The Fendt Katana 65, a self-propelled forage harvester of 650 ch

The Katana forage harvester is presented as a 100% Fendt product 100%. A product wanted by the brand's management team and designed by the team of engineers and technicians specialized in tractor production.
The Fendt Katana 65 is said to have already logged several hundred hours on the test bench and to have harvested thousands of hectares of maize and forage. For the record, the katana is a Japanese samurai sword, a symbol of power, sharpness and precision.

According to the manufacturer, ?the new team dedicated to the forage harvester was able to draw extensively on the existing expertise at Fendt in the field of tractors?.

The experienced engineers dedicated to developing the forage harvester were assisted by professionals expert in tractor development, specialized for example in hydraulics, electronics, engines or cabs.

This allowed entirely innovative approaches in the development of the Fendt Katana 65 forage harvester.

Generously dimensioned working components for the Fendt Katana 65 forage harvester

To achieve maximum throughput and a steady crop flow, the heart of the Fendt Katana 65 is generously dimensioned. Thus, the chopper drum has the largest diameter on the market at 720 mm and the six-roller feed is said to guarantee a constant crop feed, regardless of the cutting width.

As for the chopping unit, Fendt is taking a completely new path compared with the competition, not only in terms of the inlet and outlet pivoting technology, but above all in terms of efficiency. For the pickup header, Fendt relies on the proven technology of the company Kemper, offered as a factory-fitted solution.

A V8 engine with a displacement of 16 litres (AdBlue)

The machine is powered by a V8 16-litre 650 ch engine from MTU. It will be the only model available initially, at the launch in early 2011.

Other models are being considered. To meet the exhaust emission standard of level 3b (Tier IV interim), Fendt also relies on SCR technology for this forage harvester.

As in the tractor sector, exhaust gas treatment with AdBlue urea solution offers advantages in terms of fuel consumption and the necessary cooling performance.

In addition, this technology delivers engine dynamics as well as a marked reduction in CO2 emissions

Comfort and suspension

The entirely new cab was specially developed for the forage harvester. The electronic design was also inspired by the existing expertise in this area for tractors.

Thus, in addition to the basic concept with CAN bus communication, the multifunction armrest with the new joystick and the 10.4'' Vario terminal have also been carried over.

Fendt is introducing rear axle suspension on the Katana. According to the manufacturer, ?even at the maximum speed of 40 km/h, road handling is excellent and results in impeccable driving safety and stability combined with optimal comfort?.

On this subject too, the development team benefited from the knowledge accumulated in the field of tractors.

The Fendt forage harvester will be produced at AGCO's new production site in Hohenmölsen. The future assembly workers are currently based in Marktoberdorf and are handling the assembly of the prototypes, thereby gaining experience that will be useful when series production starts.