When AGCO Africa launched the Fendt IDEAL range last year, well-known Sasolburg farmer Tharina Terblanche knew this was the combine harvester she had always been looking for. The range sets a new benchmark as it was developed from the ground up. Special attention was paid to efficiency, grain and straw quality, reliability, and user-friendliness, in addition to revolutionary sensor technology for optimal machine setting.

When new combine harvesters had to be purchased, Tharina’s heart immediately pointed to the new range and her experience with the IDEAL reveal event in Wesselsbron she attended with Frans Cronjé, Regional Sales manager for Fendt South Africa.

“We decided on an IDEAL 7 and 8. Our lands are not flat and big, so the smaller areas are harvested with the IDEAL 7 and a 35-Draper Header. On larger and wider land, we harvest with the IDEAL 8 and a 40-Draper Header,” explains Tharina. “The grain comes in faster and cleaner, which helps when it goes to the silo as we do not need to sieve as much.”

The farm alternates between planting soya beans and maize. The two IDEAL combine harvesters were specially purchased for these crops as Fendt’s dual helix rotors substantially reduces any wastage. “This automatically allows you to get more volume into the bag, leaving less on the ground to germinate in the coming season,” adds Tharina.

“I started farming in the late 1980s. It was a challenge for sure, as I was young and worked the land by myself as a woman. One thing is for sure, I hated it when my tractors broke down. My brother, an authorized AGCO dealer, recommended Fendt as the best.” However, Fendt was unavailable in South Africa at that time.

The four models in the combine harvester range are the Fendt IDEAL 7, 8, 9 and 10. The Fendt IDEAL 7 is a single-helix rotor, while 8, 9 and 10 are dual-helix rotors with different 3D wave pan designs. The internal working of the dual-helix rotor system provides the grain quality of a hybrid machine with the capacity and throughput of a rotary machine. The Fendt IDEAL 7 has an AGCO Power engine while the 8, 9 and 10 feature different MAN engines, explains Johan Coetzer, Parys Sales Representative.

The IDEAL combine harvester is user friendly, and the cab is extremely comfortable. Features such as driving detection helps fewer plants being trampled before joining the correct row. The Fendt Connect telemetry technology is also of great assistance. “For me, it is comforting to sit in my office and be able to see exactly where they are harvesting, how much at that moment, and even what the fuel consumption is,” notes Tharina.

The major benefit of Fendt Connect is that the technology is live, enabling the customer to monitor diesel consumption, harvesting speed and tons harvested per hectare per hour. Breakdowns, error codes, service reminders and more – everything can be seen from the comfort of your cellphone. “There is no need to be in an office or near a computer,” says Devin Debwith, ValtraC Technical Manager.

The previous harvest season saw several challenges due to Covid-19 restrictions on shipping and the subsequent delay in the Suez Canal. “With the arrival of my two models IDEAL 7 and IDEAL 8 we all sang,” confesses Tharina.

"Both models offers a great peace of mind. I have confidence in these two machines and they make us look forward to the upcoming harvest seasons at all times. ” concludes Tharina.