Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki
Register
Advertisement
Caterpillar Challenger 85 crawler tractor - P6160017

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[]

Challenger 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 Cat Challenger 35 - 2001 "Mobil-trac" adjustable Row crop tracks
Caterpillar Challenger 45 1994- - 200 hp (150 kW) Cat 3116 25 speed Cat Challenger 45 - 1997 "Mobil-trac" adjustable Row crop tracks
Caterpillar Challenger 55 1995- - 225 hp (168 kW) Cat 3126 25 speed Cat Challenger 55 - 1997 "Mobil-trac" adjustable Row crop tracks
Caterpillar Challenger 65 1987-1989 14 ton 270 hp (200 kW) Cat 3306 10 speed Cat Challenger 65 - 1987 First model released
Caterpillar Challenger 65B 1990-1991 - 245 hp (183 kW) Cat 3306 10 speed Cat Challenger 65B - 1992
Caterpillar Challenger 65C 1992-1993 - 245 hp (183 kW) - 10 speed Cat Challenger 65C - 1993
Caterpillar Challenger 65D 1994-1996 - 300 hp (220 kW) Cat 3306 10 speed Cat Challenger 65D - 1994
Caterpillar Challenger 65E 1997- - 310 hp (230 kW) Cat 3176C 10 speed Cat Challenger 65E - 2001
Caterpillar Challenger 75 1992- - 281 hp (210 kW) - - Cat Challenger 75 - 1992
Caterpillar Challenger 75B 1992-1993 - - - - -
Caterpillar Challenger 75C 1994-1995 - 325 hp (242 kW) Cat 3176 10 speed Cat Challenger 75C
Caterpillar Challenger 75D 1996 - 284 hp (212 kW) - 10 speed -
Caterpillar Challenger 75E 1997- - 340 hp (250 kW) Cat 3176C 10 speed Cat Challenger 75E - 2001
Caterpillar Challenger 85C 1994-1995 - 355 hp (265 kW) Cat 3176 10 speed Cat Challenger 85C - 1994
Caterpillar Challenger 85D 1996 - 312 hp (233 kW) Cat 3196 10 speed Cat Challenger 85D - 1996
Caterpillar Challenger 85E 1997- - 375 hp (280 kW) Cat 3196 10 speed Cat Challenger 85E - 2001
Caterpillar Challenger 95E 1997- - 410 hp (310 kW) Cat 3196 10 speed Cat Challenger 95E - 2001
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 Cat Challenger MT755 - 2002
Caterpillar Challenger MT765 2001 255 hp (190 kW) Cat C-9 Cat Challenger MT765 - 2002
Caterpillar Challenger X2 prototype - - - - Cat Challenger X2


See also[]

References[]

External links[]


Advertisement