A lot of people love to rip on IH 66 and 86 series. Let me tell you, we farm a lot of ground and have used the hell out of those tractors. And they held up just fine. They’re not perfect, but neither is anything else. John Deere guys like to think they have the best, but I’ve wrenched on everything over the years, and I have lists of things wrong with those, too. None of the brands were perfect. Many tried hard to give a good product, even when the farm economy was killing their companies. But these machines got us through. Now everyone is paying top dollar for those tractors, because it’s easier to buy than a $400000 planting tractor...
@@Bretts_channel as a mechanic, I’ve seen lots of misuse and abuse of machines, and then people call them junk. Customers wanting me to set up their 806 to 140hp. No, go get a tractor made for 140hp. 4386 tractors that guys use like it’s over 300hp, and 2+2’s like they’re large frame 4wds. We’ve had three of the anteaters, no real problems. We have three Versatiles that are still going strong. Lot of IH tractors. All have been pretty good despite the work they do every year.
@@thevox1075 You are correct there. In my personal opinion, a number of these 66/86 series in New Zealand were common to do very high hours with little trouble, as the fuel pumps were left alone and the tractors were not ballasted beyond belief. I see guys on various Facebook groups complaining about the tractors being unreliable all while running a 150hp tractor at 300hp with a ridiculous amount of weight.
I have driven more john deeres in my life than any other tractor and was an ih mechanic. Ih engines were by far better, but the draw back was the ta because no one knew how to use them properly. Both great when used and maintained properly.
A lot of people love to rip on IH 66 and 86 series. Let me tell you, we farm a lot of ground and have used the hell out of those tractors. And they held up just fine. They’re not perfect, but neither is anything else. John Deere guys like to think they have the best, but I’ve wrenched on everything over the years, and I have lists of things wrong with those, too. None of the brands were perfect. Many tried hard to give a good product, even when the farm economy was killing their companies. But these machines got us through. Now everyone is paying top dollar for those tractors, because it’s easier to buy than a $400000 planting tractor...
I agree. They all have their own positives, like anything if you look after it it will look after you.
@@Bretts_channel as a mechanic, I’ve seen lots of misuse and abuse of machines, and then people call them junk. Customers wanting me to set up their 806 to 140hp. No, go get a tractor made for 140hp. 4386 tractors that guys use like it’s over 300hp, and 2+2’s like they’re large frame 4wds. We’ve had three of the anteaters, no real problems. We have three Versatiles that are still going strong. Lot of IH tractors. All have been pretty good despite the work they do every year.
@@thevox1075 You are correct there. In my personal opinion, a number of these 66/86 series in New Zealand were common to do very high hours with little trouble, as the fuel pumps were left alone and the tractors were not ballasted beyond belief. I see guys on various Facebook groups complaining about the tractors being unreliable all while running a 150hp tractor at 300hp with a ridiculous amount of weight.
Don't lug it, rip the T/A out of it!! That's what it's there for, then this mechanic, can fix it. Life could be so simple...
I have driven more john deeres in my life than any other tractor and was an ih mechanic. Ih engines were by far better, but the draw back was the ta because no one knew how to use them properly. Both great when used and maintained properly.
I have several IHs. Tell us how to operate that TA.