Duluth, GA –– The all-new Challenger large square balers are the finest in the industry. Built with the latest in technology, performance and durability, these balers will meet even the most demanding needs.
The Challenger large square baler line consists of three models.
Challenger LB33
The Challenger LB33 creates uniform square-shouldered bales 3-feet by 3-feet, up to 98-inches long and weighing up to 1,000 pounds. These bales can be truck-loaded three wide and three high.
This smaller baler is built with the same rugged construction as the two larger models. Swing-open panels on each side of the machine give the operator complete access to the entire side of the baler. It has an automatic density control system and slot cleaners on the top and bottom of the plunger.
The LB33 can be equipped with an optional bale ejector, roller bale chute, pan chute and model BA3 bale accumulator.
Challenger LB34
The Challenger LB34 produces big, solid bales 3-feet by 4-feet, up to 98-inches long and weighing up to 1,500 pounds. For maximum truck payload, these bales are best stacked two bales wide by three high. This model has a low-profile 87.9-inch pickup assembly with heavy-duty bearings, central bulkhead and cam arms on each end of the assembly.
Challenger LB44
The Challenger LB44 baler produces solid, consistent, square-shouldered bales 4- feet x 4-feet, up to 9 feet long, and weighing up to 2,000 pounds. These bales load onto a truck bed two wide and two high for efficient hauling and handling. The LB44 weighs more than 9 tons, and like all Challenger balers, it’s built with high-strength, welded box beam construction to resist twisting.
Unmatched Performance and Value
“With the introduction of the Challenger large square balers we have taken productivity and value to a new level,” says Bill Gearhart, sales engineer, Challenger hay equipment.
Challenger large square balers feature hydraulic density control, with two hydraulic cylinders that automatically exert pressure from the left, right and top of the bale chamber. The baler holds the crop in a prepacker chamber until the flake has reached a proper density. Then, a sensor activates the stuffer fingers to move the charge into the bale chamber for final compression. On some competitive balers, the stuffer operates every one or two plunger strokes. With the Challenger, one charge produces one flake, so density is always consistent, for solid, well-formed bales, regardless of crop conditions or ground speed.
A microprocessor-based electronic monitoring system with tractor-mounted control, displays all baler functions, from plunger load to bale count and number of flakes per bale. The operator can perform on-the-go adjustments using touch switches on the monitor.
The Challenger large square balers feature a unique double-knotter system. This system ties two knots per bale for less wear and less chance of twine breaking or misstying. The LB34 and LB44 balers have six knotters, the LB33 uses four. Dust seals on the twine box doors, and brush-type seals on the twine exit holes, keep the twine clean and dry.
Ease of Serviceability
Hinged or easily opened shields provide instant access to major baler components and the drive system. The pickup and packer drives are protected by both Challenger Large Square Baler Press Release January 7, 2003 Page 3 slip clutches and overrunning clutches to prevent damage from overloads or foreign objects in the windrows. Challenger balers are equipped with a lubrication system that automatically directs grease to all key lubrication points, including the packer crank. Intervals are adjustable, or they can be operated manually.
Bale Accumulators
Challenger offers two bale accumulators, the BA3 and BA4 models. These models are designed to work perfectly with Challenger large square balers. Both accumulators feature a bale shift bar that automatically moves bales right or left to maintain a balanced load, a centralized lubrication system, dual caster wheels and stabilizing brakes. An accumulator monitoring system is built into a tractor-mounted console to supply the operator with a constant flow of information.
The BA3 model is specially designed to work with the LB33 baler. It can collect up to five bales at a time, and can handle both dry bales and high-moisture silage bales. This model has folding decks on each side to narrow the cart to a three-bale width for baling narrow windrows, along fencelines and while transporting.
The BA4 model is the perfect partner for the LB44 and LB34 model balers. Outfitted with a special control unit mounted in the tractor cab, the operator can collect and group bales anywhere in the field. The Model BA4 can carry and handle three large square bales at a time. This bale accumulator can also be equipped with an optional kit to weigh each bale as it’s produced.
Unsurpassed Service and Support
Challenger large square balers are sold, serviced and supported by Caterpillar dealers. The Caterpillar dealer network is world-renowned as the best-trained, most responsive dealer in the business. They are second to none in on-location service. Each dealer is linked to a 24-hour-a-day parts network to minimize downtime and maximize productivity. Their mobile service trucks carry more tools and diagnostic equipment than most repair shops.
