The Farmall 706 and Farmall 806 were introduced together in 1963 as International Harvester’s answer to the growing demand for six-cylinder row-crop tractors. The 806 was the larger of the pair, the 706 a slightly smaller version of the same design, and both replaced four-cylinder thinking in the Farmall range.
Farmall 06 series at a glance
| Maker | International Harvester, Rock Island, Illinois |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1963 |
| Models | Farmall 706 and Farmall 806 |
| 806 engine | C301 301 cu in petrol, 95 hp; D361 diesel, 361 cu in, 110 hp |
| 706 engine | C263 282 cu in petrol, 89 hp; D282 diesel |
| Transmission | two ranges, eight forward and two reverse gears |
| Options | torque amplifier, hydrostatic power steering |
| Power take-off | 540 and 1000 rpm shafts |
| Front axles | narrow or wide, powered wide front optional |
| 706 production | 1963–1967, about 46,000 built |
| 806 production | 1963–1976, about 35,000 built |
| Price when new | about $6,300–$7,100 for the 706, $7,100–$7,900 for the 806 |
Based on one source, the English Wikipedia article on the Farmall 06 series tractors, which covers both the 706 and the 806.
History of the Farmall 06 series
Until the late 1950s International Harvester, like most American makers, built general-purpose and row-crop tractors with four-cylinder engines. Horsepower had risen from around 30 hp in the 1940s to 40–50 hp by the end of the 1950s, and in 1960 John Deere introduced a general crop tractor with a six-cylinder engine. International’s response came in 1963 with the Farmall 706 and 806, a pair of six-cylinder row-crop tractors that shared their basic design. The new models also used hydraulic braking, steering and accessory systems fed by three separate pumps.
The Farmall 806 was the bigger machine. Its C301 six-cylinder in-line petrol engine of 301 cubic inches produced 95 horsepower; a D361 diesel of 361 cubic inches raised that to 110 horsepower, and an LP gas version was also offered. The transmission was a two-range unit giving eight forward and two reverse gears, with a torque amplifier available as an option. Hydrostatic power steering was standard, and two power take-off shafts turned at 540 and 1000 rpm. Buyers could choose a narrow or wide front axle, and a powered wide front axle was on the option list. The 806 was produced from 1963 to 1976, about 35,000 were built, and prices ran from roughly $7,100 for a petrol model to $7,900 for a diesel. High-crop 806 HiClear versions were made, and factory cab installations became an option in 1965.
The Farmall 706 was a slightly smaller version of the 806 and also first appeared in 1963. Its C263 six-cylinder engine of 282 cubic inches gave 89 horsepower in petrol form, with diesel and LP gas versions offered alongside; the diesel used a D282 engine. The same choice of cabs, narrow or wide front axles and a powered wide front axle was available. The 706 was built from 1963 to 1967, with about 46,000 produced and prices of about $6,300 for petrol and $7,100 for diesel. The 56 series was a direct update of the 06 series: the Farmall 856 of 1967 was a rebadged 806 with larger engines and a non-turbocharged 110 hp diesel, and the 766 of 1971 developed the 756 that had replaced the 706.
Design and features
- Six-cylinder power: the 06 series moved International’s row-crop line from four to six cylinders.
- Three-pump hydraulics: separate pumps for braking, steering and accessories.
- Two-range transmission: eight forward and two reverse gears, with an optional torque amplifier.
- Dual power take-off: shafts turning at both 540 and 1000 rpm.
- Axle choice: narrow, wide or powered wide front axles for different row widths.
Farmall 06 series versions
- Farmall 706 (1963–1967): the smaller model, petrol, diesel or LP gas.
- Farmall 806 (1963–1976): the larger model, up to 110 hp in diesel form.
- 806 HiClear: high-crop version for tall crops.
- Farmall 856 (1967): the rebadged 806 of the 56 series.
- International 706 and 806: standard-tread versions sold under the IH name.
The 06 series carried on the row-crop line that had grown from the Farmall H and the larger Farmall M. More Farmall tractors are in the Farmall collection.
Video: farmall 706 folles 2013
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Farmall 06 series tractors, English Wikipedia: development, engines, transmission, production, prices
