International Harvester 986
Built: 1976–1981 · Series: 86 er-Serie
More machines from model year 1976
International Harvester 86 series (1976–1981) – 686 to 1586, Hydro 86 and 186, the articulated 4386 to 4786: the Control Center cab, DT-466, the 13-litre V8, 49 to 193 kW
The 86 series was International Harvester's tractor programme of the late 1970s – the successor to the 66s and the range with which IH introduced the Control Center cab in 1976: a sound-insulated cab mounted ahead of the rear axle with all-round view that reset the class standard. The type logic continues the 66s: 686 and 786 the mid-range, 886 to 1086 the 100 hp class, 1486 and 1586 the top models with the DT-436 and DT-466 six-cylinders, Hydro 86 and Hydro 186 the hydrostatic versions without gearbox. The 4386, 4586 and 4786 are the articulated four-wheel-drive tractors IH had built by Steiger in Fargo – the 4786 with a V8 diesel of 13,077 cm³ and about 350 hp the strongest IH of its time.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists 12 versions with 49.3 to 192.7 kW, 5,113 to 13,077 cm³ with six or eight cylinders, torque from 340 to 983 Nm, unladen weights from 3,704 to 13,699 kg, lengths from 4,115 to 6,121 mm, widths from 2,271 to 2,972 mm and heights from 2,667 to 3,404 mm; ten models run on diesel, two optionally on petrol.
With over 50,000 units the 1086 was IH's best-selling tractor of the range and with the DT-414 is regarded as one of the most durable; the 86s were the last big generation before the 50 series of 1981 and the crisis that led to Case IH in 1985.
On used tractors, engine and turbocharger, the Torque Amplifier transmission, hydraulics, the hydrostatic drive on Hydro models and the Control Center cab with its electrics count; parts are readily available in North America and through specialists in Europe.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: International Harvester 86er-Serie, International Harvester (Wikipedia)
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | dieselcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 107 hp (78.7 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 2,400 rpmcorrect |
| Torque | 427 Nmcorrect |
| Speed at max. torque | 1,700 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 6correct |
| Displacement | 7,139 cm³correct |
| Bore | 109.22 mmcorrect |
| Stroke | 127 mmcorrect |
| Compression ratio | 15.8correct |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 4,242 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,591 mmcorrect |
| Height | 2,845 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 2,662 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 330 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 5,910 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear- and four-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 8 V/4 R and 16 V/8 Rcorrect |
| Front tyres | 10.00-16correct |
| Rear tyres | 18.4-38correct |
| Top speed | 30 km/hcorrect |
Origin and approval
| Construction | semi-frame constructioncorrect |
|---|---|
| Units built | 20,554correct |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 13.3 kW/t (79 kW / 5.9 t)
Power class: Large (100–180 hp)
Stronger than 70% 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 986 have?
The International Harvester 986 delivers 107 hp.
How much does the International Harvester 986 weigh?
The unladen weight is 5,910 kg.
What engine does the International Harvester 986 have?
6 cylinders, 7,139 cm³ displacement, Diesel.
How fast does the International Harvester 986 go?
Top speed is 30 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the International Harvester 986?
4,242 mm × 2,591 mm × 2,845 mm.
When was the International Harvester 986 built?
Production years: 1976–1981.
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.
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This page carries 25 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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Other models in this series
Sources: Wikibooks Traktorenlexikon (CC BY-SA 4.0) (retrieved August 2026) · Wikipedia (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.
