IH 986 tractor - transmission overhaul

Richard S. · Oct 21, 2011

I have a 986 (late 1978) tractor that has a major problem and I need some advice and or opinions from anyone. It has worn out bearings in the Range Transmission and a gear that is missing 2 teeth. Mechanic says that it will cost 4 - 5 thousand to overhaul. However, if some of the problems in the range transmission have caused damage in the Speed transmission, then that too will need to be overhauled. Total cost of about 10 thousand.

Should I junk it or do the overhauls.

I like the tractor, engine starts and runs great with plenty of power. Has a new water pump, alternator, gauges. Cab and air are not functional - windows need to come out. The tractor is not very pretty because it has quite a bit of rusted out sheet metal. Rear tires in bad shape but front ones excellent

I would welcome any opinions and or advice.

Rich. S.

Bob · Oct 21, 2011

IF you can do the work yourself you are looking at a couple of hundred bucks for parts. If you are going to have a STEALERSHIP do it you would be better off to send it to china to be made into
WallyWorld trivets.

DeltaRed · Oct 21, 2011

kind of a tossup.Can you replace it for the repair bill?You know what you've got.Or do you want a newer/nicer tractor?Another tractor could have an expencive repair waiting,hideing...Only you can make that call.Good luck,Steve

the tractor vet · Oct 21, 2011

A lot of work to do on a cab tractor when ya do not have all the toys to work with.But if ya got a decent shop with a concert floor a welder a torch and some scrap iron some good heavy steel casters and time you could make up a set of splitting stands and a rear split dolly and a set of cab supports and DIY it . also a good heavy cherry picker . working around the cab is the problem . and i am guessing that the gear with the missing teeth is the rev gear from the park lock being dropped while the tractor was still moving.

oldtanker · Oct 21, 2011

Rich I'm big on telling people to fix it. In your case given the faults, tires, cab, sheet metal and all I thin that instead of spending 5-10K to rebuild the tranny I'd look at replacing the tractor. Round these parts a 986- 1086 in good condition is a 10K tractor. You can strip your current one for parts and keep the engine.

Rick

JRSutton · Oct 21, 2011

Think I'd go that route myself.

You can't really sell it as is, at least not without a guilty conscience.

And for the price they're quoting you, you could probably find another one that would last you a while...

So you really don't have much to lose if doing it yourself doesn't work out. If it's not working now, you can't wreck it.

If you get in too deep and can't fix it, either slap it back together and let the pros do it, or keep it for parts and buy another one.

ejr-IA · Oct 21, 2011

Its time to take a trip to the salvage yard find some good parts and fix it. Or a burnt salvage tractor.

Baelee05 · Oct 21, 2011

A couple of hundred bucks for parts? Boy bearings and seals must have gotten a lot cheaper since I last checked. Not to mention gears even if you use salvage. You sound like another crybaby who thinks the dealerships are getting rich off their shops. Guess what? They ain't. Try setting up just a well equipped indepenent shop with all the overhead and see how fast you get rich. I'm sorry, I'm sure you're not a bad guy but this is kind of a hot button issue for me. No I don't own or run a shop. I just get tired of farmers thinking that everyone is out to screw them. Nothing wrong with doing your own work or sending it to a small independent but don't expect a dealer to do it for nothing. End rant!

Bob · Oct 22, 2011

No, I don't think I'm being a crybaby, but lets face it... at $80 or $100 an hour it ain't gonna be cheap!

IH 986 tractor - transmission overhaul

Richard S.

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Bob

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DeltaRed

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the tractor vet

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oldtanker

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JRSutton

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ejr-IA

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Baelee05

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Bob

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