IH 856

[jsberhow]

Ok, posted a while ago with questions on the 756 gas and requests for pics came. Ended up with 856 diesel and here is pic with my 2 year old boy.

 

[AKfish]

Congrats on your new tractor! Looks like a clean, straight machine.

And you can't start the next generation too early on the beauty of a fine tractor, either!

AKfish

 

[TripleR]

Now that's a nice old tractor.:thumbsup:

I can just feel your son's big grin.

 

[Grandad4]

Very nice!

 

[bigbull338]

thats a nice looking old IH tractor.

 

[backdoor]

My neighbor had an 856 that he bought new in the late 60's. It was his main tractor for all the heavy work on his dairy farm. He used it for many years and just wore it completely out. His only problem was that he let trash and dust build up on the battery box and then he had a fuel spill from not paying attention as he filled the tank. Battery shorted out, caught afire, but he got it put out with not much damage. The battery shorted and caught fire several times while he was frantically trying to get the cover off to see what was wrong. Anyway, I thought I would pass this info along so you could watch out for that. I know most of the farmers talked about how good it pulled a silage chopper compared to most of the other brands of 100 HP tractors around.

 

[DJ54]

Sweet...!! :thumbsup:

 

[art]

That a well set-up tractor. I see it's been through a auction before but it has nice paint the better wheel hubs and the additonal steps make it nice but I am a little curious as to where the engine is at with seeing the block heater as well as the either. It does look sweet!

 

[jsberhow]

The engine is original and 5400hrs. The heater would be in place as according to the original owner "he did not like the use of ether". After looking at several different units, my take would be that this one was far and away the most solid. Why did you asume action? Is there something specific which would make you think this? I bought the tractor from an equipment dealer but met the guy who was the original owner of the unit, he is a friend of the dealer. They both told me that there were only two owners, the original guy and this dealer.

 

[art]

Let me try it differently, does the serial number and the number on the front bolster match?

 

[kf4uda]

That is a nice looking 856. They are hard pulling tractors. I put a lot of hours on one as a teenager plowing and discing. Congratulations on your purchase. I am sure you will enjoy it.

 

[DJ54]

Yeah, I noticed the number written with chalk on the front bolster too. Usually a sign it has gone through on of those large auction yards.

And also noticed the oil pan looks like it has new paint. Not picking it apart, someone may have replaced a leaky pan gasket, and repainted it. I have done the same.

 

[jsberhow]

I will check out the serial number to see if there is a match. I guess that I'm not very experienced in the area of purchasing equipment, therefore not knowing all of what to look for. You try and do your best. I do know that it really seems to run and start well, especially considering our sub zero temps here in MN. The oil pan gasket is new. I don稚 believe it looks painted just cleaned well at the time of gasket replacement.

 

[art]

Normally when tractors are built the serial number is written on the frame some where from the factory to make it easier in the shpping yard.

I did assume it was an auction tractor because of that. The paint seems excellent of it's year, I did notice the either can as well as the block heater which did make me wonder of the actual hours. My thoughts were to use both that the hours might be high.

The either will only give it a metered blast, by that I mean unlike many makes it only gives the engine a certain amount regardless of how long you hold it! That beats other systems that spray as long as you hold it!!!!

 

[radman1]

I put many, many hours on a IH 756, that looked just like your 856. The 756 got used a lot, plowing, discing, cultivating, baling, mowing ect. We sold it about 12 years ago. The hour meter had over 10,000 when it quit working. I suspect it had 12-13,000 hours when we sold it. It still brought more at auction then what it cost when it was new. Never overhauled. The german diesel that was available was a beast. Probably went through 3-4 clutches, and 2-3 pto clutches. Many days I got off that tractor and had ringing in my ears. All was good after 5 minutes!