Value of 656 Hydro

656 diesel gear drive probably was one of the most efficient tractors ever built, in terms of fuel, durability, etc. A gasser in a hydro is probably the most inefficient tractor ever built. I was farming back when these tractors were new. I looked at one as a possible loader, haybine, drilling, spraying and planting tractor. I talked with several owners, and remember these tractors were all less than 3 years old then. Some of the comments I received were, they will drive you to poor house, gutless wonder, good way to burn excess oil, etc. I didn't buy one and was never sorry. I did buy a gear drive diesel, and for the first 10,000 hours repairs were almost nil. (less than $500.)

A perfect assesment of the 656.

I personally feel that anything of IH's 50HP and up tractors is a gasoline black hole. Their fill time is measured in hours whereby the diesels are measured in days.

Just my opinion,

Allan

Be aware that the gas engine is very thirsty with the hydro, used about twice as much fuel feeding as our 1256 diesel does now.

If the hydro works and the engine will run, then I would say $1900 is fair. Did the fire get hot enough to melt the tires? If it melted the tires there could be internal problems...