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686 reliability/quality

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Mark W.

04-29-2008 11:22:55

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I have the opportunity to purchase a good looking, strong running 686 w/ 4100 hours on it. I was wondering what experiences and opinions there are on this unit. I will only be haying about 50 acres with it and some light tillage.

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Mark W.

04-30-2008 04:25:01

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Re: 686 reliability/quality in reply to Mark W., 04-29-2008 11:22:55

Sorry, it is a German diesel.

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Steven f/AZ

04-30-2008 07:58:54

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Re: 686 reliability/quality in reply to Mark W., 04-30-2008 04:25:01

Mark W. said: (quoted from post at 04:25:01 04/30/08) Sorry, it is a German diesel.

All the better!

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Hugh Mackay

04-29-2008 18:54:39

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Re: 686 reliability/quality in reply to Mark W., 04-29-2008 11:22:55

Mark: Anyone of 656, 666 and 686 are close to the best tractor ever built in the 60 hp class, provided it's diesel. If it's a gasser, probably in 2008 it ranks amoung the 10 poorest 60 hp tractors ever built.

The only thing good about a gasser in these three tractors, probably no one could ever afford to work it very hard, thus it would make a good canditate for a diesel transplant. Sure it would be expensive, but at 4100 hours with a new diesel, it would give you the work years of a new tractor. 4100 hours is nothing for this chassis, but I'll bet if it's a gasser the engine has either been rebuilt or needs rebuilding.

I bought a 656 diesel next door at 1800 hours in 1972, ( I had known the tractor since new.) In the first 10,000 hours it required a gear shift lever kit, hydraulic pump and one valve lifter push rod. That is it, other than fuel, lubricants, antifreeze and tires. Most economical tractor I ever owned. Bear in mind they are now 30 to 43 years old, thus require going over with a fine tooth comb, before buying.

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charles todd

04-29-2008 17:56:53

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Re: 686 reliability/quality in reply to Mark W., 04-29-2008 11:22:55

Ok, I see it now... It is like a cotton module mover. We use a bale mover too, but it holds 4 at a time and the bales sit on a cradle, when tripped the bale rolls off the side in-line. Very interesting rig.

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charles todd

04-29-2008 16:52:30

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Re: 686 reliability/quality in reply to Mark W., 04-29-2008 11:22:55

Nice looking rig there Allan, one question. Is that a SINGLE AXLE trailer with THIRTEEN round bales on it?

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Allan In NE

04-29-2008 17:11:45

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Re: 686 reliability/quality in reply to charles todd, 04-29-2008 16:52:30

No,

Actually it is a Lehmann hay sled which has two swivel axles and 4 big 14 ply tires. Made for moving hay.

Allan

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South Texas

04-29-2008 14:49:07

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Re: 686 reliability/quality in reply to Mark W., 04-29-2008 11:22:55

Good machines. My grandfather bought one new that is still being run by my uncle for haying and light tillage. It is a diesel. I know they've put new cylinder sleeves in the engine due to corrosion of the sleves which ultimately mixed water into the oil. I think that is mostly a factor of the water they put in the engine being corrosive(well water probabably). I've been told it's best to use distilled water or better yet a pre-mixed coolant.

Ought to be a good fit for the work you describe. I sure wouldn't hesitate to buy one if I found one locally in the right condition and price.

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karl f

04-29-2008 14:00:15

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Re: 686 reliability/quality in reply to Mark W., 04-29-2008 11:22:55

thought of a downside: depending on your intended use, you may not like the speed availability.

it is a 5 speed trans, 10 with TA. Their is only 1 reverse, 2 with TA

great for alot of things, but for pto work at rated engine speed, 1 TA is too fast sometimes--our 400 is the same way. there should be about 2 more gears below 1TA, plus the TA. and at least one between 4 and 5 plus the TA. On reverse, one a little slower, and one equal to about 4th gear.

if you have the direction reverser, then you have 5 reverse speeds a little faster than the corresponding forward gears, but lose the TA and still lack lower speeds than 1mph at full engine rpm.

if you need more speed options, then something like a 684, 784, 685, 885, etc would be more suitable. 8 gears from a crawl all the way to transport speed. plus some have a TA (not very well received on those models with tractor guys).

karl f

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Hugh MacKay

04-29-2008 14:48:21

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Re: 686 reliability/quality in reply to karl f, 04-29-2008 14:00:15

Karl: If you put a gear drive, TA, diesel, 656, 666 or 686 on any pre 1980s small square baler, at the end of the day it will have baled as much or more hay as any other tractor. Even one of them in a hydro will not bale more hay. I say pre 1980s balers, as I've not had any experience with the later models.

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karl f

04-29-2008 15:51:46

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Re: 686 reliability/quality in reply to Hugh MacKay, 04-29-2008 14:48:21

Hugh MacKay said: (quoted from post at 14:48:21 04/29/08) Karl: If you put a gear drive, TA, diesel, 656, 666 or 686 on any pre 1980s small square baler, at the end of the day it will have baled as much or more hay as any other tractor. Even one of them in a hydro will not bale more hay. I say pre 1980s balers, as I've not had any experience with the later models.

agree with you there, provided you have smooth terrain* and manpower on the wagon to keep up to the tractor (or a thrower baler).
*Hay fields need to be prepared and maintained as such, any ruts made or gopher mounds, etc. need to be repaired. loosing a load of bales or breaking a beam because of poor terrain makes you look bad, and costs valuable time!

on our farm the ford diesel gets baler duty. 656 runs the discbine. either one interchanges on duties, it's just the way we do it.

been doing almost all rounds for 10 years though, squares are just a contingency plan.
I do love the 656, would buy another or 666-686, just making observation. Don't want the thread starter to buy it and then complain it's going too fast on the tiller for the garden! :)
karl f

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Allan In NE

04-29-2008 13:55:18

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Re: 686 reliability/quality in reply to Mark W., 04-29-2008 11:22:55

Good tractor. Not the strongest in the line, but should handle 50 acres just fine.

Allan

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farmall57

04-29-2008 12:49:53

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Re: 686 reliability/quality in reply to Mark W., 04-29-2008 11:22:55

I have a 666 w/312 diesel. The only issue I can think of it you cannot be too aggressive with the shift linkage. It"s not really a problem just takes getting used to and a bit of "take it easy".

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Steven f/AZ

04-29-2008 12:36:11

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Re: 686 reliability/quality in reply to Mark W., 04-29-2008 11:22:55

Basically the culmination of improvements from the 560, 656, 666...

A good tractor overall. The gasser will be a bit tough on fuel, diesels of course are more expensive to rebuild. Overall drivetrain is reliable.

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Brandin Peasley

04-29-2008 12:17:53

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Re: 686 reliability/quality in reply to Mark W., 04-29-2008 11:22:55

We bought a diesel 686 new back in probably 1980 or right around there. It had the american diesel in it there were some with german diesels in them. We never had any problems that I can remember except ours would jump out of 4th gear under a heavy load, probably a broken tooth on the gear I would guess. It was a strong runner and with 16.9-38 or 18.4-38 they would handle quite a load if you needed to. Economical and reliable. Good luck.

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karl f

04-29-2008 12:06:01

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Re: 686 reliability/quality in reply to Mark W., 04-29-2008 11:22:55

Mark W. said: (quoted from post at 11:22:55 04/29/08) I have the opportunity to purchase a good looking, strong running 686 w/ 4100 hours on it. I was wondering what experiences and opinions there are on this unit. I will only be haying about 50 acres with it and some light tillage.

gas or diesel?

should be like our 656. Ours is gas. pretty reliable.

karl f

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