International Harvester 1246
Built: 8/1972–9/1979 · Series: 46-Reihe
More machines from model year 1972
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International Harvester 1246: water-cooled six-cylinder diesel engine with 5,867 cc displacement, 120 hp (87.8 kW) and a top speed of 32 km/h as a heavy standard tractor
International Harvester ranked among the largest American agricultural machinery manufacturers and, within the 46 series, also built medium-to-large standard tractors in Europe. The 1246 stood at the upper end of this series.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The water-cooled six-cylinder diesel engine of 5,867 cc produces 120 hp (87.8 kW) at 2,200 rpm. At an unladen weight of 4,450 kilograms, a wheelbase of 2,560 millimetres and a width of 2,088 millimetres, this is a powerful, heavy standard tractor for drawbar work with high power demand.
With a design top speed of 32 km/h, the machine falls under driving licence category T. A six-cylinder engine of this size was designed for sustained ploughing and cultivation work and ran more smoothly than smaller four-cylinder models of comparable output. The power take-off on tractors of this kind runs at the standard speed of 540 or 1,000 rpm.
When buying a 1246, checks should include the injection pump and its six injectors, as well as the condition of the clutch and gearbox on a tractor that may have spent decades in heavy drawbar work. Corrosion on the frame and load-bearing sheet-metal parts and the tightness of the hydraulics are especially important given this weight. On such a heavy tractor, the brakes and the steering hydraulics also deserve particular attention.
Sources: SpecCodex-Register: Kennwerte des Modells 1246
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | dieselcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 120 hp (87.8 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 2,200 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 6correct |
| Displacement | 5,867 cm³correct |
| Bore | 98.4 mmcorrect |
| Stroke | 128.5 mmcorrect |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 4,200 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,088 mmcorrect |
| Height | 2,648 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 2,560 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 517 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 4,450 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear- or four-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 12V/5Rcorrect |
| Front tyres | 7.50-20 (A: 10-28)correct |
| Rear tyres | 15-38correct |
| Top speed | 32 km/hcorrect |
Origin and approval
| Construction | frameless unit constructioncorrect |
|---|---|
| Units built | 2,639correct |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 19.7 kW/t (88 kW / 4.5 t)
Power class: Large (100–180 hp)
Stronger than 74% of the tractors in the register — out of 15,663 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the International Harvester 1246 have?
The International Harvester 1246 delivers 120 hp.
How much does the International Harvester 1246 weigh?
The unladen weight is 4,450 kg.
What engine does the International Harvester 1246 have?
6 cylinders, 5,867 cm³ displacement, Diesel.
How fast does the International Harvester 1246 go?
Top speed is 32 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the International Harvester 1246?
4,200 mm × 2,088 mm × 2,648 mm.
When was the International Harvester 1246 built?
Production years: 8/1972–9/1979.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Check front and rear tyre sizes: mismatched pairs strain the drivetrain.
- Shift the gearbox cold and warm — jumps only show up at temperature.
- Load the hydraulics and watch for sag.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
We do not sell machines. We ask the dealers who carry this model and come back with price and lead time.
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This page carries 22 individual figures for this model. They come from 2 recorded sources; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
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Sources: Wikibooks Traktorenlexikon (CC BY-SA 4.0) (retrieved August 2026) · Latvian open data portal (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
Tractor in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.
