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Farmall 856 vs Farmall Hydro 70
Verdict: Farmall 856 vs Farmall Hydro 70
The Farmall 856 and the Farmall Hydro 70 are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Farmall 856 leads on rated power with 100 hp against 90 hp. Farmall Hydro 70 is the lighter machine (7,450 kg vs 9,270 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. Farmall Hydro 70 is the newer design (1973 vs 1967). In short: choose the Farmall 856 for outright pulling power, or the Farmall Hydro 70 if a tighter budget and lighter footprint matter more. Compare the full spec tables below before booking a demo.
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Fit & specs
Farmall
85
Fit score
Best match
Clear
Farmall
85
Fit score
Best match
Clear
Rated power
100 hp
90 hp
Confidence
40%
40%
Guide price
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—
Overview
Manufacturer
Farmall (a part of International Harvester)Reference
Farmall (a part of International Harvester)Reference
With 16.9-38 rear tires.Reference
Diesel hydrostatic 2WDNovember 14 - December 3, 1973Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 1155 fileReference
Total built
3,676 (F856 Custom total)Reference
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Original price
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$14,200Reference
Variants
IH 856
standard chassisReference
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Farmall 856
row-crop chassisReference
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856 Custom
economy modelReference
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Engine
Fuel tank
181.7 LReference
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Drawbar (tested)
65.0 kWReference
40.2 kWReference
Displacement
4.9 LReference
5.1 LReference
Bore/Stroke
97 x 112 mmReference
98 x 112 mmReference
Air cleaner
dual dry elementsReference
dual stage dryReference
Compression
8.8:1Reference
17:1Reference
Rated RPM
2400Reference
2400Reference
Starter volts
12Reference
12Reference
Oil capacity
64.4 LReference
75.7 LReference
Coolant capacity
20.3 LReference
19.9 LReference
Power at rated engine speed
74.9 kWReference
51.8 kWReference
Max power
65.0 kWReference
39.6 kWReference
Engine (gross)
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67.1 kWReference
Drawbar (claimed)
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40.3 kWReference
Power (gross)
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67.1 kWReference
Idle RPM
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900-2400Reference
Transmission
Transmission
Torque AmplifierReference
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Gears
16 forward and 8 reverseReference
infinite forward and reverse (2-range)Reference
Clutch
dry discReference
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PTO & Hydraulics
PTO (claimed)
70.8 kWReference
51.5 kWReference
PTO (tested)
74.9 kWReference
51.9 kWReference
Rear Type
2Reference
IIReference
Type
two-speed power shiftReference
hydrostaticReference
Rear PTO
independentReference
independentReference
Rear PTO Type
540/1000Reference
540 (1.375)Reference
Engine RPM
1000@2100Reference
540@1986Reference
Power at rated PTO speed
70.3 kWReference
48.8 kWReference
Hydraulic system
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75.7 LReference
Capacity
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75.7 LReference
Rear valves
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2Reference
Pump flow
—
22.7 lpmReference
Dimensions
Wheelbase
266 cmReference
261 cmReference
Weight
9270 to 10290 poundsReference
7450 to 8200 poundsReference
Front tire
7.50-16Reference
7.50-16Reference
Rear tire
16.9-38Reference
15.5-38Reference
Ag front
7.50-16Reference
7.50-16Reference
Ag rear
16.9-38Reference
15.5-38Reference
Length
416 cmReference
408 cmReference
Width
233 cmReference
220 cmReference
Height (steering wheel)
218 cmReference
195 cmReference
Shipping
4204 kgReference
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Operating
4667 kgReference
3719 kgReference
Ballasted
5459 kgReference
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Height (exhaust)
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264 cmReference
Clearance (drawbar)
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35 cmReference
Front tread
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147 to 208 cmReference
Rear tread
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142 to 274 cmReference
Gas Shipping
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3379 kgReference
Diesel Shipping
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3578 kgReference
Farmall 856 attachments
856 Serial Number Location
856 Serial Numbers
1967
7501Reference
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1968
9854Reference
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1969
19554Reference
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1970
28693Reference
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1971
32420Reference
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Test results
Fuel use
22.7 l/hourReference
20.1 l/hourReference
Max pull
4271 kgReference
3769 kgReference
Speeds
Capacities
Gas Fuel
—
124.9 LReference
Diesel Fuel
—
117.3 LReference
Hydro 70 Serial Number Location
Hydro 70 Serial Numbers
1973
—
7501Reference
1974
—
7570Reference
1975
—
8681Reference
1976
—
10094Reference
Electrical
Charging system
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alternatorReference
Charging amps
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37Reference
Fit score weighs budget, operation size, crop match and data confidence against the details above. It’s guidance, not advice — always confirm with a dealer demo.