We need one more entry for Tractor of the Month!


Winner of Tractor of the Month- April - Pipertec

Tractor Forum > General Tractor Forums > Repair & Technical Discussion > Challenger MT295


Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 04-13-2004, 07:55 PM   #1
Lou Braun
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 9
Challenger MT295

Wow! Finally an area for those of us who have Cat Challengers and feel a bit guilty posting in areas dedicated to the more common tractors.

I purchased an MT-295 late last year and have used it enough to find it's strong and weak points. The MT-295 (and other tractors in this series) is mostly made by Iseki and is practically identical to the new Massys. These are all well built tractors meant for serious use. The price reflects this.

This MT-295 is a 44 HP diesel tractor standard with 4WD and available with Hydrostatic drive or a Power Shuttle gear drive. I got the 16 speed Power Shuttle drive version. Mine came standard with a FEL.

This particular tractor has been problem-free even though it has been worked hard. Basically it works like you expect a tractor to work.

Strong points:
-Well built. Heavy duty construction throughout.
-Very strong engine and drive train. I've done a lot of work with a rear blade widening and leveling a dirt road and the tractor has demonstrated it's ability.
-Well designed and laid out. Controls are where you expect them to be and work like you want them to. The FEL came with a float feature built in (very handy).
-The 3-point hitch is set up with enough adjustments to allow easy installation and removal of rear implements. Position control and draft control are standard.

Weak points:
-Parts availble only through the Cat dealer. I'll bet that a Massey dealer would also have what was needed if they had a cross reference. So far, the only parts I've needed have been fuel, oil and hydraulic filters.
-The FEL is *very* powerful. It will lift the rear wheels off the ground in an instant. When moving some boulders, or when doing heavy FEL work, I needed to keep the heavy rear blade installed. It might be time to look at a rear weight rack and weights!

In short, a decent tractor. A worthy alternative to the green types.

Lou Braun





Attached Images
 
Lou Braun is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2004, 08:04 PM   #2
jodyand
EX Super Mod
 
jodyand's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,388
Welcome

Welcome Lou glad to have you aboard If you have any other friends with tractors steer them this way. Thats a nice tractor you have there thanks for sharing it with us.
Jody
__________________
Jody:usaflag:


Dodge
you drive the Rest I drive the Best.:driving: :tractorsm
1525 Cub Cadet
Snapper Comet
jodyand is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2004, 08:11 PM   #3
Live Oak
Registered User
Tractors
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 9,044
Alright Lou! One of the first tractor owners to post to this section! Indeed, welcome! Great tractor review as well!
Liked 1 Times on 1 Posts

Live Oak is offline  

 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-13-2004, 09:44 PM   #4
Argee
Registered User
 
Argee's Avatar
Tractors
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: Wolverine, Michigan
Posts: 4,034
W E L C O M E - L O U

Nice looking tractor! Look forward to hearing some of your adventures....
__________________
Randy G
Argee is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2004, 04:42 AM   #5
Ingersoll444
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,702
Welcome Lou.

Any idea on what Massey it is the same as?

I have a sweet spot for the MF 1400 seires, and that looks alot like one.
__________________
Ingersoll224
Ingersoll444
Ford 8N
2 old Gravely L's
Ingersoll444 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2004, 06:58 PM   #6
Lou Braun
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 9
It looks as if the Massey 1445-4 is practically identical to the Challenger MT-295. There is a slight difference in the type of 3-point links between the two, but very little else.

I went with the Challenger because there are 3 large Cat dealers within reasonable driving distances. Each of these places has major repair and service capabilities since they usually work on big stuff. The only Massey dealers close by are basically just sales outlets. The Cat folk have been a pleasure to work with even if you are making a small purchase or just have some questions to ask.

Lou Braun
Lou Braun is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-14-2004, 07:01 PM   #7
ducati996
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,329
Just wondering what the payload capacity is with the FEL and 3 Pt ? It looks real nice, never saw one...

Duc
ducati996 is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2004, 02:29 PM   #8
Ernieg
Registered User
 
Ernieg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Posts: 1,149
W E L C O M E - L O U

Nice Challenger, Lou.
__________________
Ernie

"Dum Spiro Spero"
Hope is not yet crushed.....
Ernieg is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 04-15-2004, 06:56 PM   #9
Lou Braun
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 9
The FEL payload for the MT-295 (and Massey 1445-4 for that matter) is listed at 1600# at maximum loader height. The loader will easily lift more weight than the tractor will handle. The practical limit is more dependent on the weight of the implement attached to the 3-point hitch.
I have had some interesting learning experiences when moving (or trying to move) large Connecticut boulders by loading them into the bucket....

Weigh limit for the 3-point is listed at 3086#. The heaviest implements I use run only about 550# so I have not had the chance to put much of a load on it.

Lou Braun
Lou Braun is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 05-18-2010, 08:11 PM   #10
cetane
Man I thought I did that!
 
cetane's Avatar
Tractors
 
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 36
FYI If you go to AGCO Parts Books then you can see the same parts book as the dealer. You then give the part number to any Massey, white, AGCO, Challenger dealer and thats there part number so you can use any dealer you want.
cetane is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Old 01-25-2011, 06:26 AM   #11
ljeune
Registered User
 
ljeune's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: pilot mtn, nc
Posts: 42
That's a nice looking machine.


ljeune is offline  
 
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Caterpillar Challenger 55 Master Switch Bearledge Repair & Technical Discussion 1 10-27-2008 06:22 AM
AGCO announces new Challenger engines bontai Joe Tractor Shows and Industry News 0 01-21-2005 12:10 PM
Challenger introduces new hay conditioner bontai Joe Tractor Shows and Industry News 0 11-23-2004 11:53 AM
Challenger announces Upgrades to self propelled windrowers bontai Joe Repair & Technical Discussion 1 11-18-2004 06:17 PM

FOLLOW US ON
PHOTO OF THE DAY
after painting in my basement