Fendt is a German agricultural machinery manufacturer founded in 1930 by Xaver Fendt in Marktoberdorf in the Allgäu region of Bavaria, Germany. Fendt manufactures tractors, combine harvesters, forage harvesters, balers, telescopic handlers and row crop planters. It was purchased by AGCO Corporation in 1997.
History
Company origins and history to 1950 The craftsman family Fendt traces its history back some 350 years. The family became well known in Allgäu for producing tower clocks, lead strings and violins. The family also farmed as a sideline and had a small trade in agricultural equipment. Johann Georg Fendt (1868–1933) took over his father Franz Xaver's business in 1898 and began selling and servicing Deutz stationary engines.
Prior to 1928, Johann's oldest son Xaver (1907–1989) was employed at Deutz and BMW, while Hermann (1911–1995) continued to help their father operate the family farm and the engine business.
In 1928, Xaver returned home, and he, his brother Herman, and their father Johann extended their business into agricultural utility machines by building a motorized grass mower.
In 1930 they built their first "Dieselross" tractor ("Ross" being the German word for a horse of quality as opposed to just an ordinary horse).
In 1937, the company was listed in the Kempten (Allgäu) commercial register under the name "Xaver Fendt & Co., Maschinen- und Schlepperfabrik". Xaver and Hermann became shareholders; their mother Kreszentia acted as a limited partner.
In 1938, the Fendt brothers built the Dieselross F 22 with up to ; Dieselross tractors developed into a series that continued until 1958.
In 1942, the company faced great challenges as the Nazi government prohibited the construction of liquid-fuelled tractors as a result of the shortage of raw materials. In response, Fendt designed a wood gas tractor Dieselross G25, which had a standard generator and Deutz unit gas engine. They produced a total of 1,497 of these wood gas tractors between 1942 and 1949.
In 1948, the Fendt brothers were able to regain control of the company when they were established as trustees by the US military government that had been installed after World War II.
1950s to 1970s In 1950, production of the model F15 began, and the factory was producing 300 units per month. On 12 August 1950, the company produced its 10,000th tractor.
1955 saw the company produce its 50,000th unit.
In 1958 Fendt introduced their "ff" tractor series with the types Favorite, Farmer and Fix, offering engine power from to . The Favorite 1 was trendsetting in transmission design and build.
Fendt's 100,000th tractor was produced in 1961; to represent that milestone, they selected a Farmer 2 tractor and painted it gold.
1970s to the present In 1970, Fendt created its first universal transporter loader wagon, the Agrobil S model. This year also marked the beginning of cabin production in Asbach-Bäumenheim, following the acquisition of Maschinenfabrik Josef Dechentreiter business unit there and the power of its 800 employees.
In 1980, a renaming to Fendt GmbH was enacted in order to meet the contemporary requirements for a commercial enterprise.
In 1985, Fendt achieved first place in the registration statistics for West Germany for the first time with 6,388 tractors sold and a market share of 18.4 percent.
In 1993, the 800 Series became the world's first tractor to feature a hydropneumatic suspended cab and front axle, providing premier comfort at its roading speed all the way up to 50 km/h.
In 1994, Fendt introduced the first mid-size tractor with a suspended front axle with the Favorite 500C.
In 1995, the company introduced its Vario Class, featuring innovative gearbox (transmission) technology, making, it the world's first large tractor with the stepless continuously variable transmission.
In 1996, the five heirs of Xaver and Hermann Fendt decided to sell the family business. At the end of January 1997, it transferred all shares of Fendt to AGCO. Since 1997, Fendt has operated as wholly owned brand of AGCO Corporation and its agricultural equipment reaches a global market.
In 2009, the Fendt 200 series was offered for the first time with a Vario transmission which cemented Fendt as the first and only brand of tractor globally that featured a continuously variable transmission throughout its entire tractor lineup; 70-360 hp.
In 2016, Fendt produced its 250,000th Vario transmission.
In 2018, Fendt had the largest share in the European tractor market. Fendt was the market leader by ownership in Germany with a share of 24.2% in 2018. In the annual image barometer published by the DLG, in which German contractors and farmers are surveyed about agricultural engineering companies, Fendt took first place in 2013 with 99.3 out of a possible 100 points.
CLIMMAR, an organization that publishes annual Dealer Satisfaction Index for nearly all Ag Equipment brands, has placed Fendt at an average measure of at least 14.1 in 8 of the last 10 years of survey (2011–2021) out of a maximum index of 15. The company is a member of the VDMA, Department of Agricultural Engineering.
As of 2022 Fendt showcases a product range that includes tractors, forage harvesters, combine harvesters, self-propelled sprayers, hay tools, row-crop planters, front end tractor loaders, and telescoping material handlers.
In August 2024, the company began production of the 600 Vario Gen1 which featured an AGCO Power CORE50 4-cylinder engine under their hood paired with the VarioDrive transmission.
In August 2025, the company announced the release of five new tractor models to the product lineup out of the Marktoberdorf factory. The new model lineup included the 300 Vario Gen5, the 500 Vario Gen4, the 700 Vario Gen7.1, the 800 Vario Gen5, and the 1000 Vario Gen4.
Product range
Fendt currently offers the following types of equipment:
a range of tractors from , the majority of which are produced in Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, Germany, and two models in Jackson, Minnesota, USA. A range of combine harvesters ranging from , are produced in Breganze, Italy,. Forage equipment including forage wagons, tedders, mowers and rakes are badged under the Fendt brand after Fella was acquired by AGCO in 2011. Large Square Balers formerly Hesston branded, are now marketed under the Fendt brand since being acquired by AGCO. Planters for placement of row-crops
Finishing up the product line are:
Forage harvesters which use Kemper headers Self-Propelled Sprayers tractor-mounted loaders telescoping material handlers or tele-handlers and tractors modified for the municipalities and forestry sectors.
Tractors
Range Power range (kW/hp)Manufacturing Location 200 Vario Series 51–81 / 70–110Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, Germany 300 Vario Series 83–112 / 113–152Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, Germany 500 Vario Series 106–128 / 144–174Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, Germany600 Vario Series121–165 / 164–224Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, Germany 700 Vario Gen 6 Series 106–174 / 130–240Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, Germany700 Vario Gen 7.1 Series164–223 / 223–303Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, Germany800 Vario Series208–252 / 283–343Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, Germany 900 Vario Series 202–308 / 275–420Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, Germany900 Vario MT Series283–321 / 380–430Jackson, Minnesota, USA 1000 Vario Series 313–405 / 426–550Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, Germany 1100 Vario MT Series 376-500 / 504–673Jackson, Minnesota, USA
E100 Vario is a 75-kW / 100 hp. electric tractor. It can operate up to 10 hours under actual load.
Combines
Range Power range Thresher Type Manufacturing LocationIDEAL355 kW / 476 hp 589 kW / 790 hpSingle and Double Axial Rotor Design Breganze, ItalyC-Series225 kW / 306 hp
265 kW / 360 hpConventional Transverse RotorBreganze, Italy L-Series 179 kW / 243 hp
225 kW / 306 hpConventional Transverse RotorBreganze, ItalyCORUS 500136 kW / 185 hp 166 kW / 226 hp
192 kW / 260 hpConventional Transverse RotorBreganze, Italy
Large Square Balers Square Baler Dimensions (cm/ft)Manufacturing Location 990 80 cm x 90 cm / 3 ft x 3 ftHesston, Kansas, USA 1270 120 cm x 70 cm / 4 ft x 2 ftHesston, Kansas, USA 1290 120 cm x 90 cm / 4 ft x 3 ftHesston, Kansas, USA 1290 XD 120 cm x 90 cm / 4 ft x 3 ftHesston, Kansas, USA 12130 120 cm x 130 cm / 4 ft x 4 ftHesston, Kansas, USA
Planters RangeDimensions/ConfigurationManufacturing LocationMomentum 1212 row 30 inch inter-row spacing OR 23 row 15 inch inter-row spacingIbirubá, Rio Grande do Sul, BrazilMomentum 1616 row 30 inch inter-row spacingBeloit, Kansas, USAMomentum 3131 row 15 inch inter-row spacing
OR 16 row 30 inch inter-row spacingBeloit, Kansas, USAMomentum 3232 row 15 inch inter-row spacing OR 16 row 30 inch inter-row spacingBeloit, Kansas, USAMomentum 2424 row 20 inch inter-row spacingBeloit, Kansas, USAMomentum 2424 row 22 inch inter-row spacingBeloit, Kansas, USAMomentum 2424 row 30 inch inter-row spacingBeloit, Kansas, USAMomentum 3636 row 20 inch inter-row spacingBeloit, Kansas, USAMomentum 3636 row 22 inch inter-row spacingBeloit, Kansas, USAMomentum 4747 row 15 inch inter-row spacing OR 24 row 30 inch inter-row spacingBeloit, Kansas, USAMomentum 4848 row 15 inch inter-row spacing OR 24 row 30 inch inter-row spacingBeloit, Kansas, USA
Forage Harvesters Range Power (KW/hp)Manufacturing Location Fendt Katana 65 (2012–2019) 460 kW / 625 hpHohenmölsen, GermanyFendt Katana 650 (2020–present)478 kW / 650 hpHohenmölsen, Germany Fendt Katana 85 (2012–2016) 625 kW / 900 hpHohenmölsen, GermanyFendt Katana 850 (2022–present) 632 kW / 847 hpHohenmölsen, Germany
Plant Protection Equipment Range Power (KW/hp)Nominal capacity (L/gal)Liquid Boom widths (m/ft)Manufacturing LocationRoGator 937/937H276 kW / 370 HP3411 - 6064 L / 900 - 1600 gal27.7 - 40.62 m / 90 –132 ftJackson, Minnesota, USARoGator 934/934H254 kW / 340 HP3411 - 6064 L / 900 - 1600 gal27.7 - 40.62 m / 90 –132 ftJackson, Minnesota, USARoGator 932239 kW / 320 HP3411 - 4927 L / 900 - 1300 gal27.7 - 40.62 m / 90 –132 ftJackson, Minnesota, USA 600 125-167 kW / 170-227 HP3850 - 6000 L / 1015 - 1583 gal24 – 36 m / 78 – 117 ftHohenmölsen, Germany 300 -3500 - 6930 L / 924 - 1829 gal24 – 30 m / 78 - 97.5 ftHohenmölsen, Germany
Material Handling Equipment RangeModelContinuous Lift Capacity (daN/lb-force)Compatible Tractor Model Manufacturing Location Fendt Cargo Loaders (for tractors)Cargo 3X/651680 daN / 3775 lb-forceFendt 200Equipment variants and technical details fendt.com Retrieved 10 May 2023Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, GermanyCargo 3X/702000 daN / 4495 lb-forceFendt 300Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, GermanyCargo 4X/751940 daN / 4360 lb-forceFendt 300 and Fendt 500Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, GermanyCargo 4X/802260 daN / 5080 lb-forceFendt 500Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, GermanyCargo 4X/852600 daN / 5845 lb-forceFendt 600 or 700Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, GermanyCargo 5X/852600 daN / 5845 lb-forceFendt 600 or 700Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, GermanyCargo 5X/902950 daN / 6630 lb-forceFendt 600 or 700Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, GermanyCargo Pro 6.100 4070 daN / 9119 lb-forceFendt 700 Gen 7Marktoberdorf, Bavaria, GermanyFendt Cargo TelehandlerT7406500 daN / 14610 lb-forcen/aStraubing, Bavaria, GermanyFendt Cargo TelehandlerT9558500 daN / 19100 lb-forcen/aStraubing, Bavaria, Germany
Technology
Vario Transmission