“Farms are responding to the need to increase productivity and cut costs by restructuring, which is creating demand for exactly the type of technology Challenger produces, such as the exciting new ‘C’ Series of tracked tractors that will be making their SIMA debut.”

Professional farmers, contractors and agri-businesses are increasingly turning to Challenger to provide not only the equipment, but also the support they require when moving to faster, lower-cost crop establishment systems.

“Challenger comes to the SIMA 2009 show following our best ever year in the Europe, Africa and Middle East region,” says Richard Miller, Product Marketing Manager. “Sales are growing in every country – particularly in France, the UK, Germany and Italy.

“Farmers are increasingly aware of the need to improve productivity and really drive down costs. More and more of these operators now appreciate that tracks can provide them with optimum output in a wide range of applications. The power and performance of tracked Challenger tractors are helping farms to benefit from large increases in productivity.

“At SIMA many visitors will see, for the first time, the new ‘C’ Series of tracked tractors, which build on the proven qualities of the engines, transmissions and Mobil-trac units. The new ‘C’ Series now provide even better comfort, control, ease of use and host of additional features, allowing operators to fully exploit the tractor’s huge potential,” adds Mr Miller.

The new ‘C’ Series Challengers, making their French debut at SIMA, feature a host of new, innovative features to further improve operator comfort and control.

The cab is now equipped with climate control as standard, straight-away improving operator comfort. Inside there is a completely new TMC II (Tractor Management Centre II) operating console, along with a new, clear and easy to use dashboard that displays key operating information.

Challenger’s industry-leading TMC Armrest with integral Display is one of the most comprehensive control systems available, providing fingertip control of a host of functions. This is now even easier to operate with its completely new wide (7in/178mm), colour screen, which now also offers full ISOBus control of implements.

As soon as a compatible implement is connected (via the special ISO socket) an icon appears on the TMC Display. After pressing the button next to the icon the implement’s setting and operating menu ‘pages’ appear on the Display just as if they were on a separate monitor. Moreover, information can be transferred to and from the unit via standard SD card and USB flash ports

As well as its ISOBUS capabilities, the TMC Display continues to provide all the tractor performance management, setting and operation functions as before. The One Touch Headland Management sequence is now even more comprehensive and easier to use. One Touch allows operators to store 35 functions for six different machines, and replay these at the touch of a button. This sequence can now be programmed and edited on the screen, without the need to record the entire sequence again.

The TMC Display also sets up, runs and displays the information from the optional AutoGuide, automatic steering system as well as Video input option. In fact, every conceivable tractor function is monitored, controlled and set on its screen. For example the flow and timing of up to six electronically-controlled spool valves can be set on the TMC Display and be included in the One Touch system.

A high output hydraulic system is also new. Along with new fingertip switches, mounted at the front of the TMC Armrest, the system offers even finer control of flowrate and timing for precise implement operation.

Designed specifically for work in extreme conditions is the new ‘Poly’ mid-wheel option, which have a hard-wearing polyurethane working surface. These are considerably harder wearing than the standard rubber-coated versions and will extend working life in harsh environments because of their high resistance to chipping and damage.