AGCO introduces Fendt Momentum planter

DULUTH, Ga. — AGCO Corp., a worldwide manufacturer of agricultural equipment, is introducing the new Fendt Momentum planter to North American row crop producers.

The new planter is designed to help overcome planting conditions that have historically challenged even emergence and resulted in less than optimum crop yields.

“Row crop producers know an evenly emerged, picket-fence stand planted during the ideal planting window is a critical first step for optimum yields,” said Alex Lundgren, AGCO Global Crop Care, Seeding and Tillage product manager.

“However, at planting there are many agronomic and operational challenges that can be beyond their control. That’s why it is important to control what we can, when we can.

Providing producers greater control at planting is why AGCO has developed the Fendt Momentum planter delivered with AGCO-exclusive SmartFrame technology, said Rex Schertz, AGCO Seeding and Tillage engineering manager.

“The Momentum planter is the most agronomically advanced planter available worldwide and the latest solution from AGCO to help producers overcome production challenges and optimize their productivity,” Schertz said.

“Momentum is designed to consistently place every seed at the optimum depth and spacing regardless of variations in soil moisture, soil type, residue levels, terrain or operating speed. It is built to help minimize compaction and eliminate pinch rows, as well as reduce the frequency of downtime for refills or configuration changes and cleanout when switching crops.”

Like the Fendt IDEAL combine, the Fendt Momentum planter is a global platform, created from a clean sheet and capable of planting a wide array of crops in varying conditions around the world.

Designed by a global engineering team, the planter will be built in Beloit, Kansas, for North American producers.

The Momentum planter is easily customized with popular and industry-leading Precision Planting technologies making it sophisticated yet simple to operate.

Planting Depth

SmartFrame innovations set this planter apart from other planting technologies in the market. Most notable is its vertical contouring toolbar, configuration and smart, automated capability.

This new planter is made up of three independent, intelligent sections that operate automatically, ensuring the row units on each section maintain the ideal seeding depth.

The planter’s patented sensor-controlled hydraulic system monitors the angle of the row-unit parallel arms to automatically adjust toolbar height, keeping the arms level and the row units properly engaged with the soil as ground conditions and terrain change.

The vertical contouring toolbar flexes up and down as much as 65.9 inches to follow the contour of the field and ensure the row units properly engage with the soil.

“Where the Momentum planter really shines is when planting terraces or uneven fields,” Lundgren said. “The planter essentially flexes to wrap itself over the top of the terrace and down into the lowest point, putting each row unit in the best possible position for optimal row-cleaning, downforce, furrow forming, seed placement and closing. We see more consistent emergence even in fields that appear level.”

Minimizing Compaction

The second engineering feature setting the Fendt Momentum planter apart is wheel placement. While high-capacity, central-fill seed and fertilizer on many planters offers a time-saving advantage, the added weight creates challenges and contributes to issues such as pinch rows and soil compaction.

Instead of side-by-side duals for center transport, wide in-line tandem wheels travel in front of the row units, eliminating pinch rows. The wheels are positioned in the same path as the tractor tires, limiting compaction. The in-line tandem wheels also provide the flotation advantage of tracks and the high road speed of tires.

Wing wheels can be placed according to customer preference but are typically on the end of each wing, to run outside the last row unit. This puts wing wheels in the same path on each pass through the field, reducing overall compaction without sacrificing row numbers or spacing.

In addition, the Momentum planter is equipped with VF, or “very high flexation,” tires that have a large footprint and carry 40% more weight at the same inflation as conventional radial tires.

Weight Management

The third differentiating technology on the Fendt planter is the optional weight management system. Like other Fendt products, the Momentum planter can be equipped with a central tire inflation system that automatically adjusts tire pressures from the roadway to the field, deflating the tires as the wings unfold.

To reduce yield-robbing soil compaction during planting, the system will automatically adjust tire pressure up or down compensating for the fluctuating weight of the planter as seed and fertilizer are used or replenished.

The system reduces each tire’s pressure to the lowest field setting as suggested by the tire manufacturer for the weight present at any given time, down to the pre-set low of 15 psi.

Operators can select from two automated modes. The Load Balance mode equalizes the weight across the planter, adjusting based on weight and speed information from sensors on each axle.

Without such a system, traditional central-fill planters can cause an 11-bushel per acre loss in corn yield from wheel-traffic compaction in the center versus wing rows, according to research from Pioneer.

The Controlled Traffic mode transfers the bulk of the weight to the center section of the planter, practically eliminating the weight on the soil from the wing tires.

By concentrating the planter’s weight in the tracks made by the tractor, soil compaction is limited. This mode works well for growers who maintain tram lines and use the same path for each field operation.

Efficiency And Speed

The Momentum planter is built for efficiency and speed in the field, between fields and when changing crops. It carries large volumes of seed and fertilizer with twin seed tanks that hold 65 bushels each, while the fertilizer tank holds 1,000 gallons of liquid for more acres planted between fills.

When equipped with the optional SpeedTube seed tubes from Precision Planting, Momentum will operate at up to 10 mph — twice the conventional planting ground speed — with more than 99% singulation and seed-spacing accuracy when planting.

Changing from 15-inch row spacing to 30-inch spacing can be done in record time, thanks to splitter rows that hydraulically rise and lock up based on planter configuration choices made on the in-cab monitor. A single touch folds and unfolds the planter automatically and simultaneously activates the tire inflation system.

Maintenance Package

Customers can order the planter early summer from select Fendt dealers in North America for delivery for the 2021 spring planting season, Lundgren said.

The eight models for 2021 include 16-, 24-, 32-, 36- and 48-row configurations with row spacings of 15, 20, 22 and 30 inches, all available with liquid fertilizer. These narrow-transport planters fold to a compact 12-by-12-foot package to navigate narrow roads and field entrances.

They come from the factory with core Precision Planting technologies and may be customized with the Precision Planting products best suited to a customer’s operation. The planters are highly customizable with plenty of room and ground clearance for row- and frame-mounted tillage and fertilizer attachments.

Fendt Momentum planters are backed by the premium Fendt Gold Star Customer Care Plan, with warranty coverage and one complete annual inspection.

“We’re very excited about the Momentum planter’s agronomic benefits and what it can do for North American producers. We invite producers to come see the planter for themselves,” Lundgren said.

He noted that AGCO will continue to offer the full range of planters under its popular and reliable White Planters brand through its network of dealers in order to meet the varying needs of all growers across North America.

The Fendt Momentum planter will make its public debut Feb. 27-29 at the 2020 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas. It will be on display at other major farm shows, as well as at AGCO Crop Tour events hosted by Fendt Momentum dealerships during spring and summer.