Fendt enthusiasts finally got the opportunity to see the new 900 series up close at the recent Field Days event in Ballyboughal, Co Dublin.
The 900 series is made up of five models (930, 933, 936, 939 and the 942) and has a power output from 296hp up to 415hp. The 942 is the largest model. With an output of 415hp, the 942 sees the 900 series venture beyond 400hp for the first time.
Fendt has discontinued the smaller 927 model and added in the new, larger 942. The 900 series has some overlaps with the larger 1000 series that offers outputs from 396hp up to 517hp, but the 900s have a more compact frame with a tighter turning radius.
Engine
The 900 series is a completely new tractor with the exception of the wheel studs and drawbar. One big change is the introduction of a new powertrain.
Previously using a 7.8-litre Deutz engine, Fendt has turned to a six-cylinder, 9-litre MAN to provide the horsepower in its latest 900 series. 
The new 900 series is made up of five models (930, 933, 936, 939 and the 942.
This specifically built Stage V engine has never been used in the agricultural industry. A Fendt representative said: “The top half of the engine has been designed by MAN while the bottom half has been a joint effort between both Fendt and MAN.”
It has seen service intervals doubled from 500 hours up to 1,000 hours.
Fendt has turned to MAN to provide the horsepower in its latest 900 series offering.
The Fendt iD low-speed concept is used in the 900 series for the first time. As a result, the MAN engine has a low idle speed, ticking over at just 650rpm. It also has a low maximum speed of 1,700rpm. However, Fendt noted this engine has 20-25% more torque than the Deutz. Maximum torque of up to 1,970 Nm is now available at 1,100rpm on the 942.
The new 900 series weighs in a tonne heavier than the old range. This is due to the new engine, larger transmission and heavier front axles/stub shafts.
To meet emission regulations, the MAN engine uses an exhaust after-treatment system using a diesel oxidation catalyst, a diesel particulate filter and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR).
When we saw the tractor, it was cultivating unworked stubble at a depth of 20cm. The 942 was pulling a 4m Kuhn disc cultivator at 10-11km/h at 1450rpm. The tractor was burning 67-68l/hr.
Transmission
The TA 300 Vario transmission, though new to the 900 series, has been used on the 1000 series previously.
The VarioDrive powertrain is the next step up from a vario transmission. The 900 series is equipped with one motor on the front axle and one motor on the rear axle. Torque is distributed dynamically over the front and rear axles, depending on where the power is needed.
‘VarioGrip’ is a system that allows the operator to alter the tyre pressures from the cab.
When taking corners or turning on headlands, the tractor is almost pulled around the curve by the pull-in turn effect, with the front wheels driving faster than the rear wheels. This in turn reduces the turning circle by about 10%.
Unlike the vario in the previous 900 series, there is no range change on the VarioDrive powertrain – it’s continuous. Once a speed of 25km/h is surpassed, only the rear wheel motor is active. In other words, at speeds under 25km/h, the tractor is permanently in four-wheel drive.
Fendt is also pushing the 900 series as being suitable for transport work. The tractor is capable of reaching a top speed of 60km/h at 1,450rpm, 50km/h at 1,200rpm, and at 40km/h at 950rpm.
Hydraulics
The new 900 series features modular hydraulics. The standard system uses two load-sensing pumps, one with 165 litres/min and a second with a flow rate of 220 litres/min. The previous 900 series offered 152l/min and a 195l/min combination.
The standard offering can be upgraded to a high-performance hydraulics system of 430l/min. This is made up of two independent circuits, a 210l/min pump and a 220l/min pump on opposite sides.
Fendt said the built-in pressure limit valves mean the pumps always supply the right amount of oil in their active circuits according to the pressure. The hydraulic power is aligned with the low-speed concept Fendt iD. The 900 series tractors come with a hydraulic spool offering of up to eight outlets, six on the rear and two on the front. Previously, there was only one on the front. An Isobus plug is available on the front.
Weight
Despite almost having identical dimensions to the previous 900 series, the new tractors are heavier.
They clock in at 11,700kg in comparison to 10,800kg for the old 900s. This weight increase has come from the new engine, larger transmission and heavier front axles/stub shafts. The 900 series can be ballasted up to a bulky 20,000kg.
A nice feature offered by Fendt is VarioGrip. This allows the operator alter the tyre pressures from the cab. It can take 5-10 minutes to adjust and changes can be made on the move.
Despite leaving the cab unchanged in the new 900 series, Fendt will showcase a new cab for the 900 in the coming years.
An extendible multi-functional tool compartment has been built into the right side of the tractor. It also contains a 12-litre water tank.
In the cab
Fendt has left the cab unchanged, though it’s believed the new cab layout introduced to Fendt’s smaller models will be available in the 900 series in the coming years.
New to the 900 series is the fact that each key is now cut to one tractor, and one tractor only. An auto-park brake is available as an option.
New to the 900 series is the fact that each key is now cut to one tractor, and one tractor only.
The tractor is equipped with Fendt Connect, a central telemetry system. This allows machine data such as location, area worked, speed, fuel consumption and engine load to be recorded.
Isobus attachments are controlled on the 10.4in Varioterminal. Tractor Implement Management (TIM) optimises tractor and attachment settings to increase productivity. TIM attachments can control tractor speed and steering.
A combination of Variotronic automatic and the VarioGuide tracking system can automatically activate the lowering of the rear hydraulics on a headland. Fendt has also introduced a new automatic turning sequence that allows the machine to follow the nature of the headland.
Each year Fendt sells five to six 900 series tractors in Ireland, with an excess of 50 of these tractors working in the country. Fendt has told the Irish Farmers Journal
the first new 942 model has been sold to a farmer in Northern Ireland.
Fendt enthusiasts finally got the opportunity to see the new 900 series up close at the recent Field Days event in Ballyboughal, Co Dublin.
The 900 series is made up of five models (930, 933, 936, 939 and the 942) and has a power output from 296hp up to 415hp. The 942 is the largest model. With an output of 415hp, the 942 sees the 900 series venture beyond 400hp for the first time.
Fendt has discontinued the smaller 927 model and added in the new, larger 942. The 900 series has some overlaps with the larger 1000 series that offers outputs from 396hp up to 517hp, but the 900s have a more compact frame with a tighter turning radius.
Engine
The 900 series is a completely new tractor with the exception of the wheel studs and drawbar. One big change is the introduction of a new powertrain.
Previously using a 7.8-litre Deutz engine, Fendt has turned to a six-cylinder, 9-litre MAN to provide the horsepower in its latest 900 series.
The new 900 series is made up of five models (930, 933, 936, 939 and the 942.
This specifically built Stage V engine has never been used in the agricultural industry. A Fendt representative said: “The top half of the engine has been designed by MAN while the bottom half has been a joint effort between both Fendt and MAN.”
It has seen service intervals doubled from 500 hours up to 1,000 hours.
Fendt has turned to MAN to provide the horsepower in its latest 900 series offering.
The Fendt iD low-speed concept is used in the 900 series for the first time. As a result, the MAN engine has a low idle speed, ticking over at just 650rpm. It also has a low maximum speed of 1,700rpm. However, Fendt noted this engine has 20-25% more torque than the Deutz. Maximum torque of up to 1,970 Nm is now available at 1,100rpm on the 942.
The new 900 series weighs in a tonne heavier than the old range. This is due to the new engine, larger transmission and heavier front axles/stub shafts.
To meet emission regulations, the MAN engine uses an exhaust after-treatment system using a diesel oxidation catalyst, a diesel particulate filter and Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR).
When we saw the tractor, it was cultivating unworked stubble at a depth of 20cm. The 942 was pulling a 4m Kuhn disc cultivator at 10-11km/h at 1450rpm. The tractor was burning 67-68l/hr.
Transmission
The TA 300 Vario transmission, though new to the 900 series, has been used on the 1000 series previously.
The VarioDrive powertrain is the next step up from a vario transmission. The 900 series is equipped with one motor on the front axle and one motor on the rear axle. Torque is distributed dynamically over the front and rear axles, depending on where the power is needed.
‘VarioGrip’ is a system that allows the operator to alter the tyre pressures from the cab.
When taking corners or turning on headlands, the tractor is almost pulled around the curve by the pull-in turn effect, with the front wheels driving faster than the rear wheels. This in turn reduces the turning circle by about 10%.
Unlike the vario in the previous 900 series, there is no range change on the VarioDrive powertrain – it’s continuous. Once a speed of 25km/h is surpassed, only the rear wheel motor is active. In other words, at speeds under 25km/h, the tractor is permanently in four-wheel drive.
Fendt is also pushing the 900 series as being suitable for transport work. The tractor is capable of reaching a top speed of 60km/h at 1,450rpm, 50km/h at 1,200rpm, and at 40km/h at 950rpm.
Hydraulics
The new 900 series features modular hydraulics. The standard system uses two load-sensing pumps, one with 165 litres/min and a second with a flow rate of 220 litres/min. The previous 900 series offered 152l/min and a 195l/min combination.
The standard offering can be upgraded to a high-performance hydraulics system of 430l/min. This is made up of two independent circuits, a 210l/min pump and a 220l/min pump on opposite sides.
Fendt said the built-in pressure limit valves mean the pumps always supply the right amount of oil in their active circuits according to the pressure. The hydraulic power is aligned with the low-speed concept Fendt iD. The 900 series tractors come with a hydraulic spool offering of up to eight outlets, six on the rear and two on the front. Previously, there was only one on the front. An Isobus plug is available on the front.
Weight
Despite almost having identical dimensions to the previous 900 series, the new tractors are heavier.
They clock in at 11,700kg in comparison to 10,800kg for the old 900s. This weight increase has come from the new engine, larger transmission and heavier front axles/stub shafts. The 900 series can be ballasted up to a bulky 20,000kg.
A nice feature offered by Fendt is VarioGrip. This allows the operator alter the tyre pressures from the cab. It can take 5-10 minutes to adjust and changes can be made on the move.
Despite leaving the cab unchanged in the new 900 series, Fendt will showcase a new cab for the 900 in the coming years.
An extendible multi-functional tool compartment has been built into the right side of the tractor. It also contains a 12-litre water tank.
In the cab
Fendt has left the cab unchanged, though it’s believed the new cab layout introduced to Fendt’s smaller models will be available in the 900 series in the coming years.
New to the 900 series is the fact that each key is now cut to one tractor, and one tractor only. An auto-park brake is available as an option.
New to the 900 series is the fact that each key is now cut to one tractor, and one tractor only.
The tractor is equipped with Fendt Connect, a central telemetry system. This allows machine data such as location, area worked, speed, fuel consumption and engine load to be recorded.
Isobus attachments are controlled on the 10.4in Varioterminal. Tractor Implement Management (TIM) optimises tractor and attachment settings to increase productivity. TIM attachments can control tractor speed and steering.
A combination of Variotronic automatic and the VarioGuide tracking system can automatically activate the lowering of the rear hydraulics on a headland. Fendt has also introduced a new automatic turning sequence that allows the machine to follow the nature of the headland.
Each year Fendt sells five to six 900 series tractors in Ireland, with an excess of 50 of these tractors working in the country. Fendt has told the Irish Farmers Journal
the first new 942 model has been sold to a farmer in Northern Ireland.
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