DRIVING IMPRESSION: For the past 12 months, Fendt owners have had the option of retrofitting a joystick-based steering system on the Vario 500 and larger models with the FendtOne controls … provided the tractor in question has GPS.
The ErgoSteer steering system can be retrofitted in less than one hour, and there is even an installation video to show you how to do it. For our test, we retrofitted the steering system to a 728 Vario tractor. To do this, the conventional left armrest is replaced with a new version that can then be adjusted in length, height and angle using clamping screws. It uses the existing holes to mount to, but a harness with two connectors must be routed behind the seat to the top right of the roof. A Y-plug is inserted into the InCab socket and used to transmit the signals from the ISObus-based system. Then another plug is connected to the three-pin socket for the power supply. This is something Fendt is going to change.
Not on roads
To use the steering system, all you have to do is fold down the left armrest and pre-activate the GPS steering system with a button. Just like the Fendt Guide autosteer, the joystick- operated steering can only be used on farm and the max speed is limited to 25km/hr. The system is not approved for driving on roads.
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