The Challenger Tractor was the world's first rubber tracked agriculture tractor, created by Caterpillar Inc. in 1987. The original model was a Challenger 65 featuring the Mobile-Trac System (MTS) consisting of rubber tracks and a suspension system. The MTS combined the flotation and traction of steel tracks with the versatility of rubber tires. The use of tracks gives the machines increased tractive performance compared to traditional four wheel drive tractors. The Challenger 65 began as a 270GHP machine used primarily for heavy tillage.
In 1995 Caterpillar introduced the first "row crop" tracked machines with the Challenger 35, 45 and 55. These machines ranged in power from 175 hp (130 kW) pto to 225 hp (168 kW) and were designed to be used for a variety of tasks the larger machines could not. [1]
The Caterpillar Challenger MT875B is the largest production tractor available, with an astounding 570 gross engine horsepower.[2] The MT875B broke the world record for most land tilled in 24 hours with a custom-made, 46-foot (14 m) disc harrow. It tilled 1,590 acres (6.4 km2). The tractor consumed 180 L/km2 of diesel fuel.[3]
The MT700/MT800 series are the small/large rubber track models while the MT900 series use tires (710/70R42 Duals as standard on the MT900C series).
At the time Agco purchased the Challenger brand from Caterpillar, 2002, most Challenger dealers were Caterpillar construction equipment dealers. Agco added rubber tired tractor models and other equipment to the Challenger brand that was also sold under other Agco brands. Since late 2009, as Agco started to phase out the Agco brand of agricultural equipmnet, some Agco dealers are being offered the Challenger product line.