Odd Fendt “feature”?

[hayden]

OK, this is helping, and the key questions is whether the Fendt is just different, but perfectly usable for my needs, or is it really unable or super inconvenient to do what I want. Despite our instincts, we CAN learn new things.....

To Hay Dude, I'll have to double check but from what I currently understand the Fendt 200 & 300 work differently from what you describe for your Challengers in two significant ways.

First, I don't think there is a diverter valve to select between loader and rear use of SCVs 1 & 2 the way you describe. I'll re-check the operator manual, and can also take a dive into the parts book to see if I can find a diverter for that. But when I was discussing it with the Fendt factory rep, he talked about disconnecting the loader hoses to regain use of the rear remotes. And the manual is explicit that when you have a loader attached, you cannot have anything connected to the rear ports. And I haven't seen any button like you have to operate the diverter valves.

Second, I don't think it's possible to operate both the loader 3rd function and its alter-ego function at the same time. On the simpler loader joy stick, diverter control is an on/off push button, so the stick is controlling one function or the other depending on the button state, but there is no in-between setting where you can operate both at the same time. On the fancier joy stick there is a mini finger-operated joy stick on top of the primary stick, and that is used to activate the alternative functions. But I specifically asked the rep about that and what it does is first active the diverter just as though you pressed the button on the simper stick, then the thumb gives you proportional control without having to move the main stick. Now all this said, I make very little use of my loader 3rd function currently so this might not be a big deal for me, but I don't fancy the idea up an upgraded tractor that down grades parts of what I have now.

But I will double check both of these to be sure.

 

[Hay Dude]

Just spoke to my AGCO salesman, he said 200 series is in fact NOT available with diverter valve, but larger series (similar size as my Masseys & Challengers) is.
They complained to Fendt, but no avail.
What they suggest is adding an additional set of remotes and a splitter/diverter valve so you can use 3 sets of rear valves at once
I guess that's one drawback to buying the tiny 200 series?
I will tell you I run a splitter on my Massey rear 2 sets of valves because I need the joystick to run front mower and it's a breeze to operate

 

[hayden]

Just spoke to my AGCO salesman, he said 200 series is in fact NOT available with diverter valve, but larger series (similar size as my Masseys & Challengers) is.
They complained to Fendt, but no avail.
What they suggest is adding an additional set of remotes and a splitter/diverter valve so you can use 3 sets of rear valves at once
I guess that's one drawback to buying the tiny 200 series?
I will tell you I run a splitter on my Massey rear 2 sets of valves because I need the joystick to run front mower and it's a breeze to operate

OK, thanks for confirming. It looks like if you get the higher end option packages on the 200, plus a 6-way hydraulic coupler, you can use a third rear remote for one of the aux functions on the loader. So I think that's how you would set up if you had a grapple of some sort. But it robs another rear remote at the same time.

 

[Hay Dude]

Seems like a small add-on price to pay on a $200,000+ tractor, IF you want a Fendt CVT.
I wonder if you'd do better looking for a larger hydrostatic powered tractor?

 

[hayden]

Seems like a small add-on price to pay on a $200,000+ tractor, IF you want a Fendt CVT.
I wonder if you'd do better looking for a larger hydrostatic powered tractor?

I think I already have about the largest hydrostatic you can get. The only one that is higher HP is the Deere 4066, and it’s only a few HP more than mine at the PTO. That’s just not enough difference to make a difference.

The flip side of something being a small add on to a $200k tractor is why should I have to add stuff to a $200k tractor to bring it up to the functionality of my $40k tractor.

But if that’s what it takes to make it work for me, I’ll still consider it.