith felt that the Geringhoff TruFlex header would offer significant advantages for the new combine. These included optimised crop feeding to the intake elevator and rotor, and accurate ground contour following of the 40ft header, allowing stubbles to be cut shorter and ensuring that no crop was missed even on undulating ground.

“Joystick steering sounded a good idea and now, having used it for a full harvest, I wouldn’t go back to a steering wheel,” stressed Keith. “With no steering column there is a marvellous view across the header, and when turning on headlands it’s quicker and takes less effort. It’s just pushed to the left or right, and as soon as the stick is released it returns to the middle and the steering centralises, whereas a steering wheel has to be rotated back to the correct position. It’s easier on the road too, as fine adjustments are made through small stick movements, whereas a steering wheel encourages over-steer due to the rear wheel steering. It’s a logical innovation and I wish it had been available 25 years earlier.”

Flex Draper header

The Geringhoff header can operate in hinged mode which splits it into three rigid sections, or flex mode which allows flexing across the width and up to 300mm of vertical knife travel. Hinged mode allows the full range of reel height adjustment, whereas in flex mode reel movement is limited to prevent knife contact where the ground is very uneven.

“The more I use the Geringhoff header, the more I like it,” confirmed Keith. “Tilt adjustment allows the operating angle to precisely suit the crop and conditions. We had a lot of storm-damaged wheat last year which was laid flat