IH Farmall 706

Cowboy2005 · Aug 9, 2019

Hi, I am looking at getting a Ih farmall 706, can anyone tell me the good and bad of these tractors? I need a bigger tractor than I have and the 706 would be about the right size and hp I think. I would like to get a gas, as all our other machinery is gas and that's what I'm used to. Any help is greatly appreciated. Or maybe you know of another tractor about this size that is better? I'm not really looking to spend hundreds of thousands on a new tractor.

HuskerLyn · Aug 9, 2019

Grew up on a diesel 706, dad just sold it 2 years ago. He had that tractor for at least 45+ years. Used that tractor for grinding feed, planting, cultivating, "go-digging", discing, baling, etc... I probably spent more time on that tractor than any one vehicle we had. Was sad to see it go. The shifting on most of the IH's left a lot to be desired. Also realize you have an old tractor on your hands and how well was it treated? As long as you take your time and not force your shift levers, try to make sure there is not a bunch of play in the shifting. I believe I've read here that the shifting can be updated to the '56 series. Cannot say anything about the gas engines, I do know the German diesel engine (Nuess sp?) was sure a solid performer. Never had any big major problems with it. Wished I could have restored it, but I've got a 756 German diesel so I can still enjoy that with better shifting. Actually use it on my disc mower and rake, and did use it some on a 5 X 6 round baler. I'm an IH man to begin with so I would have a difficult time passing up a "Diesel" 706.

tractorguy2 · Aug 9, 2019

Dad has a german diesel 706. Very good tractor. We used it for planting, cultivating, plowing, wheat sewing, disking, spring toothing, and a lot of other jobs. Dad bought it used in 1978 for around $3000.00. It has only had one starter and one injector pump. The only bad thing I can think of is the 3pt doesn't go low enough to hook to implements that have settled or sank into the ground from sitting. We learned to put old fence posts under the implements to raise them up off the ground. Otherwise we had to jack them up or dig holes for the rear tires of the 706 to sit in to get hooked up.
I'm going to catch heck for this but, Grandpa had a 1969 3020. I did not like it as well as the 706. The 3020 wouldn't lift grandpa's four row lister high enough to clear the rail road tracks.

Roger Tomfohrde · Aug 9, 2019

Early 706 gas had C263 and later had C291. Both engines from the line of 221-301, blocks are the same for the most part. 756 is the same tractor with better shifting than the 706, if you are not shifting a lot it doesn't matter, but could have been changed over.766 is the last generation to have the gas engine that I know of and is just a tad bit heavier than a 706.Plan on not pulling the engine to the potential it has unless you are buying really good gas. I really liked the transmission compared to the 656,560 and down, just plain better constructed.

dhermesc · Aug 9, 2019

The 706 and 766 in gas engines should be fairly cheap - they are notorious for being fuel hogs and that really hurts their demand. If you are only use them for light duty (haying) its shouldn't be that big of a deal. If you plan on pulling a plow with it they will burn a huge amount of fuel.

They are fairly solid and are a bit low powered for a large frame tractor. While They are a good tractor - you need to know the history a bit on it - if they've been abused the repairs can be very expensive compared to the price/worth of the tractor.

ed12345 · Aug 9, 2019

I?d stay away from the 706 as it wasn?t one of IH?s good models. Growing up I noticed a lot of them had issues and ended up parked in the hedge rows

Could be that they got abused or Just not well constructed. The same engine in the 6xx series was problem free and it shared a lot of parts tied the 806 which was a exceptionally good tractor. Could be the driver thought they were a bigger tractor then they were and abused them. To me it doesn?t matter as the result is that they didn?t hold up

The German engine 310 in the later modes was better and you had to use hi-test in the gas engines. And yes a thirsty beast

retired farmer · Aug 9, 2019

I had one years ago. Seemed to be a good tractor. Had a four yard pull type scraper hooked to it and moved hundreds of yards of dirt with it.

Brendon-KS · Aug 9, 2019

A gas 706 was one of two tractors my FIL ever bought brand new. Back then this was his "big tractor" and was used for all field work until replaced by a 966 (his only other new tractor). It is still in regular use on the farm today doing loader work and other odd jobs like mowing ditches. It's been a good, solid tractor for him with very few problems, even after 50 years of service.

wolfman · Aug 9, 2019

If your 756 three-point doesn't lower far enough to suit you, it is adjustable. The shaft that lifts the lift-arms is splined. Slide each lift arm off and put it back on the shaft one gear lower.

caterpillar guy · Aug 10, 2019

706 would be a good model better than the 60 sreies in my opinion. Rearend problem was solved and the engines in the diesels were durable. Gas for those you need to take a refinery along to feed them and the 806 was worse. Just anti up for a diesel and don't look back. Will run for years and run cheaper than the gas model.
Yes the shifters can be changed out with a 56 series model but need to be the 756 model for the same length shafts. The 806 856 are the larger frame tractor and will not fit.

Brendon-KS · Aug 10, 2019

To get a feel for fuel usage a person can compare Nebraska tests #856 (706 Diesel) and #858 (706 Gas). The data might be surprising to some folks. The 706 Gas was actually the third most economical gasoline tractor ever tested at Nebraska in terms of hp-hrs/gallon when rated at maximum PTO/belt power. Its economy of 12.86 hp-hrs/gal is only slightly less than the diesel's economy of 13.15 hp-hrs/gal during the same test. Probably the single most useful fuel economy test they do is the varying power test where they vary the power output, measure fuel usage at each point, then average them together - this gives a good, all-around measure of fuel usage for a variety of tasks. In this test the 706 gas averaged 40.55 hp with a fuel usage of 4.085 gal/hr while the diesel version averaged 39.76 hp with a fuel usage of 3.610 gal/hr. Not as much difference as some might expect.

ss55 · Aug 10, 2019

Shifter problems and proper clutch linkage adjustment are be something to be aware of. Good modern chassis, transmission, hydraulics and ergonomics compared to older tractors. Might not be the best for a loader tractor or daily feeding tractor, but that depends on what you are comparing it with. For under 200 hours a year a gas tractor could be a great fit, for over 500 hours a year spending another $2000 for a diesel might be better.

IH Farmall 706

Cowboy2005

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HuskerLyn

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tractorguy2

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Roger Tomfohrde

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dhermesc

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ed12345

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retired farmer

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Brendon-KS

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wolfman

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caterpillar guy

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Brendon-KS

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ss55

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