International Harvester 986 or Steyr 1200 (a)?
Which should you choose?
On performance, every comparable figure that differs favours the Steyr 1200 (a): three-point lift. On features, the International Harvester 986 is ahead on PTO speeds.
- The International Harvester 986 suits PTO-driven implements (mowers, balers, pumps) better on this data: offers 540 rpm.
- The Steyr 1200 (a) suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 43% (1,145 kg / 2,524 lb) more three-point lift.
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?
| Question | 986 | 1200 (a) | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 77.7 kW (104.2 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 986” | 76.9 kW (103.2 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 1200” | 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 986 and the 1200 (a). |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 986 and the 1200 (a). |
| 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 1200 (a). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 2,655 kg (5,853 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 986” | 3,800 kg (8,378 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 1200” | AheadThe Steyr 1200 (a) has 43% more lift (1,145 kg / 2,524 lb) than the International Harvester 986 (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source). |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 5,910 kg (13,029 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 986” | 4,036 kg (8,898 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 1200” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The International Harvester 986 is 46% heavier (1,874 kg / 4,131 lb) than the Steyr 1200 (a) (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 986 and the 1200 (a). |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 8 to 16Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 986” | 12 to 16Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 1200” | 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 986 and the 1200 (a). |
| Which is faster on the road? | 30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 986” | 25 km/h (15.5 mph) to 30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 1200” | EvenEven on top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap. |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “IHC 986” | 1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 1200” | AheadThe International Harvester 986 offers 540 rpm at the PTO, which the Steyr 1200 (a) does not (as stated by the sources). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | — | independentTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 1200” | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 986. |
| Which drives on both axles? | Two-wheel or four-wheel driveTraktorenlexikon, “IHC 986” | 2WD / 4WDTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 1200” | EvenEven on drive: every machine is available with four-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1976–1981 | 1972–1975 | EvenSame era: production began within 5 years of each other. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts. |
What does this mean in plain words?
- The Steyr 1200 (a) has 43% more lift (1,145 kg / 2,524 lb) than the International Harvester 986 (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
- The International Harvester 986 is 46% heavier (1,874 kg / 4,131 lb) than the Steyr 1200 (a) (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The International Harvester 986 offers 540 rpm at the PTO, which the Steyr 1200 (a) does not (as stated by the sources).
- 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 figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap.
- Even on drive: every machine is available with four-wheel drive.
- Same era: production began within 5 years of each other. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
- No figure on record for every machine, so no call on: fuel efficiency at the shaft, drawbar power, hydraulic flow, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range and PTO independence.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources