Underdog

Been looking around at 70 to 100 HP tractors.
Ran across Catapillar Challenger tractors.
455B fits for size.
Made in France?
Perkins engine.
The rear looks like John Deere lift system.
The tractor people claim it is a closer match to a MF
Anyway my big question is... Whats wrong with them.
You can still get a brand new 2006 Model.
None that i looked at had any hours to speak of.
The most used one i saw was a 2004 with 3000 hrs.
So why are they setting not being used?

PaulChristenson

TractorData.com - Challenger MT455B tractor data

Challenger® MT400B Series Tractors

According to one site...they're Perkins Engines
According to another site they're Caterpillar Engines...Hmmmm...

Paul in VT

I used to own an ant farm but had to give it up. I couldn't find tractors small enough to fit it.
-- Steven Wright

irwin

Paul, I noticed more than a couple mistakes on TractorData.com, so most likely has a Catepillar engine, but not betting on it. Maybe Caterpillar engine made by Perkins?

Underdog, people think of Deere, Kubota, New Holland, Massey Ferguson, Mahindra, even Yanmar, Kioti, Branson, but not a lot of brand recognition with the name Challenger tractor. Agco makes lots of tractors and from what I can tell, they make good product. The resale value would be the only problem I can tell. I'm no expert so don't go by what I say.

.... Tim

GreenWannabe

Agco acquired the Challenger brand from Caterpillar several years ago, together with Cat's rubber tracked tractors, now the MT700 and MT800 series. The Challenger brand is sold primarily through Caterpillar dealerships. Agco added to the Challenger line primarily by rebranding Agco and Massey Ferguson tractors to create the MT200 through MT600 series. The MT400B has the same size and power as the smaller models in the Massey 5400 series.

The MT400B series are powered by Cat 3054 engines, per Challenger literature. But then most of Cat's smaller engines are the same as the Perkins engines, since Caterpillar bought Perkins several years ago. The 3054 is the same size and power as the Perkins 1104, which is the engine in the 5400 series. Seems you can't tell the players any more unless you have a score card.

Fred

vansimplement

Depending on your area and the number of AGCO/MF dealers around, it's entirely possible that people who needed that size tractor with similar features went for an AGCO or Massey and (I would assume) saved themselves a few dollars. From what I saw the last time I was in Hesston, the Challengers were very similar, but they had just a few extra bells and whistles - enough to cost more, but not enough to necessarily make people choose them over AGCO/Massey. If that's the case, I can see how it might be hard to move those tractors as new.
Other parts of the country it may not be a problem.... if a mining company needs a tractor and they're spending $5 million on new CAT equipment already, spending a few thousand extra to get a Challenger probably doesn't make them flinch.
My 2 cents.

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PaulChristenson

Isn't That The Truth...

Now where did you say I get a scorecard...

Paul in VT

I used to own an ant farm but had to give it up. I couldn't find tractors small enough to fit it.
-- Steven Wright

Underdog

Ok i got it: "
AGCO is one of the world's largest manufacturers and distributors of agricultural equipment. Our brands are sold in more than 140 countries and are led by these four core global brands:

• <LI class=bold>Massey Ferguson <LI class=bold>Valtra <LI class=bold>Challenger
• Fendt

Technical diversity, multiple brands, and global distribution strength are the keys to AGCO’s growth "

PaulChristenson

But is it wide?...

Attached Images

JD8850.jpg (65.1 KB, 2 views)

Paul in VT

I used to own an ant farm but had to give it up. I couldn't find tractors small enough to fit it.
-- Steven Wright

Underdog

Tried to edit it would not let me.
Anyway.
Looks like atleast 5,000 more than comprable Deere or Massey.
The working end of the mule looks very heavy duty on the Challanger and more Deere than Massey.
Massey http://www.tractorhouse.com/images/T...e/77587252.jpg
Deere http://www.tractorhouse.com/images/T...e/78428033.jpg

Underdog

Do not need wide.
I live in the woods. I need big power in a small 4x4 package.
Still debating the cab part.