First Fendt 314 with new look cab lands on Irish soil

When it comes to Fendt tractors, their vario transmission and computer screens often leave people with a perception that they are complicated and difficult to drive. This was something the German manufacturer took into consideration when designing its latest generation of tractors. The majority of its latest innovations are visible through the new control layout and increased capability of its technology.

Since its last generation launch in 2015, most other brands such as Massey and Valtra have moved forward in leaps and bounds. While Fendt is perceived as one of the leaders in this area, it has been John Deere who has been the biggest thorn in the side with its modern Command Pro setup, now in Irish tractors almost three years.

In an attempt to creep ahead of the competition, Fendt has unveiled its Fendt One concept. This new control setup is housed in the same four-post cab. At an initial glance, three things struck me. Firstly, Fendt has ditched the traditional dash for a modern digital tablet-like display. Secondly, the large joystick which Fendt users have become accustomed to has taken a retirement package. And, finally, the control console now rides with the seat, rather than being fixed like previously.

Dash

Fendt swapped the conventional dash for a fresh-looking 10in monitor. The new larger digital display simplifies the dashboard, while showing the same details, which include driving speed, engine speed and fluid levels. It also does away with any buttons. Unlike the large armrest screen, the dash display is view-only.

Fendt area sales manager Sean Gorman explained that within the next 12 months, it will be possible to put functions such as guidance maps and IsoBus implement display on the dash monitor, making it easier to keep an eye on the task in hand.

Touchscreen terminal

Fendt designed its new touchscreen terminal to work like a modern touchscreen phone. The operator can now swipe through the screen, creating a layout to suit a particular application. It is now possible to select up to six different display tiles on the home screen.

Although the majority of the icons haven’t changed, the new screen layout has helped improve the usability of the screen.

The main touchscreen terminal has been upgraded from a 10in to a 12in unit, which is now standard on the 700 Gen 6, but optional on a 300 Gen 4 depending on spec. Fendt’s previous 10in terminal was a viewing terminal and contained the brains of the tractor. With the new generation, Fendt has separated the two so that the terminal is solely for viewing, while the processor has been relocated to the armrest. There is now no difference in terminal between the entry-level Power model to the top-of-the-range Profi Plus offering.

With some users requiring more user-face capacity and increased storage space for functions such as guidance, variable rate application, section control and task management software, Fendt has stood up to the mark.

For those who aren’t satisfied with two digital terminals, a third 12in monitor that drops from the roof on the right of the cab is also available. Although unlikely to be a big seller in the 300 series, Sean Gorman noted that it may be useful for tasks such as potato harvesting where several external cameras are required. This has a list retail in the region of €3,000 plus VAT.

New joystick

With the latest upgrade, Fendt really modernised the joystick layout. Rather than the large joystick Fendt users have become accustomed too, the German manufacturer has opted for a smaller, more-modern, stockier look, with all functions closer to the operator’s thumb.

Despite the change of shape, the fundamentals, such as how it drives, remain the same – left to alter direction, right to engage cruise, etc. It now features two proportional scroll wheels for two spools and another wheel for quick adjustment of the cruise speed. Both represent major improvements.

The multifunction joystick and cross-gate lever on the armrest come as standard on the Power Setting 2 and Profi edition. Although not present on the tractor we viewed, the top-of-the-range offering features a new 3L joystick. Fendt says that once a software update has been installed, this will control up to 27 functions including the forward/reverse shuttle and the front loader.

The joystick now features four new white buttons, each of which is freely assignable. Each spool is colour-coded and can be freely assigned to several locations. To indicate that the spool has changed, its unique colour will appear on the selected location.

Fewer buttons

The control console on the new generation now rides with the seat, rather than being fixed like its predecessor, the 300S4 model. Despite ditching many of the buttons and the side console display, the new generation carries over the same Fendt DNA. The colour coding has remained the same to indicate the function or active spool. For example, the orange-coloured LED light flags transmission functions, while blue indicates the lift functions. The transmission features have also been relocated from the blister pad on the side to the bottom of the joystick.

The new layout sees the buttons become more accessible for the operator. Fendt has also relocated some of the in-frequently used controls, such as the PTO speed settings, into the screen. Meanwhile, the lift function is now available as a proportional switch.

Engine

Both the 300 and 700 series offerings have now moved to Stage V compliant powertrains. We understand that the existing AGCO Power (Sisu) engine in the 300 series and Deutz engine in the 700 series only needed new engine software mapping to meet the next level of emission regulations.

The new fourth-generation 300 series from Fendt has had a little shuffle of models. The previous entry level 310 has been dropped, while, at the upper end, a new flagship 314 has been added. The new range has four models as follows: 311 Vario, 312 Vario, 313 Vario and the new 314 Vario, with outputs ranging from 113hp to 142hp. At 33kg/hp, the 314 offers a low power-to-weight ratio.

The newly introduced 314 features Fendt’s Dynamic Performance power boost concept, which enables the 314 Vario to reach 152hp. The new power-boost concept releases up to 10hp more power when it is needed. Fendt says it’s not tied to driving speeds or operational tasks, but works purely dynamically. The system detects when certain components, such as the PTO, hydraulics, engine fans or air conditioning, need more power and then provides it through smart control. Dynamic Performance works at a standstill, as well as on the move. This feature will also come on the 211. As standard, Fendt is now equipping front axle suspension on the 300 series.

Other series

At present, the new Fendt One layout is only available in the 300 and 700 series tractors. However, we understand that the new control layout will be in the new 200 series coming in 2021 and will be rolled out in the full offering right up to the 517hp 1050 over the next two to three years.

Tractor spec