AGCO unveils IDEAL combines for Challenger, Fendt & Massey Ferguson brands

AGCO says its new IDEAL combines will be available under the Challenger, Fendt and Massey Ferguson brands in 2018-19 (photo courtesy AGCO).

AGCO released details on a new generation of Axial combines in Italy on Tuesday. The new “IDEAL” harvesting machines will make their public debut under AGCO’s Challenger, Fendt and Massey Ferguson brands in November at Agritechnica in Germany.

“The IDEAL combine is the result of many years of R&D, countless engineering hours, committed teamwork, and leading industry expertise,” says Martin Richenhagen, AGCO Chairman, President and CEO. “It is yet another result of AGCO’s tireless efforts to deliver the most innovative solutions to farmers feeding the world.”

A global customer study showed the need for an entirely new combine platform and prompted AGCO’s R&D team to start from a “blank sheet of paper,” testing 45 prototypes in developing the IDEAL combine, according to a company news release.

(courtesy AGCO)

“IDEAL is part of AGCO’s global platform strategy that supports synergies across different regions, saves cost, and optimizes supply chain management. Like AGCO’s Global Series tractors, this combine platform expresses our commitment to brand-new designs, and to practical solutions that empower farmers across the world to be more productive and to feed a growing world population,” says Eric Hansotia, Senior Vice President, Global Crop Cycle & Fuse Connected Services.

The three production models — the 7, 8 and 9 — feature single and dual rotary threshing systems, and range in size from 450 to 650 horsepower. According to Massey Ferguson, the 4.84m rotor in the two largest models has a 31 percent larger threshing area than the nearest competitor.

“We have designed simple drives and incorporated a low belt count – just 13 in all. The Dual Helix threshing system uses low pressure rotors which are designed to allow maximum space around each rotor for the straw to expand and release grain,” says Adam Sherriff, Market Development Manager, Massey Ferguson Harvesting. “The length of travel and the fact that the straw falls by gravity directly into the chopper really keeps the power requirement to a minimum by not breaking up the straw. The length of the rotor and the extensive 1.66m2 threshing area also allows high outputs with low grain loss.”

The IDEAL will also feature a maximum grain tank size of 17,100 litres (roughly 485 bushels), AGCO’s Fuse Connected Services, an automated threshing adjustment system, and a narrow design for road transportation.

“Everything about the machines is new – new design, new engineering, new features, new styling, even a brand-new livery in stunning graphite. Added to this, the 647hp MF IDEAL 9 represents a totally new market segment for Massey Ferguson,” notes Sherriff.

AGCO says the new combines will be launched in different markets around the world beginning in 2018. The three models will be available with tires or tracks, and as in a ParaLevel version. Massey Ferguson says there will be a limited release of its IDEAL combines in 2018 with a full rollout in 2019. A spokesperson for AGCO in North America tells Real Agriculture launch timing and branding for the IDEAL combine in North America is yet to be determined.

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