As 2007 draws toward an end, Challenger® continues to celebrate a landmark anniversary that not only marks the introduction of the Challenger Model 65 in 1987 as the first rubber-tracked tractor, but the launch of the Challenger brand name.
“The Model 65 was really a success story that occurred when everything coincidentally came together at just the right time,” says Jason Hoult, general marketing manager for Challenger track and articulated tractors. “Caterpillar® track tractors had already been used on farms for more than 100 years. Unfortunately, even though they offered improved traction and flotation in the field, steel-tracked crawler-type tractors simply couldn’t compete with wheel tractors in terms of speed,” Hoult continues, noting the increasing demand for more horsepower. “Mobility between fields became a big issue, as well, since farmers couldn't drive steel tracks on most roads.”
To counter the growing popularity of four-wheel-drive tractors in the mid-1970s, Caterpillar even began working on its own four-wheel-drive, articulated tractor — developing and testing several prototype models in the process.
However, a decline in the 4-wheel-drive tractor market convinced Caterpillar management to cancel the articulated tractor in the early 1980s and concentrate on a rubber-tracked tractor that was also being tested. Through a little luck and good fortune, Caterpillar engineers had earlier developed a cleated rubber track using some of the technology that was perfected during the development of the XT line of hydraulic hoses.
“They first tested the concept by putting rubber tracks on a conventional Cat® D6 crawler,” Hoult explains. “After that, they moved on to several prototypes that looked more like farm tractors. In fact, the final test models, and the Model 65 itself, were styled very much like the previous four-wheel-drive prototypes.”
Caterpillar engineers didn’t stop there, however. Over the next decade, Cat introduced larger models, newer innovations and more advanced units, including the “B”, “C” and “D” Series. Perhaps the biggest innovation to come along in later years, though, was the Model 45 row-crop Challenger released in 1995.
By 1999, Challenger row-crop tractors were available in three power ratings — the 175-hp Model 35, 200-hp 45 and 225-hp 55 — while the latest “E” Series, which included a new 95E model, ranged from 310 to 410 horsepower.
Things changed rather quickly, though, in the 21st century. Just as a new generation of Challenger MT700 and MT800 Series track tractors was being developed, AGCO Corporation paid Caterpillar the ultimate compliment by acquiring rights to the Challenger brand name and the manufacturing rights to the product.
“At that point, track tractor assembly was moved from the Caterpillar plant in DeKalb, Illinois, to AGCO Corporation’s Jackson, Minnesota, manufacturing facility,” explains Todd Stucke, vice president Challenger professional producer marketing. “AGCO also added a full line of wheel tractors, hay equipment and combines to the Challenger brand, which continues to be marketed through the highly respected network of Cat dealers.”
Finally, in 2005, AGCO introduced the latest MT700B and MT800B Series models. In addition to new Cat ACERT™ Tier III engines and more horsepower, the new lineup included a new MT875B model rated at 570 gross engine horsepower — once again taking Challenger to a new level among modern-day production tractors.
Hence, it was only fitting that an MT875B would serve as a specially customized anniversary unit. Sporting a white and gray paint scheme, a yellow leather seat, an Alpine stereo system and an eight-inch chrome exhaust, the unique anniversary model made appearances at a number of farm shows through the fall before being sold to a customer in Illinois.
“It’s been an exciting 20 years, both for AGCO and Caterpillar,” Stucke concludes. “As the foundation on which we built the rest of the Challenger line, we’re proud to have track tractors among our product offerings.”
For more information on Challenger MT700B and MT800B track tractors, visit www.agcocorp.com.
AGCO Corporation, headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, is a global manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment and related replacement parts. AGCO products are distributed in more than 140 countries. AGCO offers a full product line including tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage, tillage equipment and implements through more than 3,900 independent dealers and distributors around the world. AGCO products are distributed under the various well-known brand names AGCO®, Challenger®, Fendt®, Gleaner®, Hesston®, Massey Ferguson®, New Idea®, RoGator®, Spra-Coupe®, Sunflower®, TerraGator®, Valtra®, and White™ Planters. AGCO provides retail financing through AGCO Finance in North America and through Agricredit in Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, and Brazil. In 2004, AGCO had net sales of $5.3 billion.
Contacts:
Allison Bass
Communications Manager
770-232-8073
allison.bass@agcocorp.com
