Compare/International Harvester 1256 vs International Harvester 986B

International Harvester 1256 vs International Harvester 986B

Verdict: International Harvester 1256 vs International Harvester 986B

The International Harvester 1256 and the International Harvester 986B 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 115 hp. International Harvester 986B is the lighter machine (5,640 kg vs 9,940 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. International Harvester 986B is the newer design (1981 vs 1967). In short: choose the International Harvester 1256 for outright pulling power, or the International Harvester 986B 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

115 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

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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

liquid-cooledReference

Total built

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328Reference

Variants

Farmall 1256

row-cropReference

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IH 1256

standardReference

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Engine

Fuel tank

159.0 LReference

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Drawbar (tested)

76.1 kWReference

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Displacement

6.7 LReference

5.9 LReference

Bore/Stroke

110 x 117 mmReference

98 x 129 mmReference

Air cleaner

dual dry elementsReference

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Compression

17:1Reference

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Rated RPM

2400Reference

2500Reference

Starter volts

12Reference

Oil capacity

64.4 LReference

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Coolant capacity

22.7 LReference

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Power at rated engine speed

86.6 kWReference

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Max power

76.1 kWReference

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Engine

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99.2 kWReference

Drawbar (claimed)

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76.8 kWReference

Power

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99.2 kWReference

Fuel system

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direct injectionReference

Torque

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450.1 NmReference

Torque RPM

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1600Reference

Starter

—

electricReference

Transmission

Gears

16 forward and 8 reverseReference

Transmission

Torque AmplifierReference

International Harvester Torque AmplifierReference

PTO & Hydraulics

PTO (claimed)

84.3 kWReference

85.8 kWReference

PTO (tested)

86.6 kWReference

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Type

partial power shiftReference

two-speed power shiftReference

Valves

1Reference

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Pump flow

30.3 lpmReference

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Rear Type

III/IIReference

IIIReference

Rear PTO

independentReference

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Rear PTO Type

1000Reference

540/1000Reference

Engine RPM

1000@2100Reference

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Power at rated PTO speed

84.5 kWReference

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Hydraulic system

—

85.2 LReference

Capacity

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85.2 LReference

Rear valves

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2Reference

Rear lift (at ends)

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2844 kgReference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

233 cmReference

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Weight

9940 to 11030 poundsReference

5640 kgReference

Front tire

10.00-16Reference

11.00-16Reference

Rear tire

18.4-38 (Farmall)Reference

23.1-34Reference

Standard tires (ag)

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

Front: 11.00-16. Rear: 23.1-34Reference

Length

416 cmReference

405 cmReference

Width

233 cmReference

258 cmReference

Height (steering wheel)

218 cmReference

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Bar rear axle

82 mmReference

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Shipping

5003 kgReference

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Operating

4719 kgReference

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Ballasted

6264 kgReference

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Shipping weight

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5640 kgReference

Ground clearance

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55 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

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Electrical

Charging system

alternatorReference

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Charging amps

55Reference

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Batteries

2Reference

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Battery volts

6Reference

12Reference

Battery AH

204Reference

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Ground

—

negativeReference

Test results

Fuel use

28.8 l/hourReference

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Max pull

5036 kgReference

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Speeds

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.