How much is reasonable to spend fixing an 806?

[Steve.Longview.Texas]

I have owned a 1967 Farmall 806 diesel with 856 shifter linkage for about 8 years. It has a Case 580 loader on it I believe. I love it. It has been a wonderful big tractor for our hobby farm. Problems and hydraulics got to leaking so bad I took it in to see what repairs would cost. It needs: new clutch, new flywheel, new clutch pieces (all are warped and cracked from heat), throw out bearing on tranny needs replaced, various gaskets leak, front end pretty worn out, 3 out of 4 loader cylinders are grooved badly, plus other issues.   The motor runs great (its not the German made but it runs awesome), hydraulic pumps weak but still work good enough, new big tires, ...  The hour meter died at 8500 hrs long before I bought it.  I think its worth $7k to fix the major problems, but there is a $ amount if bill grows bigger that it wouldn't be worth fixing. A different tractor would cost me a lot which I don't like the sound. I would either go with a newer 45+ hp loader or an older 90 hp loader in the $20k range.

Any advice for me would be appreciated.

Steve from Longview, Texas

[zleinenbach]

Don’t scrap it those are tough as nails tractors. I’d spend the money before buying new junk. Just my pennies

[hobbyfarm]

You wont be haply with 45hp after being used to the 806.  Although there may be a lot more creature comforts the smaller tractor just cant do what your 806 can.  If you are happy with what you have I would consider fixing it.  If you convince yourself to upgrade either direction and buy a well used of vintage tractor be prepared to put more in it then the purchase price.  I learned from experience that more then likely there will be issues that come up with your new purchase.

[Delta88]

Even if you spend the money you quote you will still be able to work on it yourself when other issues come up; cant say that about the modern stuff.

[MarkG]

I concur with above comments. As a hobby farmer, if you buy new in a couple years you will have a low hour tractor that starts to have electrical problems that only dealer can fix at 100 per hour.  If you buy something else used you may find a major problem in the future. Fix up the 806.

[65806]

My opinion 

fix everything that needs work. You get that 806 back in good shape and it will last you the rest of your life. 

[Steve.Longview.Texas]

Good comments. I agree. Here is a picture of the flywheel. It has heat cracks, but probably been that way for 10 years. Teeth are beat up too but that has never caused me a problem before.    This flywheel is so thick, I think I am going to reuse it.      I do see a 1978 966 with about 4k hours with a loader in my area for less than $10k.   11 years newer, maybe 8k less hours, but probably doesn't make any difference in these age tractors.    Thanks for advice.

[hobbyfarm]

12 hours ago, Steve.Longview.Texas said:

Good comments. I agree. Here is a picture of the flywheel. It has heat cracks, but probably been that way for 10 years. Teeth are beat up too but that has never caused me a problem before.    This flywheel is so thick, I think I am going to reuse it.      I do see a 1978 966 with about 4k hours with a loader in my area for less than $10k.   11 years newer, maybe 8k less hours, but probably doesn't make any difference in these age tractors.    Thanks for advice.

I think you are right in that you get to a point where hours matter less and less. I bought a 9000 hour loader tractor this fall in better condition then many with half the hours.  You can always buy the 966 and have a second machine.?

[R190]

How much to spend depends apon  how much you call tolerate older simpler equipment and how in love you are with it . I never keep tract of what I have in older equipment it might scare me a tee off the wife.

 

[searcyfarms]

id probably stick with the 806 and spend $$ on it - unless of course you have different needs since purchasing - you will not like the difference in handling loads with the loader on a smaller unit nor the repair bills of a newer unit as its going to need some too regardless how much u pay for it. my neighbor sold his 706/loader and regrets it daily, moving things with weight/size make a difference u dont understand until you go over that hill that you used to go over and your butt puckers!!!!

i kept our 706, but took loader off since i have a SS and usually use the 706 for mowing/tillage saves on the front end ?

im pretty confident my 706 will be here when im gone 

[England806]

Well worth spending money on the 806. Great tractors and mostly easy to fix. 
I know I’m converting mine to Cummins but I will never sell it. Too useful. It’s come to the rescue of more modern tractors on many an occasion.  That flywheel could be machined and re used. 

[Steve.Longview.Texas]

I have 806 back from the shop after nearly 2 months. Total bill was $7k for new flywheel, new clutch and bearings, new rear main engine seal, new radiator, new loader hoses, all loader cylinders resealed, and new starter. About $4k in parts and $3k in labor. 28 hours labor. I probably used up 28 additional hours by stopping by and checking on progress. So, 28 hrs seems very reasonable to me for taking the loader off and splitting the tractor. I wonder if I should have put a new hydraulic pump in while the loader was off. But it still has plenty of pressure for the things I use the loader for.  My 1967 806 is running great, the new clutch is super, and leaks have been reduced by 95%.  I am glad I got it fixed.  I could/should still fix the following: brake seal is leaking, front end needs worked on, parking break doesn't hold when parked on an incline, oil plug leaking, injector pump leaking a bit, ... 

[stronger800]

Glad you have it back.  I would prioritize getting the parking brake fixed, as  it may only need a $300 repair now, but it will get way way more expensive if it chatters and chips a gear, or worse....causes an accident.  I would put the,after firm against the ground every time you park it and make sure your 200% stopped begore dropping the brake lever. 

[Steve.Longview.Texas]

Thanks.  Good point for sure. I should work on it and fix the brake. Might be an easy fix if I would just take the time and look into it.  I am loving having my 806 working so well.

[MR. IHC]

you should be able to fix this for alot less than 20g's, especially if you do it yourself