familyman
Platinum Member
I am looking for general opinions on this machine, which is made by Iseki. It's a 44hp hydro with an fel, and the one I found is in like new condition.
Challenger MT295
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Dougster
Veteran Member
Depending on model year, isn't this pretty much the same as the Massey-Ferguson MF1500 series machines... kinda between the 1540 and 1547 horsepower-wise? Maybe good to get opinions from the M-F owners? Not too many Challenger owners around here. CAT dealers sell them and demand absolute top dollar (like for everything else CAT). As a result, sales are not very strong. In fact, I think my local CAT dealer would dump the whole line if he could.familyman said:
Dougster
JerryG
Super Member
I don't think that we have a member with that exact model. If we do, I don't remember them right off. I have a MF that is a couple of sizes smaller and did have the one right below that one also. Most that have these tractors will be visiting the Massey forum. I have had good luck with both tractors and would recommend them to anyone. The one thing that I haven't had is a hydro version. My MF 1250 was a regular shuttle 16 speed and now I have a MF 1440 turbo with a 16 speed PowerShuttle.familyman said:
I think that the MF295 is in 52 horse power range instead of 44. It would be the same as a MF1455 or if it is a M295"B", it would be a MF1552.
OP
familyman
Platinum Member
Thanks, I'll do a little research on those models.
Dougster
Veteran Member
I'll defer to Jerry on the MF1400 series vs. MF1500 series.familyman said:
But I will add this on the Challenger brand: They confuse the heck out of people... and that could mean a heckuva bargain on the right machine. I mean, who goes to CAT to buy a compact aggie-style tractor or aggie implements? Nobody!!! The machines sit there and rust until either: a) Some construction guy decides he needs a really inexpensive machine (relatively speaking) that's still CAT yellow... or b) the CAT dealer decides to blow them out before they become antiques.Last year before I bought my beloved red Beast, I wanted to buy a slightly used MT275 from a private party about 50 miles away. The thing went really cheap, probably because of no local local support and no one seeking a compact utility tractor knew a thing about the brand. As usual, I was 15 minutes late to the table with my cash. After that, I went to the CAT dealer and tried to buy a new one (actually, an 87 hour demo... but the CAT dealer still considered it brand new). His prices were sky high (compared to same model in M-F) and even with rebates, implement credits and 5-year 0% financing was insanely more than an M-F. The bottom line is this: CAT doesn't understand the compact utility tractor market and compact utility tractor buyers don't understand CAT. It can make for some very confused buyers & sellers and extraordinary bargains in some private party used Challenger equipment... often from hurtin' construction contractors.
On the negative side, a nearby rental company associated with CAT has one used MT275 on its lot. It is the sorriest looking tractor you would ever want to see. I was interested in it solely as rental backup to my own machine, but I fear it has been abused beyond belief. It is clear that whomever was renting it believed it to be a real construction grade machine... which it was not. It may be sold by CAT, but a real CAT machine it is not. Beware of buying one from anyone who ever thought otherwise.
Dougster
mopacman
Silver Member
can someone tell me what brand engine is in the challenger? Cat salesman told me that it was a cat engine but I dont think he new what it was.
JerryG
Super Member
They have Iseki like the Massey and AGCO compacts.mopacman said: