White 2-85

Can anyone tell me the good and bad about a white 2-85. There is one coming up on an auction locally. I believe that model had the Perkins motor in? Any info would help.TIA

They were the tractor that the Oliver 1855 should have been. They're basically an 1855 with a 354 Perkins, yes. If there's anything negative that can be said about them, I don't know what it would be.

I have a 2-105, which is really just a 2-85 with a turbo. Before I give my thoughts, Ill make these points:

i) Most folks absolutely love these tractors; youll get loads of responses from people who use these as theyre primary work-horses.

ii) I have loads of seat time on older Olivers, but my only experience with Whites and Olivers built after the merger is limited to our 105, helping a neighbour fix his two 2-85s and some time on an Uncles 1855. So my opinion doesnt count for much.

iii) I absolutely HATE our White. But about 95% of my complaints are entirely personal preference, so dont judge based off most of what I say, and I'm aware I'm going to catch heck from what I write hereafter:

My biggest bone of contention with these tractors is the hydraulic pumps. These tractors used a Vickers PVE closed-centre pump, which really should have only been used on industrial, stationary HPU's with completely closed circuits and excellent filtration systems. They did not belong on tractors operating in Ag environments and subject to occasional dirt, dust, and cross-contamination when implements were swapped between tractors. There are loads of these pumps still operating just fine especially when owned by folks who've had them for decades and have thus been able to maintain their hydraulic system properly. Unfortunately if (like me) you buy it used, you have no idea what kind of goofballery has been done before, and if the fluid/filters have ever been changed or whether the PO has taken care to keep all dust/dirt out of the system. The pumps can wear out, bypass, and essentially render the tractor useless as so much depends on good and consistent hydraulic pressure. Thankfully a lot of the time the problem isnt the pump, but a tiny bit of dirt in the compensator or priority valve, which can be cleaned up and put back into service. But the pumps do wear out unless the system is meticulously maintained. Search these (and other) forums for 2-85 and 2-105 hydraulic pump issues and you'll find oodles of threads where people have had them go, and the cost of a new pump (if you can find one) is often more than it's worth to repair the tractor. If the one you buy has a good, working hydraulic system and you take exceptional care with it you'll probably be good. And if you can turn down the compensator a little to have the pump de-stroke at a lower pressure, you'll also add some longevity. I have ours set to about 1300 PSI, which is about as low as I can have it to operate my JD 435 baler. Just be sure to check this before bidding: Let it run for at least 10 minutes and listen to the pump and feel for excess heat.

The cab is another thing I hate about ours, and the thing that really makes this tractor take the fun out of any summer work. The only other cabs I'd used in the summer before our 105 were an Allis 7000 and a few Fords. The White is certainly easier to get into than the Allis, but once in it I thought it must be some kind of joke: The windows only crack open about 8'' on the bottom no ability to swing and lock them open. Unless you take the windows completely off, youre pretty much consigning yourself to sitting in a loud, silver pressure cooker. Any fun there was in haying soon evaporates - along with every ounce of water in your body.

I've spent lots of time on the two-digit and three-digit Olivers and have gotten to love the H-pattern transmission. On the White, however, Ive grown to hate it. It feels like some engineers took the wonderful Oliver pedigree and butchered it. The stroke of the shifter, ease of shifting, and buttery feel of the old Olivers is all gone. It wouldn't be an issue on flat-land farming, but up in the rough and steep hills of the Canadian shield, you end up having to shift on-the-go occasionally. Try as you might, there will always be some time youll be pulling a hefty load and have gauged your gearing a little wrong, and want to shift. Bringing ten tons of tractor and implement to a halt on our steep hills is something of a no-no. Put me in any Ford or IH or even my old Allis, and within a few hours I can double clutch and rev match to shift at speed without any grinding. You cant on the White especially if you have to cross the centre neutral. Very irksome when going from 5th to 6th on the road. A lot of this is mitigated with the three-speed over/under, but in some steep hills that's not enough.

Speaking of the over-under: The Whites have one of the most robust systems Im told they very rarely cause any issue. So I cant complain about them too much. The only think I dont like is that they freewheel in low range. Knowing how they work I understand why they do this, but it's a little irksome for us. Once again: on flatter land it wouldnt be an issue, but on our hills, it means you can't really ever use low range: Going down an exceptionally steep hills in low range means you'll be taken for quite the ride, unless you want to ride the brakes constantly. But even if you wanted to ride the brakes, you can't: Im really splitting hairs here, but the brakes on our 105 are almost 'too good'. Even the slightest bit of foot pressure causes both wheels to lock up. Until driving the White I would have thought your brakes can never be 'too good', but on the 105 it makes creeping or inching a pain. I suspect this might be unique to ours, however; I just havent had time to look into.

I don't like the control layout at all. The throttle has a very small throw from low idle to max RPM. You get used to it, but if youre used to other tractors its irksome until you get accustomed to. All the hydraulic and PTO controls being on one side is also a little frustrating; you can't use two hands to do things simultaneously. And you have to be careful with the PTO: Lever forward is engaged, lever in its mid positions is off and freewheeling, and lever all the way back is hydraulically-locked. I've heard you can really do some damage if you leave it in the locked position indefinitely excessive heat/wear in the pump and damage to the seals in the PTO unit.

I will say that the 354 Perkins is superb. Starts up instantly in all weather, uses surprisingly little fuel for a 105 HP tractor, runs smoothly and has lots of torque. The only problems I've had with 354's are not on tractors, but on sawmill power units where the injection pump drive gears get a little worn and has some backlash: they dont idle nicely and start to surge.

Just my thoughts. Now I'll brace myself for the oncoming tide of hatred from the White fans.

As Daniel said, it's very similar to a 2-105. We had a 2-105, and found it to be a great machine for the $. Good - 3 speed powershift is great (even though it does freewheel in low), maneuverability is good for a 100hp tractor, started well in the cold. Not so good - No diff lock, no foot throttle, noisy cab (wore hearing protection, still much better than being out in the weather), no float on remote circuits (needed for flex wing mower, but easy to add aftermarket circuits). Bottom line - If bought for a decent price, they are a good tractor.

Very hand and reliable tractor.

We have the 2-110 version.
Just the turbo difference., Of the 2-88
Later style roof is plastic, not replaceable, yet I have to find...
Earlier style roof is metal like the 2-105
Lights in front grill is later style.
Father in law has a hybrid 1755-2-85 tub, motor on 1755 rear end. That is a mowing tractor.
Their paint was not a strong point.
Mine sets in open facing shed.
It has been converted to r134a.
GG Wes

For the most part I agree with Daniel. Especially on the hydralics/vickers pressure compensated closed center piston pumps do not belong on tractors that are maintained by someone who does not regognize the importance of the cleanliness required for this type of hydralic system . I have 2 that have issues and know of at least 4 other 2-85 and 105's that have or have had Hydralic issues. Would I buy another one? YES they are a great tractor. The 1850 oliver Perkins is the best of both worlds pretty much a 2-85 without the hydralic worries.

The one I am looking at is open station and will be mostly an auger tractor. I like the accessibility from the ground to start the auger. I had a cab tractor on the auger one season and that was a bad deal. Thanks for your replys!

I don't know that I'd call the 1850 the best of both worlds Tom. I love my 1850, but over the last two days, I was reminded why I like the 2-105 better. I was planting corn with the 105 and had a flat tire. The tire guy is super busy right now so I had to put the 1850 on the planter. Those mechanical brakes and open center hydraulics were miserable compared to the 105. He got the tire fixed yesterday about ten minutes after I was done planting for the day, but it's going to be Heaven to get the 105 back on the planter for the next field. It's back to the grinder mixer for the 1850.