Check Out This Dandy 1972 Model 985 NH Combine

1206SWMO · Jul 8, 2008

Probably the nicest one in existence.
985 New Holland

NutsaboutCombines · Jul 8, 2008

Well, since you mentioned 1972, that's the last year the 900 Series New Hollands [Claysons] were imported here.
That machine does not look a day over 36 years old!

Fordfarmer · Jul 9, 2008

Notice that the feederhouse is yellow, and mounts a 960 (quick-tach) head...probably off a 1400 or TR70. NOT original, but a useful, needed improvement. Looks to have 18.4x26 tires, which I think were standard, but too small for that much weight in the soils we have here (unless it's unusually dry).

NutsaboutCombines · Jul 10, 2008

Ford, I did notice that very quickly, too. Yes, I agree it is unusual to see a main part of the combine itself, painted a different color, although it is common on many European machines to see the unloader in contrast to the separator.

I do know the feeder house and cylinder on the 1400 is 40 inches wide. The big 1500's is 50 inches. The 1500 was even bigger than the former Model 995. This is a Model 985. My question is, if a 40-inch feeder would even fit the 985.

New Holland was planning on releasing the 1400 and 1500 by the fall of 1972. Maybe some did trickle out, but 1973 was the first full year on those, and the 900's were discontinued.

If the feeder/cylinder width on the 985 is smaller than that of the 1400, then I would say the color IS original, simply marking the transition to an increase of yellow. We know the 1400 and 1500 were solid yellow, down to their augers, with only a red stripe and lettering. I know, red rims would have added contrast and some boldness, but NH was already into yellow rims.

If you can, please find out specs on the 985 and its cyl width.

Fordfarmer · Jul 10, 2008

Used to have a 985, and a friend of mine also has one...feederhouse is 40"... 1400 has very few differences other than the quick tach and hydraulic swing auger.

NutsaboutCombines · Jul 10, 2008

Yes, it did, Ford. I had to dig out some old operators manuals and found the one for the 985. I was surprised to see that, too, which means the NH 985 was a really big combine for its era!

I had realy expected it to be in the 35-37ish inch range. One more addendem to this, even with the later 985's, there was the option of the quick-attach heads. Now this does explains the 1400-type [yellow] feeder house as well.

Without being able to actually talk to any older NH personnel [I've completely lost contact with everyone I used to know from the Arlington, TX branch office], I'm going to make an educated guess that this was indeed, still original to the combine, seeing how this was an older, small farmer who did not put a great deal of use on the machine.

Also, fueling my hypothesis, is the fact that it is the last year for the 985, and perhaps a transitional model. Look again at the other pics. That's an all-yellow header. Most of the red combines had red heads with only the yellow reels.

That 985 is a quick attach forerunner to the Model 1400!

Fordfarmer · Jul 10, 2008

I'm not about to argue, as I don't have the literature in front of me... My old 985 had a type of quick-tach on the grain head (cant remember the model of the head), but it wouldn't work with the corn head, and was different from the 960 series head. I always assumed it was for swapping between direct cut and a pickup. This combine has a 960 head, which is what 1400/1500/TR70's had when new. It very well could be a transition model, I'm just guessing that the feederhouse was swapped. Either way, it's in VERY nice shape for it's age. I don't miss having to swing that auger, though!

NutsaboutCombines · Jul 11, 2008

Amen to that. Upon contact with the owner--pretty much verifies what I said. It's a quick attach feeder house. He thinks original to the machine, too.

I had so little in the way of NH literature and manuals. I do have the old 995, 985 and 975 ones, one for a 1400 and one for TR 70. My literature only takes me to the 1400, 1500 and TR's.

Yes, transitional features are not uncommon on combines throughout history, although it does make identifying particular years fuzzy and can be a source of argument over just when that should have what, etc.

One thing is for sure, as you just said. She is one heck of a cherry combine, and that yellow neck just adds more color contrast. She's an easy bird to spot in the bush. LOL!

Check Out This Dandy 1972 Model 985 NH Combine

1206SWMO

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