Challenger Road Mowing Special Application Tractors

The Challenger brand further expands into the governmental/municipal market with its special application wheeled tractors, including two new roadside mowing (RM) systems. Equipped with an exclusively designed Little Industries mowing system, the new MT400BRM and MT500BRM models represent the industry’s first fully integrated system for roadside mowing.

“Gone are the days of ordering a tractor and then choosing a mower to fit,” says Adrian Crisp, general marketing manager for Challenger wheeled tractors. “With the Challenger B ‘RM’ Series, a customer can place an order for a single unit and know with confidence that the machine is not only built to handle the job, but backed by Caterpillar®… the world’s number one industrial machinery company.”

Powered by Caterpillar’s legendary 4- and 6-cylinder engines respectively, the MT400B and MT500B Series tractors cover the full spectrum from 70 to 105 horsepower to handle the most severe vegetation. Customers also have a wide selection of transmissions available to meet specific needs and preferences. They include a Autopower IV transmission 16F & 16R in the MT400B and a choice of two different transmissions in the MT500B—one of those being the proven TechStar™ CVT (continuously variable transmission) for infinite speed control in forward and reverse.

“Meanwhile, the ‘sharp end’ of the unit comes from Little Industries, which worked with Challenger to develop a heavy duty mowing system that is integral with the tractor,” Crisp explains. “The whole B ‘RM’ unit is encased in a structural, multi-point-mounted PowerPlate frame designed for maximum durability and strength.”

Customers then add their choice of boom lengths from 20 to 25 feet, depending on the need for reach and power, and select either a rotary or flail head in a 4- or 5-foot width. For added efficiency, the boom mower system includes its own hydraulic system, which is independent from the tractor hydraulics and controlled by a separate joystick originally designed for the military.

As an option on the MT500B ‘RM’ package, Challenger has also introduced a new municipal “Viseo” cab, which offers unrivaled visibility to the right side of the tractor. In essence, the “B” pillar has been removed and the glass on the right side of the cab has been replaced with a one-piece, impact-resistant Plexiglas panel.

Challenger hasn’t limited its municipal and governmental offerings to the B “RM” models, though. Specially equipped B “R” versions of the MT455B, MT465B, MT525B and MT535B are also available without a 3-point hitch system or rear hydraulics. This makes it easier and more cost-effective for customers who wish to mount their own boom mower system or use a bat-wing mower.

“The recently introduced MT300B Series is also an excellent tractor for municipal applications,” Crisp continues. “With its 45 to 75 PTO horsepower range and excellent maneuverability, it’s the perfect tractor for side shoulder mowing, loader work or pulling a bat-wing mower.”

At the other end of the spectrum, Crisp points to the MT600B as a quickly emerging scraper tractor, thanks to its standard equipped CVT transmission, high transport speeds and standard trailed implement system.

“Not only does the TechStar CVT automatically adjust the forward speed without the need to downshift, but the trailed implement control will automatically adjust the working depth of the scraper to control excessive wheel slippage,” he explains. “This helps maintain a smooth even cut with each pass, while improving efficiency and fuel economy. The TechStar CVT also allows the operator to haul dirt away at a fast forward speed while maintaining a low engine speed for even greater fuel savings.”