Tractor purchase.

[dgoodman2]

Educate me on larger internationals. I've read a lot from you all about 1066, 986, 856, 560???, etc through the years. I think these are going to auction soon and there are an assortment of these listed and probably some more. My question is if I was going to buy one of the herd what number series would be sought after all things being considered. I've heard some say maybe the 986 was most reliable but I can't remember. I've always had an affection for 1066 turbo but never been on one.
I know what you plan to use it for matters but I don't have a need for it just may buy one. I've got too many tractors now but the opportunity is here.

Give me some ideas please. I'll upload a few pics of a few of them.

Also the international loader on the narrow front. Will that fit on a super M. ??

 

[Roger Tomfohrde]

First the loader. The loader will fit but the mounting for the front is different and the tractor is about 6 inches shorter than the 60 series it is on. I like that loader when it is on but it can be hard to mount. While I am partial to 560s, or any propane, I would not buy a propane unless I had an easy way to fuel it. And running out when you are away from the tank is a pain. I feel the 66 series tractors ride better than the ones that they moved the seat forward 18 inches and put the fuel tank behind. Also the 86-88 series the shift levers can get in the way when getting in a cab for larger people.Values for 560 and older has fallen off as more people are fixing up xx56 and newer. Just some thoughts.

 

[dgoodman2]

Yes I've never purchased propane. It would have to be really good deal. Thanks for other info. Which numbers are the 86-88 series. Forgive my lack of knowledge on these big boys.

 

[caterpillar guy]

I know tires are costly and the ones on the 856 are done in. I would still go with the 856. The 986 would be cheaper to go through the engine at that time.
Not a propane guy. I hear all sorts of stories about propane from good to bad. The 86 series is more complicated with the cab and has more electrical things on it.
I think the loaders off either of the tractors would fit on the 856 if they got sold separately. If you are wanting the loader I would skip them all and find a mfwd model for that work.

 

[Charlie M]

I love your thinking - you have too many tractors now but may buy one because you want it. We could easily be related. LOL

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

If you don't have a specific purpose in mind whichever tractor "speaks" to you is the one to buy. Surely one of them catches your eye more than the others.

Of the ones you pictured there isn't a loser among the bunch.

 

[Mark-Ia]

The 856 will go for more than it should. Many people consider that a collector tractor now.

 

[rustyfarmall]

(quoted from post at 05:01:13 10/17/19) The 856 will go for more than it should. Many people consider that a collector tractor now.

I owned an 856 many years ago, so I am rather partial to them, but probably will never own one again. No place to store it, and can't justify having one.

 

[WayneLee]

856 for me

 

[Roger Tomfohrde]

I believe the x86 series had starting at 6,7,8,9,10,14 and 15. X88 30,32,34,36,. The odd numbered ones were two+ two. And then the front numbers also changed and there was the 30,50, 60 progressively newer, a bit different and larger. There is also hydros mixed in with them from the 656 and newer.

I forget to mention the 86 and newer had a better cab with A/C that the older ones lacked. Don't get me wrong here any cab is a good one when you are getting rained on. In the late 706 and newer the wet sleeved engine started to get used a lot more so if working on the engines is something you do you need to account for it. Best tractor I stood next to running at idle that would "make the hair on your neck stand up" was a 1456 turbo. Really wanted to take that one out and use it.

 

[the tractor vet]

I never tell a man what tractor he needs or wants. But i will say unless your set up for propane it is a pain , Now they would be and easy switch to reg gas as there are a lot of the 560's gassers that have been scrapped and a ft. hood and the back hood could be found easy ya need a fuel tank and brackets and a carb and a straight gas dist. as timing curve is a bit different , Now the other items to worry about is engine cond on all of them because you don't have a clue as how good or bad they are and of course the T/A and all of that can dig into your piggy bank real fast and hard . 986's suffer from weak clutches just like the 966 does , and assume that the T/a's are all OUT when buying at a farm caution or consignment unles they can show proof of a new clutch and T/A install. NOT all auctioneers tell the truth and vary few will sell on a ride and drive . Then ya havve the plum stupid bidders that don't know when to stop because they just have to have it and before they know it they are bidding against that far fence post or that bird that just flew by.

 

[dgoodman2]

Very true. I know all say TA expensive so I planned to assume as you said doesn't work. All are running tractors I'm told. Thanks.

 

[dgoodman2]

Thanks guys. I'll be eyeing the 856. If it runs well what's it worth. ??

 

[Goose]

I owned an 856 for nine years back in the 1980's and early 1990's. Back then, people always told me the 856 was the best tractor that IH ever made. I couldn't disagree.

Don't know if that still holds.

Just sayin'. Everyone has to make their own decisions.

 

[rnicholas]

I couldn't help but reply about bidding against a far fence at an auction. I was at an auction and the auctioneer got caught running up the bid by pointing toward the back at a supposed bidder when finally one of the guys standing in the back stopped the auctioneer and asked who he was pointing to because none of the guys in the back were bidding. "We're not bidding back here and you're pointing at us so who is doing the bidding?" The auctioneer got flustered and just replied, "Oh, I thought one of you were making bids." Everyone just chuckled because they knew he'd gotten caught "ghost bidding".