Tractor shopping

notjustair

Well-known Member
I've decided to start tractor shopping. In the spring I want to buy a 886, 986, or 1086 IH. I need a good chore tractor with a loader that doesn't have duals and something with a/c for haying. I've been using the JD 4440 and the 7800 FWA this year and they are such hogs with duals (but I need the duals every other day of the year). Quite honestly, my favorite tractor we had was a 1086 and I would like red again. I miss a "big" IH tractor around here.

Why is it that 90% of the nicer old tractors I see just had the engine, T/A, or MCV replaced in the last 10 hours? If I put the money in a tractor it is because I will keep it. I realize it will bring lots more, but an overhaul on those engines isn't cheap. Makes me wonder how well it was done or who did it. It's only a chore tractor, but still.
 
(quoted from post at 07:41:29 08/04/15) I've decided to start tractor shopping. In the spring I want to buy a 886, 986, or 1086 IH. I need a good chore tractor with a loader that doesn't have duals and something with a/c for haying. I've been using the JD 4440 and the 7800 FWA this year and they are such hogs with duals (but I need the duals every other day of the year). Quite honestly, my favorite tractor we had was a 1086 and I would like red again. I miss a "big" IH tractor around here.

Why is it that 90% of the nicer old tractors I see just had the engine, T/A, or MCV replaced in the last 10 hours? If I put the money in a tractor it is because I will keep it. I realize it will bring lots more, but an overhaul on those engines isn't cheap. Makes me wonder how well it was done or who did it. It's only a chore tractor, but still.

Ask who did the work, then you can check them out.

Rick
 
The other things you never know is hours. Some
have 5XXX hours on them. Huh? The 4440 that's
newer is about to roll 10,000. The. 4020 has 24,000
hours on it. I'd almost rather have one that has had
stuff gone through (even if it is a mystery) just
because I don't trust the hours. Anyone can put in a
cab kit and charge up the A/C.

I guess that's the way it is with older machinery. I
haven't needed to buy a 100+ hp tractor that will get
used every day in a long time.
 
When I was looking last year there weren't many of any kind sitting around besides practically new. Everything else, older or newer had a fair amount of hours and no work done (and look like beat to pieces). No classifieds for private purchase, none on dealer lots, at least few and far in between. Spend $20k, get something with 8-9k hours, $30k, 8-9k hours, but a little newer, same condition (oil leaks and all, and no actual idea on hours). Of the handful I saw, like 1086, 8000+ hours were $15k range. 66 series were around $12k. None with any work done. 5288 I saw did have an engine done within 500 hours as it was advertised, but there was oil floating in the radiator on the lot (private party advertised, consigned). Don't care for '86 series or older in the least, but I know they work and just using one would work if I had to. '88 series has more electronics, but for practically the same money around here, had I found a decent one, I would have seriously looked at one. My 4240 has treated me well, does use more fuel, but not that much more. Getting close to half done haying anyway, and it started every day in the winter, that's all that matters.
 
good luck finding 1-- I looked for 4 years and never found 1. settled for a nice 200AC with factory cab. It is not a tractor that will handle a loader- front end is too light.
 
I looked for 5 years for a nice 986 with CAH. Finally saw one on an auction. Went there with a bag of cash. It was TOO NICE I quit at 14K
 
I have an 886 that I just finished baling over 800 round bales with. I also have a Westendorf loader I bought new for it about five years ago. I have since bought a mfwd with cab and loader, so I am thinking of selling the IH.. I'm in MN, and if you have interest now, or next spring, send me an email and I'll give you more information. Email is open.
 
Why is it that 90% of the nicer old tractors I see just had the engine, T/A, or MCV replaced in the last 10 hours? If I put the money in a tractor it is because I will keep it. I realize it will bring lots more, but an overhaul on those engines isn't cheap. Makes me wonder how well it was done or who did it. It's only a chore tractor, but still.
There's a difference between an overhaul you do for yourself and an overhaul you do to sell. Most guys get it running just well enough to get out of their driveway, after that it's not their problem.
 
I would be a little afraid of one with that few hours on rebuild or whatever . is it still giving problems and they're just tired of throwing parts and money into it . inspect it good do oil samples and run it under load if you can
 
On the 10 hrs from new parts thing, it could be the seller is conscientious enough that he can't bring himself to market a tractor knowing that the pump or the clutch is bad and wants to make it right before he sells it to someone. It's an alternative to saying that the "TA is weak". We all know that a TA is good or it's not. I would be the first to say, however, that one cannot get his money back on tires. For some reason new tires on a tractor are not as valuable as they would be if they were not. LOL
CC
 
My neighbors mostly have 6400 to 6430 Jd. Love them. Reason are so high. But I am sure you know this.
 
Growing up I spent alot of time on working for neighboring farms and using them Cornbinders. I could not imagine a loader on an 86 series international tractor. The clutch on the things are just too darm jumpy for me. And shifting it, grind it til you find it. I could not deal with that grinding all day going forwards and backwards using a loader in an 86 series International. At least the 66 series shifted decent, but no cab with an A/C other than a Hiniker cab or something simular.

I would get soemthing with a power shift transmission and a foot speed control. I have a John Deere 4020 with a John Deere 158 loader, its a great combo, just wish it had a sound guard cab with heat and A/C.

Them 466 school bus engines that them Internationals used were an Amazing source of power, if everything else on that tractor was as good as that they would still be in business today!

If any of them Internationals have a front wheel assist, run like hell. There is no support/parts for the EMCO front ends any more. A couple of years ago my neighbor traded his 986 in becuase he needed a new ring gear and pinion for the EMCO front end and no one could find anything for it.
 
Ok, Im in SW Minnesota. Have a guy a few miles from me that I think had a 1086 and is retired.
 

They were replaced becuase they were worn out and they could not sell their tractor with a bad clutch or T/A. They are also cutting thier losses and moving on becuase they are sick of dealing with a bad or jumpy clutch and a bad T/A. Around here, you don't see many 86 seires tractor setting on the dealers lot. If they are, they are ususally overpriced becuase the dealer does not want to mess with a clutch and T/A. Therefor they sell it at there annual consinment auction so they don't have to deal with warranting a bad clutch or T/A.

If you already have a 4440, look for another one or a 4240. With this set up you will only have to have one type of oil on hand, same filters, and same operation. Most of the parts are the same. Whether its an 8 speed powershift or a 16 speed quad they shift smooth and have a nice clutch.

If you want to spend some cash, look for a 50 or a 55 series John Deere with the 15 speed power shift!
 
I would never want a IH 66 or 86 series on any type of loader tractor. They SHIFT horrible!!!!! IF your not at a dead stop you will grind the gears changing direction. Then you add in the loader levers on your right hand and the shifter on your left. You do not have enough hands. Find yourself a JD 4240 or JD 4250 or if you want IH then jump up to a Magnum a much better shifting tractor.
 

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