Combining hourly productivity, one of the main economic-management parameters of any agricultural machine, with the quality of the final product has now become the primary goal pursued by manufacturers in the harvesting machinery sector. The evolution of markets has increasingly linked the concept of “time” with that of “quality,” with the latter referring both to the harvested crop and its by-products, especially straw. This trend, which started with cereal and rice supply chains, has shifted the focus of farmers and contractors toward machines capable of balancing field performance with care for the processed product. As a result, manufacturers have been striving to develop solutions that protect crop value, minimize losses, but do not negatively impact working speed or, more importantly, fuel consumption, which can now account for more than 20% of harvesting cycle costs.
This goal is at the heart of the “Ideal” rotary combine harvesters from Fendt, four machines designed, developed, and manufactured at Agco’s Breganze plant in Italy, named according to their respective international classes: “7,” “8,” “9,” and “10,” covering a performance range from 451 to 790 horsepower. These combines aim to make operations faster and more efficient, allowing farmers to take full advantage of even the tightest harvesting windows. This is largely due to the “Helix” secondary separation system, which cleans the harvested product using rotors—one on the “7” model, and two on the “8,” “9,” and “10” models—measuring 60 centimeters in diameter and 4.84 meters in length. Their size ensures gentle treatment of the product at lower rotational speeds. As a result, the “Ideal” combines can offer up to 20% lower energy consumption compared to similar models of the same power, significantly contributing to reducing fuel consumption and, consequently, associated operational costs.
13 Drive Belts
The same objective is also pursued through both a drivetrain architecture based on 13 transmission belts, powering the working components, and the “RotorFeeder” feed drum, which is 600 millimeters wide and operates at an automatically controlled speed, always kept close to 70% of the secondary separation group’s rotation speed. This ensures smooth and progressive feeding, free from the risk of overloads, regardless of harvesting conditions. The “Helix” rotors, on their part, are equipped with elements arranged in four helical rows, with the front section functioning as a true threshing system thanks to the presence of four longitudinally installed bars on the separation group, physically separating the grains from the ears. This process is further aided by concave grates available in various configurations and hydraulically adjustable up to a maximum distance of 35 millimeters.
Straw Always Protected
At the rear, the rotors feature tines inclined at 20 degrees to facilitate product distribution along the entire helical section, ensuring deep and thorough separation that also protects the quality of the straw. Straw, today, represents an interesting additional income opportunity for medium and large agricultural enterprises. It is no coincidence that the “ActiveSpread SwingFlow” straw chopper, designed for straw distribution, features two small-diameter spreading discs, ensuring low energy consumption, and three electrically adjustable deflectors that oscillate continuously from left to right to guarantee uniform distribution of straw across the ground.
Three High-Power Turbines
To further enhance the productivity of the Fendt “Ideal” combines, there is the “Cyclone” cleaning system, based on three high-power fans, and the “IdealBalance” cleaning system, which has no moving parts and is achieved through the combination of two preparation pans—one front and one rear—that discharge the product centrally and laterally, ensuring a homogeneous flow with no losses, even when working on slopes up to 15%. Once processed, the product is then conveyed into a grain tank with a maximum capacity of 17,100 liters, which can be emptied in just 33 seconds, thanks to the “Streamer 210” system, which operates at an unloading speed of 210 liters per second. The “AutoDock” system, which allows for automatic coupling in just five seconds directly from the cab of the “PowerFlow” platforms—available in working widths from 7.2 meters to 12.22 meters—speeds up the replacement of cutting bars according to the crop being harvested. This is done via an “Rfid” code that enables the machine to recognize the installed bar.
Maximum Performance with Autonomy
Designed particularly for larger agricultural enterprises and contract service providers, the axial flow “Ideal” combines are equipped with Agco Power seven-cylinder engines on the “Ideal 7” version and Man six-cylinder engines on the “Ideal 8,” “Ideal 9,” and “Ideal 10” models. These engines have displacements of 9,800 cm³, 12,400 cm³, 15,200 cm³, and 16,200 cm³, delivering maximum outputs of 451, 538, 647, and 790 horsepower, respectively. These engines are kept fully efficient under all harvesting conditions by the “AirSense” cooling system, which draws air from the top of the machine, traditionally the cleanest point, and automatically reverses the fan action at regular intervals to keep the radiator free of dust and dirt. The engines work in conjunction with continuously variable “Vario” transmissions, named “MotionShift,” featuring two gear ranges selectable via a button, allowing field operating speeds of up to 15 km/h and the standard 40 km/h on the road. The machines are also capable of automatically adjusting their operating parameters based on harvesting conditions, thanks to the “IdealHarvest” system, which monitors working components in real time through 52 mass acoustic sensors installed along the rotors and cleaning system. This allows operators to set the harvesting strategy best suited to the crop and environmental conditions, leaving the machine to adjust rotor speed, concave distance, and sieve opening based on the set parameters.
Like a Spaceship
Highly automated in terms of operations, the Fendt “Ideal” combines feature the exclusive “IdealDrive” system, essentially a joystick that replaces the traditional steering wheel, eliminating the steering column and completely freeing up forward visibility. It allows the operator to control the machine’s trajectory with just the left hand, while a second joystick on the right multifunction armrest controls forward speed and activates the machine’s functional systems. In the field, once the automatic guidance system is activated, the operator can even leave the “IdealDrive” joystick, as the onboard satellite systems take over, defining paths and end-of-row maneuvers, allowing the operator to focus solely on the ongoing work.
Title: Fendt combine harvester “Ideal” series, top harvesting
Translation with ChatGPT
