IH Hydrostatic tractor for vegetable farm

booch

Member
Hello, I'm considering getting a hydrostatic IH for our veg farm--we grow about 20 ac. of veg. Would appreciate any info from folks with experience with hydros--I've never used one.
Have an eye on a Farmall 656 diesel hydro with about 2500 hours. Would like the hydro to be dedicated transplanting or spading tractor--both low draft, slow operations.
Couple of questions would be great to hear opinions:

-how do you know if the hydro is good?

-can hydros creep down to 0.2 mph?

-can these tractors be operated by short people (I am 5'3" and I hire a lot of women operators)?

-What is narrowest tires we could put on? (We have well drained, sandy ground and never get machierny stuck.)

-Any other things to look out for?

Thanks in advance for any info,
Paul
 
A hydro can go so slow you need to set stakes to see it move. Yes, a short person can run with ease.You dont even need to use the 'clutch'.With the right rims,10x38 tires will fit. And for only a 20 acre farm,It can be the 'big' horse,too.A Hydro can plow,disk,work ground just like a 'gear' tractor.
 
I own a Farmall 656 hydro and an IH 544 utility hydro. By putting the transmission in the lower of 2 speed ranges and barely moving the speed lever forward, you can just creep along at a constant speed.

Checking the hydro of a used tractor can be accomplished by putting the tractor into forward motion and at the same time put hard pressure on the brake pedals. If it stalls or kills the engine then the hydro is strong. --Lee
 
Lots of IH Hydro tractors were used for light tillage and hay making operations here. Some were used for jobs such as plowing but I could not tell you about the durability of doing that year after year. They were mostly seen on transplanters and adapted to cabbage harvesters.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top