Any Suggestions on a 80-95 hp Tractor?

[JSharp]

The YT Farmall board seems to have a good variety of people with varied IH equipment. Lots of guys restoring old stuff and others more interested in the newer and bigger tractors like you just picked up.

Yesterday's Tractors :: View Forum - Farmall & International Harvester (IHC)

Another one is -

Red Power Magazine Community (Powered by Invision Power Board)

Same sort of mix there and again quite a few people that know IH equipment well.

Both boards run a little slower than here but have been pretty helpful to me with the work I've been doing on my 404. But, it's not really an old enough or big enough model for it to have any following...

Sooner or later though people will discover how good a value they are right now. More capable and 1/2 the price of a good 8N or NAA. I'll soon be able to say I was way ahead of the curve.

 

[Oleozz]

Thanks for the info JSharp. Equipment Junkie had told me about the Red Power Magazine and I'm now going to take a look at Yesterday's Tractors.
The family I bought the 1066 from have seven red tractors on their farm.
Good luck with your 404, I would enjoy seeing some pics of what you are doing with it.

 

[JSharp]

Thanks for the info JSharp. Equipment Junkie had told me about the Red Power Magazine and I'm now going to take a look at Yesterday's Tractors.
The family I bought the 1066 from have seven red tractors on their farm.
Good luck with your 404, I would enjoy seeing some pics of what you are doing with it.

You bought a nice tractor Oleozz. It looks like it's been well cared for and will serve you well.

I've been embarrased to post pics of my 404. It looks pretty ratty and while I've spent a lot of time on it, I've only done it to fix mechanical things and make it usable. Functionally it's great now but it still looks bad.

All these guys here with nice shiny new tractors and pretty fabrication projects... And I'm chasing 45 year old hydraulic valves and happy when I find one and it works... Maybe next year when mine gets some new paint.

 

[scott_vt]

Mornin Oleozz,
Sorry I should have posted the link but I see that Jsharp has done it for me ! That is a great board with tons of knowledge ! I also subscribe to Red Power its a great publication and very interesting rebuilds and articles !

 

[flusher]

Well, if you decide you don't want it, give me a call. I'll be glad to take it off your hands. That is the best looking tractor IH ever built. Looks aside, it is PROBABLY the best all around big tractor IH ever built. The 1066 has a sterling reputation. Unless you go with the largest implements that tractor can handle, you might not need the T/A much. Leave it in high and go to work! The aftermarket cab was just as good as the OEM cabs IH had at that time. By all indications, you got yourself one fine 125 hp tractor!

FWJ: you're right about that. The 1066 really is a sweet looking machine.

I've been watching the auction prices for 1066s. They range from $4200 for a really used, but not abused, machine to $8200 for tractor and 15-ft brush hog. Talk about inexpensive horsepower!!

If I ever need more than 100 pto hp, I'd go for the 1066 in a heartbeat.

 

[Oleozz]

It seems like the price of the older tractors is determined somewhat by the amount of hours that they have. It also depends how much restoration that's been completed. I was at a shop this morning and all they do is restore old IH's. They had a 986 that was for sale at $20,100, a 1486 that was being sold at $13,500 and a 1086 that I believe was $18,500. There were three mechanics who had two or three old IH's completely torn apart and they were rebuilding them. This man makes his living from selling that old stuff and he gets the prices that he asks. The 986 only had 2500 hrs on it, he said one owner and he can verify the hours. It seems like there are quite a large group of people who are really interested in the old red machines and will pay decent money to get what they want.

 

[jimg]

Id be real interested to see how this machine works out for you. From the pics & description it looks like the previous owner took good care of it. That, to me, is always a good sign of how it might fare in the future.

 

[Farmwithjunk]

The collapse of the old "International Harvester" AG division had NOTHING to due with the products they produced. Poor management, poor union/company relations, and the farm economy of the 1980's did them in. Their tractors were top shelf for the most part. They gave John Deere all the competition they wanted.

Certain models have a devout following. The 1066 is one of the most respected offerings IH ever mustered. It 's lineage can be traced back to the 1206, IH's first turbo'ed 2WD tractor. The 1206 is held in high regard also. Many consider it the most advanced big tractor of it's day. IMHO, the 1066 was the best of the best, as far as IH was concerned.

I guess we'll be getting a first hand report from next years "RED POWER ROUND-UP" now too

 

[Oleozz]

I guess we'll be getting a first hand report from next years "RED POWER ROUND-UP" now too

Now that made me laugh although it was held at Bloomsburg Pa. this summer and Bloomsburg's only about 55 miles from our house. That statement along with the thread about Halloween costumes made for an enjoyable day on TBN.
I wish I knew tractor history like you do FWJ, you are really a walking encyclopedia when it comes to tractors and farming.

 

[Oleozz]

Jimg----I'm also going to be real interested in how it works Thank goodness my wife was supportive of this but I did have to buy her new living room furniture and new dining room chairs.