Debut at Innov-Agri in September is part of an impressive roll out of new combine harvesters and other machinery to mark Massey Ferguson's 50th anniversary year.
After highly successful European trials last season, Massey Ferguson is now introducing the brand new, three-model 'Fortia' range of rotary combine harvesters, which will be unveiled at INNOV-AGRI, Outarville, Orléans, France on 2nd to 4th September. The Fortia Rotary Combines will receive their world debut alongside Massey Ferguson's new Centora range of 8 walker high capacity conventional combines as part of its impressive launch of new machinery during its 50th anniversary
Four years ago, Martin Richenhagen, Chairman, President and CEO of the AGCO Corporation pledged that the company would deploy all the resources necessary to become a world leader in harvesting technology.
This completely new combine harvester range is further testimony to AGCO delivering on this commitment and is the result of AGCO's unstinting multi-million dollar investment. The Massey Ferguson Fortia Rotary combines and Centora Conventional combines join the renowned MF 2100 Series balers that were launched last season.
These new developments result from AGCO's unparalleled focus on developing, engineering and production of world-class harvesting machinery. The Fortia range is just the start of ongoing developments that will continue with further completely new, innovative equipment being introduced in the future.
The Fortia Series combines further strengthen and broaden Massey Ferguson's harvester line up. The combines are the highest capacity harvesters ever offered by the company and demonstrate how Massey Ferguson is now bringing to bear the same rigour and dynamism that it has applied with huge success to its completely new tractor ranges.
The Fortia combine range, which is built in the company's Hesston factory in the USA, includes Class 8, Class 7 and Class 6 machines, with maximum powers of 495hp, 380hp and 330hp, respectively. All the new models blend well-proven components with new and innovative features that provide industry-leading performance and high capacity at low operating costs from a straight-forward design.
"In last season's trials the original MF 9895 performed extremely well in a wide range of crops in Eastern, Western and Central Europe," explains Adam Sherriff, General Product Marketing Manager, Harvesting. "During these trials our engineers assessed the machine's capabilities and have since made several, subtle but important changes for the demanding European market.
"The original design's significant strengths, however, remain unchanged. The combines still employ the industry's longest, hydrostatically driven rotor, which combined with the straightforward layout enhances reliability. But we have added, for example, a completely new electronic control system."
The Massey Ferguson Fortia range will be available in two distinct levels of specification: one designed specifically to meet CE requirements and the other for sale in countries where this is not required. The main components on these variants are, however, identical.
Fortia features:
* 9.0m wide Powerflow table standard (option for non-CE)
* Even feed from full-width helically vaned beater
* 3.56m long rotor the longest in the industry - 800mm diameter in MF 9895, 700mm diameter in other models
* Fastest unloading rate of 158 litres/sec
* Latest technology, high capacity economical engines
* Straight-forward design - just 13 main drive belts and three chains
* Class-leading cab comfort and low noise levels
* Console II electronic terminal for automatic setting and monitoring
* MF 9895 Fortia AutoGuide ready for CE territories. An option on non-CE and all other models
Powerflow tables guarantee the highest outputs
The key to efficient harvesting is to keep the threshing mechanism full with an even 'heads first' feed, which is why the new rotary is equipped with the new 9.0m wide version of its renowned Powerflow cutting table.
"Tests prove Powerflow increases capacity in oilseed rape by up to 73%, 12% in barley and 15% in wheat. The positive feed from a Powerflow produces considerably more output than extra width on a conventional header. This means the 9.0m wide table will provide a further significant increase in capacity," says Mr Sherriff.
Powerflow headers are an option for combines for sale in non-CE territories, which are equipped with Hesston-built 7200 Series conventional cutterbars in a range of widths of 7.7m, 9.0m and 10.5m.
Best in class rotor design
Even feed from the headers provides a perfect path to the full-width intake beater unit, which is fitted with helical vanes to evenly distribute the crop into the rotor head.
"The MF 9895's exceptional performance in such a wide range of crops comes from its single axial rotor - the longest in the industry. This is driven hydrostatically, which not only reduces the complexity and maintenance associated with belts, but also provides positive, controllable power," explains Mr Sherriff.
All models are equipped the same design of Advanced Technology Rotor (ATR), which is 3.56m long on all models, and 800mm wide on the MF 9895 and 700mm wide on the Class 6 and 7 MF 9695 and MF 9795.
Following the European pre-production trials, Massey Ferguson engineers have lengthened the rotor's threshing bars, which now extend to just behind the intake flights. "This provides a more even distribution of threshed material along the preparation pan," says Mr Sherriff. "Threshing the crop over a greater length produces a gentler action that prevents the straw breaking up in dry conditions and is shown to also reduce power and fuel consumption. The threshing system also produces high quality grain samples in cereals, maize and pulses with minimum grain damage."
Hydrostatic rotor drive provides infinitely variable speeds enabling operators to set the exact speed to perfectly match conditions. An automatic monitor sustains a constant rotor speed, regardless of load, which helps to maintain effective threshing and separation.
The innovative rotor design also negates the need for a rear discharge beater. This means, unlike other rotary combines, the straw exits the combine direct from the rotor, which reduces complexity and saves power and fuel.
Another significant benefit of the hydrostatic drive is a much simpler and durable driveline. Indeed, there are just 13 main drive belts on the whole machine, which greatly reduces the risk of downtime as well as improving access.
Industry-leading unloading rate
Grain tank capacity on the Class 8, MF 9895 is 12,300 litres and 10,500 litres on the smaller Class 7 and 6 machines. Combines built for sale in CE territories are fitted rainproof grain tank covers, which are electrically controlled from the cab. The non-CE machines have manually folding extensions.
The tanks on all models are filled by a massive 30cm diameter clean grain auger, which is designed to cope with high yielding crops that can fill at a rate of up to 130t/hr in, for example, heavy maize and bean crops. The design minimises the risk of damage when the tank is full.
All the new MF Fortia rotary combines benefit from the rapid Direct High Volume (DHV) system unloading system that discharges at a rate of 158 litres/sec. The long reach, 7.4m long turret auger has a 4.34m discharge height that makes it easy to empty into chaser wagons and large trailers.
Ultimate operator environment
Fortia combines are designed to work hard for long hours and to ensure the operator remains fresh and alert Massey Ferguson provides one of the most spacious and comfortable cabs on the market. The brand new, AGCO designed and built cab offers uncompromising levels of comfort, visibility and equipment. All models, in both CE and non-CE territories, have
