Steering a combine with a joystick

The recently launched Fendt IDEALDrive joystick steering system for combine harvesters eliminates the steering wheel in the brand’s IDEAL Combine series. The joystick steering solution promises to deliver greater visibility for less operator fatigue.

- Denene Erasmus

AGCO Corporation (AGCO) introduced the Fendt IDEALDrive steering system to North American producers during the 2020 Commodity Classic, which took place in San Antonio, Texas in February. According to a statement issued by AGCO, the IDEALDrive is the first joystick steering system on a combine harvester from a major manufacturer. It gives the operator an unobstructed, end-to-end view of the combine header for less stress and fatigue during the long hours harvesting, the company says.

“Time is of the essence when harvesting, and operating a combine for long hours day after day can take a toll on the combine operator,” says Zach Stejskal, product specialist at AGCO. “IDEALDrive takes away a lot of the physical stress and reduces fatigue, because the operator can see the entire header feeding, and control everything from a comfortable position in the cab.”

FINGERTIP CONTROL