Compare/International Harvester 1256 vs International Harvester 3488

International Harvester 1256 vs International Harvester 3488

Verdict: International Harvester 1256 vs International Harvester 3488

The International Harvester 1256 and the International Harvester 3488 are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. International Harvester 1256 leads on rated power with 116 hp against 113 hp. International Harvester 1256 is the lighter machine (9,940 kg vs 11,600 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. International Harvester 3488 is the newer design (1981 vs 1967). In short: choose the International Harvester 1256 for outright pulling power, or the International Harvester 3488 if a tighter budget and lighter footprint matter more. Compare the full spec tables below before booking a demo.

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Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

International Harvester

Fit score

Best match

Clear

International Harvester

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

116 hp

113 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

International HarvesterReference

Four gears (1-4) in two ranges (low/high) plus reverse range. The Torque Amplifier (TA) allows a clutchless shift from direct drive (DD) to the lower TA speed in all gears and ranges.Reference

Gear 2.3 MPH (LO) used for pull test.Reference

Total built

—

465Reference

Variants

Farmall 1256

row-cropReference

—

IH 1256

standardReference

—

Engine

Fuel tank

159.0 LReference

—

Drawbar (tested)

76.1 kWReference

60.0 kWReference

Displacement

6.7 LReference

7.6 LReference

Bore/Stroke

110 x 117 mmReference

109 x 136 mmReference

Air cleaner

dual dry elementsReference

dual paper elementsReference

Compression

17:1Reference

15.7:1Reference

Rated RPM

2400Reference

Starter volts

12Reference

Oil capacity

64.4 LReference

107.9 LReference

Coolant capacity

22.7 LReference

28.4 LReference

Power at rated engine speed

86.6 kWReference

83.9 kWReference

Max power

76.1 kWReference

60.0 kWReference

Drawbar (claimed)

—

61.9 kWReference

Idle RPM

—

900-2400Reference

Transmission

Gears

16 forward and 8 reverseReference

infinite forward and reverse (2-range)Reference

Transmission

Torque AmplifierReference

—

PTO & Hydraulics

PTO (claimed)

84.3 kWReference

83.5 kWReference

PTO (tested)

86.6 kWReference

83.9 kWReference

Type

partial power shiftReference

hydrostaticReference

Valves

1Reference

2 or 3Reference

Pump flow

30.3 lpmReference

68.1 lpmReference

Rear Type

III/IIReference

IIReference

Rear PTO

independentReference

Rear PTO Type

1000Reference

540/1000Reference

Engine RPM

1000@2100Reference

Power at rated PTO speed

84.5 kWReference

79.9 kWReference

Hydraulic system

—

107.9 LReference

Capacity

—

107.9 LReference

Total flow

—

102.2 lpmReference

Steering flow

—

45.4 lpmReference

Control

—

draft sensingReference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

233 cmReference

266 cmReference

Weight

9940 to 11030 poundsReference

11600 to 12880 poundsReference

Front tire

10.00-16Reference

Rear tire

18.4-38 (Farmall)Reference

18.4-34Reference

Standard tires (ag)

Front: 11.00-16. Rear: 24.5-32 (International)Reference

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Length

416 cmReference

467 cmReference

Width

233 cmReference

259 cmReference

Height (steering wheel)

218 cmReference

—

Bar rear axle

82 mmReference

—

Shipping

5003 kgReference

—

Operating

4719 kgReference

—

Ballasted

6264 kgReference

—

Ag front

—

10.00-16Reference

Ag rear

—

18.4-34Reference

Height (cab)

—

284 cmReference

Shipping weight

—

5261 kgReference

Operating weight

—

5842 kgReference

Ground clearance

—

33 cmReference

Rear axle

—

82 by 2997 mmReference

Front tread

—

152 to 213 cmReference

Rear tread

—

167 to 290 cmReference

1256 Serial Numbers

1967

7501 (IH)Reference

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1968

7703 (IH)Reference

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1969

8444 (IH)Reference

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Location:

Serial number place on the left side of the 1256, on the clutch housing.Reference

Serial number plate on the right side of the tractor frame, ahead of the rear axle.Reference

Electrical

Charging system

alternatorReference

—

Charging amps

55Reference

—

Batteries

2Reference

—

Battery volts

6Reference

12Reference

Battery AH

204Reference

—

Ground

—

negativeReference

Test results

Fuel use

28.8 l/hourReference

30.7 l/hourReference

Max pull

5036 kgReference

5512 kgReference

Speeds

Capacities

Fuel

—

189.2 LReference

3488 Serial Numbers

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.