Fendt Ideal hits all the right buttons for Riverina family

“It has dual helix rotors and it has a length of 5m, which allows for such a big separation and threshing area. In wheat and canola, the separation area is important, but for rice it is even more important.”

The big rotors have a 600-mm diameter. They separate gently and reliably while operating at lower speeds and using less power.

Separating rice is difficult because it is harvested green with 20 to 23 percent moisture. Robert says he looked at other brands which had a similar capacity. “From what we could see, we weren’t happy with their grain loss.”

He also took the time to measure grain loss in the Fendt Ideal.

“Harvesting a 6-7 tonne/ha wheat crop at 35-40 tonnes/hour harvest losses were less than half a percent. Harvesting rice averaging 12 to 13 tonne/ha with a large amount of green material coming in, harvest losses were only 1 percent.

“This is exceptional and means more return at the end of harvest. That is one of the biggest reasons why we went with this machine.”

Robert has two other important reasons for choosing the Fendt Ideal – its tracks and its 12m AGCO PowerFlow front.

The next challenge for the PowerFlow was the rice. “We were confident it would work. It did take some adjustments, as there is so much green material. The AGCO reps came out to get it working in rice and it went really well.”

A major benefit of the PowerFlow front is its versatility – the one front can harvest all their crops. Previously they had three different fronts. This means extra capital cost, as well as the down time needed to swap and maintain them.

The separator, tracks and PowerFlow were the three key features convincing the Armanini family to swap to a Fendt Ideal, however there are many others which Robert appreciates.

He was not familiar with an MAN engine, but is now a convert. “They are really efficient on fuel. It is very quiet, producing 540 hp on the Class 8."

Robert also compliments the AirSense cooling system. “It is usually hot and dusty at harvest. The cooling system automatically reverses the fan regularly to blow out any stuff on the radiator. It is always clean and works really well.”

With IdealHarvest, the operator sets the harvest strategy (for example to minimise grain damage, minimise grain loss or minimise mog in the bin). Robert usually opts to minimise grain loss, followed by grain quality.

“It takes photos of the grain before entering the bin and then it will vary its settings if the grain is not up to standard.

“There is a lot of tech in this machine. It has remote access for the dealer to see any alarms or potential faults, and they can be rectified remotely.”

The Fendt cab was already familiar to Robert because his previous harvester was an AGCO Gleaner, and he chose a joystick over a steering wheel.

“A joystick doesn’t sound like a big deal, and I thought it probably wouldn’t be, but it is. At the end of the day you come home more relaxed – you haven’t been bent over the wheel, and you don't have that obstruction. You sit back and relax.”

“Unloading takes 80-seconds via a large-diameter auger. This was another valuable feature. We wanted a machine with big augers, operating at slower speeds to improve our rice grain quality.”

The Armanini family have been purchasing AGCO harvesters since the 1980s. Their local dealer Serafin Ag Pro introduced them to the Fendt Ideal.

“The dealer has been great, and the AGCO people have always been very helpful.”

Robert says parts are readily available. “If they are not in store, then they arrive overnight.”

The Armanini family has ordered another Fendt Ideal 8T harvester which will arrive in spring. They have ordered the 2023 model with the 4WD and high wear package options.

They are happy customers. “I believe this machine with the dual helix rotors provides us with the best way to achieve low harvest losses, particularly in rice.

“For cereals and rice timing is everything. When it is ready it has to come off. You need the capacity and efficiency. This Fendt Ideal 8T has satisfied all our harvest requirements.”