Challenger pulled out of Europe

[MrOl]

Launched in US on 21 Jul:

https://www.agweb.com/article/agco-unveils-new-smoother-riding-track-tractor-naa-jim-dickrell/

Suspect we'll see this in green in a short while

 

[Cowabunga]

I wonder how they would promote and support a green one in Europe, considering that the small group of specialists that used to be responsible for marketing have largely been made redundant or redeployed?

Just why? Why has the well established Challenger brand in Europe been kicked into touch? Has it been irreparably damaged by the seven cylinder engine and the previous importation of a large batch with the wrong emissions certification? These were temporary issues surely. Its not as if they walked away from those machines. They made them right.

Maybe the cost of running the crawler division and the manufacture of sludge equipment was loss making? This wouldn't surprise me in the short term, because the cost of rectifying those two issues must have been substantial, but they were two one-offs.

There must be a hell of a good solid reason for abandoning a brand and line that was a market leader in Europe.

 

[nick...]

Launched in US on 21 Jul:

https://www.agweb.com/article/agco-unveils-new-smoother-riding-track-tractor-naa-jim-dickrell/

Suspect we'll see this in green in a short while

That is uglier than the R series john deeres
Nick...

 

[MickW]

@Clive stated that this was a very poor photoshop can't remember the exact words.

 

[Cowabunga]

I see that Challenger have launched their new 1000 series range of high power wheel tractors with a CVT that powers the front and rear axles separately. It is powered by MAN 12.4 litre engines from around 400hp to 520hp.
These are still marketed by AGCO.

Their new MT700 crawler range will use the CVT transmission mated with AGCOpower 7 cylinder engines. So that marks the end of the Funk powershift in these crawlers.

 

[Richard Smyth]

I see that Challenger have launched their new 1000 series range of high power wheel tractors with a CVT that powers the front and rear axles separately. It is powered by MAN 12.4 litre engines from around 400hp to 520hp.
These are still marketed by AGCO.

Their new MT700 crawler range will use the CVT transmission mated with AGCOpower 7 cylinder engines. So that marks the end of the Funk powershift in these crawlers.

Challenger 1000 is a Fendt painted yellow to access more dealers in the states.

I could be wrong but it's been many years since funk powershift was in cat track tractors. Recent machines have all been cat power shifts.

 

[MrOl]

@Clive stated that this was a very poor photoshop can't remember the exact words.

It's being used and reported in a number of US ag magazines following the 21st launch so think it is genuine?

 

[Roger Perry]

As an aside did you see were Deere were acquiring the Wirtgen group..?

This opens up Europe to the yellow construction iron.

 

[Cowabunga]

Challenger 1000 is a Fendt painted yellow to access more dealers in the states.

I could be wrong but it's been many years since funk powershift was in cat track tractors. Recent machines have all been cat power shifts.

Do the larger Fendt use MAN engines and the CVT that powers front and rear axles independently? If not, I'm sure they soon will be.

 

[Richard Smyth]

Do the larger Fendt use MAN engines and the CVT that powers front and rear axles independently? If not, I'm sure they soon will be.

They do. Launched at agritechnica 2 years ago

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

I see that Challenger have launched their new 1000 series range of high power wheel tractors with a CVT that powers the front and rear axles separately. It is powered by MAN 12.4 litre engines from around 400hp to 520hp.
These are still marketed by AGCO.

Their new MT700 crawler range will use the CVT transmission mated with AGCOpower 7 cylinder engines. So that marks the end of the Funk powershift in these crawlers.

I was wondering when Fendt launched the 1000 series where else they might slot that new transmission. It's a very clever bit of engineering. Wonder if they'll downscale it for the smaller ranges or for MF use

 

[Cowabunga]

They do. Launched at agritechnica 2 years ago

Well I never!

Not the kind of tractor that's ever likely to sell well in Ceredigion, so I'll probably have to travel a long way to see one working.

 

[Richard Smyth]

Well I never!

Not the kind of tractor that's ever likely to sell well in Ceredigion, so I'll probably have to travel a long way to see one working.

Probably be my next one when the time comes. 420 hp that can be ballasted for seeding and lightened for everything else. In this area 300 hp is the norm for pulling sprayers.

 

[Cowabunga]

Probably be my next one when the time comes. 420 hp that can be ballasted for seeding and lightened for everything else. In this area 300 hp is the norm for pulling sprayers.

I suggest you get more efficient sprayers.

 

[binbusy]

@Clive stated that this was a very poor photoshop can't remember the exact words.

He may have, but if so he was wrong.
This is the new mt 743, demos won't be till next spring though.
They seem to have ironed out the negatives, and very much modernised the interior which seems far more user friendly.
As long as the reliability is there these are gonna be big going forward imo.

 

[Pheasant Surprise]

As an aside did you see were Deere were acquiring the Wirtgen group..?

This opens up Europe to the yellow construction iron.

Saw it mentioned in some construction press news. Not a huge amount of fuss was made about it. There's an interesting piece on it here. It appears Wirtgen were a long term acquisition target for Deere.

Pretty graphic showing how it will be a complementary fit into their road construction machinery portfolio.

 

[MrOl]

That is uglier than the R series john deeres
Nick...

Agreed. Perhaps it will look better in fendt green and red....not convinced though!

 

[Roger Perry]

Opens up the European /emerging market for Deere construction / forestry equipment.

$5.2 billion all cash offer.

 

[Richard Smyth]

I suggest you get more efficient sprayers.

Tank sizes up to 10000 litres. Booms 42 meters and travelling at 20-25 kmh takes horsepower especially in light sandy hills

I sprayed 320 ha in 6 hours yesterday including travelling and fill ups. First time using the rig so was a bit slower than could have.

 

[Cowabunga]

I have a tank of the same size and appreciate that it takes some pulling up hills, even half full in soft going, of which I have many. I manage with 180 hp on both mine though.