which IH model for loader tractor

Been on tractor house lately pricing tractors from the 666 up to a 826. Not sure which model would be the best one to get. Want one that will push snow, lift at least 4,000 lbs off the ground, and have enough power but dont want it to disapeer in the yard in the spring because it weights a ton. Any recommendations or gremlins of each model would be appreciated. Thanks, andy

I have a 766 with 2350 loader. i love it but its not very tidy around the yard. I've always wanted a 784 with 2250 loader. To me that would be the perfect sized tractor with 38 inch rear wheels. Kent

4000 lbs is a lot to lift with a farm tractor. I have had an F20 hanging off my 86 Hydro but I don't drive it anywhere. I move the trailer and set the darn thing down.

i'm partial to hydros for loader tractors. i have a 2250 loader on a 656, and a 826 that has had a loader on it. but if you want to lift 2 tons, you need a payloader. i've had a ton on the front of a 4010 and its plenty for a farm tractor.

Just about any would be satisfactory.Stay away from an '06 series,they can have shifting problems,and be hard to shiht at best.656/666/686,or a hydro would be the easiest to shift.how about a 560,they make great loader tractors.

The part about lifting 2 tons on a loader is the part that bothers me. I have lifted approx. 2400 lbs with a loader and it was all it wanted and then some, and would likely easily break a front end of a farm tractor if not very careful, and probably exceed the capacity of most farm tractor loaders. I was lifting the smaller concrete "mafia blocks" and only moving them a small distance. I was told they weighed about 2400 each, and they are 2x2x4.

A 666 is a good loader tractor but if you want to move stuff around the yard and its muddy than the ideal tractor will be a 4 wheel drive with a shuttle shift transmission. Like a 784,885,a C80 or c90 they are shorter than a 666 and you can get around in smaller spaces and you wont believe the difference 4 wheel drive makes. I have had them both and would never go back to a 2 wheel drive. And like all the other guys said 4000 pounds is too much for any tractor.

To lift 4000lbs, you need an old Payloader. None of the tractors you mention are capable of lifting that much without suffering some level of damage.

Also, none of the tractors you mention will be able to drive on a lawn without making a mark. They start at 6000lbs and go up from there. My 1600lb Cub makes marks in the lawn when it's wet.

I have to agree with the others, 4,000 # is an awfull lot to lift with a farm tractor & loader, especially those two models. I doubt if the front end would hold up very long on the 666, especially if it's a wfe.

Years ago I had a loader on a 656 & it was a poor excuse of a loader tractor IMO. I later put the same loader (Freeman XL4000) on a 806. Big difference in what I could do with it but as others have said shifting could be a PITA at times.

I have also owned a JD 4020 PS with a 148 loader on it. Nicely match settup but a 158 loader would have more & higher lift. The Power Shift was really nice for loader work. However, the loader wouldn't pick a min bulk of seed (2500#) higher than the hood of the tractor. 4 2250# was about it.

I currently have an 806 with a 2355 loader. We don't use the loader that much, bought the outfit for the tractor. We have a 416B CAT loader/backhoe that we use for most of our loader work. 4000# would be nothing for it & up in the air it's very stabile.

For the work you're wanting to do you need to look at something more in the construction line that was designed to lift those kind of weight. The toque convert & shuttle shift make it ideal for repitious loader work. Once you get the hang of it you can be going the other way as soon as you stop, or before. Makes things go a lot faster.

JM2¢

I have a model 784 (locking rear diff) with 2250 FEL and 38" rear tires, largest front tires I can find and like it. It would be lots better, however, with a hydro trans and 4WD. No matter where I use it, however, it makes tracks except on any soil short of rock hard clay. As others have said, it will NOT lift 4000 with the bucket; for that you need a commercial unit.

I have a 2606 with IH 3000 loader and case CK backhoe attachment. Handles 1500# bales all right but you can't hardly steer going forward and in the mud, forget it. I moved a bale yesterday and backed it into the corral because of the mud and steering. Buried it in the muddy corral one time. Just left it till it dried out. The hoe balances the bales otherwise it wouldn't pick them up. It wouldn't pickup a 6x6x2 concrete porch and all I could do is drag it backwards. Mine shifts ok but I don't shift unless stopped. A bucket is worthless for pushing much snow, for that you need a blade.

Nothing you mention will make you happy. You should consider a bobcat/skid steer for some of your requirements.

I have an 84 hydro with a 2255 loader. That is a huge difference over a 656 gear drive with a loader. It also have the optional foot throttle so it is almost like running a backhoe. Very slick for hauling manure.