Challenger extends technology developments for easier, more efficient farming

Challenger is renowned for its commitment to using the latest technology to help farmers work more efficiently and was the first manufacturer to offer automatic guidance factory installed on Challenger 65D 18 years ago. Challenger applicators have also been capable of Variable Rate Application since the early 1990s.

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The latest developments expand the reach and benefits of the Challenger product range.

Auto-Guide 3000^TM for the full Challenger fleet

comprehensive hands-free steering system Auto-Guide 3000^TM is available across the full model year 2014 production Challenger range in the EAME region.

Following AGCO’s Fuse Technologies strategy, focused on integration and connectivity across all farm assets, Challenger now offers the same fully machine integrated and tested guidance system on Challenger tracked tractors, RoGators, and TerraGators, offering identical control, feel and functionality throughout the range.

Customers can obtain technical support for their full fleet from just one partner, rather than dealing with a number of third parties. Auto-Guide 3000^TM  is also fully compatible with earlier Auto-Guide ready Challenger machines.

For managers of large multi-machine fleets this greatly simplifies operator training, maintenance and efficient operation of machines. Seeding and applications will become even more precise and cost-effective – guidance systems have been proven to achieve an average of 12 per cent savings in fuel usage, together with reduced expenditure on crop inputs and less time spent in the field.

Auto-Guide 3000^TM is capable of providing sub-metre, decimeter or centimetre accuracy when steering Challenger machines. It can be controlled via the Tractor Management Centre (TMC) display or the advanced C3000 monitor which offers a 25cm colour touch screen and easy to use menu structures.

Auto-Guide 3000^TM  features

• Fully machine integrated guidance solution
• System is fully scalable
•  AG 3000 Basic operates with GO Mode
• AG 3000 Advanced with the C3000 touch screen to give advanced guidance functions
• Accuracy levels from sub metre to decimeter and RTK (centimetre accuracy) upgradeable as required

Fully machine integrated guidance solution

The guidance system is fully optimised for each machine’s dimensions, hydraulics and steering behaviour for the best steering response. Being integrated, installing Auto-Guide 3000^TM on a Challenger machine is a one-step process. After fitting the Auto-Guide 3000^TM TopDock, the guidance menu automatically pops up in the machine’s TMC display. 

It is also fully scalable: guidance features and functions and the satellite accuracy can be precisely tailored to the needs of the business, now and in the future. The system offers easy and straight-forward control, but Auto-Guide 3000^TM Advanced can also meet the needs of demanding businesses and activities, utilising an intuitive, operator-customisable touch screen.

Auto-Guide 3000^TM Basic with GO Mode

Offered through the TMC Display, standard and well known in most Challenger vehicles, Auto-Guide 3000^TM Basic gives full tractor control through one screen.

Auto-Guide 3000^TM Basic contains the ‘GO Mode’ easy-to-use user interface. The menu and screen information is limited to only what is needed, offering simplicity. A wizard helps the operator to setting up guidance lines, allowing quick familiarisation with the system. When the operator requires more functionality and is used to Auto-Guide, ‘normal’ mode can be selected, offering additional features and functions.

AgCommand^TM keeps tabs on fuel

The AgCommand^TM telemetry package is helping contractors and farmers to manage their equipment more effectively by tracking the location, performance and efficiency of each machine precisely.  Machines can be more quickly deployed to the next task, service needs monitored and any inefficiencies studied and eliminated.

Fuel consumption is now logged in the AgCommand^TM Standard+ package, offering year-round 24-7 machine, cost and efficiency tracking. No operator intervention is required and fuel consumption is recorded automatically. 

“The first requirement for improved farming business practice is a clear understanding of where the hours, and the costs of a machine go, and where improvements can be achieved. AgCommand^TM Standard+ already offered the farmer a quick and easy understanding of machine efficiency, machine locations and engine hours spent on the different activities during the season. Now, with fuel consumption information in the Standard+ package, this tool also offers accurate cost tracking and comparison.,” explains Gaston Marx, Product Support Specialist, Challenger EAME .

AgCommand^TM features:

• 24/7 machine location tracking and machine parameter tracking
• Machine cost tracking including fuel cost
• Machine efficiency reporting
• Field efficiency reporting with costs by field
• Maintenance and service planning, tracking and sharing with dealer (when requested by the customer)
• Vehicle and geo-fence alarms