Farmall 706, any problems?

BigTone · Dec 5, 2012

Hey guys, every once in a while a Farmall 706 comes up for sale in my area and I have been in the market for a larger hp tractor at some point. My wifes uncle said they had transmisson issues due to the shifting pattern. He recommended a 1066 but I would rather have a gasser i can work on.

Any issues with the 706 or would you guys recommend something else, keep in mind it needs to be a gasser, Thanks, ~Anthony

wisbaker · Dec 5, 2012

I don't know that their shifting patterns caused anymore problems than the shifting patterns of John Deere's new generation tractors. I say this because the JD 4020 seems to be the standard other tractors are compared to. I remember being stuck on curve on a county artery on a JD 2010 with the darn linkage hung up between gears and not moving wondering if me, the tractor and the hay wagon would shortly be upside down in the ditch after we get hit by a car or truck. That being said the 706-806-1206 all had similar shifting patterns and linkages, these tractors are 40 years old or older and have experienced some wear. If you don't adjust, lubricate and maintain the shifting linkage it's going to give you some troubles, if this is a problem get an older or simpler tractor with a convectional gear shift OR a newer tractor that hasn't had the elements of time and wear hoisted upon it. But even of you go old & simple you'll see a lot of posts on here about tractor that won't shift because the end of the gear shift or shifting forks have worn to the point they don't push the gears where they need to be to work.

wisbaker · Dec 5, 2012

I don't know that their shifting patterns caused anymore problems than the shifting patterns of John Deere's new generation tractors. I say this because the JD 4020 seems to be the standard other tractors are compared to. I remember being stuck on curve on a county artery on a JD 2010 with the darn linkage hung up between gears and not moving wondering if me, the tractor and the hay wagon would shortly be upside down in the ditch after we get hit by a car or truck. That being said the 706-806-1206 all had similar shifting patterns and linkages, these tractors are 40 years old or older and have experienced some wear. If you don't adjust, lubricate and maintain the shifting linkage it's going to give you some troubles, if this is a problem get an older or simpler tractor with a convectional gear shift OR a newer tractor that hasn't had the elements of time and wear hoisted upon it. But even of you go old & simple you'll see a lot of posts on here about tractor that won't shift because the end of the gear shift or shifting forks have worn to the point they don't push the gears where they need to be to work.

caseyc · Dec 5, 2012

The only real problem in my eyes is that you have to travel through low between high and reverse. A popular fix is updating the shifting to a 56 series (which would be the same as a 66 series too) where high is still "up", low is "down" and reverse is over and "down". With the exception of the pattern, they are all very close in operation and share many similar parts. They are actually quite easy to fix if you take your time and have any mechanical aptitude.

Casey in SD

Anonymous-0 · Dec 5, 2012

They are good tractors, can shift hard if not properly adjusted linkage and clutch brake. Very serviceable a 706 is a 70 HP tractor a 1066 is a 120 HP tractor so big difference in size and capabilities.

LenND · Dec 5, 2012

We had a couple 706's and never heard of a transmission problem. The linkage was a problem if you didn't check it once in awhile. We took the air and blew out all connections on the whole tractor at seasons end. If you keep them clean there is no problem. That goes for any brand of tractor..

DeltaRed · Dec 5, 2012

706s are good tractors.My hi-hour(10,000) tractor got hard to shift.Rather than 'rebuild',I converted it to 56 series shifters.It shifts like that 1066 you mentioned.It wasn't hard at all.

Old-F20 · Dec 5, 2012

its this crazy little thing called MAINTENENCE!!!! you need to keep the linkages adjusted properly. many people simply dont do this and then whe it doesnt shift ride or get hung up they cuss it and say thay're junk.

I have the factory shifter setup on my 806. keep it adjusted, works like a top

i dont see the big hub bub about shifting into reverse. last time i checked, i stop before backing up...........

mkirsch · Dec 6, 2012

The joke is on your wife's uncle, because a 1066's transmission is the EXACT SAME DESIGN as a 706's.

The only difference is a 706 doesn't have an engine capable of >200HP that can tear the transmission to shreds if a previous owner went crazy with the injection pump.

Any shifting problems on a 706 are external, the shift linkages mentioned earlier in the thread. It wasn't a great design, but it does work if kept adjusted and is rebuilt occasionally.

altmodisch · Dec 6, 2012

Have I got a 706 for you 90 hp gas wide front!

Farmall 706, any problems?

BigTone

Member

wisbaker

Well-known Member

wisbaker

Well-known Member

caseyc

Member

Anonymous-0

Well-known Member

LenND

Well-known Member

DeltaRed

Well-known Member

Old-F20

Member

mkirsch

Well-known Member

altmodisch

Member

Similar threads