'On the Fast-Track': Challenger Ships 100th 'B' Series Track Tractor; Reinforcing the Growing Demand for Higher-Quality, Higher-Horsepower Tracks

DULUTH, Ga.--June 2, 2005--Introduced earlier this year, more than 100 of the new Challenger MT700B and MT800B Series track tractors have already rolled off the assembly line at its Jackson, Minn., manufacturing facility. The 100th unit - an MT765B - completed final assembly, testing and inspection, and is scheduled for shipment to New England-based Milton Cat, which maintains sales offices in New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Maine.

"This will be the first "B" Series machine we've received," says Erik Sveden, sales manager for the ag division of Milton Cat. "The MT700 and MT800 Series track tractors that preceded the 'B' Series have sold far better than we'd ever anticipated. In fact, we exceeded our Challenger track sales expectations by six times, and had our first MT800 Series track tractor sale in the state of Vermont last month."

Admitting that fields throughout the New England region are typically small in size, Sveden says customers have been drawn to the Challenger track series by the improved flotation and traction, particularly when the growing season is delayed by a long winter or heavy spring rains.

"We have a lot of hills in the Northeast as well, which has also contributed to the growing demand for Challenger track machines," states Sveden.

Although the 100th unit was an MT700B Series tractor, William "Bill" Kaltenberg, director of manufacturing technology and quality at the Jackson Operation, says it could have been any one of the eight models in the MT700B and MT800B Series. Best known for their new Cat ACERT Tier III engines, both "B" Series product lines also feature new options, quieter cabs and upgraded control features.

"The plant is actually set up so we can have an MT745B going down the line right behind an MT865B or vice versa," he explains. "We can literally mix and match model production to dealer demand or factory orders."

As a result, Challenger can respond quickly to customer needs and requests, even adding a certain model with special options into the line at will.

"We are seeing the demand for track tractors continue to grow throughout 2005," says Tim Miller, general marketing manager for Challenger track tractors. "Fortunately, we're prepared to meet the industry's growing demand, while continuing to make improvements in technology and performance through continued research, development and testing."

For more information on track tractors and other Challenger products, please visit www.challengerag.com. To read more Challenger news, visit our Web site, (From the pull down menu, select USA/Canada. Click on About Us & Services, Info Center and select Press Releases).

About AGCO

AGCO Corporation, headquartered in Duluth, Georgia, is a global manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment and related replacement parts. AGCO products are distributed in more than 140 countries. AGCO offers a full product line including tractors, combines, hay tools, sprayers, forage, tillage equipment and implements through more than 3,900 independent dealers and distributors around the world. AGCO products are distributed under the various well-known brand names AGCO(R), Challenger(R), Fendt(R), Gleaner(R), Hesston(R), Massey Ferguson(R), New Idea(R), RoGator(R), Spra-Coupe(R), Sunflower(R), Terra-Gator(R), Valtra(R), and White(TM) Planters. AGCO provides retail financing through AGCO Finance in North America and through Agricredit in Australia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, and Brazil. In 2004, AGCO had net sales of $5.3 billion.