656 vs. 756 vs. ?

Here's a picture of it:

Well, after posting it in the Tractor Talk forum and in the Red Power Magazine forums a lot of folks are saying that the 656 isn't that good of a tractor with the 282 engine and the shifter.

They are saying I need a 756 instead. Well of course the 756 is a better tractor but is it worth another 50% or more over the price of the 656? I'm happy with the shifter on my M so is the 656 shifter that bad or is it just that some of the newer ones are alot better? Is the 282 engine really that bad?

I'm really thinking this is the tractor I've been looking for. Just a good all around tractor to use on my 42 acres. I'm not a farmer, just a city kid living in the country.

Thanks for any input.

Nathan

First, I have heard several people say that the 656 was one of the best tractors IH made. Agian I don't know and I have never had one. I do know that the 656 carried on with very little changes through the 666 and 686 clear up to 1979 I believe. The major changes being sheetmetal and engine (666 had D312 and 686 has D312 and later D310) I don't think IH would have carried that tractor on for that many years unless it was fairly well liked.

I have 2 tractors with the D282 (560 and 706) You will find that the engine has good power and fuel economy. You will also find that it starts well in winter as long as the engine is OK and the glow plugs work correctly. The only weak point of the D282 is the head gasket. Leaks were more likely in the earlier engines in the 560 as the 706 and later the 656 were both improved.

In my opinion on a farm of 42 acres the 656 is a much better fit. Slightly smaller and lighter tractor. It will handle a lot better in smaller areas. My 560 is about the same as the 656 and the 706 is about the same as the 756 so I know what I am talking about.