International Harvester Farmall 1206 or International Harvester 986?

Which should you choose?

On performance, no comparable figure differs by more than its threshold: on this data the machines are level. On features, the International Harvester 986 is ahead on PTO speeds and drive.

  • The International Harvester 986 suits PTO-driven implements (mowers, balers, pumps) better on this data: offers 540 rpm.
  • The International Harvester 986 suits heavy draft work (ploughing, cultivating) better on this data: 29% (1,322 kg / 2,915 lb) heavier and four-wheel drive.

Generated by rule set compare@4 from the figures on the side-by-side table, allowed by route “the same stated configuration”. Measured figures are compared only with measured, claimed only with claimed, at the same test condition; differences within each figure’s tolerance are not called.

What decides it, question by question?

Buyer questions for International Harvester Farmall 1206 and International Harvester 986, with the call on each
QuestionFarmall 1206986Call
Which puts more power through the PTO shaft?79.5 kW (106.6 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Farmall Farmall 1206”77.7 kW (104.2 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 986”EvenEven on power at the PTO shaft (both power at the PTO, claimed): the difference is under the 10% threshold for claimed figures, too small to call.
Which turns a litre of fuel into more work at the shaft?No figureNo call on fuel efficiency at the shaft: no figure on record for the Farmall 1206 and the 986.
Which pulls harder at the drawbar?No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the Farmall 1206 and the 986.
Which pumps more oil for implements?45.4 L/min (12.0 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 986”No figureNo call on hydraulic flow: no figure on record for the Farmall 1206.
Which lifts more on the three-point hitch?2,655 kg (5,853 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 986”No figureNo call on three-point lift: no figure on record for the Farmall 1206.
Which is heavier, for traction?4,588 kg (10,115 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Farmall Farmall 1206”5,910 kg (13,029 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 986”Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The International Harvester 986 is 29% heavier (1,322 kg / 2,915 lb) than the International Harvester Farmall 1206 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
Which may carry more ballast and load?No figureNo call on maximum permissible mass: no figure on record for the Farmall 1206 and the 986.
Which has the wider choice of gears?8 to 16Traktorenlexikon, “Farmall Farmall 1206”8 to 16Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 986”EvenEven on forward gears (both forward gears, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap.
Which offers a creeper range?No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the Farmall 1206 and the 986.
Which is faster on the road?30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Farmall Farmall 1206”30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 986”EvenEven on top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call.
Which offers more PTO speeds?1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Farmall Farmall 1206”540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “IHC 986”AheadThe International Harvester 986 offers 540 rpm at the PTO, which the International Harvester Farmall 1206 does not (as stated by the sources).
Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive?No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the Farmall 1206 and the 986.
Which drives on both axles?2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Farmall Farmall 1206”Two-wheel or four-wheel driveTraktorenlexikon, “IHC 986”AheadThe International Harvester 986 is available with four-wheel drive; the International Harvester Farmall 1206 is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources).
Which is newer, and what about parts?1965–19671976–1981Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The International Harvester 986 is newer: production began 11 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.

What does this mean in plain words?

  • The International Harvester 986 is 29% heavier (1,322 kg / 2,915 lb) than the International Harvester Farmall 1206 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
  • The International Harvester 986 offers 540 rpm at the PTO, which the International Harvester Farmall 1206 does not (as stated by the sources).
  • The International Harvester 986 is available with four-wheel drive; the International Harvester Farmall 1206 is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources).
  • The International Harvester 986 is newer: production began 11 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
  • Even on power at the PTO shaft (both power at the PTO, claimed): the difference is under the 10% threshold for claimed figures, too small to call.
  • Even on forward gears (both forward gears, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap.
  • Even on top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call.
  • No figure on record for every machine, so no call on: fuel efficiency at the shaft, drawbar power, hydraulic flow, three-point lift, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range and PTO independence.

← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources