Uptime and reliability are key tenets for E & M Repp Farms, Inc., especially when it comes to putting upapproximately 8,000 bales of Bermuda and alfalfa hay each year. That’s why they’ve purchased two Fendt 720 Vario tractors from Livingston Machinery Company in the past two years.

Based near Fort Cobb Lake in Caddo County, Oklahoma, E & M Repp Farms is owned and operated by Eddie and Mary Jane Repp with help from their sons, Jeremy and John. While the family farm consists of approximately 2,200 acres, with a majority of it being irrigated, the Repp’s oldest son, John, farms about 2,500 acres on his own. Hence, the family still shares the workload and some equipment, including ownership of the first Fendt they purchased. The primary crops on both farms are Bermuda, alfalfa hay and cotton; but they also grow peanuts, corn, soybeans and/or wheat — depending on the commodity prices.

“The ride and transmission for a hayoperation are two of the best aspects ofthe Fendt tractor,” Jeremy comments. “The standard cab suspension helps smooth outrough fields, while the Vario transmission and TMS (tractor management system) provide the ideal blend of ground speed and torque. I also like that I can customize the hydraulics without getting out of the cab,” he adds, noting how he can ad just the flow rate and actuation time for each remote and even as sign the spool valvecontrols in any combination using the keyson the Varioterminal.

“So far, our Fendt tractors have been very reliable tractors, having very few service calls — most of which could be corrected over the phone,” Mary Jane admits. “We have also been very pleased with the lowerfuel consumption of the Fendt tractors.”Last fall, the Repps also got a chance to see how well Fendt tractors are built when they participated in the Fendt customer trip to Germany to tour the Fendt factory and attend the Agritechnica show.

“We were totally wowed at how big the Agritechnica farm show was,” Mary Jane relates. “We spent two days there and still didn’t see it all. We enjoyed the Fendt factory tour, as well. We were very impressed with the cleanliness of the factory and how organized the parts and assembly line were. It just confirmed our appreciation for Fendt tractors.”

“We’ve been particularly impressed with the ride of this tractor compared to our other tractors, Eddie adds. “We’re definitely saving time with the Fendt tractors because of that. When you aren’t getting tossed around in the tractor on rough ground, you can get more done,”he insists, noting that foot control of the Vario CVT helps, as well. “When it comes to loading hay, the Fendt 720 will run circles around our other tractor.”