DULUTH, GA (January 13, 2010) — Innovative new technologies from AGCO
Corporation have garnered five AE50 Awards from the American Society of Agricultural
and Biological Engineers (ASABE) and were selected for their engineering innovation.
The winning products include the ISOBUS compatible Challenger® C Series track and
articulated tractors, the company’s new series of high horsepower rowcrop tractors,
Massey Ferguson® 1600 Series compact tractors, the DynaFlex™ flexible cutterbar
draper header and the AGCOMMAND™ telemetry system.
“These new products reflect AGCO Corporation’s tremendous, ongoing investment in
engineering design and technology at our research and development facilities around
the world,” says Doug Griffin, vice president of marketing. “They are at the leading edge
of many more customer-driven innovations AGCO is creating with the sole purpose of
bringing to market products that help our agriculture customers improve their efficiency,
productivity and profitability.”
The AE50 award program is sponsored by Resource, the membership publication of the
ASABE, to emphasize the role of new products and systems in bringing advanced
technology to the marketplace.
Challenger® C Series first with ISOBUS convenience
AGCO’s winning Challenger® C Series track and articulated tractors are the first of their
kind to combine robust ISOBUS 11783 compatibility with industry-leading power and
performance as a standard feature. This new technology is included on the Challenger
MT700C, MT800C & MT900C Series tractors and allows the controls for implements,
such as planters, sprayers or guidance systems, to seamlessly integrate into the tractor
systems. A common console in the cab eliminates the need for multiple controllers and
cluttered operator environments and reduces time to switch between implements.
High horsepower rowcrop tractors stack many innovations
The high horsepower tractors from AGCO introduced in February 2009 extend the
company’s product range into a new power sector-up to 275 PTO horsepower and 350
maximum ISO engine horsepower. The AGCO® DT Series Generation B tractors,
Challenger® MT600C Series and Massey Ferguson® 8600 Series tractors are the first in
the world to feature e3™ Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) clean air technology.
Their state-of-the-art Dynamic Tractor Management System coupled with the AGCO
continuously variable transmission (CVT) provides simple and efficient operation,
allowing the tractor to automatically adjust to loads, while being as fuel efficient as
possible.
The redesigned cab is the largest cab in the industry with 116.5 ft³, along with exclusive
OptiRide cab suspension, and a new seat-mounted control console. Every detail in the
working environment is designed to give more comfort, convenience and control to the
operator.
MF 1600 Series compact tractors almost luxurious
The Massey Ferguson® 1600 Series compact tractors offer six models and 22
configurations with the power, performance and comfort to meet exacting yet highly
varied operator needs. They offer all-steel and cast iron construction for durability plus
high-capacity performance with 35 to 60 engine HP and the choice of four easy-tooperate
transmissions including the 8x8 SynchroShuttle, the 12x12 PowerShuttle, 12x12
DynaQPS™ and a three-range hydrostatic transmission. Advanced operator comforts
include customer-inspired ergonomics and control placement plus many other features
that make this compact tractor almost luxurious.
DynaFlex™ flex draper header improves harvest efficiency
The AGCO DynaFlex™ flexible draper header is the result of more than three years of
research and development and was created specifically for Gleaner®, Massey Ferguson®
and Challenger® model combines from 2003 and newer.
It combines simple, practical engineering with advanced technologies to improve
harvesting of soybeans, cereal crops, milo, and canola. The header features a 41-inchwide
draper conveying system which allows the crop heads to face the same direction,
improving crop flow, feeding and threshing.
DynaFlex is the first flexible cutterbar draper header to use independent dampened tilt
arms, linked with hydraulic cylinders to an accumulator system, to provide 8 inches of
cutterbar flexibility. Its exclusive flexible cutterbar design provides precise cutting of the
crop without scalping or gouging the soil. The automatic header height control relays
ground contours to the combine for a close even cut, even from the widest 40-foot
header. Growers also appreciate the header’s fast and simple combine mounting system
which bypasses the complexity of hydraulic pumps, motors and hoses common with
competitive draper platforms.
A patented, balanced and timed dual sickle drive incorporating an exclusive dual shaft
drive provides as much as 400 percent more torque over belt or hydraulic drives for 25+
percent greater harvesting performance over flexible cutterbar auger headers of the
same size.
AGCOMMAND™ telemetry system tracks and monitors
Many progressive farmers are looking for technology solutions to help monitor and
control operating costs and reduce the burden of generating and maintaining farm
equipment records. The AGCOMMAND™ telemetry system provides customers with a
low-cost, easy-to-use data recording and management solution which can be installed
on all machinery.
The AGCOMMAND system is a plug and play device that configures itself to the
individual machine and automatically determines real-time machine status information
which is used for many precision farming efficiency reports.
The AGCOMMAND technology will allow a farmer using an internet-capable cell phone or
sitting at his office computer to know where a tractor is, what tasks it is doing and how
close to being finished it is, how often it is idling, how often it is working, how often
implements are on the ground and how often they are in transport mode, how often it is
roading, and when it will need service next, among other things. For instance, sensors
can alert the farm office when a sprayer tank is nearly empty so a manager can send a
nurse truck to the field with a refill. This component is available on Challenger®, Massey
Ferguson®, AGCO®, Valtra® and Gleaner® branded products.
About the AE50 Program
The AE50 award program is sponsored by Resource, the membership publication of the
American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE), to emphasize the
role of new products and systems in bringing advanced technology to the marketplace.
As many as 50 winning engineering developments were chosen for their value in helping
farmers, food processors and equipment manufacturers cut costs, enhance quality and
increase profits.
The 24th annual AE50 recognition program honored companies offering the best
products engineered for agricultural, food, biological and related systems available on
the market for the first time in 2009. A panel of international experts in these fields
chose the winners.
About ASABE
The American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers is an educational and
scientific organization dedicated to the advancement of engineering and technology for
sustainable agricultural, food, and biological systems. Members are consultants,
educators, executives and others who uniquely understand the interrelationships
between technology and living systems. Founded in 1907 and headquartered in St.
Joseph, Michigan, ASABE comprises 9,000 members from more than 100 countries.
For more information on the product innovations available from AGCO Corporation, visit
www.AGCOcorp.com.
SAFE HARBOR
Certain statements in this release relate to future events and expectations and as such
constitute forward-looking statements involving known and unknown factors that may
cause actual results of AGCO Corporation to be different from those expressed or
implied in the forward-looking statements. In this context, words such as "will," "likely,"
"offers" or other similar words and phrases often identify forward-looking statements
made on behalf of AGCO. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks
and uncertainties. It is important to note that actual results of the company may differ
materially from those described or implied in such forward-looking statements. Further
information concerning these and other factors is included in AGCO's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 2008. AGCO disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking
statements.
ABOUT AGCO
AGCO, Your Agriculture Company, (NYSE: AGCO) was founded in 1990 and offers a full product line of tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage, tillage equipment, implements, and related replacement parts. AGCO agricultural products are sold under the core brands of Challenger®, Fendt®, Massey Ferguson® and Valtra®, and are distributed globally through more than 2,800 independent dealers and distributors, in more than 140 countries worldwide. AGCO provides retail financing through AGCO Finance. AGCO is headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, USA. In 2008, AGCO had net sales of $8.4 billion. Please visit our website at www.AGCOcorp.com.
e3™ and AGCO SISU POWER™ are global trademarks of AGCO Corporation. AGCO®, and Massey Ferguson® are registered trademarks and worldwide brands of AGCO Corporation. Challenger® is a registered trademark of Caterpillar, Inc. and is used by permission.
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