School me on 185 AC

Bruce from Can. · Apr 6, 2016

Tell me the good , tell me the bad .Are they prone to trany trouble Hard starting
when cold? How many gal Hyd pump ? Dealer gas a fresh looking trade , with only 3000
hrs . I have never been around one , need some insight. Thanks , bruce

Bob Bancroft · Apr 6, 2016

If you didn't grow up on an AC, you probably wouldn't like it. Most had the hyd. PTO clutch, but the PTO is still powered through the engine clutch. The two speed, hyd. power director control gives you hi/lo and neutral. Yes, they are prone to jumping out of gear. I don't know the hyd. GPM, but most had two remotes and worked a loader, or whatever well. I would say they're an average starter. The 185 and 200 were the last, best selling AC's here in central NY, 40, or so, years ago?!

massey333 · Apr 6, 2016

Very mixed viewpoint on them,Dad had one from 1974 til 2002 with year-round cab.very good running and easy on fuel,transmission not the best on shifting,but never had popping out troubles,LPO depends on power director clutch.New brakes was the only major repair,28 inch tires hurt them a lot,830 Case both dualed would stay with it or better in soft ground.4030 Deere would walk all over it with or without duals.They are heavy smokers,but run cheap.Some of them did have trans.and rear end problems,so that needs tobe checked over,trans 2nd.gear did go out on dads,2 or 3 years after being sold in 2002.You have to love them(I didn't)but I have a job for one,so might buy another IF ????.Best of luck to you because it might be just what you want it for.

Ray IN · Apr 6, 2016

I used a 180 for some time. It was hard to shift from neutral to any gear without grinding. Otherwise nice tractor. Seems to me it was hard on starters and batteries as well, but started good if all was fixed.

fastfarmall · Apr 6, 2016

Never heard it said like that before,But Bob Bancroft said a mouthful if u didn't grow up with AC, it's going to be tough getting used to it.Its got that's sweet running 301,engine,but u have to watch for cavitation on the sleeves too. I worked for the Allis Dealer, for the first years out of high school, And he was hurt when i didn't buy a One Ninety XT, bought bought a 806 diesel instead.

centash · Apr 6, 2016

Light front end if doing a lot of loader work.Brother in law had one, I found it to be kinda awkward to operate. Try it out, and I,ll bet you give your Case a big smile after you drove the AC. Ben

Traditional Farmer · Apr 7, 2016

Drive it before you buy it,you may or may like it.I have a 180 basically the same tractor its OK and I use it to load and unload round bales fine for that,but if I were looking to buy
a similar AC tractor it'd be a D19 or 190 as to me they are way more operator friendly.Its all what you like really.

Jim Phelps · Apr 7, 2016

Well I have one, and I have run JD 4020, 3020, IH 856, 1066 but I would not trade my 185 for any of them. Mine runs great, I have never had a problem shifting it, just push in on the clutch and wait a few seconds, usually never grinds. I love the power shift. Used it on a JD 535 round baler for years.

Charlie175 · Apr 7, 2016

I like them. They are easy to use and operate. Great motors!

D beatty · Apr 7, 2016

Got to use a new 185 diesel when they first came out and it handled great and used on an ensilage chopper. As you said it was easy to use. The only problem with it was that it ran out of traction on hills pulling chopper and wagon with wagon almost full and tractor was loaded with fluid and weights.

Jim Phelps · Apr 7, 2016

Easy fix add wheel weights, never ran a chopper, we bale 6x5 bales on the hill of western kentucky never had a problem, now our 175 was a bit lite for the hills.

mtny · Apr 7, 2016

I grew up with a 4020 and a couple Ford's , bought a 185 2 years ago knowing it had tranny trouble . With the help of some the folks on this forum rebuilt her and used her quite a bit last year . Steering and hydraulics are excellent , easy on fuel ,, pretty comfortable . The pto thing you have to get used to , first instinct is to hit the clutch when whatever your running starts to plug , then it's really plugged. I'm pretty much used to it now and have to say it's a good machine. Buddies grand dad had one since New , no problems , all on here say the transmission problems are operator induced .

D beatty · Apr 7, 2016

The tractor had rear weights and fluid in tires. But you put a chopper behind it with a 16FT.forage box behind that 3/4 of a load on it and pulling up a hill 3/4 of a mile long all up hill on a sandy loam it wouldn't do it. Ended up chopping with empty wagon going up and finished load coming down hill.

Eldon (WA) · Apr 8, 2016

Bought this one 4 weeks ago for $3300, sold the ROPS and fenders off of it for $1200. Nice runner, no leaks, good tranny, can probably sell the 38" rubber, weights and tall front spindles and have a free tractor! I usually run the AC 175 diesels, but this one is starting to win me over with the hydraulic pto and power director. It's a little cold blooded, but it has a block heater and if I plug it in for an hour when it's below 50 it fires right up.

After changing a few things around, now my custom tilling tractor with an 80" Howard rotovator....

Elton Fancher · Apr 9, 2016

I had a 185 that was a great tractor but I like my 200 better. The hi/lo on 190 and 200 is easier to get to. My 185 never jumped gear. I had 180 and a couple 190's that did it bad. You have to get used to the pto and the console control on 200 is much better for dropping into neutral as opposed to reaching forward on the 185, but I like them both, great engines and much cheaper to buy than most comparable Int. and Deere.

School me on 185 AC

Bruce from Can.

Well-known Member

Bob Bancroft

Well-known Member

massey333

Member

Ray IN

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fastfarmall

Well-known Member

centash

Well-known Member

Traditional Farmer

Well-known Member

Jim Phelps

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Charlie175

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D beatty

Well-known Member

Jim Phelps

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mtny

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D beatty

Well-known Member

Eldon (WA)

Well-known Member

Elton Fancher

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