Best IH tractor

[gmcdeadhead]

which international model tractor would be the best tractor to own, what i mean is , which model tractor was really thought out when it was manufactured, like easy clutch remove/replace, hydraulic pumps easy to get to , all around easy to work on and get to change broken parts with out taking the whole tractor apart to get to one bolt , ect,ect . i no everyone has a favorite model but what would be the really best thought out model

 

[NY 986]

Do you have a horsepower range and price in mind?

 

[gmcdeadhead]

i was just wondering which model in the 50-100 hp range tractor was good , havent thought about price ,was not looking to buy nothing just yet at this time , thanks

 

[jrwhitler]

In my opinion, the best tractor on the 50 hp side would probably be a 400 or 450. Most of these tractors have live hydraulics and independent PTOs. My biggest
complaint is the sheet metal is a pain to take off, but these tractors are the final two models based on the design of the M. Since the general layout of the
tractor stayed the same for almost 30 years, the design is well thought out and robust. Keep in mind that these wont have the hydraulic capacity of a modern
tractor, but they can raise and lower implements and loaders. A good number of them came from the factory with three hydraulic remotes. Price for a good running
400 to 450 in its work clothes should be in the 2000 to 4000 dollars range. Price will vary based on what options the tractor has (torque amplifier, fast hitch,
power steering, hyd. remotes, power adjust wheels, etc.) Torque amplifiers have always been a hot debate topic around here. Most 400/450 tractors came with a
TA. If you don't like the TA, don't use it.

 

[Whiskey Bent]

I believe the 856 diesel was the best tractor Ih made with the 806 Diesel a close second.

 

[David G]

966

 

[Absent Minded Farmer]

All of them! ;v) :vD

Mike

 

[the tractor vet]

well they are all good and all bad , they all have some quark and it also depends on how well they were taken care of . i see one says the 400-450's , Well yea they were good BUT they cracked heads both gas and diesel , yep they were and improvement over the M's , Then came the 460 -560 and they had there problems First 460's came with 2 1/2 inch axles and guys put mounted pickers on them and broke rear axles , that is a fun in the field repair , then came the munching of exhaust valves on the gassers , the 560's had rear end bearing problems . The diesels had head gskt problems and head cracking . The T/A's gave problems . The 06's where a leap forward and they had there own problems But were a tough built tractor with a huge Hp jump and a heavier built tractor . the 56 had upgrades and MORE HP . Then came the 66's and with them they had all the late up grades of the Late 56's and once again MORE hp. and a few new problems , One posted that the 966 was the BEST , But hey they have there problems and the biggest is a weak clutch , as it is the same clutch as in size wise as a old S.MTA with 50 horse more pony power but you step up to a 1066 and that 2 inch bigger clutch holds up better , yes you can squeeze in the bigger clutch but to do so costs more . How well a given tractor holds up depends on how well you take care if it.

 

[Hockeygoon]

The highest production model - which I believe was the Farmall H.

 

[ChampagneNBeer]

With Farmall, the better question is, which
IH tractors were duds from the factory...

 

[DR. EVIL]

Only those built at the Louisville plant, everything built at FARMALL in Rock Island was tough as nails!

 

[CityBoy140]

For me the best IH is the one I own. An International Farmall 140 but the engine is too small for your requirements.

The 140 design dates back to the Farmall A and Super A.

 

[caterpillar guy]

The 06,56 series were light years ahead of the older models with power to do the job. Not much for problems and just plain dependable. I've had an 806 since 1978. It is getting in need of engine work. The front main leaks and fuel pump leaks. I need to get her in and split split and fix. Best part no TA.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

You can either have a tractor that's simple and easy to work on, or you can have a tractor with features.

An M is simple and easy to work on. You can get at just about everything without taking much of the tractor apart. You can even change the clutch without splitting the tractor if it hasn't been upgraded to the larger clutch.

However, it has no features. It has rudimentary hydraulics if equipped, and that's it. Push the clutch, and your PTO and hydraulics go dead. No power steering unless you're willing to spend what you paid for the tractor to add it. You could add live hydraulics but that's another $1000.

If you get into something like a 706 or 856 that has features, things aren't so easy to get at anymore. Now you have to start taking things apart to get at other things. They're no longer simple. They're far from the worst tractors out there, but they're not as simple as you'd like.

 

[CityBoy140]

This big city boy successfully did a front split (axle) of the 140 after it ran away into a tree. I replaced the radiator & generator and ended up tearing apart the steering box due to a weakened key that broke in early testing.

I am not yet adventurous enough to try a mid or rear split yet, though.

 

[560Dennis]

Farmall C , I’m partial to

 

[Ken Hansen]

That's almost like asking which is better, a blonde, redhead, brunette, ravine black, and so on!

 

[gmcdeadhead]

That's almost like asking which is better, a blonde, redhead, brunette, ravine black, and so on!


well, which is better?

 

[James Williams]

Im going to give a stupid answer here.I collect F series tractors And the Farmall regular and the F12 was the first in 1920s and 30s.Not much better
than a horse,But look at all of the farmalls that followed.They were all built to the same specs,some bigger,more power,comfort ect but still the
basic tractor

 

[Ken Hansen]

(quoted from post at 16:35:19 08/03/20)
That's almost like asking which is better, a blonde, redhead, brunette, ravine black, and so on!

well, which is better?

I really can't judge that as both wives have been blondes!

 

[mccormicksw4]

around 50 hp Super M t/a
under 100 -856 and very close 806
over 100hp. 1066,1206 1256

 

[mccormicksw4]

around 50 hp Super M t/a
under 100 -856 and very close 806
over 100hp. 1066,1206 1256