Why no ~60HP row crop from 1963-1965?

mkirsch · Dec 21, 2011

For a couple of years, IH did not have a ~60HP row crop tractor.

There was the 504, and the 706. HUGE jump in power, basically from a wound-up Super C to a... 706.

Nothing in between until the 656 came out in 1965 (IIRC).

The 656 is really just a 460 with a 560 engine and different sheet metal...

Did IH hold off on releasing the 656 for a couple of years, hoping people would forget about the 460's problems?

rustred · Dec 21, 2011

they probably felt there was no need for one. like there was no super W9"s cause the super W6 took over for them.

Aces · Dec 21, 2011

mkirsch The 656 much more than a 560 much less a 460. If the 460 560 would have had the 656 tranny and rear end there would have been no need for a recall. 656 very good tractor!!!

NY 986 · Dec 21, 2011

Speculation on my part but my impression was IH was pushing for a redevelopment in that size but all the R & D was being utilized to get the 706 and 806 off the drawing board. So in essence when 1963 rolled around there was very little done on this size and IH most likely felt it spent more than it wanted to to get the 06 tractors manufactured so a redevelop concept was used from the 60 series. Kind of the same thing with Deere and the New Generation tractors. It cost more than Deere anticipated to bring out the 3010 and 4010 tractors and they were the first priority for development versus the utilities. So in the end I believe the decision was made to skimp on the Dubuque Deeres because the overall R & D went far above estimate during the years the 3010 and 4010 were being developed. Deere also had a gap in their line as there should have been something between the 3010 and 4010.
To sum things up the 06 required more R & D time and money than expected and that flat out put the 60 hp tractor behind schedule. IH also felt the need to tighten the belt after the 06 thus the redeveloped 60 series concept.

Wardner · Dec 21, 2011

Yeah, somebody threw the 606 Row Crop into the round file. 460's rear end too light. It needed some redesign and testing. That designation only saw light as a utility tractor and maybe an industrial.

Anonymous-0 · Dec 21, 2011

To compair a 504 to a super C is just dumb.I rember seeing 504's in tractor pulls compeat with M's and G jd's 40 years ago.Bud.

IH fan · Dec 21, 2011

(quoted from post at 14:13:19 12/21/11) To compair a 504 to a super C is just dumb.I rember seeing 504's in tractor pulls compeat with M's and G jd's 40 years ago.Bud.

404 was the next series after the C, SC, 200, 230 and 240. I always thought the 504 was a follow-on of the 340 which filled a gap between the 240 and 460.

scotc · Dec 24, 2011

I don't think size- or weight-wise, the 656 is much different than the 560. But well improved, other than still having mechanical brakes.

Why no ~60HP row crop from 1963-1965?

mkirsch

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rustred

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Aces

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NY 986

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Wardner

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Anonymous-0

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IH fan

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scotc

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