Fendt 620 Vario Proves Ideal for Norfolk Arable Farm
After a full year tackling a wide range of jobs on a Norfolk arable farm, a Fendt 620 Vario has convinced its owner and operators that it is the right tractor for the role.
The Fendt 620 Vario replaced a busy Fendt 724 Vario at North Hill Farm, Shipdham, owned and farmed by Chris Eglington. Trading as S S Eglington & Son Ltd, the business farms 400ha, most of it devoted to winter wheat, winter barley and winter oilseed rape. Until recently, the rotation also included spring peas, spring oats and cover crops grazed by sheep. The spring crops have now been replaced by rotational grass grazing, while livestock also graze permanent parkland pasture managed under HLS stewardship schemes.
A constant drive to improve soil health and structure includes a controlled traffic farming regime adopted 18 years ago. Land is still ploughed but only if needed, and mainly where there is a heightened risk of black-grass. Minimum tillage cultivations prepare land for drilling and Chris said early autumn drilling is a priority. His target is to plant barley around the last week of September, after 1st wheats have been drilled.
Three-Fendt fleet
All three of his tractors are Fendts. “We bought the first in 1993, an 818 Vario which was selected for its reverse drive function to work with a forage harvester,” he continued. “That was sold just three years ago with 13,000 recorded working hours, yet in all the time we had it, apart from routine servicing, it only needed two new alternators and one front axle bearing. It never missed a beat until minor electrical problems occurred and at that time we chose to update it.”
Impressed by his first Fendt, Chris bought further models. The fleet now comprises a 939 Vario which was bought second-hand, a 942 Vario bought as an ex-demonstrator and the latest 620 Vario, which replaced the 724 Vario last year. Both newer tractors were supplied by Thurlow Nunn Standen (TNS), the area’s official Fendt dealer since 2012. “We look at other brands when updating tractors, so we are well aware of the price premium,” Chris said. “But I value Fendt’s build quality and reliability, we all enjoy driving the tractors and they are very comfortable. The TNS Attleborough team also looks after us well.”
Helping protect soils
When Chris purchased the Fendt 942 Vario, he specified Fendt’s optional VarioGrip central tyre inflation system. “It’s proving highly effective at reducing compaction as part of our soil-protection policy,” he explained. “We can use higher tyre pressures for road travel, then reduce them in the field to create a larger footprint and maximise grip. When drilling with the 942 Vario, we run the tyres at just 0.6 bar (8.7psi). Whatever the ground conditions, once drilling is completed, then it’s barely possible to see where the tractor wheels have been.”
“If we didn’t have VarioGrip, then we would have to compromise by selecting pressures high enough to ensure safety and avoid tyre damage on the road and well above the optimal low pressures preferred for field operations and soil protection.”
A main factor in the purchase
VarioGrip availability was a major factor when the 724 Vario was replaced by the new 620 Vario. Chris prefers a fully integrated, factory-fitted system to an aftermarket kit with external pipework. Integrated systems are increasingly offered by several tractor manufacturers, but the option tends to be confined to much larger models so its availability on the Fendt 600 Vario series which starts at just 149hp is unusual. Therefore, Chris didn’t hesitate to order the 620 Vario with VarioGrip, plus Michelin VF 650/65R42 rear tyres and VF 600/60R30 front tyres to ensure maximum benefit from the onboard tyre inflation system.
Working alongside the Fendt 939 Vario and 942 Vario tractors, the new 620 Vario’s role on the farm includes trailer work, granular fertiliser applications, a wide range of general tasks and rolling with an 18m set of heavy Cousins rib rolls. Although the 724 Vario occasionally pulled rolls in the past, the 942 Vario was preferred when it was available because its ability to operate with lower tyre pressures reduced wheelings and soil compaction.
“The 942 Vario is larger than this job requires, whereas the 620 Vario has enough power: 209hp (rated) and 224hp (max), but an unladen weight of only 7,740kg. That allows us to reduce tyre pressures to just 0.8 bar (11.2psi) in the field. When the rolls are folded for transport a lot of their weight is transferred to the rear of the tractor, so we increase the rear pressure to 2.4 bar (33.6psi). Adjustment takes only six to eight minutes and allows us to carry the weight safely at higher road speeds. Without VarioGrip, we would have to retain those higher pressures in the field and the wheelings would look like tramlines,” Chris explained.
Because so much weight is transferred to the tractor when the rolls are folded, a front weight block is added to ensure safe steering. When there are several fields together or the ground is damp, then the weight is dropped off at the field gateway after the rolls are unfolded and reattached before the next road journey. Apart from travelling with the rolls, the front weight hasn’t been required for any other task, so maximum benefit is achieved from the tractor’s light weight.”
Happy operator
As well as Chris, there is one full-time farm employee. Harry Shephard has been the Fendt 620 Vario’s main operator since it arrived. “I like all the Fendt tractors, but the 620 Vario really impresses me,” he said. “The latest generation FendtONE controls took a bit of getting used to after our other Fendt tractors, but now I prefer them. The new central display behind the steering wheel is ideally located to see at a glance and being able to select which information is on that screen or the armrest terminal or even choosing to have the same information on both, is helpful. Everything can be viewed easily and is quickly adjusted, from field maps and guidance to tyre pressures and hydraulic flow.”
Harry said he also prefers the latest multifunction joystick. “It’s comfortable, there are more customisable buttons, and all the functions are within easy reach. I particularly like the new thumb scroll wheel for speed control. Working around field headlands, pylons and other obstructions, I can easily adjust the speed without going into the screen settings.”
The 620 Vario seat is heated and cooled, which Harry said significantly improved comfort working in higher temperatures this year. The climate control system is powerful and works well. Electrically adjusted mirrors can be folded or extended at the touch of a button, and for travel through narrow gateways are an advantage. The 620 Vario is also the only tractor on the farm with a right-hand cab window wiper, and he commented that he has been surprised at how much it helps when working in dusty or showery conditions.
Asked about fuel consumption, Harry pointed out that comparisons are difficult but that all the Fendts seem very economical. Pulling the 18m rolls across a soft and very dry seedbed, the 6.1kph working speed was achieved with engine revs between 1,200 and 1,260rpm and diesel consumption of 12–15 litres per hour. “While rolling, I could easily get two to three working days from a single tank,” he pointed out.
“Overall, it’s a lovely tractor to drive with a comfortable cab, great visibility and user-friendly controls. For trailer work, I miss the advanced front suspension I’ve been used to on our 942 Vario but, for a smaller tractor, the 620 Vario is pretty impressive.”
Separate screens
The FendtONE control concept offers a comprehensive range of precision farming capabilities including wireless data exchange between the tractor and farm office. Chris doesn’t use this currently. “We work with SOYL for variable rate applications and control is through a dedicated spreader terminal. Our drill is controlled and monitored through an iPad, and I feel that gives us maximum benefit as the tractor displays give an uncluttered view of just the main operating functions and GPS guidance. We know the extra features are available from Fendt, but for our situation there would be little value in paying to unlock them.”
Ideal for the role
Chris has no doubt that the right tractor was selected for its role. “It’s got plenty of power, the VarioDrive transmission provides great manoeuvrability and maximises traction while the light weight and VarioGrip system help us protect our soils. For servicing, we can rely on the TNS Attleborough service teams and when problems occur then issues are diagnosed and rectified quickly, although we have an ongoing GPS guidance issue affecting our older 939 Vario currently that is proving tricky.
“I anticipate keeping the 620 Vario for many years and am pleased that we bought it. I can’t think of any other tractor that would perform the role better, especially the rolling,” he concluded.
TNS Area Sales Manager Josh Etteridge says the new 620 Vario models have quickly proved popular with farmers in his south-east and central Norfolk trading area. “With a brand-new engine, a new VarioDrive transmission plus availability of the VarioGrip CTIS as a factory-fitted option, we are receiving many requests for information and demonstrations from farmers and contractors currently using competitor brands as well as long established TNS customers with the previous 700 Vario series. It has a 4-cyl engine rather than a 6-cyl power unit, so it’s a tractor potential buyers are keen to try before confirming their orders, but a large number are out working now and users are impressed.”
