On a Fendt, the gearbox and engine work without any loss of power, even in difficult ground conditions.
On a Fendt, the gearbox and engine work without any loss of power, even in difficult ground conditions.
Cotton, millet, mung beans, cherry peas – these diverse varieties are grown by Tom Gooding with the help of Fendt 936 Varios with a track gauge of three metres in Dalby, Australia.
Gooding Farm, west of Dalby, is run by Tom with his two brothers and father, Dave. Tom's grandfather bought the farm 40 years ago after selling his dairy farm on the coast. Initially, the Goodings had a cattle farm before bull rearing. But climatic changes made it difficult to obtain food, so, over the past 15 years, Dave and Tom have switched to 3,500 hectares of arable land. “We get along really well and always have fun at work. We talk about the tasks involved and divide them up among us, so we all pitch in,” Tom says of his family of ten.
Stepless tractors from Fendt have been running for 7 years at Gooding Farm – it was the gearbox and engine that won Tom over. “I'd already tried out various stepless tractors, but none of those machines could bring the power to the ground as well as the Fendt
tractors. On a Fendt, the gearbox and engine work without any loss of power, even in difficult ground conditions.” Another advantage is the comfort offered by the 900 series; with single-wheel suspension, sound-insulated cabin and pneumatic cab suspension. “This means I can work at a faster pace on uneven fields than with the machines before,” Tom concludes. The single-wheel suspension supports the tractive power and, as well as traction, these two things are extremely important on the heavy, loamy soils of Gooding Farm, especially after heavy rain.
Tom is deeply impressed by the fuel savings after 5,000 working hours on each. “Sowing is one of the most important tasks in any arable farm and with the Fendt 936 Vario with the 8-row 60" cotton planter attached, I achieved an average fuel consumption of less than 12 l/h. With my previous machines, the lowest average consumption was 23-24 l/h.” Cost savings in fuel and efficiency are just as important to Gooding Farm as performance under difficult growing conditions.
The region is often affected by drought or sudden heavy rain, so the soil can have cracks of up to 10 cm in dry seasons and is almost impossible to navigate after a lot of rain. Some of the land needs to be irrigated so harvest can happen in dry years, too. Controlled Traffic Farming is another method used here. This determines the waylines the first time you cover the land, and now every agricultural machine has used the same track for 10 years. This prevents large-scale soil compaction. Tyre sizes like 710/75 R42 are uncommon in Australia. "Soil compaction can still be detected in the ground up to 5 years later if we drive outside the plotted waylines, and this also affects the growth of the crops. With the wider tyres, the soil compaction is not quite as deep as on other farms where they use very narrow tyres,” says Tom, explaining why he opted for the 710 tyres.
The Goodings work with a track gauge of 3 metres, so the front axle had to be widened by the company Widetract Extensions in Toowoomba. This conversion is lighter and puts less strain on the front wheels and planetary gears than other options. The rear axle is subject to special clearance under conditions for lighter work, such as sowing, including a reduced permissible axle load. “The tractor must stay as lightweight as possible, and with the 710 tyres I can minimise the soil compaction. So I can achieve good results on the field even at low tyre pressure and start sowing a week earlier than my neighbours."
Reliable and high-quality machines and good service were the main factors for Tom when he was looking into new tractors in 2012. Fendt was not a well-known name in the north-eastern state of Queensland then, but he had heard about the low fuel consumption. So he contacted the dealer B&B Machinery in Toowoomba, who are now also responsible for the maintenance and service of the machines. Tom is full of praise for them: “The service is excellent and the team knows its Fendt products inside and out.” For this great service, Tom is happy to make the hour-long journey to his sales partner. “I would also like to go back to Germany and see the agriculture and farming equipment used there. I was in Germany with my parents when I was 8 years old and I liked it. I was really impressed with the Alps and how clean the whole place was,” laughs Tom. His parents have obviously passed on their passionate interest in European history and culture, as well as their love of agriculture, to their 8 children – maybe because of their European roots.
When I borrowed the Fendt 700 Vario-series demonstrator from the local Crawfords Billingshurst depot I didn’t expect to buy it, but within 30 minutes of it arriving on the farm I just didn’t want to give it back
When I borrowed the Fendt 700 Vario-series demonstrator from the local Crawfords Billingshurst depot I didn’t expect to buy it, but within 30 minutes of it arriving on the farm I just didn’t want to give it back
One very important reason was the low-speed technology of the MAN engine.
One very important reason was the low-speed technology of the MAN engine.
This year, we achieved daily outputs of over 1,000 m3 with our new draught horse, which is quite astonishing under the conditions prevailing here.
This year, we achieved daily outputs of over 1,000 m3 with our new draught horse, which is quite astonishing under the conditions prevailing here.
At 40 km/h, the speed is only 950 rpm, which of course makes the job a lot more relaxed for the drivers.
At 40 km/h, the speed is only 950 rpm, which of course makes the job a lot more relaxed for the drivers.
The 942 is easy going and overall a mature concept.
The 942 is easy going and overall a mature concept.
The 415 hp from the MAN engine with 9 l displacement, coupled with the low-speed concept, are optimal for chipper use.
The 415 hp from the MAN engine with 9 l displacement, coupled with the low-speed concept, are optimal for chipper use.
The soils place high demands on people and technology.
The soils place high demands on people and technology.
One day too late in spring is one day less for the potatoes to grow in autumn.
One day too late in spring is one day less for the potatoes to grow in autumn.
I love new machines. I can sell my used machines for a good price and, ideally, not have any downtime for repairs during the harvest time.
I love new machines. I can sell my used machines for a good price and, ideally, not have any downtime for repairs during the harvest time.
It´s nice and neat in the barley, wheat and here in the rapeseed.
It´s nice and neat in the barley, wheat and here in the rapeseed.
The VarioGuide Contour Assistant and its new wayline types – Contour Segments and Single Track – are a big plus for Fendt when it comes
to potato planting.
The VarioGuide Contour Assistant and its new wayline types – Contour Segments and Single Track – are a big plus for Fendt when it comes
to potato planting.
The guidance functions especially are made even simpler with FendtONE.
The guidance functions especially are made even simpler with FendtONE.
The technology sounds complex, but it's so easy to use.
The technology sounds complex, but it's so easy to use.
Fendt tractors are enormously efficient with regard to time, quality and fuel.
Fendt tractors are enormously efficient with regard to time, quality and fuel.
Up to 25% of the costs for fertiliser can be saved.
Up to 25% of the costs for fertiliser can be saved.
Fendt IDEAL sets new standards.
Fendt IDEAL sets new standards.
Tracks are a Must.
Tracks are a Must.
It’s quite simple really – leaders drive Fendt!
It’s quite simple really – leaders drive Fendt!
We'd be
nowhere near as flexible if
we used trucks.
We'd be
nowhere near as flexible if
we used trucks.
You get to turn something really bad into something really good.
You get to turn something really bad into something really good.
With our LAYJET method, we are on average 10 times faster than with conventional technology.
With our LAYJET method, we are on average 10 times faster than with conventional technology.
