Fendt has lifted the lid on the fourth generation of its flagship 1000 Vario tractors, which are more powerful, cheaper to run and nicer to drive.

Four models make up the refreshed line-up: the 1040, 1044, 1048 and 1052 Vario, with outputs stretching from 426hp to 550hp.

All remain propelled by the same 12.4-litre MAN engine, albeit apparently tuned to work more efficiently and now approved to run HVO100 renewable fuel.

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The firm’s “dynamic performance” system is available across the range, adding an extra 26-30hp on demand for tasks with a heavy pto or hydraulic load.

A new feature on these Gen4s is a means of reducing the power output, allowing operators to dial down performance to match the requirements of the implement behind.

Fendt says this helps cut fuel consumption, protect said implement from overloading, and make the tractor more versatile across the year.

They also get an extended transmission oil service interval, up from 2,000 to 4,000 hours, and, perhaps most strikingly, a new lighting package that offers up to 120,500 lumens of illumination.

Buyers can choose between “vision” or “ultra vision” versions, with the latter using 4,400-lumen LED spots that are dimmable in five stages and up to 12 lights integrated into the cab roof.

Operators can store four custom light profiles, mirror left and right settings and adjust individual units to avoid dazzling others during multi-machine operations.

These can be combined with a set of “ground vision” LEDs that bathe the hitch and front of the implement in light.

Wheel and tyre options

Fendt now offers numerous rear axle and tyre configurations, with a choice of standard flange or stub axle and a maximum rubber diameter of 2.35m.

Among the plethora of tyres are singles, metric duals or factory-fitted row crops duals – the latter (four 480/95 R54s) a new option for European buyers.

These have been accommodated by refining the design at the rear, which features a lower link with a quick-hold hook, robust rub blocks, and a stub axle with an outside width of 2.5m.

The outer wheels are now fitted using a dual wheel hub system, which delivers higher load capacity and improved power transfer.

Compared with a conventional rim-mounted twin wheels, the dual hub is said to distribute torque more effectively across the axle to improve traction and reduce slippage and wear.

At the front, 710/60 R38s remain standard but their track width has been narrowed slightly to 2.25m to give a tighter turning circle.

Even with the dual wheel setup, overall machine width stays below 3.5m and therefore within the limit for approval under road exemption regulations.

Cab comfort

Inside, operators can have a fancy-sounding “titanium super comfort leather seat” with electric adjustment, heating, ventilation, massage and memory functions, and a new 12-litre cool box to keep food and drinks chilled between 0-16C.

Dusty conditions are handled by an automatic cab air filter cleaning system, which continuously purges the filter using a vacuum and cyclone separator.