Thoughts on 100hp tractor options

[LouNY]

I have been advised to steer clear of the “older” Case-IH CVT’s. The Fendt CVT’s usually will go 10,000 hrs with proper care in the under 200HP range. The larger 300HP will sometimes go 7500 hours if they’re used hard.

I bought my MT655E with a new/reman CVT installed about 500 hours before a I bought it.

If the OP has money to spend, I’d consider a Fendt for absolute premium luxury and tractor operating joy. Or drop down to a massey/CNH product.

Much of tractor buying decisions are dealer support in their unique area. For service in my area, we are lucky to have all brands represented. My state’s (PA) #1 business is still agriculture, so we have a lot of AG brands to choose from.

Here’s a neat little Fendt 100HP CVT

2024 FENDT 210 VARIO For Sale in Sauk City, Wisconsin

2024 FENDT 210 VARIO For Sale in Sauk City, Wisconsin at TractorHouse.com. ♦ 3 year / 3000 hour Fendt GOLD STAR Customer Care standard All scheduled maintenance including routine fluid and filter changes and inspections during the term. A loaner is provided if your machine isn’t repaired...

www.tractorhouse.com

Nice looking tractor, I am surprised that it doesn't have the economy speeds in the pto especially the 540E.

 

[hayden]

I have been advised to steer clear of the “older” Case-IH CVT’s. The Fendt CVT’s usually will go 10,000 hrs with proper care in the under 200HP range. The larger 300HP will sometimes go 7500 hours if they’re used hard.

I bought my MT655E with a new/reman CVT installed about 500 hours before a I bought it.

If the OP has money to spend, I’d consider a Fendt for absolute premium luxury and tractor operating joy. Or drop down to a massey/CNH product.

Much of tractor buying decisions are dealer support in their unique area. For service in my area, we are lucky to have all brands represented. My state’s (PA) #1 business is still agriculture, so we have a lot of AG brands to choose from.

Here’s a neat little Fendt 100HP CVT

2024 FENDT 210 VARIO For Sale in Sauk City, Wisconsin

2024 FENDT 210 VARIO For Sale in Sauk City, Wisconsin at TractorHouse.com. ♦ 3 year / 3000 hour Fendt GOLD STAR Customer Care standard All scheduled maintenance including routine fluid and filter changes and inspections during the term. A loaner is provided if your machine isn’t repaired...

www.tractorhouse.com

I'm checking out Fendt. Looks fantastic, including the Vario transmission. However cost looks to be about twice what an equivalent size Massey costs. But I'll keep looking. If nothing else, it's fun checking out all these different tractors.

 

[hayden]

Have you considered fixing the rough areas to avoid speed/gear changes?
And remember that the tire size difference between your tractor and a 100hp really smooths things out. Having front tires the size of your current rears.....

I have done that in a variety of areas, and continue to do so. But there are a lot of limitations since the soil is typically quite thin, and solid rock below.

 

[Hay Dude]

I'm checking out Fendt. Looks fantastic, including the Vario transmission. However cost looks to be about twice what an equivalent size Massey costs. But I'll keep looking. If nothing else, it's fun checking out all these different tractors.

The Massey will have the same transmission, rear axle and braking system as the Fendt. So did the discontinued Challenger & AGCO brand tractors.

Thats why I buy them!

 

[hayden]

The Massey will have the same transmission, rear axle and braking system as the Fendt. So did the discontinued Challenger & AGCO brand tractors.

Thats why I buy them!

I was unclear in my comparison. The “equivalent” Massey that I’m considering would be a 4710 with a clutch-to-shift transmission. For me it’s a question of how much more I’d be willing to pay for a fancier transmission, be it a full power shift on all gears, or a CVT. Both the Fendt 211 and the Massey 4710 meet my needs from a HP and size perspective, but I think a power shift or CVT would be easier to drive on my terrain. But that’s not worth around $80k extra to me.

 

[Hay Dude]

I didn’t know it was $80,000 more for a CVT option.

The entire transmission replaced (parts & labor) for a CVT in a Massey is $25,000. I’m wondering if you got some funky sales figures.

Don’t forget that New Holland and Case-IH also have smaller CVT tractors. My local NH dealer had a very nice looking smaller New Holland with their new version of the CVT which is supposed to be an upgrade to their typical CVT.

Good luck

 

[hayden]

I didn’t know it was $80,000 more for a CVT option.

The entire transmission replaced (parts & labor) for a CVT in a Massey is $25,000. I’m wondering if you got some funky sales figures.

Don’t forget that New Holland and Case-IH also have smaller CVT tractors. My local NH dealer had a very nice looking smaller New Holland with their new version of the CVT which is supposed to be an upgrade to their typical CVT.

Good luck

A Fendt 211 on MachineTrader seems to be in the $170k range, lightly used, and a Massey 4710 is around $80k, both with loaders. Those are rough numbers, but tell the story. You would know better than me, but it looks like there is a lot more in the Fendt than just a CVT. As you have said, it's a real premium tractor, so you get a lot more than just a CVT for the extra $80k. It's just that for me, then only thing I really care about is the CVT.

BTW, I have been reading and watching explanations of how a CVT works. It's pretty cool. I wonder how the manufacturing cost compares to a full powershift. Both have a lot of complexity to them, and hence cost, so probably why they don't show up until more expensive tractors.

 

[Hay Dude]

A Fendt 211 on MachineTrader seems to be in the $170k range, lightly used, and a Massey 4710 is around $80k, both with loaders. Those are rough numbers, but tell the story. You would know better than me, but it looks like there is a lot more in the Fendt than just a CVT. As you have said, it's a real premium tractor, so you get a lot more than just a CVT for the extra $80k. It's just that for me, then only thing I really care about is the CVT.

BTW, I have been reading and watching explanations of how a CVT works. It's pretty cool. I wonder how the manufacturing cost compares to a full powershift. Both have a lot of complexity to them, and hence cost, so probably why they don't show up until more expensive tractors.

Those are not comparable tractors. Not just quality/features but size and capability.
Powershift tractor transmissions can be more expensive to repair than a CVT in many cases

 

[hayden]

Those are not comparable tractors. Not just quality/features but size and capability.
Powershift tractor transmissions can be more expensive to repair than a CVT in many cases

HP is about the same. Weight is about the same. Wheel base is about the same. So I would think size and capabilities are about the same, though features are quite different.

Actually, looking closer it's kind of between the 4700 and 5700 series in weight and wheelbase. But either will meet my needs in terms of size, weight, and HP.

 

[LouNY]

Are you looking at 100 engine hp or 100 pto hp,
Many of the newer tractors with 100 engine Hp you are down to the 70's for pto Hp.