A imported 'used' Caterpillar Challenger 85C in the UK
Challenger Tractor range was conceived to solve the problem of steel tracked crawlers and the move away from them for agricultural applications due to the transport issues of not being able to run on roads. In 2019, McConnel’s factory began manufacturing wheeled versions of the Challenger.
Development History[]
The Challenger was the result of several development programs over a long period of time. The program started in the 1970s and was the result of test conducted by NASA. This technology was later applied to Caterpillar’s tractors and the Challenger name was born. The first units were built in the late '80s. Up until it sold it's agricultural division, Caterpillar continued to develop and upgrade the model. It's same general style has been in use since about 1994.
The Challenger has been marketed in Europe as Claas machines since 1997. Caterpillar and Claas set up a joint venture in the USA in 2001 to build the Lexion combines, Claas of Omaha. In 2002, Claas bought out Caterpillar. Claas has a dealer network more geared to support farmers in the UK.
In 2002 Caterpillar Inc. sold the Challenger tracked tractor business to AGCO, licensing the CAT and Challenger names and livery to them. To expand the brand, AGCO took products from their other brands, such as wheeled tractors from Massey Ferguson, Hay Making Equipment from Hesston and combines from Gleaner and market them all under the Challenger Equipment brand. This badge engineering is quite common in AGCO's product lines. (For the tracked Challenger tractors after AGCO took over, see Challenger Equipment).
Alternatives[]
Several firms now offer alternative rubber tracked machines, but the Track Marshall was developing a similar rubber tracked crawler in the 1980s, before there demise in the '90s. Both John Deere and Case IH offer track versions of multiple tractor models fitted with track units in place of wheels. Same Deutz-Fahr still makes small steel-tracked tractors, but mostly for vineyard work.
Model range[]
| Model | Year(s) Produced | weight (ton) | Power | Engine | transmission No. of Gears |
Photo | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Caterpillar Challenger 35 | 1994- | - | 175 hp (130 kW) | Cat 3116 | 25 speed |  |
"Mobil-trac" adjustable Row crop tracks |
| Caterpillar Challenger 45 | 1994- | - | 200 hp (150 kW) | Cat 3116 | 25 speed |  |
"Mobil-trac" adjustable Row crop tracks |
| Caterpillar Challenger 55 | 1995- | - | 225 hp (168 kW) | Cat 3126 | 25 speed |  |
"Mobil-trac" adjustable Row crop tracks |
| Caterpillar Challenger 65 | 1987-1989 | 14 ton | 270 hp (200 kW) | Cat 3306 | 10 speed |  |
First model released |
| Caterpillar Challenger 65B | 1990-1991 | - | 245 hp (183 kW) | Cat 3306 | 10 speed |  |
|
| Caterpillar Challenger 65C | 1992-1993 | - | 245 hp (183 kW) | - | 10 speed |  |
|
| Caterpillar Challenger 65D | 1994-1996 | - | 300 hp (220 kW) | Cat 3306 | 10 speed |  |
|
| Caterpillar Challenger 65E | 1997- | - | 310 hp (230 kW) | Cat 3176C | 10 speed |  |
|
| Caterpillar Challenger 75 | 1992- | - | 281 hp (210 kW) | - | - |  |
|
| Caterpillar Challenger 75B | 1992-1993 | - | - | - | - | - | |
| Caterpillar Challenger 75C | 1994-1995 | - | 325 hp (242 kW) | Cat 3176 | 10 speed |  |
|
| Caterpillar Challenger 75D | 1996 | - | 284 hp (212 kW) | - | 10 speed | - | |
| Caterpillar Challenger 75E | 1997- | - | 340 hp (250 kW) | Cat 3176C | 10 speed |  |
|
| Caterpillar Challenger 85C | 1994-1995 | - | 355 hp (265 kW) | Cat 3176 | 10 speed |  |
|
| Caterpillar Challenger 85D | 1996 | - | 312 hp (233 kW) | Cat 3196 | 10 speed |  |
|
| Caterpillar Challenger 85E | 1997- | - | 375 hp (280 kW) | Cat 3196 | 10 speed |  |
|
| Caterpillar Challenger 95E | 1997- | - | 410 hp (310 kW) | Cat 3196 | 10 speed |  |
|
| Caterpillar Challenger MT735 | 2001 | 185 hp (138 kW) | Cat C-9 | ||||
| Caterpillar Challenger MT745 | 2001 | 205 hp (153 kW) | Cat C-9 | ||||
| Caterpillar Challenger MT755 | 2001 | 235 hp (175 kW) | Cat C-9 |  |
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| Caterpillar Challenger MT765 | 2001 | 255 hp (190 kW) | Cat C-9 |  |
|||
| Caterpillar Challenger X2 prototype | - | - | - | - |  |
| Model | Year(s) Produced | Horsepower | Engine Type | Misc Notes | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Claas Challenger 35 | 175 hp (130 kW) | Caterpillar | 
| ||
| Claas Challenger 45 | 200 hp (150 kW) | Caterpillar | 
| ||
| Claas Challenger 55 | 225 hp (168 kW) | Caterpillar | 
| ||
| Claas Challenger 65E | 310 hp (230 kW) | Caterpillar | |||
| Claas Challenger 75E | 340 hp (250 kW) | Caterpillar | 
| ||
| Claas Challenger 85E | 375 hp (280 kW) | Caterpillar | 
| ||
| Claas Challenger 95E | 410 hp (310 kW) | Caterpillar | 
| ||
| Claas Challenger MT700 | Caterpillar | 
| |||
| Claas Challenger MT735 prototype | 185 hp (138 kW) | Caterpillar | 
| ||
| Claas Challenger MT765 prototype | 255 hp (190 kW) | Caterpillar | 
|
See also[]
- List of Tractor Manufacturers
- List of Construction Plant Manufacturers
- Agricultural Machinery
- Combine Harvester
- Caterpillar Engines
- Claas
References[]
- Classic Tractor Magazine
- The World Encyclopedia of Tractors & Farm Machinery, by John Carroll, pub by Lorenz Books, ISBN 0-7548-0357-0
- Caterpillar, By Eric Orlemann, pub by MBI, ISBN 0-7603-0529-3
External links[]
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