Buying my first tractor

Pete D · Mar 6, 2010

Looking at an IH 506 gas tractor. TA is stuck in high, but outside of that the tractor seems to be in good working order. The guy wants 2000 for it. This would be my first tractor, and from what I've read, this seems to be a fairly common problem with these. Some people say the tractor can run forever like this, and others say prepare for more trouble. For the price, It's worth it. I'm fairly mechanically inclined, so I'm not afraid to get into it if it does crap out. I did read that you have to crack the IH in half twice to replace the unit. I'd rather not jump into something that big as a newbie...so if the chance are it can run like that for a long time I just let it be until I have to fix it. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Pete D

flying belgian · Mar 6, 2010

Yep I had a 560(which is what you mean) Used it for a few years as heavy tillage tractor and then for a loader and light duty tractor. When the ta failed it ran for years and many hours after that with no problems. Unless you are going to use it for heavy tillage where you might want the additional choice of gears, you will be fine. Sometimes on the baler I longed for more speed choices but generally got by just fine. What are you going to use tractor for?

rustred · Mar 6, 2010

you should be ok but never know.you will never need the t.a. anyhow if your not pulling a heavy load that you need to stop and downshift.thats what they were designed for ... only to get through the tough spot. not to be used constantly, thats why so many have problems.if used as it was designed for they give no problems.guys that say other wise know little about it.

Pete D · Mar 6, 2010

Thanks for the reply.
I only have 3 acres. I'm going with the 560 just because I would eventually like to do some dirt work with it. For now though, I just want to use it for post holes, pushing snow, and mowing, pulling out some old hedgewood posts. All the things you need to do when you buy an old farm home on a little spread. I have a cubby mower that does most of my mowing, but really wasn't meant for all the work I do with it. So it's time for a tractor! =)

pete 23 · Mar 6, 2010

Is it trully stuck in direct drive or does the low range just not drive. There is a defenite difference. If stuck in direct it will be difficult to get out of gear as the direct drive clutch needs to release when you push in the cluch so as to allow gears to roll back to take tension off them. That could be as simple as a pin out of one of the ta clutch fingers which happens a lot. I would just drive it up a small incline , push in clutch and see if it rolls back. It should. Can be check from the top small cover over ta. Might be lucky as the price is sure right.

rrlund · Mar 6, 2010

I don't know how similar they are,but if it ends up like the TA in the 706 that I bought one time,well,good luck,that's all I can say. That one had low out of it when I bought it,then high started to go. Sometimes,and it was intermitent so there was no warning,it would hesitate when you let the clutch out,then WHAM,it would slam in and the front end would come about two feet off the ground. That tractor ended up in Stamm Equipment's bone yard.

Pete D · Mar 6, 2010

I think the 560 is mechanical and the 706 TA is hydro. I"m not positive about that though. I"ll need to do some more research. I don"t know that that makes any difference in the problem. All I know for sure so far is that you usually get what you pay for, so I"m expecting to sink money into it. Just trying to balance the cost of fixing this one compared to something in better shape with it"s own "unknowns"

rrlund · Mar 6, 2010

It's been a lot of years since I've monkeyed with an IH,but back when I had them,the TA was more expensive to fix in a 400/450 than it was in the newer 06s,by a long shot. Don't know if it's still that way or not,or if the 560 uses the same one as the 400/450.

Walt Davies · Mar 6, 2010

I would imagine that you can take the top off the tranny and fix it. it has to be in the shifters somewhere.
Walt

big jt · Mar 6, 2010

One item of note.

Yes you need to split the tractor to fix that. I
think it takes a double split. Don't think the
second is a major deal if you have a shop crane.

To split the tractor you do need to get or build a
set of splitting stands. Only other option here
is to just start pulling components off the front
which is a major project. Not that a split is
minor.

hth

jt

DeltaRed · Mar 6, 2010

Before you split it,check ta/clutch adjustment. ihave seen badly misadjusted tas do what you are describing.buy a service manual and adjust it 'by the book' may or may not fix it,but it is agood place to start.Yes,it is amechanical ta.good luck.

DeltaRed · Mar 6, 2010

TA repairs are a lot of work,but it is not that hard.since you have mechanical ability,you will be OK

Pete D · Mar 18, 2010

Well.....I found a 560 with a working TA and in a little better condition for 3000.00..... and 200.00 delivered. Whats more....today I went to case looking for a fast hitch to 3 point conversion. They wanted 390.00 just for the lower arms. 185.00 for the top bracket without the center link. It just so happened that John, a farmer who lives 7 miles from me had 2 sets of lower arms and told me he'd sell me a set for 100.00. I jumped on it!! So in the last two days I've aquired my first tractor and I'm halfway to my 3 point conversion! I'm a very happy man today!! I want to thank all of you for your input on my post and share a picture of my new girl![/img]

Buying my first tractor

Pete D

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flying belgian

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rustred

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Pete D

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pete 23

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rrlund

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Pete D

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rrlund

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Walt Davies

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big jt

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DeltaRed

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DeltaRed

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Pete D

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