Fendt is marking two major milestones of the 900 Vario in 2026 with a limited special-edition Fendt 900; but what was the journey to this point like?

The two milestones the German agricultural machinery giant is keen to ensure are marked are:

In July, the 50,000th unit of the 900 series will roll off the production line;
The seven generations have now been in use worldwide for 30 years.

The Vario Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) has a history closely intertwined with that of the Fendt 900 series.

The iconic CVT was first displayed at Agritechnica 1995, showcased in a Favorit 926.

The Fendt Favorit 926 Vario arrived on European farms in early 1996 and hit the ground very fast as the world’s first tractor with a power-split CVT proved it could handle the high workloads put in front of it with reliability.

Fendt said: “Farmers were enthusiastic about the new lightness and efficiency of the stepless driving, while the trade press talked about a milestone.

“The success of the 900 series lead to further series and accelerated the market penetration of the Vario technology.”

Limited Edition details

The special edition Fendt 900 machines will feature paintwork styled like the 2005 Fendt Design-Line, including chrome detailing.

These tractors will come in a range of colours, including: Black, Steel Blue, Fir Gree, Black Red and Nature Green.

These tractors will have an engraved door sill featuring an individual number for the special edition as well as an anniversary logo.

Fendt is giving the 50,000th 900 series special edition the Agritechnica 2005 Design-Line colour scheme, meaning that this tractor’s ‘black-red’ paintwork will be one of five colours available. Source: Fendt

Also included in the special edition is an embroidered floor mat, badge on the bonnet and embroidered SuperComfort seat in Titanium leather, all featuring the anniversary logo.

One of the special edition tractors will be on display at EIMA International in Bologna later this year.

900 series history

While many who saw the Favorit 926 at Agritechnica were excited by the machine, some industry experts reacted with scepticism.

Questions arose regarding if the power-split transmission could reliably transfer power to the 260hp Man engine.

These queries quietened down following the performance of the tractor on the market, which went on to win seven international awards, including DLG Gold at Agritechnica 1997 and Gold at SIMA (since rebranded to AgriSIMA).

The Fendt Favorit 926 Vario was showcased at Agritechnica 1995, before launching with the brand-new Vario transmission the following spring. Source: Fendt

The 900 series would receive a facelift in 1999, which also came with technical developments, such as the “cloverleaf” joystick design, which is still used today.

In 2003, the new Tractor Management System (TMS) would launch for the second generation of the Fendt 900 Vario.

TMS electronically links the engine and transmission and automatically adjusts the revs to match the power required, meaning the operator can control both via the drive lever.

At Agritechnica 2005, Fendt unveiled the next generation Fendt 936 Vario.

This replaced the Man engine found in the previous model with a Deutz engine delivering 360hp.

In addition to that, one exhibit at the stand featured a black Fendt, which was swiftly named the ‘Black Madonna’.

The Fendt 936 Vario that drew crowds at Agritechnica 2005, nicknamed the ‘Black Madonna’ Source: Fendt

The ‘Black Madonna’ marked the launch of the Fendt Design-Line, with its colours influencing the new special edition tractor.

The fourth generation would introduce VarioGrip, allowing operators to adjust tyre pressure via the Vario terminal without exiting the cab.

This allowed tractors to lower pressure on fields to reduce compaction and increase pressure on roads to lower fuel consumption.

Fendt market manager for North West Europe Ed Dennett commented on the release of the special edition 900 series, saying: “The 900 has long been the tractor of firsts.

“Innovations like VarioGrip have kept the Fendt 900 Vario one step ahead over the 30 years it has been manufactured.

“VarioGrip was Fendt’s way of demonstrating a commitment to providing powerful tractors that could reduce soil compaction and fuel consumption.”

The fifth generation 900 series focused on under the hood innovation, and ended up achieving the lowest fuel consumption of any tractor in its power class under the EU’s stage five emissions standard.

The sixth generation is what is currently available and the model the special edition will be based on.

This generation swapped back to a Man engine that Fendt had tailored for its tractors.

The Fendt 900 series Gen6 tractors are able to drive at a speed of just 0.1 km/h, enabling it to work with a soil stabiliser. Source: Fendt

With the new engine, the 900 series improved upon the previous generations emissions score and recorded the fourth-best figure ever recorded in the DLG PowerMix Test.

According to Dennett: “The 900 Vario has always transcended agriculture to be a valuable machine for other industries like construction and forestry.

“Its versatility, economy and power have offered a perfect mix and it has won countless awards for its innovation”.

Dennett described the Fendt 900 series as “a true pioneer”, adding that since its launch, it has been “remarkably popular worldwide for a wide range of applications”.

Vario impact

The invention of the Vario by Fendt was the beginning of a rolling stone effect that led to Fendt becoming the tractor brand known for high levels of engineering, fuel efficiency and technological luxury.

AGCO Coporation acquired Fendt in 1997 to secure a premium, technology-rich brand. AGCO was also eager to corner the European market and get its hands on Vario technology.

Since the US giant’s acquisition of Fendt, the German brand has become the premium benchmark for agricultural machinery.

The Vario CVT was an essential part of the 900 series’ success, and has remained an essential part of the Fendt identity for the past 30 years.

Fendt 400

The Fendt 400 series launched in 1999 with a Vario CVT, marking the first lower-hp Fendt tractor to receive a CVT.

Modelled after the 700 series, the 400 series became somewhat of a cult-icon for the Fendt brand, being known as a bullet-proof all-rounder that had potential to out-pull six-cylinder tractors despite only having four cylinders.

Agriland.co.uk

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