December 13, 2005

Challenger MT875B exceeds expectations

Brett Kingston wasn't looking to create history when he ordered the largest production tractor ever to be sold in Australia – he was simply after efficiency gains through deliverable horsepower.

Brett, who operates Kingston Landformers at Griffith in NSW's Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (MIA) with his wife, Sonia, wanted to grow his business without having to employ extra staff or move away from the hands-on role he enjoys.

After looking at the latest concepts in landforming globally, the answer came in the Challenger MT875B 570 hp track tractor – the highest horsepower tractor in the world – from AGCO Australia Ltd, which he has combined with a K-Tec 3100 (31 yard) Earthmover from Canada.

"When the K-Tec arrived I tried it on the wheeled articulated tractors I'd been using and it was working them too hard. I tried a range of wheel tractors and after talking to WesTrac, the local Challenger dealer, I thought the MT 875B could be the answer."

Chris Waterson, Challenger's area business manager, explained the Challenger MT875B was making its way to Australia by sea freight when the deal went through. The second Challenger MT875B ordered for Australia, has since been sold to a landforming contractor in Victoria.

"As a track tractor, they are designed for farming applications but they are available by factory order in a specification purpose built for earthmoving," he said.

Brett admitted to being nervous about taking the risk on a machine he'd never test driven but his fears were allayed from the first job.

"In one hit, I virtually doubled my capacity. Already it has opened up opportunities for work I previously had to knock back or bring in excavators and trucks to carry out because the site was too wet or hard to access."

"It's proved ideal for the soft soil which seems to exist in areas which have been under irrigation for some time."

The majority of Brett's work is irrigation development – laser levelling paddocks, constructing bank less irrigation channels and building dams for water storage and recycling drains. Originally from Hillston, he came to Griffith as a subcontractor for another earth moving firm in 1988 and within a few years started his own business. Brett now has a strong and growing clientele base that he enjoys working with.

His original buckets or "bowls" are still in use after 40,000 hours. Originally built by an Albury firm, they carry 18 cubic yards, one is currently pulled by a Case 9390 and the other by a New Holland TJ 425 hp articulated tractor.

"They've both been great tractors, but if conditions weren't right the job became difficult. If it's too wet you'd have to call in excavators and trucks and that could mean five or six extra vehicles and the cost increases," Brett said.

Brett said in a business the size of Kingston Landformers the only way to progress was to move ahead with the technology available. After researching the possibilities, the K-Tec Earthmover offered a solution. As 80 percent of the earthmover is constructed of lightweight high tensile steel, it is one of the lightest scrapers available. Weighing in at 24,000 pounds (10,900kg) empty the K-Tec has a heaped capacity of 31 cubic yards. It is built for optimum dumping with an apron opening of 84 inches (2.13m).

Teamed with the MT875B Challenger Tractor the versatility and efficiency of this complete unit has proven to be an extremely successful exercise.

"I needed to take a step forward and I didn't want to take on extra staff and machines. I didn't want to spend all day in the office because I like being out here doing the work myself," he said, adding he and Sonia are now the Australian distributors of K-Tec Earthmovers.

"When you look at the capital investment in machinery it can seem overwhelming. But already the earthmoving business is operating more time and cost efficiently.

"Daily maintenance on the Challenger MT875B and K-Tec is so minimal Iím saving an hour and half a day and previously that was unpaid time."

Fuel consumption has decreased with the Challenger using around 55 to 65 litres an hour when carrying around double the capacity of Brett's other tractors which average between 55 and 58 litres an hour each.

"I'll admit I was concerned about the tracks and people had warned me a track tractor could be rough to sit in all day, but that was the older models and after a day in the Challenger you still feel pretty good," he said.

"I'd budgeted for a new set of tracks every season – or basically once a year – but after 500 hours in the Challenger I can see they will go further than that. They also allow great manoeuvrability – even with a full load of dirt you can turn quickly in a tight spot."

Brett now uses the Challenger MT875B and K-Tec bowl to do the majority of the initial earthworks with the two other tractors and bowls used to finish or polish the surface. "Originally with the existing machines the cut had to be ripped for us to load. Now with the Challenger MT875B and K-Tec 3100 the non productive time of ripping has been converted into productive earthmoving."

The new Challenger MT800B series utilises the same fundamental systems found on its predecessors, but with some important changes including new engines and the new model – the MT875B.

Chris Waterson explained the new series had many improvements on the old. "People remember the old D and E Series Caterpillar track tractors as being a little rough, but the new MT700 and MT800 series models have completely changed that perception with the state-of-the art Mobil-trac suspended undercarriage system providing a smooth ride combined with the exceptional tractive efficiency only a track tractor can deliver."

"As the Challenger product line has evolved, so to have the Challenger dealers become more focussed on the sale and support of agricultural machinery. Customers have the full back up of an extensive network of service, spare parts, skilled technicians and sales people around the country. In New South Wales WesTrac's continual commitment to agriculture, provides high quality agricultural solutions. It is no longer the case of earthmoving equipment dealers selling a bit of farm machinery on the side."

Realising such high capacity tractors may well be in use 24 hours a day in some operations, Challenger has worked hard to make sure driver comfort in the new MT875B was guaranteed. The cabin boasts 108 cubic feet of space with improved noise reduction from previous models. There is ergonomic placement of controls, an air suspended seat, a 12 vent air conditioner system and panoramic views from large windows.

"I like to keep the tractors clean and if you are moving around the outside of the cab you have easy access to all the windows with wide platforms – there's no hanging off the side trying to reach around the back. They are good and safe for employees to move around," Brett said.

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