Tractor purchase

[challengertn]

I'm looking for an older tractor to restore and use in parades and tractor drives mainly. I've got an 806 treed that interests me but I need some advice from somebody that knows these tractors better than me. I have noticed that the 806 brings more money than the 806D and I was wondering why. The only IH I've ever run was an 884 and a 1086. I'll have to pay somebody to do any mechanical work to it so I'll need to take which ones are more expensive as far as parts and access to parts into consideration. I'm open for anything in the 06 to 66 series but not much larger than around a 100 HP. I also need to know what problems to look for as well on any model. I've had more dealings with MF and their Multipower was a problem after a while and I was wondering if the TA on IH was the same way. Any suggestions will be appreciated even if it's to just save my money. Thanks in advance.

 

[Crookedwrench]

If you are committed to Red tractors, consider Farmall 350, 300, SuperH, or H. You will comfortably keep up with everyone, relatively easy to refurbish, and much easier to haul than a 100 hp machine
Don

 

[caterpillar guy]

Crooked is right. If you are set on a 06-56 series. Then I would go with the 966 for the close to 100 hp with the newer engine there they have wet sleeves and are cheaper to overhaul. Though IF looking in that range,I would look at the 856 nice tractor in the 100 HP range and nicer shifting than the 06 series. We have all three models 06,56,66. I like the simpler 56 better. 66 series the hood has more pieces to it than the 56. Things like that. All three are very good models. Not really a stitch of difference in them except for the engines and tin work. If you can fix one you can fix the other. As for the TA they are like concrete either going out or are out. We never had one that worked and never heard about any that lasted for to long before they were out. Some of that may have been the people that owned and run them. We also always just took them out if we had to do a double split on them. took the one out of the 1466. 806 never had one since I owned it in 40 years and the 856 the lever is stuck so never tried it. It will not coast down hill so never messed with it.

 

[Bob 7337]

I agree, get a smaller tractor for rides. Might add to above post get one that dont need much work. You can bury a bunch of money in fixing a beat tractor setting in a junk row, they are there for a reason. Let someone else spend money fixing them up and loose money when they sell them

 

[Janicholson]

806 is fine and dandy. The TAs are not a problem and a solid advantage. The out or going out meme is true of almost every thing in this world. they are reliable and best when used often. The type found in an 806 has only one limitation and that is to not use it as a Jake Brake the hydraulic clutch is a holding clutch, and can fail prematurely if used to slow down on a hill when coasting in higher gears. (road travel). Unless you have a specific need for a 100hp class tractor, it will be far more difficult to service, trailer, and buy fuel for than a 460,560, 656 series. Your needs do need to be met. Jim

 

[AlinMO]

The classic IH parade tractor is a Farmall H or M. Not much to go wrong as elementary hydraulics. Next I would go with a 350 or 450 which are fairly modern, live hydraulics and PTO, power steering and with TA as that would be an advantage in parades as it gives you more power to start. I agree, let someone else fix it up with their time and money.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

(quoted from post at 18:13:55 07/01/21) I have noticed that the 806 brings more money than the 806D and I was wondering why.

There is no such thing as an "806D" as a distinct model. The serial tag adds a D suffix after the 806 to indicate that it has a DIESEL engine. I don't know why they didn't put the suffix after the serial number where all the other suffixes are.

The model is still just 806. You'd say "806 gas" "806 LP" or "806 diesel" in normal conversation to indicate what kind of engine it uses.

You have to take into account that not everyone is up on the "correct" nomenclature to use, or think they are. It pays to know more than the people you are dealing with, and it pays even more to not argue with them and just be confident in your own knowledge to know what you are looking at.

Diesel is the desirable engine, and will almost always bring more than a gas model in the same condition unless there is sentimental value attached.

 

[DeltaSteve]

I recently bought a Farmall 350. Nice little tractor,the more I run it,the more I like it.easy to haul. You sit up tall. It will run about 20 MPH wide open. With it's two tone red/white paint,it looks sharp. A 460/560 also looks sharp. IMHO,they are the best looking IH tractors out thre.

 

[HenryO]

My favorites are the M and/or H. I have both, The M is a great parade and hayride puller. The H is just the same but slghtly smaller/ Also, easy to work on and not so expensive parts. Good learner tractors and very pretty when restored. I also have restored an IH hay wagon for parades. Its a lot of fun.

 

[the tractor vet]

Ah well i must be doing something wrong on the T/A's i have installed then and i sure have done a ton of them . Let's see here i have one 1066 that lived on a smaller dairy farm that got run everyday doing something , hardly ever saw the inside of a shed and is still on the T/A still working and i installed that T/a some 35 years ago , my one friend's 1066 was fine till his kid used the T/A to slow down while pulling a fully loaded silage wagon on a hill with somewhere between 35 and 40000 lbs shoving him but that T/A has been in that 1066 for 27-28 years and that 1066 is really turned up well over 200 hp. , the new T/A i installed in my rag 806 has been in there now for 22 years and works like the day i installed it . And that one is also turned up . The only way your going to destroy a T/A is usen it as a braking force as that will ware and flip the sprags . Once that happens they will slip on the low side .

 

[wolfman]

For parades & tractor drives you might consider a Super C. Nice ride, easy to steer, very manuverable and light to haul.