Challenger brand

[Nightshift]

I'm new here and to tractors in general. My Dad and I are looking at getting a compact to handle the chores on our land. He has come across a Challenger brand that is part of a Rental fleet at a Gregory Poole Cat dealership. I have never heard of the brand but looking at pictures of it I tend to think it is made by Catapillar so it is probably a quality product. Has anyone here heard of them or have any experience with them? Thanks is advance.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Once upon a time, Caterpillar's large tracked AG tractors were built by CAT. They were Challenger (brand) . Perkins Diesel was owned by Massey Ferguson (Division of AGCO) Caterpillar had a very successful line of BIG diesels, but hadn't done all that well in the small diesel market. They wanted Perkins. Massey Ferguson (AGCO) agreed to sell Perkins to CAT. In return, CAT agreed to sell a line of small to mid sized AG, utiliity, and compact tractors that were essentially rebadged Massey Fergusons. Thinking is, this allows MF/AGCO to produce and/or have produced a much larger volume of tractors, hence economy of scale lower production cost (per unit) The move also gave AGCO/MF a large infusion of much needed cash. The move has helped CAT AND MF/AGCO from all indication.

With Challenger, you'd have the great warranty service/parts service that is Caterpillar. Down side is the cost of that service ! Challenger tractors are becoming very popular in commercial/industrial applications, primarily because of the CAT field service capabilities.

 

[flusher]

Once upon a time, Caterpillar's large tracked AG tractors were built by CAT. They were Challenger (brand) . Perkins Diesel was owned by Massey Ferguson (Division of AGCO) Caterpillar had a very successful line of BIG diesels, but hadn't done all that well in the small diesel market. They wanted Perkins. Massey Ferguson (AGCO) agreed to sell Perkins to CAT. In return, CAT agreed to sell a line of small to mid sized AG, utiliity, and compact tractors that were essentially rebadged Massey Fergusons. Thinking is, this allows MF/AGCO to produce and/or have produced a much larger volume of tractors, hence economy of scale lower production cost (per unit) The move also gave AGCO/MF a large infusion of much needed cash. The move has helped CAT AND MF/AGCO from all indication.

With Challenger, you'd have the great warranty service/parts service that is Caterpillar. Down side is the cost of that service ! Challenger tractors are becoming very popular in commercial/industrial applications, primarily because of the CAT field service capabilities.

So do the smaller Challengers (<100 hp) have Perkins or Cat engines? And where are these Challengers assembled?

 

[rtimgray]

I think that they are Iseki product and probably made/assembled in Japan, although final assembly may be stateside (i.e. tires, rops, etc.). I think it was a Challenger that I sat on a few years ago and it had Iseki plates on it. I could be wrong - I was once before when I was a little kid and didn't know what I was doing.

 

[Nightshift]

Thanks for the responses. I went back to the Challenger site (yea, I know do my research a little better before asking questions LOL) and found where it stated they were Catapillar. Looking at the spec sheets though I couldn't find anything saying exactly what brand of engine they are using so I really appreciate the information you have provided. Now I'll go back to reading and researching, still trying to figure out what we need and what brands to look at before we even start talking to any dealerships seriously about new or used. Thanks again, great site.

 

[Ductape]

Yes..... the Challengers are re-badged AGCO / Massey Fergusons. I have to bet they are Iseki made machines. I'm assuming AGCO/ Caterpiller have had some sort of falling out, since my local MF dealer has a gazillion yellow (Challenger) MF tractors at blow out prices. Apparently they were manufactured to be sold as Challengers, then re-labeled with M F logos. No problem with buying the Challengers, but look at them the same as the Masseys when it comes to parts, service, and reliability.

 

[mojoinco]

Challenger/Massey-Ferguson/Agco products all pretty much the same. Presumably their might be minor options differences.

As Cat owns Perkins, it doesn't matter what the name on the engine is. I didn't find much around me in dealers, but that is probably true of some other brands as well. Should be solid stuff. Most small tractors in the US are significantly imported from Asia. JD is probably the most significant exception, as they are assembling tractors in Georgia using Mexican engines (not all the small ones use the JD engines, many still use Yanmar). For whatever reason, Georgia has offered some kind of economic incentives and has a lot of the final assembly plants. Incidentally, Agco is owned by a French company.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

Challenger/Massey-Ferguson/Agco products all pretty much the same. Presumably their might be minor options differences.

As Cat owns Perkins, it doesn't matter what the name on the engine is. I didn't find much around me in dealers, but that is probably true of some other brands as well. Should be solid stuff. Most small tractors in the US are significantly imported from Asia. JD is probably the most significant exception, as they are assembling tractors in Georgia using Mexican engines (not all the small ones use the JD engines, many still use Yanmar). For whatever reason, Georgia has offered some kind of economic incentives and has a lot of the final assembly plants. Incidentally, Agco is owned by a French company.

French???? AGCO is headquartered in Duluth Ga. With a large part of their production based in Italy. Which French company?

 

[Builder]

I think that they are Iseki product and probably made/assembled in Japan, although final assembly may be stateside (i.e. tires, rops, etc.). I think it was a Challenger that I sat on a few years ago and it had Iseki plates on it. I could be wrong - I was once before when I was a little kid and didn't know what I was doing.

The small challengers are made in japan

 

[daTeacha]

Almost anything with an I/C engine in it these days is a world product. Cars, trucks, tractors, lawn mowers, it doesn't matter. The companies are typically part of a multinational conglomerate rather than being just from one country. Dodge pickups are typically built in Mexico. BMW builds cars here. My Mazda was built in Michigan and has a Ford engine. With Snapper, you can choose from different engines on the same mower (one has an oil filter and the other doesn't), made by different companies in different countries but assembled as a mower in the US.

Manufacturers get the components from the source that meets their specs with the lowest cost per unit. Deere's use assorted engine sources, Japan being one of them. Same with CNH. Where the engine is built depends on who can supply the needed engine at the best bottom line price.

Look to the warranty and service network, especially the reputation of your local dealer, when making your decision.