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Jim in Sask 01-31-2013 09:36:58 24.72.132.77 Report to Moderator	I haven't heard of Champion swathers either but a quick look on Google seems to indicate it's a European brand, perhaps German or English (picture attached). While searching Google Images I found a similar-looking swather badged Agco Allis. I wouldn't be surprised if Agco owns that maker as well. [Reply]   [No Email]
Tim(nj) 01-31-2013 19:25:33 184.6.209.55 Report to Moderator	Re: Champion windrower? in reply to Jim in Sask, 01-31-2013 09:36:58   I wonder if that thing came over to Canada through CCIL? I know they were big into selling various European-made brands way back when.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Jim in Sask 01-31-2013 22:04:36 142.165.85.186 Report to Moderator	Re: Champion windrower? in reply to Tim(nj), 01-31-2013 19:25:33   No CCIL made their own swathers in Winnipeg starting with the 500 in the 1960's and its 30-ft. offspring, followed by the 550 in the early 1970's. Versatile made their own swathers too and Macdon, also in Manitoba, made swathers for many of the mainline companies. CCIL did sell European-made tractors, Deutz and Volvo BM, and their combines came from various European makers such as Claeys, Claas and Volvo BM. Later they built the Volvo machines in Manitoba. In the 1950's, CCIL sold rebadged Cockshuitt tractors and combines, that ended in the early '60's when White bought out Cockshutt.   [Reply]  [No Email]
Brendon-KS 01-31-2013 15:39:32 63.245.190.37 Report to Moderator	Re: Champion windrower? in reply to Jim in Sask, 01-31-2013 09:36:58   I have a pretty good knowledge about AGCO's windrowers and have never heard of the Champion brand; it for sure isn't in the AGCO family. The picture you have of the AGCO windrower looks like a rebadged Hesston 8500 which was built from the mid-90's until around 2000. I too did a little Googling and found this description and spec sheet for the Champion. It appears very different from a regular American SP windrower in that it uses a steering rear axle instead of the usual dual-path steering system. Champion windrower   [Reply]  [No Email]
Jim in Sask 01-31-2013 18:51:23 142.165.85.164 Report to Moderator	Re: Champion windrower? in reply to Brendon-KS, 01-31-2013 15:39:32   Interesting to see the Champion is a Danish machine. I believe I found the Agco Allis picture on a European site which led me in the wrong direction. There's some interesting swathers made in Europe such as the Fortschritt which was made in East Germany (along with combines). I wonder if the Champion was imported by a dealer or an individual?   [Reply]  [No Email]
LonM 01-31-2013 16:50:06 69.165.30.73 Report to Moderator	Re: Champion windrower? in reply to Brendon-KS, 01-31-2013 15:39:32   Brendon- By any chance do you work for AGCO/Hesston? Just curious, my brother is in combine field test down there...   [Reply]  [No Email]
Brendon-KS 01-31-2013 18:02:40 63.245.190.37 Report to Moderator	Re: Champion windrower? in reply to LonM, 01-31-2013 16:50:06   Sure do. I work at lot more closely with the hay tool field test guys but would probably at least know who your brother is.   [Reply]  [No Email]
LonM 01-31-2013 18:10:25 69.165.30.73 Report to Moderator	Re: Champion windrower? in reply to Brendon-KS, 01-31-2013 18:02:40   Neat. He is John M and has been running Gleaners lately...   [Reply]  [No Email]
Brendon-KS 01-31-2013 18:37:25 63.245.190.37 Report to Moderator	Re: Champion windrower? in reply to LonM, 01-31-2013 18:10:25   Yup, I do know who John is. I don't work directly with him but we cross paths occasionally in the lab and shop.   [Reply]  [No Email]