7 minute read
Forecourt Find
Fendt Farmer 308LSA GOOD FARMER
Finding any sort of Fendt Farmer 308LSA in the UK, let alone one that’s tidy and has done low hours, is not easy, but that’s what has just come up for sale in North Wales. Words by Sandy Cox; pictures Llion Jones.
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Above right: The only blemish to the cab interior is the wear to the Grammer seat cushion; all the other trim is in good condition. Right: This smart little Farmer 308LSA model comes equipped with a set of genuine Fendt front weights and front mudguards.
THERE HAS BEEN a 300 Series in the Fendt range for more than 40 years. The current 300 Vario Series models cover the 110-150hp bracket, but back in 1980, when the first Farmer 300 Series tractors were introduced at the DLG machinery show in Hanover, an event I personally attended, every model in the range was below 86hp.
The initial range, desginated as the Farmer 300, contained four models spanning 62hp to 86hp. For a series that would be a staple of the Fendt range for years to come, I recall that its introduction at the show was a relatively low key affair.
Fuel economy was a hot topic at the time of the Farmer 300 launch, with the price of crude oil having doubled during the oil crisis of 1979. Fendt responded to this by displaying a 75hp experimental tractor with a modified cylinder head and injectors to run on a 50:50 mixture of diesel and methanol. It was suggested that Europe’s farmers would soon be growing at least half their fuel.
That hasn’t happened yet but, spurred on by the then oil crisis, the 300 Series was claimed to be eight per cent more fuel efficient than the 100 Series it was to replace. The Farmer 300 range made its first major UK appearance on importer Bill Bennett Engineering’s stand at the 1981 Royal Show. The two-wheel drive models were designated ‘LS’ and the four-wheel drives were known as ‘LSA’. The ‘LSA’ designation actually also referred to features of the tractors. The ‘L’ denoted the luxury comfort of the integrated, Fendtbuilt cab, with its reduced noise level of around 80dB(A) and roomier and improved operator environment. The cab had a flat floor and the gear sticks were positioned to the right.
The ‘S’ stood for sophisticated, which was principally Turbomatik. Introduced in 1968 on the Fendt Farmer 3S, this fluid flywheel between the engine and clutch enabled the operator to put the tractor in gear conventionally then, with the engine still ticking over, lift the clutch and remain stationary. The tractor would move away smoothly when the engine revs were increased and come to a halt when the engine speed was reduced, all without touching the clutch or stalling. The ‘A’ in the model designation stood for Allrad, which was German for all-wheel drive.
With the history lesson out of the way, let’s turn to the lovely little 1986 Fendt Farmer 308LSA that is currently being offered for sale by North Wales Fendt and Massey Ferguson dealership Emyr Evans. The clock is showing just 4435 hours, which is a very modest total for a 35-year-old Fendt. Its past history isn’t known, although it is believed to have been imported into the UK a few years ago. Prior to arriving at Emyr Evans’ branch at Denbigh it had been in the hands of a collector.
It appears in to be in very good all-round condition, although it is in need of a set of tyres as those currently fitted, possibly the originals, are down to 20 per cent at the rear and 10 per cent on the front. The lugs on the rear wheels suggest it has been used in the past with duals.
It is equipped with a 20F/6R transmission with a 30kph top speed. There are three main gears and reverse in the High and Low ranges, with a three-stage splitter providing a generous 18 forward ratios. Two additional ‘overdrive’ gears give transport speeds of 25kph and 30kph. Internally the cab is in good condition, apart from some wear to the cushion of the Grammer seat.
If you are interested in this original Fendt Farmer, call Berwyn Evans at Emyr Evans’ Denbigh branch on 01745 812333.
TRACTOR: 1986 Fendt Farmer 308LSA ENGINE: MWM 4.2-litre four-cylinder POWER: 78hp HOURS: 4435 LIST PRICE (1986): n/a PRICE NOW: £18,000
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