I was a kid when these tractors were sold new. I just remember being wowed by 856's and 1066's when dad took me down to the local IH dealer to pick up parts for the M or the silo filling equipment. There were very few of those around in the neighborhood which was in part due to other brands having dealers a touch closer or some guys bought solely on price. I had a relative that was more partial to to 06 and 56 series tractors but that was probably due to the 1960's were his growing days and the 1970's were to payoff what he bought during the 1960's. The guy up the road had an 856 and 1026 but I seldom came in contact with 66 series owners. Just the way it worked out. I remember the IH dealer bringing out a used 1466 to try back in 1976 after dad had just bought the one farm. I really was not impressed as it seemed to struggle with a 5 X 18 plow but then again who knows how well the original owner took care of it.
- Thread starter NY 986
- Start date
I would have liked to have seen a 4630 for demo at the same time we tried the used 1466. I don't know what ailed it and supposedly it had been serviced before it came out to us on demo. It's not like even the earliest 1466 would be that old in 1976. IH engines always had a reputation for good torque and in particular the 400 series (414, 436, 466).
Goose
Well-known Member
When I owned an 856 25-30 years ago, I was told repeatedly that the 856 was the best tractor IH ever made.
The 56 series had a dry sleeve engine while the 66 series went to a wet sleeve. As I recall, the 66's had problems with the sleeves losing their seal to the block from corrosion when they first came out. But, my father-in-law bought a 1066 new and never had problems, although it had only 900 hours on it when he quit farming and sold it.
The 56 series had a dry sleeve engine while the 66 series went to a wet sleeve. As I recall, the 66's had problems with the sleeves losing their seal to the block from corrosion when they first came out. But, my father-in-law bought a 1066 new and never had problems, although it had only 900 hours on it when he quit farming and sold it.
Funny thing is was we ran our 4010 diesel w/ 4 X 16 in one field at the same time which we figured was a wash in terms of plow against tractor for each brand. In reality the 4010 with the F145H plow out paced the 1466 with 710 plow quite notably. Even with the 4010 still running the original piston and sleeve combo for a 4010. Dad thought I was running the JD plow too shallow because I was pretty new at plowing with a semi-mount but the plow depth was right where he wanted it to be.
tomstractorsandtoys
Well-known Member
I am a Deere person myself but I really like the 56 series IH's. I would be glad to have an 856,1256 or 1456. The 56 series handle better than the 66 seem to. Tom
notjustair
Well-known Member
We had an 856 and a 966. The 856 was a wheatland and I would swear to you that it had more horsepower than the 966. I know they are about a wash, but it seemed like it. For many years the 856 was our big tractor. It was bought new to farm our section of land. The 966 was purchased in about 1980 and a loader was put on it. It made a great loader tractor. In about 1990 the 56 was traded in on a 1086. I thought we had gotten a Cadillac. It never had the personality that Big Red did, though.
I've got old letter series machines around here that I still use but only one "big" red tractor - an 886 loader tractor that is my favorite by far. All of the tractors used for field work are green. There just aren't any other dealers that are decent.
I've got old letter series machines around here that I still use but only one "big" red tractor - an 886 loader tractor that is my favorite by far. All of the tractors used for field work are green. There just aren't any other dealers that are decent.
redih55
Member
- Location
- Carpenter, WY
I currently own an 856 and I have never had any major problems with it. It starts up great in the wintertime as long as I plug in the block heater before I use it. Gear ranges haven't been too bad to work with. The tractor is used mainly on the bush hog, snow blower or the road drag since the county I live in won't grade the road.
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