Learning alot, but want more info

[Cowpuncher]

My Cousin who worked at Continental Bank and Trust at the time was in charge of the Bankruptsy and was overwhelmed by the depth of the problem.  He spent many nights in Chicago!

[Howard_P]

To clarify, there was no bankruptcy. 

It was close and he was likely preparing for that.  I heard that all the paperwork was done and all that remained was for IH to file it with the court.  But the deal with Tenneco cancelled that so his work was for naught although his bank probably came out better in the end.

[234-IA]

Bankruptcy would have been a nightmare to carry out- didn't the company have their debt spread out over a couple of hundred banks? Enough work to deal with one banker in decent times, let alone the early 1980s

[Drysleeves]

Several years back there was an article in Red Power about a 1950 prototype Farmall M with an early version of the sliding gear transmission that appeared in the 706/806 tractors in 1963. That tractor has two shift levers rather crudely secured to the steering pedestal to operate the shifting. The operator's platform on the 460/560 Farmall tractor is considerably larger than an M or Super M and has the shifter on the left side. On the opposite side there's a three bolt plate in the exact same location as the shifter that I can only remember using as a place to add Hy-Tran when needed. If you look closely at the plate you'll notice it's the same size and shape of the shift lever fixture that also seems rather out of character for an oil port. Could it be the fixture was really intended to accomodate a shift lever? Clearly a 706 category tractor introduced in 1958 would've changed things dramatically at Harvester. The documented hard sales culture imposed under John McCaffrey overruled and apparently lingered on until it was too late.

[Matt Kirsch]

40 minutes ago, Drysleeves said:

Several years back there was an article in Red Power about a 1950 prototype Farmall M with an early version of the sliding gear transmission that appeared in the 706/806 tractors in 1963. That tractor has two shift levers rather crudely secured to the steering pedestal to operate the shifting. The operator's platform on the 460/560 Farmall tractor is considerably larger than an M or Super M and has the shifter on the left side. On the opposite side there's a three bolt plate in the exact same location as the shifter that I can only remember using as a place to add Hy-Tran when needed. If you look closely at the plate you'll notice it's the same size and shape of the shift lever fixture that also seems rather out of character for an oil port. Could it be the fixture was really intended to accomodate a shift lever? Clearly a 706 category tractor introduced in 1958 would've changed things dramatically at Harvester. The documented hard sales culture imposed under John McCaffrey overruled and apparently lingered on until it was too late.

My understanding is that plate is for reverse operation of the tractor, such as when it's under a cotton picker. The shifter is installed on that side as part of the process that results in 5 "reverse" gears and 1 "forward." There are other things that need to change as well. Earlier tractors had a separate platform that had to be installed, but for some reason IH included accommodations for both forward and reverse operation on the 460/560 tractors. 

[Drysleeves]

Makes total sense. I never considered that aspect but haven't spent much time around cotton pickers.

Now if they'd have applied that reverse logic to the door hinge point on the Control Center in the beginning instead of waiting until the end, who knows what may have happened.

[Diesel Doctor]

On 2/2/2023 at 11:24 AM, Matt Kirsch said:

My understanding is that plate is for reverse operation of the tractor, such as when it's under a cotton picker. The shifter is installed on that side as part of the process that results in 5 "reverse" gears and 1 "forward." There are other things that need to change as well. Earlier tractors had a separate platform that had to be installed, but for some reason IH included accommodations for both forward and reverse operation on the 460/560 tractors. 

I had heard this also. The pea pickers also were reversed 560's.

I do know, that who ever designed the speed transmission in an 806 and up had to be a total genius.

You make rotary movement from the shifter move gears forward and back is a great feat.

And, it rarely gave troubles.

I had the lid off a few speed transmissions but no where near like the range transmissions.

 

[Drysleeves]

5 hours ago, Diesel Doctor said:

I do know, that who ever designed the speed transmission in an 806 and up had to be a total genius.

It's such a shame John McCaffrey plundered the R&D budget so that transmission had to be delayed for over a decade.

[nate]

On 2/2/2023 at 10:48 AM, Drysleeves said:

Several years back there was an article in Red Power about a 1950 prototype Farmall M with an early version of the sliding gear transmission that appeared in the 706/806 tractors in 1963. That tractor has two shift levers rather crudely secured to the steering pedestal to operate the shifting. The operator's platform on the 460/560 Farmall tractor is considerably larger than an M or Super M and has the shifter on the left side. On the opposite side there's a three bolt plate in the exact same location as the shifter that I can only remember using as a place to add Hy-Tran when needed. If you look closely at the plate you'll notice it's the same size and shape of the shift lever fixture that also seems rather out of character for an oil port. Could it be the fixture was really intended to accomodate a shift lever? Clearly a 706 category tractor introduced in 1958 would've changed things dramatically at Harvester. The documented hard sales culture imposed under John McCaffrey overruled and apparently lingered on until it was too late.

I think this is the tractor

[searcyfarms]

Oh im learning alot u guys hold your fire i have red tractors but also grew up on my gpas and uncles two lunger B and A - i had an opportunity to get a parts tractor for getting my uncles old 1944 slant dash A running i had it running about 15yrs ago but it only had about 35 to 40 lbs compression and smoked bad n fouled plugs so i parked it - kids are grown n gone so i might hv a lil more time to mess with it - sold my boat and seadoos so hv a lil more room in the barn. Its a family heirloom and is nostalgic to me so im red and green like mr red green 😁 - it appears the block i need is good from tearing into it - rods maybe ? Caps nope on one - crank? Looks rough - ive never been in one so it might be normal 

[jeeper61]

On 4/19/2025 at 12:50 PM, searcyfarms said:

Oh im learning alot u guys hold your fire i have red tractors but also grew up on my gpas and uncles two lunger B and A - i had an opportunity to get a parts tractor for getting my uncles old 1944 slant dash A running i had it running about 15yrs ago but it only had about 35 to 40 lbs compression and smoked bad n fouled plugs so i parked it - kids are grown n gone so i might hv a lil more time to mess with it - sold my boat and seadoos so hv a lil more room in the barn. Its a family heirloom and is nostalgic to me so im red and green like mr red green 😁 - it appears the block i need is good from tearing into it - rods maybe ? Caps nope on one - crank? Looks rough - ive never been in one so it might be normal 

Start a thread in project section you might get better response from the Deere experts 

[New Englander]

On 4/19/2025 at 12:50 PM, searcyfarms said:

Looks rough - ive never been in one so it might be normal 

Nah, should look pretty much like any crank. Water/corrosion, just worn out. Crank needs at least a polish, probably ground and new babbitt poured. There are a few places that specialize such as this one just picked off the web:

https://www.paulsrodandbearing.com/

[johnwix]

Glad to hear you're learning a lot! That curiosity is the best tool you can have. Feel free to ask questions, share what you’re working on, or dig into older threads—there’s a ton of great info here and plenty of folks willing to help. Keep it up!

[401 N Michigan]

On 4/5/2025 at 6:24 AM, nate said:

I think this is the tractor

Interesting, never heard of this. Does have 2 ranges and 4 gears?

[Powered by IH]

1 hour ago, 401 N Michigan said:

Interesting, never heard of this. Does have 2 ranges and 4 gears?

More info:

https://antiquetractorblog.com/2016/03/28/experimental-farmall-m-tractor/

 

 

[oldtech]

On 2/2/2023 at 11:24 AM, Matt Kirsch said:

My understanding is that plate is for reverse operation of the tractor, such as when it's under a cotton picker. The shifter is installed on that side as part of the process that results in 5 "reverse" gears and 1 "forward." There are other things that need to change as well. Earlier tractors had a separate platform that had to be installed, but for some reason IH included accommodations for both forward and reverse operation on the 460/560 tractors. 

I saw that kind of use for pea reapers but that cannery used Olivers.  Never knew IH had an option like that.

[KillDevilBill]

My Dad worked for Rish Equipment in the 70's as a mechanic. They were an IH heavy equipment dealer. I don't remember a lot, I was very young. I remember going with him on a few Saturdays to "help" work on a dozer or loader. It was good for our whole family.

And then suddenly it all ended. No more service truck in the driveway, things got pretty hard for us until Dad went to work for Caterpillar.