Challenger is a brand of agricultural equipment established by Caterpillar Inc., but currently owned and operated by AGCO Corp. It manufactures wheeled, tracked, and compact tractors, windrowers, balers, mowers, combines, sprayers, and spreaders.

Contents 1 History 2 The Company Today 3 Equipment List 4 References 5 External Links

[edit] History

Caterpillar Inc. developed the Challenger line of tractors in 1987 when it introduced the world’s first farm tractor equipped with rubber crawler tracks. This track system, called Mobil-trac, was patented by Cat. It decreased soil compaction by combining the traction and flotation of steel tracks with the speed and ride of rubber tires.^[1][2]

In December 2001, Caterpillar announced the newest Challenger tractor model, the MT700B.^[3] It also announced that the AGCO Corp. had acquired the design, assembly, and marketing rights for all new MT Series Challenger tractors. However, Caterpillar retained the liability, service, and parts for previous Challenger tractor models. AGCO also acquired the Challenger brand name, but would sell future MT tractors through the Caterpillar dealer network.

The MT700 Series included a steerable three-point hitch and new electronic steering system.

Caterpillar built the engines in all Challenger models. As part of its deal with AGCO, Caterpillar continued to develop and supply major components for the Challenger machines and additional AGCO products.

In 2004, AGCO combined its Ag-Chem Europe subsidiary with Challenger. AG-Chem added its line of sprayers and spreaders to Challenger’s line of tractors and harvesting equipment. It introduced the new Spra-Coupe 7000 Series and began selling its RoGator 1264C, Terra Gator 8103 Airmax, and Spra-Coupe 4650 in Russia.

Through 2005 and 2006 AGCO renovated the office and manufacturing facilities for Ag-Chem in Grubbenvorst, Netherlands. It served as a centrally-located distribution center for the European, African, and Middle Eastern Challenger markets.

[edit] The Company Today

Challenger is part of AGCO Corp., which currently has 13,700 employees. Its head offices are located in Duluth, Georgia.

AGCO is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AG and is ranked No. 11 on the Fortune 500 list amongst industrial and farm equipment companies.

[edit] Equipment List

• Baler
• Combine
• Mower
• Sprayer
• Spreader
• Tractor
• Windrower

[edit] References

1. ↑ History of Challenger – North America. Challenger, 2008-10-15.
2. ↑ History of Challenger – International. Challenger, 2008-10-15.
3. ↑ Osenga, Mike. Cat sell Challenger Ag tractors to AGCO. BNET, February, 2002. (accessed: 2008-10-15)

[edit] External Links

• Official Challenger website