Challenger 85E
The Challenger 85E is a tractor produced by Challenger. It is equipped with a 729 ci 11.9 L engine. The listed engine power is Diesel (listed): 375 hp / 279.6 kW. Transmission: 10 forward and 2 reverse. Drive type: crawler. Operating weight: 34,895 lbs 15828 kg.
Engine Power
Diesel (listed): 375 hp / 279.6 kW
Drive & Traction
crawler
Fuel & Capacities
280 gal
1059.8 L
Transmission
10 forward and 2 reverse
Operating Weight
34,895 lbs
15828 kg
Overview
 | 1998 - 2001
Agricultural Crawler tractor |
|---|
Production | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | Challenger (a part of Caterpillar) |
Agricultural Crawler tractor | |
Original price | $224,000 |
Challenger 85E Engine | |
|---|---|
Caterpillar 11.9L 6-cyl diesel | |
Fuel tank | 280 gal
1059.8 L |
Engine details ...  | |
Challenger 85E Transmission | |
|---|---|
10-speed full power shift | |
Transmission details ...  |
Challenger 85E Power | |
|---|---|
Engine | 375 hp
279.6 kW |
PTO (claimed) | 302 hp
225.2 kW |
Drawbar (tested) | 296.50 hp
221.1 kW |
PTO (tested) | 335.70 hp
250.3 kW |
Performance test details ...  | |
Mechanical | |
|---|---|
Drive | crawler |
Steering | hydrostatic differential steering |
Hydraulic caliper disc brakes | |
Cab standard. | |
Hydraulics | |
|---|---|
Type | closed |
Valves | 4 |
Pump flow | 40 gpm
151.4 lpm |
Power Take-off (PTO) | |
|---|---|
Rear PTO Type | 1000 |
Dimensions & Tracks | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 107 inches
271 cm |
Weight | 34,895 lbs
15828 kg |
25-inch tracks | |
Full dimensions and tracks ...  | |
Engine
Engine Detail — 729 ci / 11.9 L Diesel
Manufacturer | Caterpillar |
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 | 375 hp
279.6 kW |
Air cleaner | dual paper elements with aspirator |
Compression | 16:1 |
Rated RPM | 2100 |
Starter volts | 12 |
Coolant capacity | 80 qts
75.7 L |
Transmission
Transmission — 10 forward and 2 reverse full power shift
Type | full power shift |
Gears | 10 forward and 2 reverse |
 | |
Dimensions
Challenger 85E Tracks | |
|---|---|
Width | 25 inches
63 cm |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 107 inches
271 cm |
Operating weight | 34,895 lbs
15828 kg |
Tests
OCED Tractor Test 1750 | |
|---|---|
Diesel 10-speed crawler
May 13 - June 2, 1998
Link: OCED Tractor Test 1750 file | |
PTO performance | |
Max power | 335.70 hp
250.3 kW |
Fuel use | 16.6 gal/hour
62.8 l/hour |
Power at rated engine speed | 303.25 hp
226.1 kW |
Fuel use | 16.1 gal/hour
60.9 l/hour |
Power at rated PTO speed | 305.58 hp
227.9 kW |
Fuel use | 16.0 gal/hour
60.6 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 296.50 hp
221.1 kW |
Fuel use | 17.6 gal/hour
66.6 l/hour |
Gear 3 used for power test. | |
Max pull | 34,070 lbs
15454 kg |
Gear 1 used for pull test. | |
Photos
Challenger 85E tractor photo
Recommended Implements & Sizing Guide
Engineering recommendations for Challenger 85E based on its 375 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 85E.
Estimated Continuous Field Runtime: 14.4 hrs
Approximately 14.4 hours of continuous field operation at ~75% rated power on a full tank (280 gal / 1059.9 L).
Estimated 75% Load Fuel Burn~19.5 gal/hr (73.8 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 85E Specification Unit Converter
Convert power, fluid capacities, and operating weights between metric and imperial standards for Challenger 85E.
Converted Equivalents:
Horsepower (HP)375 hp
Kilowatts (kW)279.6 kW
Metric Horsepower (PS / CV)380.2 PS
Direct Competitor Comparison
Compare Challenger 85E against same-era industry alternatives in the same horsepower class.
Current Model
Challenger
Challenger 85E
Engine Power:Diesel (listed): 375 hp / 279.6 kW
★ Baseline Reference
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