New FS Middle

During the Convention dedicated to the 50th anniversary "Let's Celebrate the Future", Faresin presented a preview of the second series of the Next Generation of Faresin telehandlers: FS Middle. This range, designed to be agile and versatile in every agricultural and construction context, includes machines with extendable booms ranging from 7 to 10 meters in height with load capacities from 3.5 to 4 tons.

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Faresin decided to unveil the series during the plenary conference on 29 September 2023, where the management celebrated past successes, but above all announced future projects that will see the company play a leading role in an increasingly global rise. An affirmation that will see product innovation as the driving force for the company's development.

For this reason, the FS Middle project is designed to be a real paradigm shift compared to the previous generation. An advancement at a technological level projects the series into the future, because it was created prepared for developments in "Internet of Things" technology, which will be increasingly strategic for fleet management and the interaction between machines and devices in farms and construction sites.

The new FS Middle telehandlers are designed to respond to the increasingly unpredictable variations in demand, offering working precision, ease of operation, and operator comfort. With a wide range of configurations and Deutz Stage V engines ranging from 55 kW to 100 kW, these machines are perfectly adapted to the needs of every user.

The FS Middle series will be presented to the general public at the Agritechnica exhibition in Hanover this November, where visitors will be able to take a closer look at this technological masterpiece.

Design and cab

The FS Middle features the evolutionary and functional design of the FS series, launched in 2021 with the Compact series, characterized by new hoods with a notably tapered slope on the right front wheel, which significantly improves visibility. The cab has also been designed to provide a 360° view and reduce blind spots, including large anti-glare windows and an extended windscreen.

The interior has been completely redesigned for better control ergonomics and more intuitive operation. Through the 5" or 7" display, it is possible to view all engine operating parameters and other accessory functions such as the car radio, air conditioning controls, headlight control, etc. In this way, the operator can always keep the situation under control.

Powerful full-LED headlamps are available for road and work lights on the cab and boom and provide excellent illumination in all visibility conditions.

Transmissions

The new FS Middle can be equipped with hydrostatic single speed, dual speed or continuously variable transmissions (HVTronic).

The new hydrostatic continuously variable transmission HVTronic ensures comfortable travel up to 40 km/h without jerking. HVTronic combines the infinite displacement variation of the two hydrostatic motors with the variation of the mechanical ratio, thanks to a dual speed gearbox and multi-disc clutch that allows no torque interruptions during shifting.

Thanks to this technology, the operator, simply by pressing the accelerator pedal, can count on greater driving fluidity and maximum traction at all times. The HVTronic transmission is also more energy efficient: the two hydrostatic motors and electronic control reduce fuel consumption compared to a conventional hydrostatic transmission, especially when travelling at top speed.

As with the Ecodrive transmissions in the FS series, there are 4 different driving modes selectable for HVTronic:

• Ecodrive: for travel up to 40km/h with automotive-type control

• Slow: speed limited to 15km/h and smoother throttle response curve for approaches or precision work

• Creeper: speed limited to 15km/h and diesel engine RPM control independent of machine travel speed

• Forklift: control of the diesel engine revs directly from the joystick according to the movement of the telescopic boom, all optimised for maximum efficiency and energy savings.

Single-speed hydrostatic transmissions or two-speed mechanical transmissions are also available, allowing maximum speeds of 30 km/h and 40 km/h respectively.

The FS Middle telehandlers are extremely agile and manoeuvrable machines thanks to three steering modes as standard, a turning radius of only 4.15 metres and a wheelbase of 2.95 metres with reduced rear overhang.

Smart boom

All models of the FS Middle are equipped with a robust S420 steel boom with a double-C design with heights ranging from 7 to 10 metres and load capacities from 3,5 to 40 tons. The Ecofast-E valve (available in some versions) guarantees smooth and fast movements even at low speeds. Thanks to electronic load compensation, working safety is improved, ensuring optimal control of the machine.

To simplify the daily use of the machine and raise the level of safety in all working conditions, Faresin has introduced numerous smart functions in the new FS generation (available on request). First of all, it is possible to limit the height of boom movements when working in confined spaces, such as low ceilings or ground obstructions. In addition, the speed of all boom movements (raising/lowering, pivoting and swinging) can be individually adjusted for faster or slower operation. Control of some attachments, such as the bucket, is made easier thanks to certain functions such as automatic boom retraction or bucket shaking. The floating boom function is necessary when using attachments that must adapt to uneven ground. Finally, it is possible to set safety retarders when you are at the end of the movements that are most taxing on the machine's structure, to ensure a longer service life for the components.

High-performance engines

The range has Deutz Stage V 4-cylinder engines, with power ranging from 55 kw to 100 kw and equipped with DOC+DPF+SCR (except for the 55 kw which has DOC+DPF). The longitudinal arrangement of the diesel engine and related hydraulic components allows for better power transmission efficiency and efficient cooling system management. The integrated heat exchanger placed horizontally, away from mud and dust, integrates an electronically controlled ventilation system that is activated when needed and can reverse the air flow to keep the system clean at all times. A technology that reduces noise and consumption, resulting in a longer service life for the machine's components.

Preheating of the intake air, by means of glow plugs, is standard on all FS series engines and allows cold starts down to -25°. In the case of colder temperatures, engine water pre-heating via an external electrical system (110/220 V) is available as an option for all engines.