REPORT: Visually and technically, Fendt broke new ground in the mid-range tractor market when it launched the 700 Vario over 25 years ago. Provided they’re well looked after, there’s still good demand for these very capable tractors.
In 1998, Fendt presented the successor to the legendary Favorit 500 — the Favorit 700 Vario series. Like the larger Favorit 900 Vario tractors that were launched two years earlier, the 700 series were equipped with the in-house developed, power-splitting stepless transmission. As well as being able to infinitely refine the ground speed, the 700s had other welcome features that added even more to their comfort. Many of the first three generations of 700 Varios can still be found earning a living on farms around the world. Georg Bergmann, from German dealer Agravis Technology Centre in Meppen, has been in the used machinery business for over 25 years and has also gained experience with the 700s on his parents’ farm. The Bergmanns have clocked over 15,000 hours on their 711 Vario. Georg gave us tips on what to look out for on what is sure to become a future classic that is still a very capable tractor.
Three generations
In Fendt jargon, the three generations are referred to as “Gen-1 to -3” or “COM1 to -3”. The latter stands for the Tier I to III emission stages that were in play during the tractors’ production run. Of course it wasn’t just the exhaust emission cleaning hardware that changed; there were also technical and visual differences. The most visually striking feature is the change in bonnet design styling, with the “Favorit” name dropped off the bonnet of the second generation. Another COM2 difference from the 714 Vario upwards was the larger grille, which was achieved by omitting the
painted bars located above the headlights.
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