Tractor test: Amazing engine performance, powerful traction but not without a few drawbacks, particularly the price. That is basically the summary of our Challenger test. This report reveals it has a 75% torque rise and how the Challenger can help cut compaction
When Caterpillar introduced the Challenger 35 and 45 models in 1994, it soon became clear that these crawlers were coming close to standard tractors. Equipped with a cab (Krinlow) and gearbox (Funck) similar to those on the big New Hollands, the main difference was the Caterpillar engine and running gear. We did not, therefore, expect many surprises when we put the 178kW/242hp Cat 45 to the test.
But our test model prompted quite a debate among the testers. For a start when the tractor arrived, its rated pto output was measured at 139.1kW at rated speed and its maximum output was 169.2kW at 1,600rpm, which provides an incredible 87% increase in torque. Caterpillar specifies, however, rated pto output is 149kW, so the service engineers set the tractor to this value. Then pto output matched the manufacturer’s specifications at rated engine speed and the recorded output of 155.1kW was within our upper and lower limits. The Challenger still delivered its maximum output at 1,600rpm when the DLG Institute’s display read 181.9kW. This translates into 26.8kW or 17% extra power!
The tractor achieved maximum torque (on the pto) at 1,300rpm after torque had increased by as much as 76.3%. The constant power was almost 43%. In practice that means power at the pto fell from that at rated speed only when the engine revs fell below 1,200rpm. To be honest, we would never have believed these results if we hadn’t seen them with our own eyes…
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