Take virtual ride on Agco’s Ideal combine

<p>IN ACTION: Farmers selected to observe the Farm Progress Virtual Experience&nbsp;field demonstrations watch as the Fendt Ideal 9T combine harvests down corn at the Farm Progress Show site near Boone, Iowa. The T denotes this model is on tracks.&nbsp;</p>

<p>TOUGH CONDITIONS: This view from the cab of the Fendt Ideal 9T shows lodging across the field. This very early corn hybrid was testing around 21% moisture on the day the harvest demos were filmed.</p>

<p>MODERN HEADS HELP: The corn head on the Ideal 9T is low-profile, with snouts slipping under stalks, even if they’re either partially or nearly totally flat. The operator reduced the ground speed to match crop conditions.</p>

<p>MEET THE OPERATOR: Zachary Stejskal is a marketing product specialist with Agco. He helped dial in the Ideal 9T for demonstrations at the Farm Progress Show site. Stejskal noted that the corn was lodged more than they expected, based on earlier reports from the area, but he was able to adjust and still harvest effectively, primarily by slowing down ground speed. The show site was on the edge of much more severe storm damage that occurred within Boone County, Iowa.</p>

<p>CLOSE-UP VIEW: Here is the Fendt Ideal 9T combine. Spokesmen note that all Ideal combines come with Fendt’s Gold Star Customer Care warranty, which includes three years or 1,200 hours of full coverage, including annual maintenance, and three years of Fendt Connect. See <a href="http://fendt.com" target="_blank">fendt.com</a> for more details about the warranty and customer service program.</p>

<p>TRACKS SYSTEM: Various components built into the TrakRide system help deliver a comfortable ride. Tracks also spread out the footprint of the machine, reducing potential for soil compaction.</p>

<p>FULL-WIDTH SPREAD: Stejskal says this spreader can distribute residue across the entire header width when set correctly. From the cab, the combine is able to adjust the spreader setting to compensate for wind direction and velocity as wind conditions change.</p>

<p>POWERFUL ENGINE: This Ideal 9T combine is equipped with a MAN 15.2-liter engine capable of delivering 647 horsepower to the machine for harvesting functions. At the same time, Stejskal says it is a fuel-efficient machine.</p>

<p>SIMPLE BUT POWERFUL: Farmers always want to look “under the hood.” In this case, here’s a look under the side panel of the Ideal 9T combine. Note the large drive belt and durable cast aluminum main gearbox. This machine can unload grain at 6 bushels per second, completely emptying the 485-bushel grain tank in about 1 minute and 20 seconds.</p>

<p>GOOD GRAIN QUALITY: Ideal combines equipped with the Ideal Harvest automation option include a camera that sees grain in the clean grain elevator. The picture can also be displayed in the cab. Views from the camera help the automation system know when and how to adjust to maintain grain quality within desired settings.</p>

<p>MONITOR INFORMATION: Stejskal points out machine diagnostics and information on the display screen inside the combine cab. The screen is split into four sections so you can view various types of output at the same time.</p>

<p>BONUS FEATURE: This Fendt Ideal 9T combine is equipped with an on-board air compressor with a 16-gallon tank. It’s powered by the combine itself and provides air in the field to inflate tires, blow off dust and perform other functions.</p>