Versatile 850
Built: 1976–1977 · Series: Serie II
Successor: 900 →
More machines from model year 1976
850 (Serie II series) by Versatile: six-cylinder Cummins diesel engine rated at 210 kW (280 hp), built between 1976 and 1977.
With the Serie II, the Canadian maker Versatile expanded its articulated system tractors with four equally sized wheels to markedly higher power classes than the first generation had offered.
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The 850 is powered by a six-cylinder Cummins diesel engine delivering 210 kW (280 hp) at 2,100 rpm. At an unladen weight of 16,950 kg, a top speed of 27 km/h, and a hydraulic lift capacity of 5,611 kg, the 850 ranks among the heavy large tractors of the 1970s.
System tractors of this size were built for large-scale North American farming, where wide cultivator and seeding combinations had to be pulled across vast fields. The enormous unladen weight of nearly 17 tonnes provided the traction needed to turn the full engine output into pulling force.
On a used 850, the condition of the Cummins six-cylinder and the turbocharger matters most, since a machine of this power class was often run under full load. The articulation joint and four-wheel-drive gearboxes should also be carefully checked for wear given the enormous unladen weight. Complete documentation of earlier repairs further helps in judging the machine's true condition. Hoses and lines should also be checked for material fatigue after so many years of service. A test drive and a check of every lever and control also belong to a thorough inspection. The overall condition of the paint and sheet metal also gives clues about how the machine was stored over the years.
Sources: SpecCodex-Register: Kennwerte des Modells 850
Technical data
Engine
| Engine make | Cumminscorrect |
|---|---|
| Engine model | NTC280correct |
| Fuel | dieselcorrect |
| Power | 280 hp (210 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 2,100 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 6correct |
| Displacement | 855 cu incorrect |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Wheelbase | 130 in (3,302 mm)correct |
|---|---|
| Unladen weight | 16,950 kg (18,500 lbs)correct |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | four-wheel driveWDcorrect |
|---|---|
| Front tyres | 9.5 R-24correct |
| Rear tyres | 15.5 R-38correct |
| Top speed | 27 km/hcorrect |
Working data
| Lifting capacity | 5,611 kgcorrect |
|---|---|
| Lifting capacity | 12370 lbs (5610.9 kg)correct |
| Fuel tank capacity | 154 galcorrect |
Origin and approval
| Plant | Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canadacorrect |
|---|
Other data
| Linkage category | Cat IIIcorrect |
|---|---|
| Successor | Versatile 900correct |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 12.4 kW/t (210 kW / 16.9 t)
Power class: Heavy (> 180 hp)
Stronger than 96% 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 Versatile 850 have?
The Versatile 850 delivers 280 hp.
How much does the Versatile 850 weigh?
The unladen weight is 16,950 kg.
What engine does the Versatile 850 have?
6 cylinders, Diesel.
How fast does the Versatile 850 go?
Top speed is 27 km/h.
How much does the rear linkage of the Versatile 850 lift?
The rear linkage lifts 5,611 kg.
When was the Versatile 850 built?
Production years: 1976–1977.
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.
- 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 25 individual figures for this model. They come from 2 recorded sources; 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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Tractor in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.