Unpredictable weather, steep slopes and narrow tracks characterise the alpine region. In agricultural use, compact and smooth-running machines, an optimum centre of gravity, flexible cultivation options and stability are crucial for a safe harvest and great results. Fendt has revised and expanded the existing Alpine range. There are innovations in the Fendt Slicer front mowers, the Fendt Twister tedders, the Fendt Former rakes and the Fendt Tigo S Alpine forage wagons.
Unpredictable weather, steep slopes and narrow tracks characterise the alpine region. In agricultural use, compact and smooth-running machines, an optimum centre of gravity, flexible cultivation options and stability are crucial for a safe harvest and great results. Fendt has revised and expanded the existing Alpine range. There are innovations in the Fendt Slicer front mowers, the Fendt Twister tedders, the Fendt Former rakes and the Fendt Tigo S Alpine forage wagons.
Fendt Slicer front mower Alpine models
Designed to meet the demands of alpine farmers, the Fendt Slicer 210 FKS and 260 FK front mowers have a close centre of gravity directly on the mountain tractor by means of a compact frame. The direct mounting ensures optimum slope stability. The low weight, ease of pulling and large pendulum travel support work in alpine areas. The cutter bar, with working widths of either 2.05 or 2.50 metres, has four mowing discs and, with its symmetrical running, ensures even swath placement and a good conveying effect even when mowing downhill. For high operational flexibility, the mowers have a standard variable transmission with left and right rotation and can be driven at 540 and 1000 rpm.
The possibility of lateral shifting makes mowing on steep slopes immensely easier and significantly reduces forage losses. To do this, drivers move the Fendt Slicer 210 FKS mower deck mechanically as standard or hydraulically by up to 12 cm to the left or right as an option. Especially with shift lines, this prevents the forage from being run over. Control at the touch of a button directly from the tractor cab increases working comfort and significantly reduces forage losses. The pendulum travel of +/- 9 degrees optimises the ability of the mower to follow the ground. This means that the mower is guided precisely even if the ground is uneven and leaves a clean sward and produces high quality forage.
The low design ensures an optimal view from the cab in all situations. Both models have a spring-loaded collision protection system that reliably protects the mower from major damage in the event of a collision with obstacles. A foldable side guard reduces the outer width of the team for transport on narrow mountain trails.
New Fendt Twister models
The four and six-rotor Fendt Twister lightweight models with trailing attachment (DN) and especially the Fendt Twister 401 DS with rigid attachment have been specially developed for mountainous regions. The combination of compact design, low weight, a low-lying traction point and short mounting distinguishes all models of the two series. In this way, they achieve optimum tracking behaviour and are particularly stable on slopes.
From September 2023, the Fendt Twister 431 DN Gen2 and 601 DN Gen2 models in the Alpine range will replace the previous models of the same name. In addition, Fendt is expanding the range for the first time with the Fendt Twister 401 DN model. Fendt thus offers tedders with a working width of 4 metres with four rotors to 5.70 metres with six rotors.
With its standard synchronous lift, the tedder lifts out evenly, increasing the safety of the user. In addition, a reinforced tension spring supports the automatic locking. The continuously adjustable spring has three locking positions in which it exerts increased tension. Through the rear linkage, the tedder follows the tractor cleanly. When lifting out at the headland, it stabilises the tedder and ensures safety. In addition, a pendulum brake is installed to prevent the machine from swinging in the direction of travel. It optimises the guidance for more precise tracking and smoother running on slopes. The more precisely the tedder tracks, the better it takes the forage with it. In combination with the optional jockey wheel for optimum ground hugging, this significantly reduces dirt ingress and thus increases forage quality.
The transport lock, including the lock for the headland position, has been further optimised by a special cable guide. The combination of a new cable guide and an additional pulley reduces the force required for unlocking by 50 percent. An additional advantage: drivers can lock the tedder in place more quickly.
The hood of the tedder has been redesigned and prevents forage deposits even better. It covers parts such as hydraulic components or the synchronous lift and effectively protects them from the weather. At the same time, a holding device for hydraulic hoses and cables was added to the headstock.
Fendt now offers the Fendt Twister 401 DS model. The compact, rigid headstock is particularly suitable for use in a team with a compact mountain tractor. The Fendt Twister 401 DS has been specially developed for steep slopes in alpine regions such as Switzerland, Austria, South Tyrol or Norway. Due to the rigid headstock, it runs particularly stable in shift lines as well as on steep slopes. The rigid headstock and low centre of gravity ensure high safety.
Just like the Fendt Twister DN models, the Fendt Twister 401 DS also has the optimised hood design and the holding device for hoses and cables.
The optional LED lighting concept is available for all models of the Fendt Twister DN as well as the DS series. The LED lights are significantly more durable, while new warning signs provide additional safety in road traffic.
Updates for the Fendt Former
The Fendt Former 300 DN and 300 DS series was specially developed for use on slopes. As with the Fendt Twister tedder series, the models in the DN series have a three-point hitch with trailing device, while the models in the DS series have a three-point hitch with rigid attachment. The Fendt Former 301 DN now complements the product range with a working width of 3.40 metres.
The controls of modern tractors are located on the right-hand side, which is why all models in the Fendt Former 300 DN series always place the swath to the right for optimum working ergonomics. They have a wide-track chassis as standard for optimum ground hugging and safe handling on slopes. Optional equipment such as the hydraulic swath former or the tandem axles ensure that the machine runs smoothly and is more comfortable to operate, even in alpine terrain.
An LED lighting concept for energy-saving lighting with a longer service life is now optionally available for the Fendt Former 300 DN and 300 DS series. The package is completed by the new, smaller warning signs for more safety in road traffic.
Load sensing for Fendt Tigo S
The compact Fendt Tigo S low-travel forage wagon was specially designed for use at high altitudes and on slopes. A low centre of gravity in combination with the extra wide track increases the stability of the forage wagons. For the first time in this class with load volumes of 22 m³ to 29 m³, Fendt offers the optional load sensing function. With the load-sensing function, drivers can control the forage wagon more sensitively. This increases the efficiency of the team, the working comfort and the hydraulic system of the tractor is less stressed. The load sensing function can be retrofitted to wagons that have already been purchased. As standard, the forage wagons are equipped with a pressure circulation system.
For the Fendt Tigo S 40 and Fendt Tigo S 50 models, a hydraulic single-circuit brake can be ordered especially for the French market.
