|
Western Oregon | I remember when they came out. I grew up Farmall letter series, then Case 400 and 830 when Dad wanted a diesel. He had a TD9 and knew he never wanted a gas start diesel. I never liked the look of the Farmalls after the 56 series. Dads last tractor was a 1256, bought in 1976. When I started farming the 66 series was out but I wanted a used 856 but ended up with a 4020 as my first tractor. Loved the look and the tractor. It was a 1970 side console, HFWA and powershift. Neighbor traded a 1256 for an early 1066, 1066 was a dog at 115 hp. His best friend had a 856 and didn't think the 1066 was any better on a 5-16 plow. Then the 4430 came out and IH spun it up 200 RPM to match the 4430 HP. I ordered a new 4230 powershift hfwa with cab in the fall of '72 as I hated the 66 series cabs. I kind of like the look of the 86's and wanted a 886, when I first heard about them because I thought they would be a lot like the 54, 64 and 74 series that I had. I saw an early ad and liked the look with that cab but I was very disappointed, with a very injured left hand and shoulder, they just wouldn't work for me. I thought the the 88's were so ugly and different, but by that time I was well into the 40 series JD's. I liked them so much I never saw a need to get anything newer. I still think they were the best of JD. I really liked the powershift and HFWA, rode so smooth unlike the 86 series, shifting was very clumsy and crude compared to 40 series JD. I had/have no desire to drive an 88 series and haven't. Not many around here. I never heard anyone that thought they looked good, until the internet. IH really lost their share after the 20 series Deere's came out. Everyone wanted a good cab after 1970. The late 20 series cab was better than the 66 series IH cab. Then the Soundguard cab blew them out of the water. IH really needed the 86 cab and a powershift in the 66 series. I know a lot of hardcore IH farmers that hated the 86 series and went elsewhere. A lot of the smaller 4x4 Versatile tractors were sold by the IH dealer for heavy tillage. Maybe the 88 series would have saved IH, if 10 years sooner but they lost too much market share by then. Even with the problems with the 8430 and 8630 JD's they still sold until the 40 series came out. No one liked the IH 4x4's or the anteaters around here but a good number of the lime green 4x4's around....James | |
|
IH 88 Series Tractor
