Challenger has added more features and further refinements to its MT700C and MT800C tracked tractors for 2012. All models are now also available with the factory-fitted options of AgCommand telemetry and the System 150 automatic steering systems.
“By preventing overlaps, auto-steer is proven to increase output, cut fuel consumption and reduce wear and tear on the tractor and implement,” Challenger’s national sales manager, Martin Hamer, said. “Users report it’s not only highly accurate, but maintains a stable signal in areas where other systems are known to fade. This is because our Topcon System 150 uses the advanced Topcon AGI-3 antenna, which employs the unique Paradigm G3 universal 72 channel receiver chip and steering controller.”
This system provides a far more stable signal compared with others because it can receive all existing satellites in the GPS and Glonass constellations, Mr Hamer added. Sophisticated inertia sensors in the controller also detect the vehicle’s heading and working angles to compensate for operating up or down hills and across slopes.
The receiver can operate with a wide range of differential signals including the free Egnos system as well as OmniStar VBS and HP subscription services. The antenna also includes a slot for an RTK radio receiver module allowing users to gain the benefit of the most precise operations.
AgCommand, meanwhile, is a cost-effective and easy-to-use fleet management and data recording system. It provides a continuous link between machines and the office PC as well as suitable mobile devices. It works without any operator input and doesn’t require any additional software, with all the information displayed on a secure webpage.
“It’s a very powerful management tool,” Mr Hamer said. “As well as providing precise information about the current position and working state of the machine, it can also create comprehensive reports that can be used to analyse operations over the entire season.”
There are 10 ready-to-use reports that can be used to help manage machinery as well as log and control costs.
“The first systems are now being employed in the UK and the users have been astounded by the amount and depth of the data the system provides. Using the in-built reports allows owners to quickly see, for example, the actual operating costs of different machines, individual machine performance and compare machines or trends.
“One user said he knew the Challenger tractors had improved output and cut costs, but now he can, very easily, put actual costs to each individual operation. In the future he intends to use the system to plan and fine tune all field operations.”
Reduced slip and less compaction are the main reasons why many users first turn to Challenger and soon find one tracked machine is able to do the work of two or more tyred tractors.
“This is because the wide, long tracks, that operate at low levels of slip compared with tyres, enable tracked tractors to boost field efficiency and cut costs,” Mr Hamer said. “The AgCommand Telemetry system is now putting actual figures on these savings for users.”
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| As well as providing precise information about the current position and working state of the machine, Challenger’s AdCommand telemetry can also create comprehensive reports that can be used to analyse operations over the entire season. |
Challenger’s own trials show an MT 865C running on 762mm wide tracks offers a total ground contact area of 4.5 square metres. This compares to just 3.6 square metres for a similar-sized articulated tractor equipped with dual wheels all round. According to Agco’s figures, this wider footprint provides enhanced traction that enables up to 100hp more power to be transferred to the ground – 382hp for a Challenger compared to 268hp for wheels, both starting with an engine power of 570hp.
“This shows the Challenger provides about 10-20 per cent greater drawbar pull than a similar sized tractor on tyres,” Mr Hamer said. “More than 1,000 hours of work – equating to 100-200ha – for free! This allows users to either pull wider implements for fewer passes, with less compaction and faster work; or pull the same machine with less effort and save fuel.”
Further gains come from lower slip when working on tracks. While tyres work best with an optimum wheelslip of 15 per cent, tracks operate best at a much lower slip of 2-5 per cent.
“Add that up over 1,000 hours and it means the wheeled tractor is actually standing still for 150 hours – its wheels are spinning, while the Challenger’s slip accounts for just a third of that time,” Mr Hamer said. “This means the Challenger is actually operating for 100 hours more – that’s nearly two weeks of extra work.
“When you consider the cost of fuel, I wonder who can afford to run a 570hp tractor for a fortnight more than necessary?”
