185 vs. 175

 I found two local tractors this week. One is a 175 with 3000 original hours. Its a 1979 with a Perkins and decent paint. The guy wants $8500. I was gonna pop for it but I now found a 1981 185 with 2200 one owner hours and decent paint for 8500 also. I used to have a 175 and loved it.  Does anyone have an opinion to either?? I know about the horsepower difference and that makes little difference to me. I have heard only good things about these Perkins motors. Would I be making a mistake going to a 185?? The 175 just seems like such a nice versatile little chore tractor. Too bad Dad burnt ours up! Any feed back would be appreciated!

I can't speak to the 175, but my 185 is a "keeper" --- love it! I use it for plowing, mowing, square baling, round baling, discing, seed drilling, pulling an Allcrop 60, bush hogging, and other stuff. I have other tractors I have used for these job that work fine, but I like doing them better with the 185 --- wife likes to use it too (that's my only complaint -- LOL) Don't know what you are going to be using it for but  sounds like either would work for you. Which one is in the best condition, how far do have to go to get it, you've had a 175 and liked it -- all things to consider. 

Wow Matt! I can't solve your dilema for you, BUT I can tell you how many I would be coming home with for sure!! After a few hundred hours on each you can then tell us all which one pleases the most! Dana

I like the view from the 185 better. The 175 it seems I was always stretching to look over the fenders and such.

I would go for the 185 very nice dependable tractors my dad had one and I myself owned one and put many hours on them.Neighbor bought a new 175 d and rebuilt the motor at 800 hrs twice.That model tin can seemed to have sleive dropping problems and they were very noisy.

I would go with the 185 too.  As Charlie said, you have a better seating position and it has a smooth 6 cylinder.  That being said, I have never driven one.  I did grow up on a 175, and I know their (few in my opinion) pitfalls very well.  With the 185 you describe as having 2200 one owner hours, it is a no brainer.

Sounds interesting.  I would have to buy both.  79' & 81' were the later years these were built.  Lower original hours on each tractor?  Why low hours - I would be test driving each of them for any problems??  Or, maybe they were just kept in the barn by someone who did not use them much...   I have a perkins in my AC 715 backhoe.  It doesn't like cold temps for starting.  After its started it runs great.  Depends on what you want?  Please share some pictures when you get a chance.

 It will be on the haybine and small square baler, and corn planter. Thanks everyone for the awesome feedback.

We have a 175 with the Perkins Deisel in it. Has just shy of 7000 hrs on it, ground feed planted corn, bushhoged, cut, raked, baled hay and straw its whole life.  Have never done anything to the engine.  I wouldent even think twice about buying that 175.  But agree with what most people have been saying if ya got the money buy both.

ac-mike wrote: It would really matter to me if the 175 had the hydraulic pump mounted in front of  the engine or on the side in the belt pulley hole. It seems to me that the one's I know of with the pump in front of the engine give some problems with the drive as they age. Has anyone else run into this problem?

Borrowed the one our neighbor had when I was in hs to dig post holes, the splines on the shaft stripped that day, made us feel like jerks breaking a borrowed tractor.  We got it fixed and it was all good though!

Keep in mind the 301 in the 185 is very undertuned, it will last forever. We had one, excellent tractor if it was used like a 65 pto horse tractor and not like a 190xt or 200. For smaller jobs, baling, and the like I dont think it could be beat.  At 2200 hours, its just getting well broke in...

AC-Mike, I had problems with the front pump drive on my 175D this year at 4400 hours...thought I had it fixed with a new coupler but it failed within 50 hours.  I replaced it with a welded up coupler/shaft from my parted out 170D and it runs with less vibration and no chance of stripping...

  I have two (had three)   185's and also have a 175,   just like most said,  platform is nicer on 185, starts a little better when cold,  power director is smoother and better location on 175, terrible battery location on 175,  dual PTO on 185's, they both have good and bad points,(biggest complaint is the reverse gears are way to fast, almost useless for blowing snow)  they don't depreciate in value, thats why i like them .  plus if they are minty or restored they are sharp looking tractors.