Dad had a 826 hydro and a 686 gear To me it's a no brainer dump the 706. Most 706's I've seen were lemons - not the best IH tractor - they had a lots of problems. Could never figure out why the 706 had so many problems compaired to to 806, 856, and 656. 706's shared engines with the 6x6 tractors and the same trans as with the 8x6 reactors. Perhaps they were simply overloaded and beat to death. I remember a lot of them in the headge rows not working and not going to be fixed. Their is a reason they sell for less than the 6x6 and 8x6's. The desiel in the 656 sould outlast 3 or 4 gas engins in the 706. If the 656 was a gear tractor it would use half the fuel. As long as the hydro is in good shape it will last a long time doing loader work or mowing grass. Heavy tillage is what kills a hydro. Hydros loose 25% more of their drawbar HP throught the transmission than gear drives BUT it doesn't appear your doing any tillage work so you'll probably save a bundle in fuel costs anyway. Could pay for the upgrade in a year of less at todays prices Diesel 656 hydro beats a 706 gear gaser in my book any day. Heavy tillage on a gaser will put you in the poor house and a 706 won't hold up. If you need a heavy tillage tractor go to a 806 diesel. You'll save the cost difference in a year from fuel alone.
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