Farmall 656 gas questions

MNfarmer

Member
Looking at a 1967 656 gas that's in nice shape and has nearly new tires. I have a couple questions, I've read many posts about the TA but not so much specific to this model, can it be run in TA for extended periods of time or is it just something to be used in a pinch? I drove it today and the TA seems strong. It only has one SCV, how difficult would it be to add a second valve? Thanks for your help!
 
TA is the mechanical type, so mechanical TA rules apply.

A second remote is easy to add, but not cheap to purchase. You can use standard o-ring type fittings with hoses to run the outlets to wherever you want instead of trying to find good original lines.
 
What exactly are the mechanical TA rules? I've searched the archives but haven't come up with any concrete answers. This would be my first farmall so I don't know too much about them. Thanks for the tip on the hydraulic lines!
 
Shift it quick. Mechanical ones don't hold back going downhill, so have it in high range before heading downhill. Those TAs are good about 50 years if not abused.
 
There seems to be a problem with the shifting linkage wearing and easy to get locked up between gears or in two gears at the same time. There was a kit released later or post production to correct this issue which I believe is currently still available but pricy. This happened once on my 656 when a neighbor was driving it by quickly going directly from one gear into another. An old timer who was a local IH mechanic told me to ALWAYS go from one gear to neutral and move the shift lever fully both to the right and left before going into the next gear and the problem won't occur. So that certainly rules out any speed shifting even if you could. Good luck and I've found it a nice useable tractor but does require high octane fuel (owners manual states 93+) and like a lot of the IH tractors a low ash oil is recommended which is available from CaseIH. I would say it's fuel usage is similar to other gas tractors in that horsepower range and mine is a nice strong "get it done" tractor with great visibility, Hal.
 
Thank you Hal! I've got a load of premium gas ordered, around here 91 is about as high as we can get but it's pure gas.. non oxygenated. I'll be sure and get the low ash oil too, straight 30 wt correct?
 
I use the CaseIH 30 wt. oil in my tractor as I basically only use the tractor when the weather is above 32 F. It is kept in a closed heated building and would start easy if needed when below 32 F I'm sure. Hope you enjoy your 656 as much as I have mine, Hal.
 
Make sure you use that high octane fuel because you don't want to hurt that engine like we did. We only got 20,000 hours on our gas 656 (with two overhauls) when we used 87 octane.
 
Use it as a gear, it is intended to be used and our 350U still has the original TA and has always been used. Shift it into TA with a jerk, and move it into direct as fast as the lever will move. Jim
 
(quoted from post at 18:32:47 02/19/15) The only drawback to the tractor is it's engine. Keep it tethered to the fuel barrel.

Allan

I'm not sure why the common remark on this tractor always refers to fuel usage.

According to Nebraska tractor tests,

gas, drawbar, 5.2 gallons per hour, premium gas @ $2.44 / gal. = $12.68 / hr. 6.3 hours / tank.

Diesel, drawbar, 4.2 gallons per hour, Diesel fuel @ $2.65 / gal. = $11.13 / hr. 7.8 hours per tank.

Massey 180 for comparison, same horsepower, about 9 percent less fuel usage. Not a deal breaker in my book for acreage use.

Just looked up a similar hp. 3010 JD and it had the same fuel usage numbers as the 656.

Guess horsepower = fuel usage in those days.
 

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