During a live-streamed press conference last year from Fendt headquarters in Marktoberdorf, Germany, AGCO announced one more addition to its ever-expanding Fendt line of equipment — the Rogator 900 series sprayers.
No longer wearing Rogator’s traditional yellow livery, the new models slip into Fendt green paint and become part of that brand’s portfolio. The company says the updated Rogator 900 series was developed and designed specifically for professional farmers in South America, North America and Eastern Europe, where farming practices are similar.
The sprayers made their North American debut last August at two U.S. farm shows, one of them being the Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Ill. At that time, the 900 series machines were still undergoing final field trials in Nebraska ahead of their official commercial launch.
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“We’re finishing up the validation program in Nebraska,” says Chris Iverson, product manager for the Fendt Rogator 900 series. “We’ve been running in a variety of crops. We have many more hours of validation to go before we start production.”
The new Rogator models incorporate Fendt styling using the same hood as the 900 series tractors and a Fendt 700 series cab, giving these sprayers a strong Fendt family resemblance.
“We’ll be offering this in five different models,” he adds. “The largest two models will be available in standard or high clearance.”
One of the unique options offered by these models is the ability to operate in both standard and high-clearance modes.
“The 900 series is the only rear boom, dual-clearance sprayer on the market,” says Iverson. “Giving the ability to do high-clearance application without looking through or around the boom. With the push of a button, you can go from standard clearance to high clearance for late-season operations.”
And these models can be switched between liquid and dry application systems in about two hours, accommodating either a 1,200-litre liquid tank or three-tonne dry spreader box.
“From the time spent in the field with customers, we understand the importance of machine utilization,” he adds. “That’s why we cut the time to changeover from liquid to dry systems by more than half.”
The high clearance machines are equipped with a reversible engine cooling fan, a feature used on other Fendt machines. But this is the first time it has been used on AGCO’s self-propelled sprayers.
“The recirculating boom allows you to prime it while it’s still folded, saving time and money at the start of each field,” says Iverson. “With Liquid Logic, you also get control of the boom with up to 36 sections with automatic shut-offs. In addition to that there is an automated rinse, reducing the risk of contamination during cleanout. You also have the ability to recover your product back to the tank.”
The 900 series chassis ride on four-wheel independent suspension for a smoother ride at high speeds. And buyers will get a wide range of feature choices when spec’ing out a machine to exactly fit their needs.
“We recognized that not all applications require the same horsepower to accomplish the task,” says Iverson. “That is why we’re offering the machine with three different horsepower ratings that we combined with multiple system offerings. This allows for optimal machine configuration.”
Expect to see more details and specifications revealed closer to the commercial launch date.
