For 15 years, Challenger has been the leader in their market segment in South Africa. To celebrate this and to thank the Challenger farmers for their support, BHBW South Africa (formerly Barloworld Agriculture) now introduced five Limited Edition tractors.

In co-operation with the manufacturer of Challenger, AGCO, five MT models of 280 kW are offered in modern camouflage colours that will definitely attract attention.

“With the help of farmers all over the country, we have established Challenger as the Number One in rubber tracks – from the Western Free State, where it makes deep ripping in sandy soils possible, to the Northern Cape where it makes short shrift of cultivation in pivot circles,” said Robbie Hall, National Sales Manager for Challenger at BHBW.

“Farmers always return to Challenger’s track technology, albeit sometimes via detours.

“Therefore, it is appropriate for us to celebrate this 15-year partnership in a special way.”

Presently, there are two tracked ranges in BHBW’s Challenger stable: The MT 700E series with two models van 280 and 317 kW, and the new MT 800E series of 365 to 440 kW.  Since Challenger rubber-tracked trackers first set foot on South African soil, they have expanded the horizons of local mechanisation by making possible cultivations and efficiencies that farmers could only dream about before.

First and only

Challenger is the only agricultural tractor specifically designed for tracks with the patented Mobil-trac chassis that forms the basis for its performance. This chassis was introduced in 1987 when Caterpillar introduced its first tractor with rubber tracks in America. Since that first launch 31 years ago, the technology was enhanced even more, also after AGCO took over Challenger from Caterpillar in 2002.

Each Mobil-trac track has four pairs of oscillating wheels on the MT 800E range and three pairs on the MT 700E range, excluding any possibility of power hop. These wheels increase the track’s contact area on the ground, thereby producing more traction. The design also reduces soil compaction, resulting in better exploitation of the soil’s potential for maximum yields, Robbie claims.

Due to the Challenger’s longer footprint and better traction than that of a comparable wheeled tractor, more power is conveyed to the ground. “Challenger tests showed an increase of 10 to 20% in hauling power. Therefore, if you work 1 000 hours, you gain 100 to 200 hours. You can use wider implements, with less soil compaction and a higher working speed, or use the same implement with less effort and reduced fuel consumption.”

A higher working speed also means that fields can be cultivated during optimal conditions, ultimately resulting in higher yields.

Other Challenger benefits include a comfortable ride over bumpy surfaces or when working across rows or pivot tracks, and better stability on slopes. Power transmission remains the same despite changes in wheel slip and no tyre pressure changes are needed.

More about the Challenger MT 765E

The Challenger MT 765E is propelled by a fuel-efficient AGCO Power engine designed to deliver more torque so that you can utilise the full power of the engine and get more done with less fuel, also under heavy loads. With a hydraulic flow of 324 litres per minute, this giant tractor can be used to draw wide planters up to 36 rows, giant seed drills, and other precision faming equipment with higher hydraulic requirements, says Robbie. It can lift up to 12 tonnes on the three-point hitch. In addition, the compact design of the MT 765E makes it an extremely versatile tractor.

“It is a tractor that you can use profitably four or five times a year, for anything from heavy ripping and cultivation to planting and drawing huge grain carts.”

The three-point hitch also has a steering mechanism that corrects implements so that they always follow precisely on the track, and so that you can turn without damaging the tines of the implement. This is particularly advantageous when working in circles, such as on pivot circles or contours. To provide for local conditions, the MT 765E is supplied, like all other Challengers, with Extreme Application rubber tracks. The gauge of the tracks can be adjusted between 2 032 and 3 048 mm.

For more information, contact Robbie Hall of BHBW South Africa on 082-611-1972.