New Challengers deliver the right power

And AGCO has delivered in spades with its new 800 series models.

According to PH Kerr Esperance dealer principal Brian Kerr, Challenger tractors are equipped with AGCOPOWER 16.8L Sisu engines with the four flagship models boasting V12 engines developing power ratings between 336kW (460hp) and 440kW (600hp).

"Challenger engineers have developed better torque curves to put more power to the ground while improving fuel economy," he said.

"We have seen up to 15 per cent improvement"

"Hydraulic capacity has jumped to 321 litres a minute to handle any amount of hydromotors, along with an improved lighting package.

"You've still got the 16-speed Caterpillar transmission but everything else has been built by AGCO and the big population of Challengers along the South Coast is testament to the performance of these tractors in a range of soil conditions, including in the wet."

Brian also said the bonus of owning a Challenger tractor was its re-sale value.

"Typically you can get $80,000 to $90,000 for a 85/95 E series model with moderate hours and good tracks and there is a market as more farmers look at three metre tracks for controlled traffic farming," he said.

One enthusiastic Challenger owner is Gibson farmer Greg Harris, who has just completed his first seeding season with a new MT865E, who powers along at a rated 403kW (550hp).

And even though it weighs 23 tonnes, it took the sloppy soil from a wet start in its stride.

"It was pretty wet when we started seeding but it stayed on top," Greg said.

"We were pulling a 40 foot (12.2m) DBS on 12 inch (30cm) spacings and digging down to eight inches (20cm) and we didn't have problems.

"With the whole rig the tractor is initially pulling about 80 tonnes with the 15,000 litre seed cart full and it's a dead pull.

"We only recorded one or two per cent on wheelslip which I thought was really good considering the load and soil conditions.

"The Challenger just lugs down in tight spots and the torque line seems fairly flat as it comes back to 1100rpm and keeps going.

"With other motors I've had they tend to struggle once they get below 1300 or 1400 revs.

"I think the extra weight made the difference in the wet because it would grip and keep going so it's probably a power-to-weight thing which gives it a good balance."

Greg has been buying tracked tractors since 2002 and wouldn't go back to tyres.

His first model was a Challenger 855A which clocked up 5700 hours and met with an acceptable changeover on a 85E which Greg traded on the MT865E.

"It's just the consistently good things about the tracks, even on end-of-row turns and even though we have gentle turns on skip rows, the 865 turns better (than the 85E)."

According to Brian, while Challenger tractors have historically been linked to "bullet proof" Caterpillar engines, the Sisu has a very good track record.

"Sisu engines have been used by Massey Ferguson for years and many major competitive tractors are powered by Sisu engines," Brian said. "But I think the AGCOPOWER Sisu engines are a cut above."