360-icon download left-arrow left-doublearrow nav-dot pdf-icon rss-icon search-icon spot-icon subnavi-icon close-icon info-icon
Of course, we don’t buy tractors if we’re expecting problems. But we all know that there’s a need for prompt break-down assistance from time to time, and there also need to be qualified workers to draw from.
Carl Johan Hjerpsted, estate manager from Espe, Denmark - Fendt 720, 828 Vario with VarioGrip
Of course, we don’t buy tractors if we’re expecting problems. But we all know that there’s a need for prompt break-down assistance from time to time, and there also need to be qualified workers to draw from.

Two Fendt 828 Varios and one Fendt 720 Vario - all ready for working in the fields, weather permitting.

Three Fendts chosen for their all-round economy

When the choice between tractor brands was to be made in 2015, Goods Administrator Carl Johan Hjerpsted from Espe og Bonderup Gods was in no doubt that all-round economy and good working places were the most important criteria.

Spring has been put on hold for a while in view of the downpours lasting several days. We were in a place where rain is not usually an issue for much of the growing season. “It’s really dry in May and June in particular, when the crops often need watering a lot,” explains Carl Johan Hjerpsted.

Since 2011 he has been Operations Manager at Espe og Bonderup Gods, which also owns the Lindeskovgaard farm. The three properties are situated in beautiful locations by the coast between Skælskør and Korsør. Hence, there are also several types of soil, from hard clay to salt marshes. There are no domestic animals, but in the fields a total of 625 ha. are cultivated. About 80% of the area is worked without the use of ploughs, which are only used earlier for spring seeding. This working method provides employment for two tractor drivers in addition to the goods administrator. “I want to achieve good savings in crops production as well as good places to work,” says Carl Johan Hjerpsted. These were the objectives he was focusing on when an older fleet of tractors needed to be replaced for the 2016 season.

Choice of two brands

With a large farm, it is interesting to look at the different options of tractor brands, when new tractors need to be purchased. Therefore, the staff at Espe og Bonderup Gods also tried slightly different options for the fields. But when it came to choosing in earnest, the field was limited to two brands. “In a situation like that, there are several smaller details too that are of great significance,” says Carl Johan Hjerpsted.

Trust in the salesman

Apart from Carl Johan Hjerpsted, the new Fendt tractors will be driven in particular by tractor drivers Niels Mortensen (middle) and Lars Petersen (right).

Carl Johan says there is a particularly strong trust between him and the salesman - and trust in the ability of the importer and dealer to provide a competent service. “Of course, we don’t buy tractors if we’re expecting problems. But we all know that there’s a need for prompt break-down assistance from time to time, and there also need to be qualified workers to draw from,” he states. It was, however, all-round economy and good work places that were all-important when the decision to choose a Fendt Vario was made. The creation of a good place to work is helped by the advantage that the tractor driver is able to set the hydraulics, etc. as he sees fit - and then save these settings for each piece of machinery, so that the same settings can be used again and again.

Two with VarioGrip tyre pressure regulation

Three tractors are to be purchased, two of which are to have up to 300 hk at maximum performance and the other one around 200 hk. With this requirement, the choice was for two Fendt 828 Varios each with 280 hk and a Fendt 720 Vario with 200 hk. Fendt offers the choice of a large variety of equipment, and one of the most important things for Espe og Bonderup Gods was the ability to regulate the tyre pressure quickly. “I am committed to caring for the earth and improving it,” says Carl Johan Hjerpsted.

A good ground structure requires a low ground pressure, and this is achieved, for example, by driving with tyres with the lowest possible air pressure. “With Fendt’s VarioGrip we can easily regulate the air pressure while driving from 0.6 bar to 2.5 bar,” says Carl Johan Hjerpsted. With this system it is very easy and only takes a few minutes to change the air pressure, wherever you are. “We’re looking forward to using it,” he says. The three new Fendt tractors were supplied for the spring work 2016 and have, therefore, been carrying out all ground work since then.