656 Gas vs. Diesel

I am looking to purchase a 656 to help in the hay field this year. There are 2 within a few miles of me. One is gas the other is diesel. Both have about 3000 hrs, the gas is in somewhat better condition with better rubber. But the Diesel model is $1500 higher priced. My question is will the fuel consumption really vary enough to make the diesel the better buy. Thanks in advance for any input.

Lots of things to consider;
How handy are you, gas is easier to work on and the tractor is at least 35 years old, so may need some work.
Have you priced tires lately, good tires are a big selling point.
How hard are you going to work the tractor, diesel will give a bit better economy AT FULL LOAD, you can buy a lot of $1.55 gas for $1500.
What weather conditions, gas =easy to start in cold.
I usually find that if cosmetics are cared for the rest of the tractor probably was to.

My 1st cousin has a 656 gas that my Grandad bought new in 1966. It is an easy tractor to work on and also does not use fuel like some of the bigger gassers. Engine RPM for this tractor is 1850 for PTO work, unlike a 706 or some other models rated at 2150 RPM. We used to field work this tractor when I was a kid, it would pull 4 16s in heavy soil. A rugged tractor for it's size.

WB: My experience with 656 diesel in the hay field, 1 IMP gallon per hour. Didn't matter whether it was 9' haybine or pulling baler with thrower and wagon.

I expect the gasser will be a heavy drinker. We never bought IH 6 cylinder gassers in eastern Canada. I've only ever seen one.

I sold my 656 gaser that was in show room shape. I will never own one again, because you have to mount the gas barrel to the tractor to run it. However, I would buy the diesel 656 any day, it may be $1500 more, but in the long run it will be well worth it if you plan on using it or if you were to ever sell it.

Hugh,
Dumb American so I don't know from liters/litres, Imperial gals, etc. but our gasser burned about 1 US gal more per hr.than our diesel(4.5 vs3.5), that was pretty much the same as the 560s did.

Gary: I wouldn't call it dumb, hell we spent most of our lives in a state of confusion over measure. A litre is actually very close to an American quart. The IMP gallon is 1.25 times larger than US gallon.

I have pondered this question before... By my research, no 6 cylinder gasser! I would buy the diesel and it you are concerned with cold weather, install a inline block heater on the radiator hose. Seriously think about this, why are gasoline tractors not manufactured anymore? Effienciy, diesel is a much more efficient fuel. Before I get flogged for saying this, I am not bashing gasoline tractors. I grew up on a few too. In the 50's and 60's they had some large gasoline truck engines in tractor trailers. GMC made a 702 cid, v-12 gasoline engine from 1960-1965. It lost out to the diesels.

Food for thought,

Charles

I agree with garytomaszewski. The diesel will give better fuel economy at all levels but by how much depends on how you are using it. Under light load the 656 gas will burn a little more - but with current fuel pricing it would have to burn at least 50% more for the diesel to be cheaper. If you're going to gut it out and do field work with it go with the diesel, if its going to be a loader tractor with light use go with the gas. You can buy a lot of fuel with the $1500 and the cost of new tires.

My brother learned this going from his 14 MPG V10 gas super duty to his new 16 MPG 6.2 diesel super duty.

I'm in no way an expert, but if my diesel tractor doesn't start, I don't have to scratch my head over a carb, distributor, points, plugs & wires, etc. Just a thought.

Dave

No offense to anyone since I'm not an expert either. When I had a 460 diesel and it wouldn't start, I spent a lot of time scratching my head over the cold, the fuel too thick, the fuel filters, the fuel lines, the fuel pump, the fuel injectors, and the fuel injection pump. While I was scratching my head, I was getting nasty smelling diesel all over the clothes I was wearing. Never could wash diesel out and always ruined a pair of gloves.

I enjoy scratching my head with my gas tractor a little more.

But a lot depends on what your other tractors are that you are running and what you are used to.

I am unfamiliar with true cold weather, but in the south it is not cold enough for diesel to gel up. It does get cold enough to give the battery and started a workout. Every diesel tractor has an inline convection-type water heater. It is thermatically controlled and will maintain 140 degree, circulating engine coolant. My 504 requires using the glow plugs in the summer. With the heater plugged in I can start it when it is 40 degrees without glow plugs.

The only one item I can think of is if the injector pump fails it cost a good bit to OH. My father found this out on his Ford 6600. It actually has a small "crankcase" that you have to keep oil in... Well, 20 something years later he found this out after writing a $600 check for an OH.

Personally I detest gasoline tractors. The maintenance of the cap, rotor, points, plugs, carb, ect alongside the prevenative maintenance that both engines share (oil, filters, valve lash....). With a diesel tractor keep the diesel dry and use a good fuel filter. Have good glow plugs and keep the valve lash in check. If gasoline and LPG tractors were that good then the manufacturers would not have quit making them. That is just my take.