The Challenger Terra-Gator 8333 is the world’s first specialist application vehicle to benefit from Agco’s renowned continuously variable transmission (CVT). This industry-leading design, at work in more than 100,000 vehicles, provides ultimate control, efficiency and lower running costs.
Alongside the TechStar CVT transmission, the new machine’s features provide an enormous increase in output and economy of operations. In short the TG 8333 is capable of spreading more volume over a larger area, faster and with more precision than ever before. Operators are cosseted in supreme comfort, able to work for long hours in complete control.
The Terra-Gator 8333 is also available with the Agcommand telemetry system, which offers precise location and real-time remote monitoring of machinery and operations.
Designed and built in Challenger’s facility at Grubbenvorst, in The Netherlands, the new Terra-Gator 8333 it the result of considerable research and development investment by Agco.
“By working together and with access to designs and components from the entire Challenger equipment line-up, we have been able to make a giant leap forward in technological developments,” the company’s Age Krug said. “As part of Agco we can provide customers with very high specifications – from the most advanced engines and transmissions through to controls – more cost effectively than would normally be possible on such specialist equipment.”
The Terra-Gator 8333 is equipped with the TechStar CVT as standard. This industry-leading continuously variable transmission is considerably more efficient than any other powershift or hydrostatic design and is able to transmit full engine power at any speed from 0-40km/hr.
The TechStar CVT, the Agco ML-260, is well-proven in more than 100,000 vehicle applications and is the standard by which all others are judged. It provides the enormous advantage of allowing any forward speed to be set at any engine rpm, which combines optimum control and work quality with exceptional productivity and economy.
The TechStar CVT has a range of automatic operating modes, controlled by a foot pedal or a lever, as well as the Power Direction lever. Mounted on the left-hand side of the dashboard, this lever provides seamless forward and reverse shuttling, an active standstill (declutch) and also changes the speed in both directions by simply pushing the lever forward or pulling it back.
Power Management provides an ‘intelligent electronic’ link to the engine and works in existing pedal and lever modes. It automatically optimises the engine speed across the full engine rev/speed range to maintain the set forward speed. This increases output and cuts fuel consumption.
The smooth CVT operation provides continuous traction, which means there is minimum disturbance of the soil or grass surface. The high level of automation means it really is a ‘set and forget’ system, constantly monitoring itself for the optimum output and efficiency, while allowing operators to concentrate on other aspects of the work.
The 360hp (max) six-cylinder, Agco Sisu Power Citius 8.4-litre capacity power unit is the perfect match for the TechStar transmission. Renowned for its fuel efficient operation, it is well proven in the Challenger 2244 and a range of Agco tractors and combine harvesters.
Optimum combustion is provided by the common rail, four-valve cylinder design with Canbus electronic control from the SisuTronic engine management system. This is ideally suited for work with Power Management, offering instant reactions to changing conditions and engine loads.
Maximum power of 360hp is generated at 2,000rpm, with rated power of 335hp at 2,200rpm. The engine produces peak power at low engine speeds, which saves fuel and further improves economy with a massive 40% torque rise that generates maximum torque of 1,492Nm at 1,500rpm with rated torque of 1,068Nm at 2,200rpm.
A new AGCO-designed aluminium cooling package ensures the engine works at the optimum temperature, with a variable speed viscous fan adjusting airflow to match the engine load. All the engine, intercooler, transmission and air-con radiators fold out to an angle of 15 dgrees for convenient access for servicing.
The 620 litre fuel tanks, provide plenty of capacity for long working days. They fill from both sides through locking caps and are easily accessed from the ground for safe and easy filling.
The Challenger TG8333’s cab has standard pneumatic suspension and is mounted 15cm lower down than on previous models, with the floor 2.0m above the ground and an overall height of 3.71m. This still provides great visibility over the new sloping bonnet, but improves comfort with less rocking from side to side.
New, 370mm wide, steps provide easy access to a new, longer wider entry platform, which extends to the side of the bonnet for access to the front wheel steering components.
Inside, the spacious cab is equipped to the highest standards found on any application machine and it is equipped to the same specifications as all new Challenger C Series machines. Equipped with climate control, air-conditioning as standard, the pressurised cab far exceeds all air quality standards using three-stage filtration with internal and external filters and active carbon cleaning.
Constructed from high grade, cold-rolled steel the new one-piece chassis lowers the TG 8333’s centre of gravity to improve stability. By minimising the number of the welds on the structure Challenger engineers have maintained the integrity of the inherently strong design.
The chassis is no longer used as an air reservoir as in previous models. Air tanks, closer to the 700 lit/min two chamber compressor, now hold the pressurised air, which means hoses are kept shorter and results in faster start ups. It is also easier to repair any leaks.
A Rexroth wheel motor is employed to power the front wheel, with its pressure and control system operated via the vehicle’s Falcon VT terminal.
Two pre-set drive pressures can be set/reset and recalled by the driver, to provide the optimum pressure and, therefore traction, required for all circumstances. For example, low traction for grassland, and higher traction for arable work or pulling uphill. These settings can be adjusted and engaged via the control joystick, with the drive automatically disengaged for road work.
The Terra-Gator 8333 is the only three-wheeler on the market that can be equipped with the same sized tyres on all three wheels. A tyre width of 1,080mm provides superb flotation from Michelin M28 – 1050/50 R32 TL 178 A8s for arable work, or Michelin MegaXBib tyres for grassland.
In-board wet brakes are fitted to the 25t capacity rear axle. A separate service brake disc is fitted to the prop-shaft and is operated by the Power Direction lever.
The new Falcon VT terminal is standard on the Terra-Gator 8333 and provides variable rate control and operates with both liquid and dry applications. No other system in the industry offers such advanced levels of flexibility and control.
The Isobus compliant Falcon VT terminal, is based around a 25cm wide touch-screen, which is also equipped with buttons and a rotary dial to select functions and ‘scroll’ through menus.
This is connected into the vehicle’s systems via the Canbus network. The terminal also has an SD-Datacard slot for transferring data, application maps etc. The system monitors forward speed and adjusts the flow of material, either liquid or solids, to automatically match the pre-set or variable application rates. It can also be programmed to relieve operators of the burden of carrying out many repetitive tasks.
The new Terra-Gator 8333 is equipped with a new 16 cubic metre tank, which now has five mounting points for even weight distribution. It is made from the same material as before, but to a higher standard.
Slurry is pumped via an EL 1550, 6,000 lit/min Börger pump, which is hydraulically powered through a direct drive gearbox. A 9,000 lit/min pump is an option. A new housing improves access to the RotaCut chopping unit.
The SuperLoad/CombiLoad system speeds filling time and increases overall workrates. Instead of waiting for a centrifugal pump to charge before filling, SuperLoad gets to work straight away, employing a separate positive displacement pump to charge the system in less than 10 seconds. This cuts up to two minutes off the normal loading time.
Once the centrifugal pump is quickly charged it starts to fill immediately, increasing capacity by about 20% and filling a 16 cubic metre capacity tanker in just 1.5min, with good viscosity material. In thicker slurries the outputs of both pumps can be combined in the CombiLoad system to improve performance.
A strong, Cat III three-point linkage is available with Cat III or Cat IV ball ends or Walterscheid quick couplers for fitting to the new TG 8333. Ideally-suited to work with mounted injectors, it provides three settings of power down, lift and float with an integral suspension for use with heavy implements.
Terra-Gator 8333 features include:
- TechStar CVT transmission for unrivalled efficiency and control with Power Management.
- Sisu Agco Power, 8.4-litre Citius CTA 4-V engine renowned for superb fuel efficiency with exceptional power and torque delivery.
- New lower cab mount for improved comfort with excellent access platform.
- New one-piece chassis engineered from highest quality steel.
- Hydro-drive front-wheel with power control via joystick. The only three-wheeler to use the same tyre size as rear axle.
- Unique direct drive from engine to hydraulic pumps, 200-litre tank and external oil cooler.
- Complete control through Falcon VT, 25cm wide touch screen terminal.
- New directly-driven Börger pump with integral gearbox.
- RotaCut 10,000 chopper.
- SuperLoad/CombiLoad system boosts output by cutting filling time.
- Rear three-point linkage with power down, lift and float controls.
