Combines Caterpillar combines Challenger tractors

Okay, here goes. The lEXION combine, the one that is known as the CAT combine, is made by ClAAS Omaha llC, the North American operating arm of ClAAS. It is produced_assembled in Omaha, NE and is in no way affiliated with AGCO. The lEXION was produced and marketed here under a joint venture between Caterpillar and ClAAS. Thus, Caterpillar had an interest in the product itself at one time. It does have a Cat engine and Caterpillar belts on some models, but it is now marketed solely by ClAAS and sold by Caterpillar dealers who choose to sell combines. The Challenger combine is the yellow Massey. It is not a "Cat" combine, because Caterpillar never had any interest in the product. AGCO, with the acquisition of the Challenger MT tractor line, has expanded the Challenger tractor into an entire brand offered to the Caterpillar dealers selling ag equipment. Thus, this is a Challenger combine, made in Hesston with the Gleaner and MF combines. I agree it is confusing, but the two machines are radically different.

I think you're right. At least the Gleaner dealers would embrace the technology and actively market the rotaries. The way it is here in Ontario, some Massey dealers agressively promote the rotaries while others don't sell combines at all, although AGCO is eliminating alot of the smaller dealers.

John Deere has never been, nor will ever be, bought out by someone else.