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International Harvester 485

Built: 1981–1990 · Series: 85 er-Baureihe

More machines from model year 1981

The 85er series from International Harvester includes the 485. Production: 1981–1990. The engine delivers 52 hp (38.2 kW), has 3 cylinders, with a displacement of 2,934 cm³. Torque is 177 Nm. Rated speed is 2,180 rpm. The machine is 3,590 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and 2,510 mm high. The unladen weight is 2,550 kg. The wheelbase measures 2,150 mm. Ground clearance is 480 mm. Top speed is 25 km/h. Transmission: 8 V/4 R or 16 V/8 R. The engine is water-cooled. Tyres: front 7.50-16, rear 12.4-36. The fuel is diesel. The bore measures 98.43 mm. The stroke is 128.59 mm. The compression ratio is 16:1. Maximum torque is reached at 1,600 rpm. Construction: unit construction (no separate frame). The 85 er-Baureihe series covers 6 models. Rated output within it ranges from 45 to 80 hp; the 485 sits in the lower part of that range with 52 hp. Its immediate neighbours are the 385 below it with 45 hp and the 585 above it with 59 hp. Unladen weight within it ranges from 2,235 to 3,340 kg; here the 485 sits in the lower part of that range with 2,550 kg. 391 International Harvester models across 45 series are on record.

International Harvester 85 Series (385 to 885) - utility tractors with an ascending power class: three- and four-cylinder engines of 2.5 to 4.4 litres, 33 to 59 kW, the A suffix for the upgraded second series

The 85 series was International Harvester's range of light and medium utility tractors, from the smallest, the 385, to the largest, the 885. The type logic is straightforward: the first digit orders the ascending power class, the fixed 85 suffix marks the shared series generation, and the A suffix on the 785 and 885 denotes the second series, upgraded in power and equipment. The smaller models ran three-cylinder engines, the larger ones four-cylinder units from IH's own engine production.

Read on 3 more paragraphs

The register lists 6 versions with 33.1 to 58.8 kW from three- and four-cylinder engines of 2,536 to 4,398 cm³, torque of 150 to 272 Nm at 2,180 to 2,400 rpm, kerb weights of 2,235 to 3,340 kg, lengths of 3,550 to 3,740 mm, widths of 1,850 to 1,920 mm and heights of 1,540 to 2,640 mm; every model runs on diesel.

As utility tractors, the 85 series covered the bulk of mixed farms that needed neither the size of a standard tractor nor the narrowness of a specialist one - grassland, mid-class arable work and transport duties. It competed directly with the equivalent ranges from Ford, Massey Ferguson and Deutz-Fahr.

On a used example of these IH diesels, check the injection pump and compression, the clutch and power-shift stages (on the A models), front-axle bearings, the hydraulic pump and brakes, and corrosion on the wings and bonnet; engine and driveline parts are available through IH specialists and the independent parts trade.

Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: International Harvester 85er-Baureihe

Technical data

Engine

Fuel	dieselcorrect
Power	52 hp (38.2 kW)correct
Rated speed	2,180 rpmcorrect
Torque	177 Nmcorrect
Speed at max. torque	1,600 rpmcorrect
Cylinders	3correct
Displacement	2,934 cm³correct
Bore	98.43 mmcorrect
Stroke	128.59 mmcorrect
Compression ratio	16correct
Cooling	water-cooledcorrect

Dimensions and weights

Length	3,590 mmcorrect
Width	1,850 mmcorrect
Height	2,510 mmcorrect
Wheelbase	2,150 mmcorrect
Ground clearance	480 mmcorrect
Unladen weight	2,550 kgcorrect

Drivetrain and chassis

Drive	rear-wheel drivecorrect
Gearbox	8 V/4 R or 16 V/8 Rcorrect
Front tyres	7.50-16correct
Rear tyres	12.4-36correct
Top speed	25 km/hcorrect

Origin and approval

Construction	unit construction (no separate frame)correct

Where this model stands

Power-to-weight ratio: 15 kW/t (38 kW / 2.5 t)

Power class: Universal (40–100 hp)

Stronger than 36% of the tractors in the register — out of 15,663 models with a stated power figure.

Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.

Frequently asked questions

How much power does the International Harvester 485 have?

The International Harvester 485 delivers 52 hp.

How much does the International Harvester 485 weigh?

The unladen weight is 2,550 kg.

What engine does the International Harvester 485 have?

3 cylinders, 2,934 cm³ displacement, Diesel.

How fast does the International Harvester 485 go?

Top speed is 25 km/h.

What are the dimensions of the International Harvester 485?

3,590 mm × 1,850 mm × 2,510 mm.

When was the International Harvester 485 built?

Production years: 1981–1990.

What to check before buying

Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
Check front and rear tyre sizes: mismatched pairs strain the drivetrain.
Shift the gearbox cold and warm — jumps only show up at temperature.
Load the hydraulics and watch for sag.
Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.

A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.

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This page carries 24 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.

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