Questions about 656

Super-H-Mike · Oct 16, 2012

I have never owned or operated a 656, but I have heard numerous times from people that have, that it was their favorite tractor and a great machine. What is it about that model that endears itself to the user? Or do some of you have a different take on the 656. I narrowly missed a 756 at an auction a few years ago, are the 656 and 756 equally well thought of ? I use my tractors for farm chores and am thinking of adding a bigger machine like these to the herd. From what I see in ads, the 656 is often priced higher than the 756.

rustyfarmall · Oct 16, 2012

A very few 656s were sold around here. Basically they just didn't have the horsepower or the weight needed for the type of row crop farming we did. Most of the 656s around here were purchased for use a second tractor for doing chores and light work such as haying, etc. The 656 was a good tractor, and dependable with very few problems. They just weren't big enough.

Super-H-Mike · Oct 16, 2012

Chores and haying are exactly what I would use it for in fact. It also seems to be a popular loader tractor in my area.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 16, 2012

I have a 544. The 544 and the 656 are very close. The shifting is the major flaw to the 544 656 and the bigger 56 series all the way up to the 66's. I have all three and my 544 is the best shifting, with the exception of the pin falling out and sometimes getting it stuck in gear but an easy fix. I'm pretty sure the 656 has the same gear pattern. As for the 756, if is the same shifting as a 1256, then watch the shifter linkage. Lots of pins and crap to let a lot of play in the shifter. My 1256 has that problem and jumps out of gear because of it. It also has an Mcgill valve problem which is common in that style. But they are both great tractors. Either one will do you great, if your not from the west farming a million acres. I know where there is an 856 for sale if your interested. Its in southwest Pennsylvania

Red Dave · Oct 16, 2012

I have run both 656's and 756's. I would take the 756 any day. The 756 is heavier, more powerful, all around a lot more tractor. I also never liked the brakes on the 656.

Having said that, a friend of mine has a 656 Diesel he put a Turbo on about 35 years ago and loaded it down with weights. He worked that tractor hard, has never babied it. It was the "Big Tractor" on his farm for quite a few years until he bought a 986. It is still going strong, never been torn down. It amazes me that it hasn't blown up yet every time I see it run.

John G. Hasler · Oct 16, 2012

You need to tear down the entire shifter linkage, bore out all the holes in the links, and install oversize pins (or install bushings in the links and replace the pins with the same size). Note that the pins in the final link (the one that connects to the bar coming out of the transmission) are supposed to be welded in. You may also need to replace the plates in the gate mechanism. You can make them if you have patience and a Dremel. It"s a nice shifter when it"s working right, and it is very nice to have a clean deck.

Knoxcityfarmboy · Oct 16, 2012

I have both a 656 and 756, the 756 is alot more tractor than the 656, both are diesel. My 656 has always done everything asked of it and I have pulled it hard with a 12" field cultivator. The only advantage the 656 has over the 756 is the btakes on it still work if the engine dies.

Aces · Oct 16, 2012

If you would fix the brakes on the 756 they will work without the engine, in fact more brake without engine than with. It's all in the book.

mkirsch · Oct 17, 2012

656 and 756 are completely different animals stem to stern.

The 656 is a big small tractor.
The 756 is a small big tractor.

656 can trace its lineage back to the Farmall H. It's light and powerful for its size. Generally considered one of those "handy" tractors.

756 is an 806/856/1066 with less horsepower. It's about 2 tons heavier than a 656, and some consider it underpowered. There's really nothing the 656 can do that the 756 can't, though. Because it's got less power the drivetrain is likely to be in better shape than the larger tractors. They make great tractors for running wagons, because they have good brakes and are heavy enough to keep the wagon under control on hills.

With a 756 pulling 656-sized equipment, you'll feel like a big time operator.

Super-H-Mike · Oct 17, 2012

Must be that handiness and reliability that creates the fondness for the 656 I have seen. My current chore tractor is a SH , which is also handy and dependable . On the very rare occasions that it has failed to start or break down, it is always suprising , simply because it doesnt happen very often . In 20 years of almost daily use , I could count on one hand the times it has failed to come through for me. Thinking of stepping up to something a little bigger is all.

rustyfarmall · Oct 17, 2012

(quoted from post at 07:43:20 10/17/12) Must be that handiness and reliability that creates the fondness for the 656 I have seen. My current chore tractor is a SH , which is also handy and dependable . On the very rare occasions that it has failed to start or break down, it is always suprising , simply because it doesnt happen very often . In 20 years of almost daily use , I could count on one hand the times it has failed to come through for me. Thinking of stepping up to something a little bigger is all.

The 656 would be an excellent choice for your needs. Won't be as simple to work on as your H, but the capabilities will far exceed those of an H.

mkirsch · Oct 17, 2012

The 656 is also infinitely easier to work on than a 756.

Anonymous-0 · Oct 18, 2012

Perfect tractor for row crop work

All the modern conforts. Outstanding ergonomics tough as nails and can handle some tillage

Pulls a 3/16 plow or a 8ft disc with no problem

Not too heavy for field / row crop work. Easy on fuel - Diesel engine

Really good general purpose tractor

Questions about 656

Super-H-Mike

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rustyfarmall

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Super-H-Mike

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Anonymous-0

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Red Dave

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John G. Hasler

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Knoxcityfarmboy

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Aces

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mkirsch

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Super-H-Mike

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rustyfarmall

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mkirsch

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Anonymous-0

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