IDEAL to Revolutionize Global Harvesting Offering

BREGANZE, Italy--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AGCO (NYSE: AGCO), a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment, today unveiled IDEAL, its new top range combine harvester, in Breganze, Italy. "The IDEAL combine is the result of many years of R&D, countless engineering hours, committed teamwork, and leading industry expertise," said Martin Richenhagen, AGCO Chairman, President and CEO. "It is yet another result of AGCOs tireless efforts to deliver the most innovative solutions to farmers feeding the world."

The development of the IDEAL combine is also a significant step to continuously strengthen AGCOs global harvesting offering and to solidify AGCOs position as the leading full line manufacturer of agricultural solutions.

The new generation of combines is the result of a global "Voice of Customer" study. The findings showed that there is a need for an entirely new combine platform, prompting AGCOs R&D team to start from a "blank sheet of paper."

A global team from different AGCO sites developed the features customers had pointed out in the study. "IDEAL is part of AGCOs global platform strategy that supports synergies across different regions, saves cost, and optimizes supply chain management. Like AGCOs Global Series tractors, this combine platform expresses our commitment to brand-new designs, and to practical solutions that empower farmers across the world to be more productive and to feed a growing world population," said Eric Hansotia, Senior Vice President, Global Crop Cycle & Fuse Connected Services.

Close to 50 combine prototypes were built and tested in the lab, on the field and around the globe in varying environments to develop a unique combine that is able to be used for all crops and operate in all conditions, in all parts of the world.

"Our customers harvest in many different conditions, and each farm has a unique set of requirements for their operation," continued Hansotia. "The IDEAL combine aims at exceeding our customers needs and expectations. It is the most innovative combine we have ever produced and an investment in the future of harvesting. IDEAL will change the way harvesting is done today."

At the heart of the IDEAL combine is an efficient processing system which outperforms on grain and straw quality, grain handling, power efficiency, and capacity in a wide variety of conditions.

The IDEAL combine features the latest patented innovations from AGCOs Fuse Connected Services division, is fully connected, offers an automated combine adjustment system, and Real Time Crop Flow visualization.

IDEAL stands for ease of use and optimizing complex harvesting operations by providing the efficiency, visibility and the comfort farmers need on the field.

IDEAL is the first high capacity combine of its kind with such a narrow body and unique for its impressive design. IDEAL is designed for convenient road transportation.

IDEAL will be available in three of AGCOs core brands: Challenger, Fendt and Massey Ferguson and will debut at Agritechnica in November 2017.

The new combine will be launched into different markets in 2018. IDEAL will be offered in 3 different models, 7, 8 and 9, will be available with tires or tracks, and also in ParaLevel version.


About AGCO

AGCO (NYSE: AGCO) is a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of agricultural solutions and supports more productive farming through its full line of equipment and related services. AGCO products are sold through five core brands, Challenger®, Fendt®, GSI®, Massey Ferguson® and Valtra®, supported by Fuse® precision technologies and farm optimization services, and are distributed globally through a combination of over 3,000 independent dealers and distributors in more than 150 countries. Founded in 1990, AGCO is headquartered in Duluth, GA, USA. In 2016, AGCO had net sales of $7.4 billion. For more information, visit http://www.AGCOcorp.com. For company news, information and events, please follow us on Twitter: @AGCOCorp. For financial news on Twitter, please follow the hashtag #AGCOIR.