Fendt is extending its forage harvester fleet with the addition of two new models – the 850hp, Katana 85 and 500hp, Katana 50. Both build on the well-proven technology introduced on the original Katana 65 and also adhere to the ‘more from less’ philosophy – providing more efficiency, more output and more power, while using less fuel and other resources.
The 850hp Fendt Katana 85 is powered by a 21 litre, V12 MTU engine, with a larger radiator than the Katana 65 for extra cooling capacity. Developed along the same lines as the smaller Fendt Katana 65 forage harvester, the new machine is also equipped with a 720mm diameter cutting cylinder – the largest currently available on the market.
Fendt also continues with its strategy for the V-Cracker that employs individual V-shaped meshing discs on two parallel-running rollers, which provides twice the cracking length than that available from conventional rollers. Meshing the discs together produces different speeds on their inside and outside, which results in highly efficient and thorough cracking of maize kernels. The discs can be replaced, if necessary.
A huge advantage provided the Fendt system is the ability to very quickly change between grass and maize, and vice versa. After activating the system on the Varioterminal, the V-Cracker is the quickly rotated back behind the discharge blower, electro-hydraulically and at the touch of a button in the maintenance area. At the same time, the grass chute is brought into position.
Easy operation via the 10.4” Varioterminal and perfect ergonomics in the Visio5 cab
The Visio5 cab, developed specifically for the Fendt forage harvester, is built to the highest standards and also includes the familiar integrated 10.4” Varioterminal and joystick operating system, as found on Fendt Vario tractors and the Katana 65.
The cab’s large glass area offers an unobstructed view to the header, as well as the intake and discharge areas, which eases operation and adjustment, providing operators with a perfect view in all directions.
The advanced, ergonomically-designed Visio5 cab locates all the main operating elements in the right-hand armrest on the air-suspended driver’s seat. This allows all the important functions to be accessed directly using the multi-function joystick, the Varioterminal, the toggle switches and membrane keypad.
On the large 10.4” Varioterminal all the most important information, such as direction of travel, fuel consumption or the header position, is always clearly in view in the upper right quadrant. Operators can access the individual menus using the touchpad.
Additionally, three buttons on the terminal can be freely assigned – and allocated to certain task. As further options, the buttons ‘Enable steering’ and ‘Rotate discharge chute’ can also be freely assigned. With this software function, AGCO/Fendt offers an absolutely unique selling point on the market. Another new function is a manoeuvring mode that, for example, eases hooking up the header, while at the same time prevents damage to the grass sward during grassland operations.
VarioGuide is now available as an option in the Variotronic program for all models in the Katana forage harvester range. It can also be retrofitted, with all the machines coming with the wiring pre-installed as standard.
ECO/Power modes adapt engine rpm
The Katana forage harvesters offer exceptional fuel economy thanks to the novel ECO/Power modes. Fendt recognises that full engine power is not always necessary – when, for example, is light grass crop. And in these circumstances ECO mode is activated, which cuts the engine speed down to a fuel-saving 1,600rpm from the normal 2,000rpm. The speed of the chopping components, however, remains constant.
Users can also choose between two plastic fuel tank sizes. The first option holds 1,500 litres of diesel, while the other tank is divided into two chambers – holding 1,250 litres of fuel, plus a further 250 litres of water for silage additive dilution.
The battery and the toolbox are installed in the machine where they are easy to access, with new lights under the guards, further improving ease of servicing. The Katana 85 is available with larger tyres than those for the Katana 65 and 50 models, helping to provide additional traction and higher clearance.
Choice of three headers
A wide selection of headers are available for use with the Katana to provide optimum operation in grass, maize or whole crop silage, helping to produce the highest quality chopped material. Operation is simplified by functions on the 10.4” Varioterminal in the Visio5 cab that allows the GPS header, pickup or ten-row maize header to be selected from the screen, as standard.
Series production of the Fendt Katana 85 forage harvester will begin in March 2014 and it will be available in limited numbers for the 2014harvesting season.
