Fendt IDEAL with the new CyclonePlus cleaning system: aiming for zero grain loss

For modern high-capacity combine harvesters it’s not only about how many tonnes per hour the machine can process. What really counts is the quality of the grain in the tank and how much is left in the field as loss. This is where the cleaning system plays a key role: it determines the balance between throughput, losses and grain cleanliness.

In 2025, AGCO Corporation announced a major update to the Fendt IDEAL combine line: for model year 2026, all machines receive a fully re-engineered CyclonePlus cleaning system. Its task is to deliver the cleanest possible grain sample and reduce field losses to an absolute minimum, as far as technically possible under real-world conditions.

For Ukrainian farmers this is especially relevant: harvest windows are getting shorter, weather “swings” are harsher, and every kilogram of quality grain is more valuable. That’s why the cleaning system upgrade on the flagship Fendt IDEAL is not just cosmetic – it is a serious step towards the concept of “zero grain loss” in the field.

The new CyclonePlus cleaning system: what has actually changed

The key element – a new pre-sieve

The heart of CyclonePlus is a completely new 1.0 m² pre-sieve and a redesigned upper sieve, positioned so that the pre-cleaned crop mat enters the main cleaning zone as early as possible. This leaves more of the sieve area available for final separation of grain from chaff.

Main changes:

• increased pre-sieve area – roughly +1.0 m² versus the previous configuration;
• wider sieves – about +8% working surface;
• higher oscillation frequency of the cleaning shoe;
• optimised air-flow zone: up to +39% on IDEAL 7–8 and up to +26% on IDEAL 9–10.

Together this delivers higher cleaning capacity and lower grain losses, especially under high load and difficult conditions.

Three-stage fan system and optimised air flow

CyclonePlus uses a powerful fan system with improved duct geometry, reduced static pressure on the return pan and an air-flow stabiliser beneath the lower sieve.

Key parameters:

• fan with hydraulic speed adjustment in the approx. 150–1350 rpm range;
• uniform air distribution across the full width of the cleaning shoe, even in demanding conditions;
• reduced sensitivity to changes in grain moisture and to uneven crop feeding.

The result is a consistently clean grain sample with minimal need for readjustment. For the operator this means less “playing with settings” and more productive hours in the field.

Separate returns for re-threshing without losing separation capacity

The returns system on the Fendt IDEAL is designed so that the rotor is not re-loaded with unthreshed material. Instead, the returns are threshed by a dedicated re-threshing auger and then fed onto the return pan. The aggressiveness of re-threshing is adjusted by changeable covers (toothed or smooth) depending on crop type and quality requirements.

This allows you to:

• make full use of the main rotor’s capacity for separating the main crop flow;
• avoid overloading the threshing and separating system;
• improve cleaning uniformity and grain quality.

“Zero grain loss”: engineering instead of compromises

The phrase “zero grain loss” is, of course, a marketing target, not a physical constant: under real field conditions there are always some minimal losses. But the goal for Fendt engineers is to reduce these losses to a level that has practically no impact on the farm’s economics.

CyclonePlus, together with established Fendt IDEAL solutions, works towards this goal in several ways:

Uniform distribution of crop material
The IDEALbalance system with two profiled grain pans distributes the crop across the full width of the cleaning shoe, reducing “plugged” areas and local overloads.

Improved slope performance kit
The new slope performance kit ensures uniform grain distribution in the tank and stable cleaning performance on uneven terrain and side slopes.

Single cleaning configuration for both cereals and maize
Previously, there were up to five different cleaning system configurations. Fendt now uses a unified scheme, which simplifies adjustments, reduces the risk of operator error and shortens changeover time between crops.

Higher cleaning performance
For several crops the cleaning system’s throughput is expected to increase by around +20% while maintaining or even improving grain quality.

So “zero loss” in the context of Fendt IDEAL means a realistic ambition to get as close to zero as possible by combining smart engineering and automated control systems.

Additional Fendt IDEAL updates for the 2026 season

Besides CyclonePlus, the updated Fendt IDEAL receives a number of improvements to increase comfort and overall efficiency:

New IDEALbalance configuration
The redesigned grain pan and relocated rotor loss sensor provide more stable operation of the loss monitoring system and more uniform loading of the sieves.

Improved lighting package
A new LED lighting package with up to around 4000 lm per work light significantly improves visibility in the dark, boosting safety and reducing operator fatigue during long shifts.

New tyre and track options
Additional rear tyre options with larger diameter (including 600/70 R28 and 620/70 R30) improve traction and reduce soil compaction.

Unified options across crops
Easier access to key cleaning components and unified adjustment logic allow service technicians to work faster and operators to adapt the machine to a new crop more quickly.

Fendt IDEAL: general overview and key specifications

The Fendt IDEAL line is a series of flagship axial combine harvesters developed in AGCO’s global competence centres. The machines were designed “from scratch” as a next-generation high-capacity axial combine, with no legacy constraints from previous platforms.

Engines and power

Fendt IDEAL is available in four main models: IDEAL 7, 8, 9 and 10.

The IDEAL 7 is powered by a 9.8-litre AGCO Power engine, while the IDEAL 8, 9 and 10 use inline six-cylinder MAN engines with different power ratings.

The overall power range is roughly from 336 to 581 kW (around 450–790 hp depending on model and market).

The AirSense® cooling system, with a large reversible fan and a radiator pack of about 2.7 m², keeps engine temperatures stable even in very dusty conditions.

Rotor system and crop feeding

IDEAL 7 – single rotor Single Helix.

IDEAL 8, 9, 10 – twin rotors Dual Helix, designed for maximum performance on large acreages.

The 600 mm RotorFeeder intake drum feeds crop from below into the rotors and automatically maintains a speed of 70% of rotor rpm. This ensures a stable crop flow and reduced power demand.

Grain tank and unloading system

Two main grain tank options:
– Streamer 140 – approx. 12,500 l capacity, unloading speed around 140 l/s;
– Streamer 210 – approx. 17,100 l capacity, unloading speed around 210 l/s.

Unloading auger up to 10.6 m long (depending on configuration), allowing easy unloading into large chaser bins and grain trucks.

Short overview table of general Fendt IDEAL specs

Values are generalised for the full series (exact figures vary by model and market).

Practical value for Ukrainian agribusiness

For large farms and contractors working on extensive areas of cereals, maize and other crops, Fendt IDEAL with CyclonePlus means:

1. higher throughput without a sharp increase in grain loss;
2. stable grain quality, helping you qualify for quality premiums (especially in seed production);
3. less dependence on individual operator skill – the machine “pulls the result up” through design and automation;
4. better performance on slopes and uneven terrain thanks to improved material distribution solutions.

The bottom line is more marketable grain delivered to the elevator and less left in the field, which directly affects production cost and profit margins.

Spare parts for Fendt IDEAL and other combines – from Bas-Agro LLC

Even the most advanced combine cannot realise its full potential if, in the middle of harvest, it is stopped by worn parts or an unexpected breakdown. That’s why reliable access to quality spare parts is a critical element of overall harvest efficiency.

Bas-Agro LLC:

manufactures and sells spare parts for combines of various global brands (including feeder components, threshing and separating units, cleaning systems, running gear and more);

works both with new parts of its own production and with custom-made analogues and tailor-made solutions for specific tasks;

maintains a wide assortment of combine spare parts in a dedicated section of the BAS.UA catalogue, enabling farmers to quickly find the parts they need for their fleet.

If your farm operates Fendt IDEAL combines or other modern grain harvesters, combining cutting-edge threshing and cleaning technology with reliable spare parts supply from Bas-Agro LLC will help you:

• minimise downtime during the season,
• keep repair costs under control,
• and, most importantly, ensure consistently high harvest performance year after year.