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Fendt – dream machine for spraying, spreading and cutting

This month, Noel Dunne visited Paul Cushen who farms 120 acres of mixed tillage, and runs a contracting business in Stradbally, Co. Laois. Paul invested in a Fendt 516 Vario back in 2022. Coming in at 160hp with a Deutz engine, complete with Isobus and Vario transmission, the Fendt 516 Vario offered Paul comfort, reliability, and the opportunity – through smart farming – for greater precision and detail when carrying out his contracting work. The Fendt runs alongside a 2022 John Deere 6R 125 c/w with loader, which Paul imported from the UK. While the Fendt works mainly on spraying, spreading and hedge cutting, the John Deere is used mostly for ploughing, loader work, and trailer work
Paul’s decision to buy a Fendt 516 Vario was made very easy when his local dealers, Atkins in Birr, Co. Offaly, suggested he take it out on a full test and put it through its paces while doing the daily jobs. "It was the best tractor I ever drove," beams Paul. Paul says, with excellent service from Atkins and the fact that Fendt retains its value when it comes to trade, he was happy to do the deal.
Paul operates a 4,000L Horsch Leeb sprayer, which he bought from Kelly's of Borris, complete with a 24m boom as part of his operation. "I looked at different sprayers but settled on the Horsch; its a mid-range sprayer and is ideal for the tight roads I travel on. It is also easy to connect to the Fendt’s computer system with no need for extra screen or connections."
Paul spreads fertiliser on more than 2,500 acres per year for local farmers. He operates a Vicon spreader on a bogie suspension system, which was originally built by Meredith Engineering just outside Stradbally, Co. Laois. He made some changes to the bogie system to strengthen it and it can now carry two tonnes on the road, and it operates smoothly in the field. Paul is pictured here with Johnny McNamara who farms around 190 acres in Co. Laois, and who is one of the farmers he spreads for.
The panoramic view from the Fendt 516 Vario is a really appealing feature, Paul says, and he feels that the view from this cab is far superior to other cabs.
When Paul purchased the Fendt 516 Vario in 2022, he also purchased an extended warranty package, which, he said, gives him great peace of mind – even if he has yet to avail of it. "Apart from the routine checks, I haven’t put a spanner to it,” says Paul. As owner-driver of the Fendt, taking care of it is hugely important.
Paul wanted to keep the rear of the tractor, and machinery attached, as clean as possible. He reviewed some ready-made mud guards, but decided to tailor-make his own. "I wanted to keep the rear end and machinery behind it clean while also having easy access to the back end; making my own achieved that and saved money.”
All functions on the control panel and display screen are easy accessable with clear vision to the right-hand side window. All equipment can be linked through one terminal so there is no need for additional screens (and associated clutter).
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