Challenger 85D
The Challenger 85D is a tractor produced by Challenger. It is equipped with a 729 ci 11.9 L engine. The listed engine power is Diesel (gross): 370 hp / 275.9 kW. Transmission: 10 forward and 2 reverse. Drive type: crawler. Operating weight: 34234 lbs 15528 kg.
Engine Power
Diesel (gross): 370 hp / 275.9 kW
Drive & Traction
crawler
Fuel & Capacities
203 gal
768.4 L
Transmission
10 forward and 2 reverse
Operating Weight
34234 lbs
15528 kg
Overview
 | 1996 - 1997
Agricultural Crawler tractor |
|---|
Production | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | Challenger (a part of Caterpillar) |
Agricultural Crawler tractor | |
Original price was $155,200 in 1997 | |
Challenger 85D Engine | |
|---|---|
Caterpillar 11.9L 6-cyl diesel | |
Engine details ...  |
Challenger 85D Transmission | |
|---|---|
10-speed full power shift | |
Transmission details ...  |
Challenger 85D Power | |
|---|---|
Engine (gross) | 370 hp
275.9 kW |
Drawbar (claimed) | 265 hp
197.6 kW |
PTO (claimed) | 318 hp
237.1 kW |
Drawbar (tested) | 271.64 hp
202.6 kW |
PTO (tested) | 334.95 hp
249.8 kW |
Performance test details ...  | |
Mechanical | |
|---|---|
Drive | crawler |
Steering | hydrostatic differential steering |
Hydraulic wet disc brakes | |
Cab standard with air-conditioning. | |
Capacity | |
|---|---|
Fuel | 203 gal
768.4 L |
Hydraulic system | 29 gal
109.8 L |
Hydraulics | |
|---|---|
Type | closed-center pressure-compensated |
Capacity | 29 gal
109.8 L |
Pressure | 2750 psi
189.6 bar |
Valves | 4 |
Pump flow | 27 gpm
102.2 lpm |
35 gpmOptOptional
132.5 lpm | |
Power Take-off (PTO) | |
|---|---|
Rear PTO | independent OptOptional |
Rear PTO Type | 1000 (1.75) |
Engine RPM | 1000@2050 |
Dimensions & Tracks | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 107 inches
271 cm |
Weight | 34234 lbs
15528 kg |
25-inch tracks | |
Full dimensions and tracks ...  | |
Electrical | |
|---|---|
Ground | negative |
Charging system | alternator |
Charging amps | 145 |
Batteries | 2 |
Battery CCA | 900 |
Battery volts | 12 |
Engine
Engine Detail — 729 ci / 11.9 L Diesel
Manufacturer | Caterpillar 3196 ATAAC |
Configuration | turbocharged intercooled diesel, 6-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
Displacement | 729 ci
11.9 L |
Bore/Stroke | 5.118x5.906 inches
130 x 150 mm |
Power (gross) | 370 hp
275.9 kW |
Air cleaner | dual paper elements with aspirator |
Pre-heating | ether injection |
block heater | |
Rated RPM | 2100 |
Starter volts | 12 |
Oil capacity | 32 qts
30.3 L |
Coolant capacity | 80 qts
75.7 L |
Challenger 85D Engine | |
|---|---|
 |
Transmission
Transmission — 10 forward and 2 reverse full power shift
Type | full power shift |
Gears | 10 forward and 2 reverse |
Oil capacity | 60 qts
56.8 L |
 | |
Dimensions
Challenger 85D Tracks | |
|---|---|
Option | 30-inch track |
35-inch track | |
Width | 25 inches
63 cm |
Length on ground | 107.1 inches
272 cm |
Area on ground | 5355 in²
3.5 m² |
Ground pressure | 6.1 psi
0.4 bar |
Width | 30 inches
76 cm |
Length on ground | 107.1 inches
272 cm |
Area on ground | 6426 in²
4.1 m² |
Ground pressure | 5.6 psi
0.4 bar |
Width | 35 inches
88 cm |
Length on ground | 107.1 inches
272 cm |
Area on ground | 7497 in²
4.8 m² |
Ground pressure | 4.4 psi
0.3 bar |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 107 inches
271 cm |
Length | 232 inches
589 cm |
Width | 120 inches*Width with 30-inch tracks.
304 cm |
Height (cab) | 128 inches
325 cm |
Height (exhaust) | 144 inches
365 cm |
Operating weight | 34234 lbs
15528 kg |
Gauge | 90 inches
228 cm |
Tests
OCED Tractor Test 1723 | |
|---|---|
Diesel 10-speed crawler
April 9 - 16, 1997
Link: OCED Tractor Test 1723 file | |
PTO performance | |
Max power | 334.95 hp
249.8 kW |
Fuel use | 17.1 gal/hour
64.7 l/hour |
Power at rated engine speed | 312.46 hp
233.0 kW |
Fuel use | 16.5 gal/hour
62.5 l/hour |
Power at rated PTO speed | 318.59 hp
237.6 kW |
Fuel use | 16.6 gal/hour
62.8 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 271.64 hp
202.6 kW |
Fuel use | 16.3 gal/hour
61.7 l/hour |
Gear 3 used for power test. | |
Max pull | 35,299 lbs
16011 kg |
Gear 1 used for pull test. | |
Photos
Challenger 85D
Recommended Implements & Sizing Guide
Engineering recommendations for Challenger 85D based on its 370 HP power envelope and ASAE agricultural standards.
| Implement & Operation | Recommended Size | Workload Rating | Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Moldboard PlowPrimary Tillage | 8+ Bottom On-Land Hitch8+ 铧重型机外牵引犁 | Commercial / Field Scale | High horsepower articulated/4WD field plowing. |
Rotary Cutter / MowerMowing & Clearing | 15 to 20 ft Batwing4.6 - 6.1 m 宽幅折叠翼 | Commercial / Field Scale | Large commercial field and roadside mowing operations. |
Rotary TillerSeedbed Prep | 90 to 120 in Heavy Duty230 - 300 cm 重型旋耕机 | Commercial / Field Scale | Deep intensive seedbed preparation for commercial row crops. |
Disc HarrowSecondary Tillage | 24 to 36 ft Heavy Duty Field Disc7.3 - 11.0 m 超宽重型整地耙 | Commercial / Field Scale | Broad-acre grain tillage for high-drawbar tractors. |
Hay BalerHay & Forage | Large Square Baler (3x4 or 4x4)大方捆商用打捆机 (1.2x1.2 m) | Commercial / Field Scale | High-capacity commercial forage harvesting (1000 RPM PTO). |
Sizing & Soil Condition NoteActual implement sizing varies depending on local soil conditions (heavy clay vs sandy loam), field slope, and operating speed. Heavy tillage implements may require front ballast weights and wheel weights.
Fluids, Capacities & Working Autonomy
Standard fluid requirements, service intervals, and continuous runtime estimates for Challenger 85D.
Estimated Continuous Field Runtime: 10.6 hrs
Approximately 10.6 hours of continuous field operation at ~75% rated power on a full tank (203 gal / 768.4 L).
Estimated 75% Load Fuel Burn~19.2 gal/hr (72.8 L/hr)
Engine Crankcase Oil
SAE 15W-40 (Heavy Duty Diesel)
Standard Spec: API CK-4 / CJ-4 Heavy Duty
Service Interval: 150 – 250 Hours
Transmission & Hydraulic System
UTTO (Universal Tractor Transmission Oil)
Standard Spec: ISO VG 46 / 68 (Wet Brake & Trans Compatible)
Service Interval: 600 – 1000 Hours
Engine Cooling System
50/50 Ethylene Glycol Pre-mix
Standard Spec: ASTM D6210 / Heavy-Duty OAT Antifreeze
Service Interval: 2 Years / 1500 Hours
Challenger 85D Specification Unit Converter
Convert power, fluid capacities, and operating weights between metric and imperial standards for Challenger 85D.
Converted Equivalents:
Horsepower (HP)370 hp
Kilowatts (kW)275.9 kW
Metric Horsepower (PS / CV)375.1 PS
Direct Competitor Comparison
Compare Challenger 85D against same-era industry alternatives in the same horsepower class.
Current Model
Challenger
Challenger 85D
Engine Power:Diesel (gross): 370 hp / 275.9 kW
★ Baseline Reference
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