5 Problems with Challenger Tractors (#5 Makes Frustrating)

Like a truck driver needs a truck, every farmer must have the best tractor at hand. Tractors are the movers and shakers of every farm. Imagine having to plow acres of land without one. Not possible, right!

Tractors help cultivate the fields, move heavy machinery, and do other tasks like hailing the hay baler. Brands like Challenger have been around for decades, helping farmers out. But, they also face some challenges, which you have to note if you want to get one.

Read on to understand the problems and learn more about the Challenger tractors.

1. Failed Clutch Pedal Sensor

The other day a friend got a Challenger 545B, a 2009 model. It had done about 280 hours as a rental for two years before being put up for sale. He got a great deal on the tractor, and it came with exceptional features.

He moved the tractor from his farm to another to help out and had covered only 15 miles when trouble broke. My friend tried downshifting while turning on the busy highway when the tractor began flashing ‘Error: D142’.

He had to coast to the side of the road and called me to help tow him to a safer spot. They later noted that the clutch pedal sensor had failed when the mechanics came, hence the error code.

2. Flywheel Damper Breakdown

Tractors are big and quite uncomfortable if you don’t have the right features. After years of driving different ones, I admit you never get used to the noise or the vibration. This is where the flywheel damper comes in handy.

The flywheel damper’s job on the tractor is to reduce the noise and vibration. You can go about your business with utmost comfort when that takes place. But, when the flywheel damper fails, then you’re in big trouble.

Going about your farm chores in a noisy and vibrating tractor gets quite hard. As it’s sometimes called, the vibration damper is located in your front engine opposite the clutch or transmission. If you notice your tractor getting too uncomfortable, have a mechanic evaluate your damper immediately.

3. Dry Rot on Tires

Have you ever taken a break from using your tractor and then replaced the tires later? Well, you’ve probably dealt with a common tractor problem known as dry rot.

I’ve come across dry rot on my tractor tires more times than I care to admit. I live in an area where we get extreme heat, especially during the summer months. The causes of dry rot on tires are:

Inactivity
Low tire pressure
Extreme heat
Chemical exposure

When tires start to develop dry rot, you notice fine lines appearing in a web-like pattern on the tires. This happens because the moisture and oil of the tires start to evaporate, leaving them exposed. The tires become hard and brittle with time.

4. Fuel System Issues

The tractor fuel system is another area of concern for every person who wants to use it effectively. Most develop issues with fuel systems after some time. I’ve always noticed certain signs that I have a fuel system issue when my tractor engine doesn’t receive any fuel.

When this happens, the number one culprit is the fuel filter. After some time, the fuel filter gets dirty and clogged with so much debris. This is because of working the farm or going to places with dust and debris.

All this is sieved out of the fuel by the filter. But, the content can clog your system if you don’t take time to clean it out. So, always work towards cleaning or replacing your fuel filter after some time out in the fields.

5. Poor and Loud AC

Air conditioning, especially in the summer months, is quite crucial. One issue I’ve had with the Challenger is its air conditioning. Not only is this cooling unit loud, but it’s not as effective as one would expect. I often find myself carrying a portable AC on extremely hot days.

Another issue is the AC unit keeps shutting down. It can be quite frustrating on those days where I don’t have a portable AC, and I’m miles away from home. Usually, I have to have someone go and fetch it for me because there’s no time to check the tractor’s air conditioning.

General Pros and Cons of Challenger Tractors

The Pros

Owning a Challenger tractor comes with certain advantages.

Wide Range of Use

Nothing makes a farmer happier than having a piece of machinery that they can use to do multiple tasks. This is why owning a tractor is one of my best interests since it serves multiple purposes.

For instance, I can plow the fields, plant, fertilize, spray, weed, harvest, and bale. Not to mention pulling the wagons when I’m moving bigger items like hay bales. I can have a big one for larger tasks and a compact tractor for minor tasks.

Durability

Many manufacturers such as Challenger/Agco put in a lot of hours to ensure they produce only the best equipment.

Since tractors don’t come cheap, it’s best to have a guarantee in terms of durability. If not, you might find yourself digging in your pocket to replace a faulty one every so often.

Simpler Operations

Modern Challenger tractors are the best because of simplified operations. The manufacturers continue to focus on innovating power shifts and hydrostatic transmission. There’s also power steering in advanced models that makes my work so much easier around the farm.

Work in All Conditions

Farming or working with a tractor can go on for months. We face loads of different weather during this time, which can be quite challenging.

Thankfully, with a 4-wheel drive tractor, I can navigate and keep working whether it’s wet or dry.

The Cons

Expensive

A good and durable 4 wheel drive Challenger tractor won’t come cheap. I’ve had to work hard to ensure I have my tractor with me on the farm.

It’s always better to look at your budget before purchasing this machinery.

High Maintenance Costs

Given the amount of work a tractor does on a farm, you might end up being your mechanic’s favorite customer.

The maintenance costs of having a tractor are high and worth noting. I like to carry out minor repairs myself and leave the complex ones for my mechanic.

Are Challenger Tractors Any Good? (Customer Reviews)

Eastside hay guy said that in his honest opinion, the Challenger/Agco makes one heck of a tractor. They have run them for the last 7 years with no major issues. The CVT trans is smooth and is ideal for side-dressing, mowing hay, spreading fertilizer, all-round use.

Dairyman 33 said that he liked how both 540 and 1000 rpm economy modes are available, even on small tractors. The MT465D at 100pto hp may suit your needs just fine which comes with 16 spd power shift, MFWD w/diff lock, and a suspended front axle with a Deluxe or premium model.

Final Thoughts

Tractors are quite an excellent machinery. But, none is immune to problems. Take the Challenger model that’s quite popular among farmers. This article contains some of the issues you might face when you get one.

But, this shouldn’t dissuade you because there are many pros to owning one. Weighing between the two always helps me to make a better decision.

Sources

Agco Corp