Fendt puts new full-vehicle test bed into operation

After a year of construction, AGCO/Fendt put one of the world’s most modern test beds into operation. The agricultural equipment manufacturer from Marktoberdorf is now equipped for the future, for developing and building fuel-efficient, low-emissions agricultural equipment.

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Whether driving on the road or working in the field, all vehicle operations can be simulated on the new full-vehicle test bed. The machines are put on moving rollers, which can be set with different loads. There is a connection to the rear PTO, so engineers can simulate any implement in the test bed.

1,000 tonnes of concrete – the structure

The machines stand on four smooth steel rollers, each with a 2m diameter, which are driven and braked by electric motors in the basement. To ensure stability, some 1000 tonnes of concrete went into building the fundament. “We can load 15 t per axle and pull down another 15 t per axle using a pull-down device with ratchet straps,” explains Bernd Rückert, Head of the Vehicle Test Bed Team. “This allows us to simulate the conditions of real plough operations. By pulling down, we can simulate the tractor’s own weight and the downward pull of the plough on the rear axle.”
The maximum pulling power per wheel is currently 60 kN, i.e. a total of 240 kN of pulling power. Comparison: A Fendt 939 Vario has a maximum pulling power of approx. 120 kN. “Even tractors with more than 500 hp, like our Fendt 1000 Vario, are no problem for the test bed,” says Bernd Rückert. “On the roller test bed, it is all about pulling forces – that means, how do I bring the power from the tractor to the rollers or, in other words, transfer it to the road or the soil. That is crucial for farmers.” Even the Fendt forage harvester or combines can be tested on the full-vehicle test bed. They may have higher engine power, but the wheel power is not as high as on tractors.

320,000 m³/h air volume - the ventilation system

Another major feature of the system is a climate control system, which maintains a constant room temperature through the exchange of a large volume of air – 320,000 m³ per hour. A supply nozzle upstream of the test machine, has a 4 x 4 m honeycomb shape and ensures uniform, laminar flow along the vehicle. This unique climate control system, can simulate both cool temperatures as well as hot climate conditions of up to 45 degrees Celsius. “We now have the ability to test extreme weather conditions in Marktoberdorf,” says Rückert. The test results are incorporated in the development of new design stages and can be taken into consideration before the Fendt tractors go into field operation.
With the new full-vehicle test bed, Fendt is equipped to manufacture machines that continue to fulfil the demands of innovation and quality – starting with development, over production and up to the customer.