Farmall 656
The Farmall 656 is a tractor produced by Farmall. It is equipped with a 263 ci 4.3 L engine. The listed engine power is 65.8 hp 49.1 kW. Transmission: hydrostatic. Operating weight: 6250 to 7230 pounds.
Engine Power
65.8 hp
49.1 kW
Fuel & Capacities
LP gas
Transmission
hydrostatic
Operating Weight
6250 to 7230 pounds
Overview
![]() | 1965 - 1973
Row-Crop tractor |
|---|
Production | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | Farmall (a part of International Harvester) |
Row-Crop tractor | |
Built in Rock Island, Illinois, USA | |
Variants | |
|---|---|
IH 656 | utility tractor |
2656 | industrial tractor |
Farmall 656 | row-crop tractor |
656HC | high-clear |
Farmall 656 Power | |
|---|---|
Gasoline PTO (claimed) | 63.8 hp
47.6 kW |
Diesel PTO (claimed) | 61.5 hp
45.9 kW |
Plows | 4-5 |
Drawbar (tested) | 53.23 hp
39.7 kW |
PTO (tested) | 66.06 hp
49.3 kW |
Performance test details ... | |
Mechanical | |
|---|---|
Two-wheel drive | |
Power steering | |
Independent mechanical disc brakes | |
Open operator station. |
Hydraulics | |
|---|---|
Type | open center |
Rear valves | 1 or 2 |
Total flow | 12 gpm
45.4 lpm |
Tractor hitch | |
|---|---|
Rear Type | II |
Control | position and draft control |
Type | IH Fast Hitch |
Power Take-off (PTO) | |
|---|---|
Rear PTO | independent |
Rear PTO Type | 540/1000 |
Engine RPM | 1000@1800 |
Dimensions & Tires | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 96.3 inches
244 cm |
Weight | 6250 to 7230 pounds |
Front tire | 6.00-16 |
Rear tire | 15.5-38 |
Full dimensions and tires ... | |
Electrical | |
|---|---|
Charging amps | 55 |
Batteries | 1 (gas/LP) |
2 (diesel) | |
Battery volts | 12 (gas/LP) |
6 (diesel) | |
Battery AH | 50 (gas) |
60 (LP) | |
130 (diesel) | |
References | |
|---|---|
![]() | |
Farm Loaders published in 1965, by International Harvester | |
Farm Loaders published in 1970, by International Harvester | |
Spring 1968 Buyer's Guide published by International Harvester | |
Summer-Fall 1968 Buyer's Guide published by International Harvester | |
World Wide Farm Equipment Buyer's Guide published in 1968, by International Harvester* | |
Spring 1969 Buyer's Guide published by International Harvester | |
Spring 1970 Buyer's Guide published by International Harvester | |
Spring 1971 Buyer's Guide published by International Harvester | |
McCormick Farmall 656 Tractor published by International Harvester | |
Farm Equipment Reference Catalog published in 1965, by International Harvester | |
*Publication contains known errors. |
Engine
Engine options | |
|---|---|
International Harvester 4.6L 6-cyl diesel | |
International Harvester 4.3L 6-cyl gasoline | |
International Harvester 4.3L 6-cyl LP gas |
Engine Detail — 282 ci / 4.6 L Diesel
Manufacturer | International Harvester D-282 |
Fuel Type | Diesel |
Configuration | 6-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
Displacement | 282 ci
4.6 L |
Bore/Stroke | 3.6875x4.39 inches
94 x 112 mm |
Air cleaner | dry |
Compression | 17.6:1 |
Rated RPM | 1800 (early) |
2300 (later) | |
Firing order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
Starter volts | 12 |
Oil capacity | 9 qts
8.5 L |
Coolant capacity | 21.5 qts
20.3 L |
Engine Detail — 263 ci / 4.3 L Gasoline
Manufacturer | International Harvester C-263 |
Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Configuration | 6-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
Displacement | 263 ci
4.3 L |
Bore/Stroke | 3.5625x4.39 inches
90 x 112 mm |
Air cleaner | dry |
Compression | 7.6:1 |
Rated RPM | 1800 |
Starter volts | 12 |
Oil capacity | 9 qts
8.5 L |
Coolant capacity | 20.5 qts
19.4 L |
Engine Detail — 263 ci / 4.3 L LP Gas
Manufacturer | International Harvester C-263 |
Fuel Type | LP gas |
Configuration | 6-cylinder, liquid-cooled |
Displacement | 263 ci
4.3 L |
Bore/Stroke | 3.5625x4.39 inches
90 x 112 mm |
Air cleaner | dry |
Compression | 8.8:1 |
Rated RPM | 1800 (early) |
2300 (late) | |
Starter volts | 12 |
Oil capacity | 9 qts
8.5 L |
Coolant capacity | 21 qts
19.9 L |
Transmission
Transmission options | |
|---|---|
5-speed | |
10-speed two-speed power shift |
Transmission — gear
Transmission | gear |
Gears | 5 forward and 1 reverse |
Oil capacity | 68 qts
64.4 L |
With 15.5-38 rear tires. | |
![]() | |
Transmission — Torque Amplifier
Transmission | Torque Amplifier |
Type | two-speed power shift |
Gears | 10 forward and 2 reverse |
Oil capacity | 68 qts
64.4 L |
With 15.5-38 rear tires. | |
![]() | |
Transmission — hydrostatic
Transmission | hydrostatic |
Gears | infinite forward and reverse (2-range) |
![]() | |
Dimensions
Farmall 656 Tires | |
|---|---|
Ag front | 6.00-16 |
Ag rear | 15.5-38 |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 96.3 inches
244 cm |
Length | 152 inches
386 cm |
Width | 87 inches
220 cm |
Height (steering wheel) | 77 inches
195 cm |
Clearance (front axle) | 21 inches
53 cm |
Clearance (drawbar) | 13 inches
33 cm |
Front tread | 8 inches
20 cm |
Front tread | 16 inches
40 cm |
Rear tread | 50 to 96 inches
127 to 243 cm |
Farmall 656 Weight | |
|---|---|
Shipping | 6250 lbs (gasoline)
2835 kg |
6430 lbs (LP gas)
2916 kg | |
6520 lbs (diesel)
2957 kg | |
Operating | 7,230 lbs (diesel)
3279 kg |
Ballasted | 9,235 lbs
4188 kg |
Tests
Tractor Tests | |
|---|---|
NTTL 909: gasoline Torque Amplifier 2WD | |
NTTL 912: diesel Torque Amplifier 2WD | |
NTTL 967: diesel hydrostatic 2WD | |
NTTL 968: gasoline hydrostatic 2WD |
Nebraska Tractor Test 909 | |
|---|---|
Gasoline Torque Amplifier 2WD
September 9 - 17, 1965
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 909 file | |
PTO performance | |
Power at rated engine speed | 63.85 hp
47.6 kW |
Fuel use | 5.2 gal/hour
19.7 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 53.23 hp
39.7 kW |
Fuel use | 5.2 gal/hour
19.7 l/hour |
Gear 3-Direct used for power test. | |
Max pull | 7,486 lbs
3395 kg |
Gear 2-TA used for pull test. | |
Nebraska Tractor Test 912 | |
|---|---|
Diesel Torque Amplifier 2WD
September 16 - 23, 1965
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 912 file | |
PTO performance | |
Power at rated engine speed | 61.52 hp
45.9 kW |
Fuel use | 4.3 gal/hour
16.3 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 52.98 hp
39.5 kW |
Fuel use | 4.2 gal/hour
15.9 l/hour |
Gear 3-Direct used for power test. | |
Max pull | 7,500 lbs
3402 kg |
Gear 2-TA used for pull test. | |
Nebraska Tractor Test 967 | |
|---|---|
Diesel hydrostatic 2WD
October 31 - November 29, 1967
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 967 file | |
PTO performance | |
Power at rated engine speed | 66.06 hp
49.3 kW |
Fuel use | 5.4 gal/hour
20.4 l/hour |
Power at rated PTO speed | 62.18 hp
46.4 kW |
Fuel use | 5.0 gal/hour
18.9 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 50.50 hp
37.7 kW |
Fuel use | 5.4 gal/hour
20.4 l/hour |
Gear 4 mph used for power test. | |
Max pull | 7,558 lbs
3428 kg |
Gear 2.5 mph used for pull test. | |
Nebraska Tractor Test 968 | |
|---|---|
Gasoline hydrostatic 2WD
October 31 - November 29, 1967
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 968 file | |
PTO performance | |
Power at rated engine speed | 65.8 hp
49.1 kW |
Fuel use | 6.3 gal/hour
23.8 l/hour |
Power at rated PTO speed | 60.81 hp
45.3 kW |
Fuel use | 5.6 gal/hour
21.2 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 50.09 hp
37.4 kW |
Fuel use | 6.4 gal/hour
24.2 l/hour |
Gear 4 mph used for power test. | |
Max pull | 7,587 lbs
3441 kg |
Gear 2.3 mph used for pull test. | |
Attachments
Attachment overview | |
|---|---|
International Harvester 1701 loader | |
International Harvester 2001 loader | |
International Harvester 2000 loader |
Photos
Recommended Implements & Sizing Guide
Engineering recommendations for Farmall 656 based on its 65.8 HP power envelope and ASAE agricultural standards.
| Implement & Operation | Recommended Size | Workload Rating | Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Moldboard PlowPrimary Tillage | 3 to 4 Bottom (16")3 - 4 铧 (40 cm) | Heavy Duty | Suitable for medium loam and stubble turnover. |
Rotary Cutter / MowerMowing & Clearing | 7 to 8 ft (84-96 in)2.1 - 2.4 m | Heavy Duty | Heavy-duty twin spindle cutter for overgrown acreage. |
Rotary TillerSeedbed Prep | 78 to 84 in200 - 215 cm | Heavy Duty | Heavy commercial tiller with multi-speed gearbox. |
Disc HarrowSecondary Tillage | 7 to 8 ft Tandem Disc2.1 - 2.4 m 对开双排耙 | Medium Duty | Field leveling and clod breaking behind plows. |
Hay BalerHay & Forage | 4x4 to 4x5 Round Baler1.2x1.5 m 紧凑圆捆机 | Heavy Duty | Silage and dry hay; 540 RPM PTO with slip-clutch. |
Sizing & Soil Condition NoteActual implement sizing varies depending on local soil conditions (heavy clay vs sandy loam), field slope, and operating speed. Heavy tillage implements may require front ballast weights and wheel weights.
Fluids, Capacities & Working Autonomy
Standard fluid requirements, service intervals, and continuous runtime estimates for Farmall 656.
Estimated Continuous Field Runtime: 1.9 hrs
Approximately 1.9 hours of continuous field operation at ~75% rated power on a full tank (6.4 gal / 24.2 L).
Estimated 75% Load Fuel Burn~3.4 gal/hr (13 L/hr)
Engine Crankcase Oil
SAE 15W-40 (Heavy Duty Diesel)
Standard Spec: API CK-4 / CJ-4 Heavy Duty
Service Interval: 150 – 250 Hours
Transmission & Hydraulic System
UTTO (Universal Tractor Transmission Oil)
Standard Spec: ISO VG 46 / 68 (Wet Brake & Trans Compatible)
Service Interval: 600 – 1000 Hours
Engine Cooling System
50/50 Ethylene Glycol Pre-mix
Standard Spec: ASTM D6210 / Heavy-Duty OAT Antifreeze
Service Interval: 2 Years / 1500 Hours
Farmall 656 Specification Unit Converter
Convert power, fluid capacities, and operating weights between metric and imperial standards for Farmall 656.
Converted Equivalents:
Horsepower (HP)65.8 hp
Kilowatts (kW)49.1 kW
Metric Horsepower (PS / CV)66.7 PS
Direct Competitor Comparison
Compare Farmall 656 against same-era industry alternatives in the same horsepower class.
Current Model
Farmall
Farmall 656
Engine Power:65.8 hp
49.1 kW
★ Baseline Reference
Related models
Farmall Super MD
- Power:
- 52.8
- Production years:
- 1952 - 1954
Farmall 460
- Power:
- 55
- Production years:
- 1958 - 1963
Farmall B-450
- Power:
- 55
- Production years:
- 1959 - 1970
Farmall 400
- Power:
- 56.7
- Production years:
- 1954 - 1956
Farmall A-554
- Power:
- 57
- Production years:
- 1964 - 1967










