Driving impression: Fendt 312 Vario tractor Fendt fans have been asking for a lighter weight, simplerto- operate stepless tractor for some time. And now they would appear to have it, in the shape of the 312 Vario. We take an early drive on a model that, sadly, is unlikely to make it over to the UK before the end of the year.
The Fendt 312 is back – back after five years in cold storage, when it seemed that the 400-series had usurped the former 300 flagship for good. But even though the 312 model number designation now returns, this tractor is a different animal from the one that the German manufacturer dropped from its line-up in 2000. Most obviously it now comes with a Vario stepless gearbox as standard, which means that the long gear lever stalks have vanished. And there are other changes, too.
For starters, the all-new 312 sources its power from the latest four-cyl, four-litre Deutz engine, complete with common-rail and exhaust gas recirculation technology. As such, it meets Tier IIIa emission standards, delivering 81kW/110hp at 2,100rpm.
Max output is a claimed 92kW/125hp at 1,800rpm, extra power 15hp (ECE-R24). In terms of spec, this motor supplies full electronic control, along with its two oillubricated high-pressure pumps for the common-rail injection system; this is a prerequisite for the use of RME fuel. The end-result of the above, according to Fendt, is a reduction in fuel guzzle of around 10% when compared with the mechanical 309. From the Deutz motor, the drive passes into the ML75 Vario box which, unlike the other Varios, is a more basic one-range affair. This single travel range set-up provides 0.03-40km/hr in forward and up to 20km/hr in reverse. Again different from other Varios, there are just the two acceleration steps, with step I being programmable, and the max travel speed of 40km/hr is achievable at a relatively modest 1,900rpm.
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