Track tractor with Vario
A little Challenger and a little Fendt
Put a Challenger MT700 tracked tractor and the 1000 Vario from Fendt in a shed, leave them alone for a while and what is the result? The new MT700, of which Challenger lifts a corner of the veil in America. Now the burning question remains: will it also be available in green?
It's been talked about for a long time and pictures of Challenger's latest have been surfacing on the internet for over a year now crawler tractor† The official North American introduction will take place at the Farm Progress Show in late August. A small group of interested customers and members of the American press got to see him already at the end of July. However, Europe still has a number of questions.
Whining about CVT
For years, dealers and customers have nagged Challenger to develop a tractor with CVT. There is a demand for this, especially in Western Europe. The tractor brand of parent company Agco saw little benefit, while John Deere can already offer a CVT option from 2009. That hurt, despite Challenger's powershift being fine. With the arrival of Fendt's 1000 series, Agco suddenly had all the necessary parts on the table. The influences are clearly noticeable.
Not MAN but Agco
The 3 new tractors: MT738, MT740 and MT743 all use the same Agco Power 9,8 liter 7 cylinder diesel, producing 380, 405 or 431 hp. The MAN engine that Fendt uses has not moved with it. This means that the new MT runs parallel to the current E-series. It has 3 models with 355, 380 and 405 hp. It is likely that both series are offered side by side, although there is little resemblance between the tractors.
The maximum torque is reached by the 7-cylinder at 1.450 rpm. Maximum power at low revs saves fuel and reduces noise. This also applies to the hydraulics, which reach their maximum power at 1.600 rpm. The Vario transmission in the front is called Challenger AccuVT. The speed ranges from 1 to 40 kilometers per hour.
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New track work
Challenger, which once started as a Caterpillar brand name, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year as a tractor on 2 rubber tracks. The so-called Mobil-Trac system. That made it unique. The new MT is the biggest change since the introduction of the MT700. This has to do with the suspension, which is divided into three parts. The 3 small running wheels can commute via a bogey shuttle set. In addition, the tracks are damped by shock absorbers with the addition of heavy duty springs and, as icing on the cake, cab suspension has been further improved.
The bogey system on the 3 wheels should ensure better contact with the ground, which in turn provides stability and comfort. At least, that's what the manufacturer claims. The front suspension is further forward, extending the wheelbase. That should also provide stability. For North America there are quite a few track options, up to a track width of 3 meters. Standard track widths include 63.5, 76 or 86 centimeters. Narrowest option in the US is 40 centimeters. The caterpillars must distribute a maximum permitted weight of 18.600 kilograms.
New cab
The cooling system resembles that of the large Fendt, but differs in details. The position of the fan has been changed, it is positioned at an angle to the motor and that should draw in cleaner air. The fans are hydraulically driven and are not directly coupled to the motor. Each fan is independently adjustable in speed. The cab is a mix of Fendt and Challenger, but not equal to the 1000 series. Interior photos are not yet available.
What is new is a hefty LED package, in which each lamp can be dimmed individually. If you do not order additional windscreen wipers, you can walk around the cabin and clean all windows easily. RTK GPS is of course available ex works. There is a lot to do on the internet, because according to some Challenger shields its canbus. Installing third-party systems is no longer possible. However, this has not been confirmed by the manufacturer.
Pictures of the interior are still missing, but some specifications are known. For example, you will find a 10,4" Isobus terminal. Coincidentally, the Fendt one is just as big. You will also find a joystick and buttons with a color code. All very well-known technology.
Also in green?
US farmers will have to wait until the end of August for the launch. The price tag in the US is between 362.000 and 386.000 dollars, converted 311.000 to 332.000 euros. Some models will be available this autumn, but full production will start in 2018. The big question for us in Europe is of course: will it also be available in Fendt colours? That chance is quite high, given all the rumors that have been circulating for a while. In the natural green and red, Agco can probably sell even more copies than Challenger is trying to do. We have to wait for Fendt's press conference at the beginning of September, or perhaps until the Agritechnica. It could be the big hit.
The MT743 is the new top model with 431 hp. This is obtained from a 7 cylinder Agco Power engine. So there is no MAN under the Fendt nose anymore. Photo credit
Almost everything is new on the tractor. The track running gear has been checked. The small running wheels are suspended via a bogey system. Photo credit
Niels van der Boom
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