SERIOUS

MACHINERY
NOVEMBER 2011 ISSUE 19 THE magazine FROM Challenger

P10-11

25 years on tracks!
ANTARCTIC CHALLENGE – P4-5 TERRAGATOR TENDS PIPELINES – P6
ITALY’S 500TH – P12 PREVENT SOIL COMPACTION – P8-9
2 www.challenger-ag.com
SERIOUS
MACHINERY
INSIDE
THIS
ISSUE
MT865 boosts productivity
Ice-haul challenge
TerraGators tackle pipeline
maintenance
VIP launch for used machines
Soil management –
the benefits of tracks
Challenger tracks celebrate
silver jubilee
Anniversary tractor
500th in Italy
Global manufacturing facilities
MT765C saves on labour and fuel
Dealers in the spotlight
New role in Application Machinery
RoGator demo tour
News – Sales Manager in France;
scale models; dinner date;
partner convention
Guardians of the soil
© AGCO Limited 2011
ON track
FOR GROWTH
More and more agribusinesses are turning to Challenger
for the ultimate in tractive power. Sales for the
brand in Europe, Africa and Middle East are forecast to
grow by some 40% in 2011 compared to 2010.
With Agritechnica, Europe’s showcase for farm equipment
3 taking place in Germany in November, industry
fundamentals for agriculture machinery are extremely
positive and will continue to drive growth. Food
4-5 stocks are declining, commodity prices are above historical
levels, bio-fuels continue to consume grains, populations
are increasing and diets are changing. All these factors
6-7 support long-term investment in farm equipment.
Challenger offers an extensive line of award-wining products and taps into the global resources of its parent
company AGCO to provide outstanding service and support for customers. Within AGCO, Challenger is a
8-9 premium global equipment brand which focuses on the professional and commercial producer whose
outputs represent 75% of the world’s commodity production.
Challenger equipment provides:
10-11
• Innovative technology
• High output, performance and efficiency
12
• Unmatched quality, durability and reliability
• Industry-leading parts and service support
13
• The highest levels of customer satisfaction
We hope you enjoy this latest edition of Serious Machinery and look forward to welcoming visitors to our
14-15 stand at Agritechnica.
Your Challenger team
16-17
18
19
A brand of AGCO, Challenger supplies a The Editor
wide range of high performance, high specification Serious Machinery
20 agricultural machinery for the professional farming AGCO Netherlands B.V.
and contracting sector including tracked tractors, Horsterweg 66a
application equipment, wheeled tractors, combine 5971 NG
harvesters and balers. Grubbenvorst
The Netherlands
If you would prefer to receive Serious Machinery
regularly via email, please log on to the Email: info@challenger-ag.com
website shown here and follow the Web site: www.challenger-ag.com
instructions to subscribe.

The power and productivity of Challenger machines play
a central role at the 3000 ha Agricola Landwirtschaft in
Germany’s Saxony-Anhalt region.
With an MT865 tracked tractor and RoGator 600 sprayer
already part of the team, a new TerraGator 8333
applicator is set to join the fleet at the beginning
of 2012.
“We’ve had the MT865 for seven years now and the
RoGator arrived in July 2011,” explains Udo Uhlich who
runs the operation. “You can’t get greater efficiency than
with a tracked tractor!”
With a dairy herd of 450 head, Udo farms 500 ha
grassland, 100 ha hops, 300 ha winter barley, 1000 ha
winter wheat, 130 ha sugar beet and 600 ha maize. This
is a mixed farming area with variety of soil types, while
the terrain includes some slopes rising to over 10%.
As a result of the growing needs of biogas plants, the
total area of maize planted in the region has been on the
rise in recent years.
More work
in less time
Agricola is a busy operation. Latterly, Udo has been
involved in the construction of a new biogas plant,
livestock sheds and a new wheat drying operation.
Thanks to the takeover of a neighbouring farm,
he’s also boosting his area of hops and has recently
purchased a new hop harvester. For the future,
another biogas plant is on the horizon - hence
the need for the new TerraGator 8333 applicator to
take care of the substrate processing and spreading
from both installations.
The farm has reduced ploughing by 80% in favour of
a mainly minimum till regime, and the MT865 works
around 1000 hours a year on stubble cultivation, soil
and seedbed preparation. “The tracked tractor offers
greater efficiency for soil cultivation,” Udo remarks.
“You get more work done and a better performance
since the MT865 can handle implements with a working
width of 10-12 metres. With this level of horsepower,
only a tracked tractor can convert the power efficiently
to the soil.”
www.challenger-ag.com 3
“On the RoGator 600, we appreciate its working width,
plus the boom suspension and tank capacity. The
TerraGator convinced us its with its high productivity
and performance.”
“Overall productivity is also increased because we use
Auto-Guide across all the machines. It’s easier for the
drivers and reduces costs such as fuel consumption,”
he says.
“The objective is to achieve more work in less time.
Obviously the MT865’s hourly work rates differ
depending on the implement but with a Horsch
12-metre Terrano FX cultivator we cover around 12-13
ha/hr. Rates with a Vaderstad Carrier disc harrow are 20
ha/hr, while with a 7.5m Amazone Centaur cultivator we
achieve about 6 ha/hr. The traction on the MT865 is
good and, of course, we get reduced soil compaction.”
• Agricola buys its Challenger equipment from dealer
LKS Starkenberg Landmaschinen. See more details
on this company pages 16-17).
Udo Uhlich (left) and his
driver, Thomas Nowacyk with
the farm’s MT865.
4 www.challenger-ag.com
Tractors step uP TO
200 tonne
ice-haul challenge
Two Challenger MT765B tractors purchased by the
British Antarctic Survey (BAS) four years ago for
transport duties in Antarctica have completed the
Herculean task of hauling structures weighing up
to 200-tonnes across the Brunt Ice Shelf.
BAS is building a new research station – Halley VI –
15 km further inland to the existing Halley V which is
located in an area now at risk from a calving event (the
sudden breaking away of a mass of ice.) The MT765Bs
were brought in to increase productivity in the delivery
of cargo from ship to building site, and in early 2011
faced their biggest test to haul the huge new research
station modules to their final resting place.
Martin Bell, Deputy Project Manager for BAS
planned and organised this mammoth logistical
project. “The Challengers performed magnificently
and exceeded our expectations,” he reports.
“Jacked up on legs with skis at the bottom, the main
module weighs in at around 200 tonnes but the
break-out force required was up to three times that,”
he says. “This is because the skis can become
frozen to the snow surface, while the module’s
weight caused it to sink 15-25 cms. To get it moving,
we deployed all the tractor power at our disposal –
over 1200hp - in one massive pull. Once up and
running, the pair of Challengers took the full strain
and hauled the rig at 4mph (6.5km/h) for 15 km.
For safety reasons, we also used an additional lead
tractor to assist with steering in the event of the
snow surface losing strength to bear the weight of
the buildings and towing vehicles.
Martin and his colleague Ben Norrish were behind
the wheels of the Challenger tractors throughout the
entire operation. “With the two MT765Bs connected
in series, we communicated with each other via radio
and were then able to match each machine’s slip
 www.challenger-ag.com 5

ratio thus making sure neither tractor took more

of the load and the most efficient output was
maintained,” Martin said.
“It was a spectacular sight as we made our way
across the ice. We ran the Challengers at optimum
output, consuming around 60 litres/hour of our JET
AI fuel.” (Avtur – the same as that used by Jumbo
jets which is good down to minus 70 degrees).
“Naturally it was a stressful time but the Challengers
helped make what we thought was going to be an
extremely difficult job very simple. It was clear that
we’d chosen exactly the right vehicles which were
well up to the task.”
As Martin points out, while the big module-hauling
operation obviously grabbed all the headlines, the
work of the MT765B tractors over the preceding four
years have also made a major contribution to the
Halley VI project.
“The high-speed delivery of cargo from ship to
building site where the modules were assembled Unloading cargo from the ship.
was key to our planning,” he continues. “In this
exercise, time is everything. We needed to work the
Challengers 24 hours a day to get the ship unloaded
and away as soon as possible. We originally
allocated 14 days to shift the cargo but the
Challengers achieved it in just seven thanks to their
high-speed travel across the ice.”
In between the intensive periods of work, the
machines were stationary for eight months every
year during the Antarctic winter. “Come springtime,
we would dig out the Challengers from their snow
mounds and de-ice them ready for another season,”
says Martin. “Winter storage can see temperatures
plummet down to minus 50 degrees. We run the
machines on low temperature oils and have heaters
in the water jackets to aid starting after winter.” It’s
an unforgiving environment and gruelling regime for
any machine but the Challengers came through with
flying colours.”
“Throughout, we’ve had fantastic support from our
dealer back in the UK – TNS and its staff,” adds
Martin. “We look to have strong partnerships with
our suppliers and greatly appreciate the work and Martin Bell (left) with Ben Norrish, his fellow driver during the ice haul.
effort they put in to assist us.”

The big pull. Two Challenger MT765B tractors haul the 200-tonne 24 x 14 metre Halley VI red
module across 15 km of snow and ice. Several smaller 60-90 tonne blue modules also had
to be towed to the new location.
6 www.challenger-ag.com
TerraGator spearheads
essential pipeline main
With its superb off-road capability the TG2244
is ideal for the wet ground that surrounds the
pipelines. The machines are equipped with
cranes and the bodyshell is used for storage of
tools and welding aggregate.
The maintenance teams who look after the massive oil
and gas pipeline network that snakes across Russia
have some unusual new recruits. Exploiting the
Challenger TerraGator 2244’s superb off-road
capability, 18 units have been ordered to do duty
as maintenance vehicles.
“As the ground thaws out after the extremely cold
winters, the upper structure stays wet for very long
periods, while the roads are heavily damaged by frost,”
explains Age Krug, Challenger Manager Product
Marketing, Application Equipment. “It’s virtually
impossible to drive here with normal off-road vehicles.
The TerraGators are designed especially to operate on
soft wet surfaces without damaging them. Thus, while
they are essentially an agricultural machine, they are
also a clever solution for this industrial problem.”
The machines were purchased by Argus Group, a
pipeline construction specialist, for use on gas and
oil pipelines. Russia is a leading global energy supplier
responsible for 17% of the world’s gas production.
It owns the world’s largest gas transmission system,
capable of uninterrupted and long-distance gas
delivery to Russian consumers and abroad. The gas
trunklines stretch nearly 160,000km and 165 gas
distribution companies maintain 445,300 km of
gas distribution pipelines.
“Maintaining the pipelines is absolutely crucial to
ensure continuity and reliability of supply to millions of
customers,” says Age. “Service cover for the pipeline
network is centred on maintenance and repair stations
located at intervals of between 75 and 150 km. To get to
The Challenger TerraGator 2244 has been
especially modified as a maintenance vehicle
for work on gas and oil pipelines in Russia.
potential maintenance spots, the vehicles must drive
50-100 km on the road and then onto rough tracks.
This is where the TerraGator’s light tread really comes
into its own.”
“The TG2244 models being supplied are more or
less standard units. To increase traction, a limited slip
differential is fitted to the rear axle. To cope with the
freezing winter temperatures – down to minus 40 and
even minus 50 degrees C, the machines have an extra
battery and an engine heating system. In order to
comply with Russian road legislation for travelling at
40 km/h, the machine must not exceed 2.55m width so
the units are equipped with 800/65R32 tyres (rather
than the customary 1050/50R32) and smaller fenders.
The access ladder has also been made slightly smaller.”
“In addition, the TerraGators are equipped with cranes
which are employed for lifting bigger components.
The TG bodyshell is used for storage of tools and
welding aggregate, and tent is also carried on-board

tenance
which can be erected over the pipeline when welding
jobs are required,” continues Age.
“Argus Group Commercial Director, Gevork
Dzhanibekyan, was previously with Challenger
distributor Zeppelin Rusland and therefore had a good
grasp of the TerraGator’s attributes. His knowledge,
combined with the vision of Argus Group Business
Development Director, Igor Goncharov, helped to get
the whole project in motion,” Age explains.
Igor Goncharov remarks: “We chose the TerraGator
because it was the only machine that met our
requirements. Thanks to its low ground pressure tyres
and clearance, it has the ability to drive in bad road
conditions. On top of that, Challenger was the only
company listening to our wishes and prepared to carry
out some modifications on the product. Throughout all
the negotiations, Challenger proved to be a really a
flexible team which delivers on its promises.”
Argus Group reviewed the first TerraGator 2244 in
October 2010 and 18 units are now on order. The
company has taken care of full certification of the
machine for work in the gas and oil industry. “Of
course, this highly-specialised application requires
superb back-up and all the relevant service staff have
been trained, and essential parts stocked in the
warehouses,” adds Age Krug. “This is where Argus
Group and Challenger are meeting the industry’s strict
standards for quality and support. Looking to the future,
it’s possible that the potential could be for up to 30 units
per year which is a great prospect for sales of our
TerraGator – a machine that is demonstrating its
amazing versatility way outside the traditional
agricultural environment.”
www.challenger-ag.com 7
A used TerraGator
gets VIP status.
GET THE vip
TREATMENT
For the ultimate in used TerraGator application machines,
Challenger has launched the new VIP programme.
“TerraGators occupy a specialist market and sales are
handled by Challenger direct,” explains Dirk van den Oever,
Sales Manager, Application Equipment BeNeLux and Used
Sales. “We have excellent intelligence on who is operating
the machines, their history and when used models are likely
to come onto the market. Our new VIP programme gives the
star treatment to machines which have 6000-10,000 hours
on the clock.”
Used machines are brought into Challenger’s factory at
Grubbenvorst in The Netherlands and go through a 175-point
checklist, spending up to five weeks in the workshop. The
main components and wearing parts – including
transmissions and axles - are rebuilt and new hitches fitted.
Models are updated with latest software and hardware
systems, and the package includes full driver training and
installation by a Challenger specialist.
“The machines are transformed to virtually new condition and
cost between 50-70% of the price of a brand-new model,” Each VIP machine is labelled with
adds Dirk. “Each unit is labelled with the re-build year and the year of re-build.
comes with a VIP-approved certificate. TerraGators with
Challenger VIP status are the customer’s total assurance that
the machine will be in superb visual and technical shape.
There will be no need to examine the machine prior to
purchase. We literally give the used machines a new life,
ready for many more highly-productive years of work.”
To view current VIP TerraGators on sale, go to
www.Challenger-ag.com and follow the link to
used machines.
8 www.challenger-ag.com

The third in our series on soil management. Here we look at some of the
advantages of tracks over tyres.

Surface contact area

is what matters
If two tractors weigh the same, the one with the larger
footprint will apply less pressure on the ground. The
contact area of tracks will always be greater than that
of tyres, therefore creating less compaction.
Surface compaction occurs in the top 15cm of soil,
caused by the pressure placed on the ground by
equipment. As Challenger MT800C and MT700C
tracked tractors have a single, long footprint on each
side, instead of four small footprints on each side from
tyres, pressure on the ground is dramatically lower.
For example, the contact area for a Challenger
MT700C with 762mm rubber belts is 3.7m2.
A wheeled tractor with 600/70R30 front tyres and
710/70R42 rear tyres has a contact area of 1.2m2.
With dual wheels, the contact area is doubled but this
is still less than an MT700C. What’s more, dual-
wheels make a tractor too wide to drive on the road,
unlike a Challenger tracked tractor which is within the
width limits. A typical 4WD drive tractor with and
800/70R38 tyres has a contact area of 2.7m2 or 73% placed on the wheel does not reduce at lower tyre Pinch-row compaction between
of the contact area of a Challenger MT700C. pressures – it merely shifts from the centre of the tyre dual wheels
to under the sidewalls, the rigidity of which ensures The rigidity of tyre sidewalls leads to pressure being
Does reducing tyre pressure help? that the weight is transferred to the ground. applied downwards and diagonally outwards. The
Even a minimal increase in contact area should reduce Although lowering tyre pressure may produce a angled forces between the dual tyres together create
ground pressure. However, the dynamics of tyres do marginal increase in the footprint, the total contact even more compaction, known as a ‘pinch-row.’
not work quite as you might expect! The axle load area comes nowhere close to that provided by tracks. This is not just the ridge of soil visible on the surface

Figure 1 – Pinch-row effect cuts yields Figure 2 – Tyre pressure plus axle load = compaction
60 A A high axle load with
high tyre pressure – from a
50 55% wheeled tractor with 1.2 bar
51% (18psi), for example –
% compaction

40 A creates the greatest amount

1.24 bar B 41% of compaction.
30 0.41 bar 36%
Maize yield in tonnes/ha

10.5 (18 psi) C

B A high axle load with lower
9.7 9.9 (6 psi) tyre pressure does reduce
9.1 20 1.24 bar D compaction – but
8.2 8.4
7.9 (18 psi) 0.41 bar by only 4 per cent.
7.3 10 (6 psi) C Low axle loads and high
0 tyre pressure produce
A B C D significantly less compaction
than high axle loads.
5080 kg 5080 kg 2630 kg 2630 kg
axle load axle load axle load axle load D For the least amount of
2540 kg 2540 kg 1315 kg 1315 kg compaction, pair low axle
Row 1 Row 2 Row 3 Row 4 Row 5 Row 6 Row 7 Row 8 tyre load tyre load tyre load tyre load loads with low ground
pressure – as with
Wheel tractor (Key Agricultural Services Inc, Macombe, Il) Challenger tracked tractors.
 www.challenger-ag.com 9

– the compacting effect of the pinch zone extends When it comes to avoiding the creation of soil the upper subsoil becomes compacted. Axle load alone
deep into the soil profile. compaction, wheeled tractors are at an additional is directly related to compaction of the lower subsoil.
disadvantage, as they require extra weight in the
Research has revealed that the more intense Thus, to reduce deep compaction, more axles are
form of ballast in order to carry out field operations
compaction caused by wheeled tractors, together with required, not different tyres. The most effective way of
effectively. Tracked tractors don’t – they merely
the additional soil pressure created between dual and minimising deep compaction is to use a multi-axle
distribute the load along the entire length of the
triple wheel configurations, causes a drop in crop yield. tractor, like the Challenger tracked tractor – pulling
track to minimise the compaction potential.
implements that also have low axle loads.
The pinch-row effect can be seen clearly in the
Fitting dual or triple wheels to increase the
illustration (Fig 1), based on a crop planted using an
ground contact area adds to the overall weight of the
articulated tractor and 24-row planter. Harvest results
tractor, which raises the axle load.
measured by a yield monitor, row by row, showed
The additional width of the dual wheels footprint also
yields to have dropped by as much as 28% in the
doubles the size of the compaction zone, when
pinch-row, creating a ‘W’ profile in the yield chart.
compared to single wheels or tracks.
The compaction zone is wider and deeper with dual
To help identification of the different depths at which
tyres than with tracks.
compaction occurs, soil specialists have specified
three distinct compaction zones: topsoil, upper subsoil
More axles, less pressure and lower subsoil. Ground contact pressure only
Heavy axle loads, such as those exerted by wheeled affects the topsoil, but when axle load is added,
tractors, drive compaction deep into the soil profile –
it can be found up to 75 cm below the surface.
The standard Challenger MT800C Series, however,
with its drive axle, idler wheel axle and four mid-wheel
axles, imposes 85% less load on the ground than
the average articulated tractor. A typical Challenger
MT700C tractor, with its three mid-wheels puts
down 50% less load than an average
wheeled tractor.
10 www.challenger-ag.com
25 years o
2012 marks the 25th anniversary of the first rubber-be
The early days Development of the modern track system
1890 – 1930s 1976
Americans Benjamin The invention of the sealed
Holt and Daniel Best and lubricated track which
pioneer the concept helped reduce costs of
of track-type tractors. undercarriage maintenance.
Holt coins the The track pin is permanently
‘Caterpillar’ coated with a sealed-in
trademark and, in lubricant which minimises
1925, the Holt and metal-to-metal contact and
Best companies slows wear.
merge to form the
Caterpillar engineers start
Caterpillar Tractor
to develop a 4WD farm
Co. with the future
tractor but soon realise that
focus on earth-
a better proposition was an
moving equipment.
agricultural tractor that
capitalised on their track
expertise.
1979
The first test runs on a
‘beadless tyre’ for large
wheel-loaders. This
basically consisted of a
replaceable tread fitted tight
to the outside of a set of
smooth tyres.
Did you know?
Over one kilometre of steel cable goes into each Challenger belt to provide the tensile strength to
withstand the roughest, toughest working conditions.
1980s
A motor grader was
modified with four axles
and truck tyres, and driven
in reverse (so that the
engine was in front of the
operator) to help
demonstrate the feasibility
of using friction-drive
rubber tracks as a
‘high-speed’ dozer or
agricultural tractor. This
arrangement showed that
only one axle was needed
to drive the tracks.
An agricultural tractor test
mule was created, pieced
together from dozer and
wheel-loader components
- referred to as the ‘BAT’
(Belted Agricultural Tractor.)
A Challenger 65 from 1987.
1986
Production of the
Challenger 65 fitted with
the revolutionary
Mobil-Trac System (MTS)
starts at Caterpillar’s
Davenport, Iowa plant. The
MTS provided farmers with
all the traction and low soil
compaction of tracks plus
manoeuvrability and speed.
Equipped with a Cat 3306
direct injection turbocharged
engine rated at 270 gross
hp at 2100 rpm, the
Challenger 65 featured
10-forward/2-reverse
powershift transmission
and differential steering to
provide continuous power
to both tracks during turns.
Top speed for road travel
was 29 km/h.
1987
The first Challenger 65
models got to work in the
fields of the United States.
New-generation MT700 & MT80
1991 2002
The Challenger 65 AGCO acquires the
becomes the 65B with Challenger brand and
power increased to 285hp. product rights from
Launch of the 325hp Caterpillar.
Challenger 75B.
2002/2003
1993 MT700 (235-306hp) and
Row crop models – 35 and MT800 (340-500hp)
45 – introduced equipped launched with brand-new
with wide-scale track transmissions,
width adjustment. improvements to the
Mobil-Trac system,
1995
optional auto-guidance
270hp Challenger 55
and steerable hitch plus
launched.
luxurious cab and Tractor
1998 Management Centre. The
Work begins on the next MT800 had a record-
generation of Challenger breaking 300cm ground
products known as GEN III. contact length.
This development
2003
programme culminated
In Ukraine, a Challenger
in the MT700 and
MT865 pulling an 18.35m
MT800 Series.
seeder sets a new world
record by planting 571.9 ha
of barley in 24 hours.
2004
Production transfers
to Jackson,
Minnesota,
USA.

on tracks
elted Challenger agricultural tractors.
00 Series launched in 2002/03.
2005
Launch of the MT700B
(269-320hp) and MT800B
Series (350-570hp) fitted
with Cat ACERT technology
Tier III engines. The
MT875B at 570hp became
the most powerful
commercially-available
tractor in the world.
2006
MT800B Scraper
Application tractor launched
fitted with special scraper
hitch plate capable of up to
9000 kg drawbar load.
A world record for cultivation in 2007 – 644 ha in 24 hours.
2007
MT765B tractors assist in
building a new research
station for the British
Antarctic Survey. Running
on aviation fuel and
withstanding temperatures
down to –50 degrees C,
the tractors ferried building
materials from shipside
to the site of the new
Halley VI station.
The 20,000th tracked tractor.
2007
In an incredible feat of
power and efficiency, an
MT875B equipped with
14 metre-wide Gregoire
Besson XXL discs
cultivates 644 ha in
24 hours. Guided by
satellite navigation and
working to a depth of
14 cm in demanding
heavy-to medium clay loam
soils, the tractor achieved a
remarkable 26.8 ha/hour
with highly economical
fuel consumption of just
4.42 litres/hectare.
One of the latest MT765C tractors.
Traction, flotation and reduced compaction
from the Mobil-Trac system.
2008
Production of the 20,000th
Challenger tracked tractor
– an MT835B – at the
Jackson manufacturing
facility.
2008
Launch of the MT700C and
MT800C – with new
styling, redesigned cab,
integrated ISOBUS control
system and all-new
hydraulic system.
2012
Challenger celebrates
25 years on tracks with
special anniversary
MT865C in python
livery (see details
page 12).
www.challenger-ag.com 11
Mobil-trac
system
today
Over the years, the groundbreaking Mobil-Trac
system has undergone key refinements by
Challenger engineers.
With the latest Mobil-Trac updates, the
Challenger MT800C and 700C Series models
(direct descendants of the original Challenger
65) now provide a better ride with more speed
and mobility, increased traction, flotation and
reduced compaction.
The Mobil-Trac system has the longest wheel
base (3000 mm) in its category with four belt
widths, two treadbar designs and two widths of
drive wheels, idlers and mid-wheels. The
longer wheelbase provides lower ground
pressure and more tractive efficiency in typical
soils, and the longer footprint gives more
stability and better balance in every application.
Top transport speed for the MT800C is 39.6
km/h – the highest of any tracked tractor.
The Opti-Ride suspension provides a smooth
vibration-free ride on the road or in the field.
High-tech Marsh Mallow springs isolate the
suspended hardbar from the tractor chassis.
The left and right undercarriages raise and
lower independently and the hardbar floats
under the chassis though use of a stabiliser
bar to allow each undercarriage to ‘walk’
smoothly over obstacles.
12 www.challenger-ag.com

Introducing our new

field
python
Want something a little bit different to add to your tractor
fleet? How about this Challenger tractor in amazing
python livery with a host of options for even further
driver comfort and performance?
To mark the 25th anniversary of Challenger on tracks,
this striking MT865C is being produced
as a limited edition. Other special
features embrace a whole range of
options including : Double
Nightbreaker® lights (six xenon HID
High-Intensity Discharge), pivoting front
steps, 36 in (91.5 cm) belts, steerable
3-point linkage, deluxe cab with deluxe
air-con, operator sun visors all round,
deluxe VRS semi-active seat with leather trim,
AGCOMMAND telemetry-based machine management
system, wide Poly mid-wheels, debris deflectors, five
hydraulic spool-valves, 16 idler weights and TopCon Product Support Specialist. “It’s powerful, elegant and
System 150 automatic guidance system. It’s an moves quietly, economically and smoothly leaving
impressive package combining a fantastic ride virtually no imprint. What’s more, it also sends out a of the python anniversary tractor. To order one of
experience with boosted productivity. warning for competitors to stay at a safe distance!” these very special miniatures, contact your local
“We picked the python because it has many associations As well as the life-size version, Challenger is also Challenger dealer or alternatively visit our on-line
with the Challenger tracked tractor,” says Gaston Haesen, producing 1000 numbered limited edition scale models shop at www.ChallengerStore.com

Golden delivery for

500th tracked tractor
Challenger celebrated the sale of
its 500th tracked tractor in Italy
with the delivery of a special
MT765C in gold-painted livery.
The tractor was handed over to
delighted new owner, contractor
and farmer Luigi Gulinelli from
San Bartolomeo, at a ceremony
at Challenger’s Italian offices
in Parma.
A long-term fan of the tracked
concept, this is Luigi Gulinelli’s
6th Challenger. He bought his first
model – an MT765 - from dealer
Reni Macchine of Bologna in 2005
and this strong business
relationship still continues today.
“Italy is one of the key markets for
Challenger machines in Europe,”
says Andrea Tavernari, Challenger
Sales Manager. “Challenger claims
over 75% share of the Italian
tracked tractor market and a 23%
of the country’s total market for all
tractors in the 270-570hp
segment.”
Luigi Gulinelli employs 20
permanent staff and manages
3500 ha spread across 159 farms.
Not bad for a man who was born
into one of the poorest families
in his village and left school at
the age of 12. The land has been
his life for over 65 years.
His Challengers spend 50% of
their time ploughing – from the
tough clay soils to be found inland
right through to the softer sandy
terrain nearer the coast. They are
also used for planting and working
with a power harrow/drill
combination.
“The Challengers are extremely
reliable and I work them hard,”
he says. “The great thing about Luigi Gulinelli (centre) with Andrea Tavernari
them is that they don’t create Challenger Sales Manager, Italy (left) and
more problems than you’ve Vanni Belluti, AGCO Market Services
already got!” Manager.

Challenger products including tracked and wheeled tractors, application
machines and harvesting machinery are built to high-quality manufacturing
standards in Europe and the Americas.
Production is worldwide
Jackson, Minnesota, USA
Jackson produces Challenger MT700C and MT800C
tracked tractors, articulated tractors, Spra-Coupe and
RoGator sprayers, and TerraGator application machines.
In January 2011, plans were announced to add
manufacture of high horsepower wheeled row-crop
tractors. This includes a 7000 m2 expansion of the
manufacturing plant and construction of a state-of-the-
art visitors’ centre.
The Jackson plant in Minnesota is
the production centre for Challenger
tracked tractors.
Grubbenvorst, The Netherlands
The hub for Challenger operations in Europe, Africa
and Middle East (EAME), Grubbenvorst manufactures
TerraGator and RoGator application equipment and is
the preparation centre for MT tracked tractors and
Spra-Coupe machines in EAME.
Manufacture at Grubbenvorst
in the Netherlands.
Beloit
Kansas, USA
Hesston
Kansas, USA
www.challenger-ag.com 13
Hesston, Kansas, USA
The Beauvais factory is the largest tractor
manufacturer in France. Hesston engineers pioneered the big baler concept in
the 1970s. Today, the plant builds hay and forage
equipment, combines, swathers, planting equipment
and manure spreaders.
Beauvais, France
A recognised leader in European farm machinery
manufacture and design, the Beauvais facility produces
wheeled tractors from 65-370hp. The 25ha site is the
largest tractor manufacturer in France and the country’s Challenger large square balers being
top exporter of farm machinery. The plant builds built at Hesston.
Challenger wheeled tractors for North America,
Africa, Middle East and Eastern Europe/Asia.
Beloit, USA
Breganze, Italy Beloit in Kansas produces tillage implements including
chisels, cultivators, disc harrows, land finishers and
The Breganze plant has produced combine harvesters
grain drills.
for over 50 years. The current site opened in 1979 and
is a world-class combine manufacturing facility and Fargo, USA
centre of excellence. This is the production site for
Fargo, North Dakota manufactures air seeding and
Challenger straw-walker combines.
tillage equipment including single and double disc
drills and air till drills up to 18m wide.
Mogi das Cruzes, Sao Paulo, Brazil
Mogi builds Challenger WT400 and WT500 wheeled
tractors – tough, ruggedly-built machines for
multi-purpose duties in world markets.
Grubbenvorst
The Netherlands
Beauvais
France
Breganze
Italy
Fargo,
North Dakota, USA
Jackson
Minnesota, USA
Mogi das Cruzes
Sao Paulo, Brazil
14 www.challenger-ag.com

MT765C – delivering
up to 25% savings
in labour and fuel
Stanislaw Kuduk harvests 30,000 tonnes of potatoes –
that’s whole lot of French fries!
Accounting for over 550 ha, the potato crop is pivotal to Stanislaw Kuduk’s 2400 ha
enterprise in Boleslawiec, South West Poland. The potatoes are sold to the
country’s leading food processors for the production of fries and crisps.
Just over a year ago, a Challenger MT765C tracked tractor joined the Kuduk fleet to
take over cultivating, drilling and potato planting in this hilly area where soils range
from light clay to sand. Rainfall is around 680-780mm annually.
“The Challenger MT765C brings us profits and provides reliable operation,” comments
Stanislaw on his new acquisition. “There is no other tractor on the market with such a
good spread of weight over the soil. The machine helps preserve the soil structure,
maintains speed on the slopes and consumes less fuel.”
As well as the potatoes, the farm also grows wheat, maize, rape, onions, beetroot
and carrots. In season, there are some 30 workers employed, while the farm also
has nine of its own trucks for crop transport plus extensive storage facilities.
Precision farming has become a key part of the regime and they operate a GPS
Auto-Guide system with an RTK base station to boost navigation accuracy to
within 2-3 cm.
The Challenger operates with a Vaderstad Cultus cultivator (4.8 metre) and
Vaderstad Rapid 900S seed drill (9 metre). From the end of March, potato
planting becomes the big priority and the MT765C is working flat out with a
Grimme GL 34 T planter with a Amazone power harrow. Thanks to the muscle

The Challenger MT765C works flat out with a Grimme potato planter and Amazone KG power harrow.
 www.challenger-ag.com 15

of the Challenger (a minimum of 300hp is required

to maintain speed on the slopes), planting and ridging
is now done in one pass. This alone is providing
savings of 20-25% in labour and fuel according
to Stanislaw.
“In peak season, we work the Challenger 12 hours
a day, six days a week,” he explains. “Even in the
worst conditions, the MT765C has virtually no slip.
The tracks are also important for tackling our
sloping land. Working with the 9m drill, we
average 11 ha/hr.”
“Added to this is the very comfortable ride for
the operator. The machine is easy to handle and the
driver has very good visibility from the cab,” he says.
The farm’s MT765C was purchased from dealer
Agrarada in Domaniów run by Johan Kruijthoff and
his partner Arek Brzyski. Established in 1999 and a
Challenger dealer since 2009, Agrarada provides full
sales, service and parts support for the machine. Left: Johan Kruijthoff with customer Stanisław Kuduk.
16 www.challenger-ag.com

DEALER FOCUS DEALER FOCUS

Maize, carrots
and wine on the
menu for AGRI33! Agri33 puts a Challenger on demo.

Margaux, Pauillac and St Julien are just some of the
famous wines in France’s Médoc region. But there are
also vast stretches of maize, found jostling for space
between the vines and Landes pine trees that
for unstable, sandy ground (90% sand) and for tracts
of land that are best suited to large implements,”
Jean-Claude explains.
Taking this sand suitability to the extreme, one of

A spec
characterise the region. The arrival of vegetable crops
AGRI33’s main customers, STAM (Société de Travaux
such as beans, but especially carrots, triggered the need
Agricoles Martignéens) uses an MT765B hitched to
for quick turnaround times. As result, tractors are on the
scraper to shift sand on the beaches at nearby Hourtin
go all year round.
on the Côte d’Argent.
Against this background, Challenger has been able to
Today, Agri33 has a high reputation as a professional
lay the foundations for the success of its MT tracked

tractors thanks to the efforts of dealer Jean-Claude
Cantillac, Director of Agri33. Jean-Claude and his
54-strong team based in Cestas near Bordeaux have
pulled out all the stops to promote the Challenger
tracked concept since 2006.
Before tractors came into the equation, Agri33 was
initially established as a specialist supplier of
agricultural and forestry equipment. As well as
Challenger, the dealership handles two other brands
within the AGCO group – Valtra and Massey Ferguson.
“These brands work very well within our market, which
caters for a diverse customer base,” says Jean-Claude.
Today, one third of Challenger’s sales in France are
down to Agri33. “Challenger offers the perfect solution
Ploughing with an MT 865C
at Domaine Saint Jean.
supplier to various sectors of the industry. This includes
agricultural machinery as well as forestry tools and
groundscare equipment. It also runs a thriving
machinery rental business.
The opening of new premises in Labouheyre (Landes)
is testimony to Agri33’s wish to reach out to more
customers. “We attach a great deal of importance to the
service we provide and the contact we have with our
customers,” adds Jean-Claude.
In South-West France, an area steeped in tradition
and famed for its village fetes, hospitality is high on
the agenda. True to its locality, Agri33 holds
half-yearly open days which regularly attract
hundreds of customers.
appro
LKS Starkenberg Landmaschinen is living up to its company
slogan ‘Performance, Know-how, Assurance’.
A Challenger dealer based in the Thüringen, Saxony and
Saxony-Anhalt region of Eastern Germany, specialism is the
key according to Tilo Leipnitz, Company Manager.
“We keep our product portfolio small in order to provide a good
service to customers,” he says. “We aim to be specialist in our
area. We want people to say: if you need a special product, go
to LKS Starkenberg because they have the best service and the
best knowledge.”
The firm started selling Challenger machines in 2004. “We
have a lot of big customers who wanted big tractors and more
traction,” continues Tilo, who runs the company in partnership
with his nephew, Adrian. “The Challenger tracked machines
fulfilled all these wishes which is why we have been so
successful with them.”
The tracked tractor concept is well established in the area so an
important mission is to convince customers of the superiority of
the Challenger machines over competitors. In 2010, the company
sold five MT tracked tractors plus eight RoGator 600 sprayers
and two TerraGator applicators. “Like us, the real Challenger
customer is very specialised,” adds Tilo.
 www.challenger-ag.com 17

DEALER FOCUS

AND THE
WINNER IS…
Congratulations to UK dealer Peacock & Binnington,
winners of the prestigious Challenger Business
may be at stake. P&B have ensured they have the
trained technicians, technology and efficient back
Partner of the Year Award for Europe, Africa and up systems to operate at this level.”
Middle East (EAME).
“When AGCO first took on the Challenger brand back
Based in Brigg, Lincolnshire in Eastern England, in 2002, we could see immediately the quality of the
Peacock & Binnington takes care of a territory covering product and how it was so well suited to the big farming
the arable heartlands of North Lincolnshire, South and estates in this fertile area of the country,” says Les
East Yorkshire. Bacon, Sales Director at Peacock & Binnington. “We
have gradually expanded our sales area especially with
“The award recognises two main aspects of P&B’s
the establishment of a new branch at Selby and have
success in the Challenger market,” explains Martin
Outside Starkeberg’s premises: created the back-up team to give our Challenger
Hamer, Challenger Manager, National Sales. “They
Tilo Leipnitz (right) with driver Sven Wunderlich customers the quality of support they expect.”
have been extremely successful in selling large
and Roland Köhler, mechanic. volumes of Challenger tractors and sprayers, growing Senior personnel from Challenger visited P&B’s Brigg

ialist
their sales over the years and expanding the business
to ensure an efficient parts and service back up at the
quality required.”
“Secondly is our recognition of P&B’s success in
engaging with the top 10% of UK agricultural producers
– key potential users of Challenger equipment. On top
head office to present the award. As well as meeting the
P&B management, sales, parts and service teams, they
were taken around several farms to discuss first-hand
the success of Challenger in this area.
Graham Main, P&B’s Managing Director, commented:
“It is great recognition for Les and the team. Since

ach
of that, P&B are able to offer the highest quality of
service demanded by such a professional level of
customer. You can’t afford any slip-ups when big
contracts for farm produce with major supermarkets
being appointed a Challenger dealer, we have sold over
120 new units with many customers now on their third
repeat purchase.”

Sprayers are seen as a major growth area. “Sprayers are the

doctors of agriculture,” he remarks. “With their help, farmers
adapt their crops to future circumstances.
Biogas production is also an important driver for growth.
“Here specialist machines are needed to protect the crops -
from pests like maize beetle for example,” he says. “ In high
crops, the RoGator 600 shines because of its adjustable
working height from 75 cm up to 120 cm.”
According to Tilo, there is also increased potential for
TerraGator machines in the application of biogas residue
when it is recycled back to arable land.
With two locations in Starkenberg and Balgstädt, LKS employs
30 people including 12 service mechanics. They also run a
contracting business supplying tillage, seeding, harvesting,
silage and baling services.
“Our employees came up with the company strapline
‘Performance, Know-how, Assurance’ which is why they
Challenger’s top Business Partner award went to Peacock & Binnington. (Left to right): Nigel Watson,
support it completely,” Tilo says. “The combination of reliable
Challenger Area Sales Manager, Gary Rollinson, Challenger Managing Director EAME, Dorus Van
products and dedicated people makes for a good business.” Esch, Challenger Director Sales & Distribution, Martin Hamer, Challenger Manager, National Sales,
LKS will continue too pursue its highly-successful specialist Derek Blow, P&B, Les Bacon, Sales Director, P&B, René Van Driel, Challenger Director Product
role and focus strongly on a select range of products. As Tilo Marketing, Graham Wright, Finance Director, P&B and Graham Main, Managing Director, P&B.
comments, in this case, less is most definitely more!
18 www.challenger-ag.com

Linking market needs to

engineering development
Hubertus von Dungern
Hubertus von Dungern is the new
Challenger Manager Product Marketing,
Application Equipment. Serious
Machinery spoke to him soon after
he took up his new role based at
Grubbenvorst in The Netherlands.
SM: Can you give us some details
on your background?
HvD: I was born on the family farm in
Vexin, west of Paris but have dual
nationality as my parents are originally
from Germany. My brother now runs the
farm and I help out when I can in my spare
time. Keen for a career in the agricultural
sector, I took a degree in agricultural
engineering at ENESAD in Dijon.
SM: And your professional career?
HvD: I joined AGCO, Challenger’s
parent company, in 1998 and worked on
the lawn and garden product line based
at the Beauvais facility in France. I then
moved onto a more general role in Sales
Administration and Studies where I was
involved in market research and
forecasting for the four AGCO brands.
During this time, I was part of the team
conducting early research for the
RoGator 600 sprayer which included
running customer focus groups. I moved
to Challenger proper in early 2010 to
become Market Services Manager for
the brand in France.
SM: What are your new
responsibilities?
HvD: As Manager Product Marketing,
Application Equipment, essentially I’m
the link between the market and
engineering. Working on RoGator,
Spra-Coupe sprayers and TerraGator
products, I establish what customers
need and translate this to engineering
development requests. I’m also
responsible for how we bring these
products to market.
SM: What are the market
prospects for Challenger
Application Equipment in Europe,
Africa and Middle East?
HvD: Total sales for 2011 are expected
to be around 100 units for the RoGator,
55 for the TerraGator and 40 for the
Spra-Coupe. The overall market is fairly
stable but we could see a rise of 10-15%
in 2012 depending on farm incomes.
In general, TerraGators tend to be bought
by contractors, Spra-Coupe by farmers
and the RoGator a mixture of both.
SM: What are the strengths of
Challenger Application
Equipment?
HvD: Customers are looking for
maximum return on their investment.
From Challenger they get high-capacity,
high-quality work, fast and precise
application, low compaction and
superior driver comfort. The formula is
simple – apply the right quantity of
product, in the right place at the right
time. Chemicals and nutrients are
expensive commodities and their
accurate application can save substantial
amounts of money. On top of that of
course, are the environmental benefits
of using less inputs.
SM: What about future
developments?
HvD: For the future, we’ll be
concentrating on more of the same.
At the centre of this is the drive to
reduce costs of application for the
end-user whilst meeting all legislation
requirements. This includes, for example
in the near term, the fitting of engines
with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR)
technology to reduce emissions and
boost fuel economy. Another project
which is just at the concept stage at
present is the ElectRogator. This is a
test-bed to study the viability of electric
transmission drive in farm machinery.
There is plenty on the horizon to look
forward to.

On the road with RoGator

“It was a great pleasure to see so many customers at the Challenger Roadshow
during the summer,” says Thom Sanders, Challenger Product Support Specialist,
Application Equipment.
In this major event to highlight new RoGator 600 sprayer, the Challenger team
visited 10 venues taking in Switzerland, Germany, Austria and France before
finishing up in The Netherlands in early July.
The RG655 sprayer and an MT700C tractor were demonstrated with dynamic
presentations, ride and drive sessions and audio-visual effects. On top of that,
there were in-depth stations covering AGCOMMAND, Norac Boom Height Control
and Michelin Spraybib tyres.
“Visitors really appreciated the small exclusive venues where they were able to get
up-close and personal with Challenger’s latest models in quiet and peaceful
surroundings without all the distractions of a big national show,” adds Thom.
Exclusive events for Challenger customers.

NEW FOR
FRANCE
Convention
discusses
future
commitment
The Partner Convention in Bulgaria earlier in the
year was one of the biggest dealer events ever staged
by Challenger.
Taking place near the historic town of Plovdiv, more
than 50 dealer staff from ten countries plus Challenger
personnel from all over Europe came together to
discuss a wide range of topics to help serve
customers even better.
The Convention gave Challenger’s partners – distributors,
dealers and importers – the chance to meet up with
members of the Challenger team in Europe and the
opportunity to share experiences with their colleagues.
Under the title ‘Commitment to the Future’, the
agenda was designed as a highly participative
experience with strong two-way communication
including workshop sessions.
Venue for the three-day event was the newly-opened
Plovdiv premises of Varex, a Challenger dealer
since 2008.
“The Convention was a great success and many
significant topics came under discussion which will have
far-reaching results,” says Gary Rollinson Managing
Director, Challenger Europe, Africa and Middle East.
Delegates at the conference.
www.challenger-ag.com 19
NEWS
Florent Guilleman has been appointed
Challenger Sales Manager for France.
Prior to his new role, Florent was
Marketing Manager (Agricultural Tractors)
for Challenger’s sister brand,
Massey Ferguson, covering a number
of countries in Europe. With a Masters
degree in agricultural engineering and an
MSc in sales and marketing, he has also
worked for other leading farm machinery
firms as Product Manager and Product Spearheading Challenger in
Development Manager. France - Florent Guilleman.
Mini Challengers
Just added to the Challenger range of scale models are a brand-new
MT800C tractor and RoGator 600 sprayer.
In 1:32 scale, these detailed die-casts are
both limited editions so get your order
in early! They make great gifts and
Christmas is only a few weeks
away afterall.
Contact your local Challenger dealer or
alternatively visit our on-line shop at
www.ChallengerStore.com Challenger power in 1:32 scale.
Guess
who’s
coming
to
dinner?
Al fresco dining with a difference! To help celebrate the 75th anniversary of CUMELA, the Dutch
Contractors Association, Challenger set up this tongue-in-cheek shot of drivers settling down to
a good dinner at dusk after a day’s work in the field. “The picture represents the long days and
hard work that these drivers have to deal with,” says Thom Sanders, Challenger Product Support
Specialist Application Equipment. “But with great machines like the Challenger TerraGator and
tractors from our sister brand, Fendt, life is made easier and standards are raised – and that
goes for the food too!”
Special thanks to contractor Kurstjens in Grubbenvorst, in The Netherlands who provided the
machines and the models for the shoot.
20 www.challenger-ag.com

Challenger has unveiled a new promotional platform highlighting the
brand’s role as guardians of the soil.
‘Your Soil Our Territory’ is based on the virtuous circle of improved soil
structure, respect for the environment, enriched soil quality and
improved return on capital.
“Our strong brand position draws from Challenger’s 25-year proven
track system together with our quality manufacturing and machine
performance,” explains Ryan Jackson, Challenger Manager Marketing
Services. “Customers will see our new umbrella theme appearing on all our
advertising and promotional communications over the coming months.”

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