International Harvester 1256

The International Harvester 1256 is a tractor produced by International Harvester. It is equipped with a 406.9 ci 6.7 L engine. The listed engine power is 116.12 hp 86.6 kW. Transmission: Torque Amplifier. Operating weight: 9940 to 11030 pounds.

Engine Power

116.12 hp 86.6 kW

Fuel & Capacities

42 gal 159.0 L

Transmission

Torque Amplifier

Operating Weight

9940 to 11030 pounds

Overview

	1967 - 1969 Standard-tread tractor

Production
Manufacturer	International Harvester
Standard-tread tractor
Built in Rock Island, Illinois, USA
Original price was $10,700 in 1969

Variants
Farmall 1256	row-crop
IH 1256	standard

International Harvester 1256 Engine
International Harvester 6.7L 6-cyl diesel
Fuel tank	42 gal 159.0 L
Engine details ...

International Harvester 1256 Power
PTO (claimed)	113 hp 84.3 kW
Drawbar (tested)	102.03 hp 76.1 kW
PTO (tested)	116.12 hp 86.6 kW
Performance test details ...

Mechanical
Two- or four-wheel drive
Power steering
Independent hydraulic dry disc brakes
Open operator station. Two-post ROPS optional. Cab optional with heat and air-conditioning.

Hydraulics
Type	open center
Valves	1
Pump flow	8 gpm 30.3 lpm

Tractor hitch
Rear Type	III/II

Power Take-off (PTO)
Rear PTO	independent
Rear PTO Type	1000
Engine RPM	1000@2100

Dimensions & Tires
Wheelbase	105 inches (Farmall) 266 cm
	92 inches (International) 233 cm
Weight	9940 to 11030 pounds
Front tire	10.00-16
Rear tire	18.4-38 (Farmall)
Full dimensions and tires ...

Electrical
Charging system	alternator
Charging amps	55
Batteries	2
Battery volts	6
Battery AH	204

References

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
1256 Turbo Tractors published by International Harvester
Farm Equipment Reference Catalog published in 1970, by International Harvester
*Publication contains known errors.

Engine

Engine Detail — 406.9 ci / 6.7 L Diesel

Manufacturer	International Harvester DT407
Configuration	turbocharged diesel, 6-cylinder, liquid-cooled
Displacement	406.9 ci 6.7 L
Bore/Stroke	4.321x4.625 inches 110 x 117 mm
Air cleaner	dual dry elements
Compression	17:1
Rated RPM	2400
Starter volts	12
Oil capacity	15 qts 14.2 L
Coolant capacity	24 qts 22.7 L

Transmission

Transmission options
8-speed gear
16-speed partial power shift

Transmission — 8 forward and 4 reverse gear

Type	gear
Gears	8 forward and 4 reverse
Oil capacity	68 qts 64.4 L
The 1256's transmission provides four gears (1-4) in high, low, and reverse ranges.
With 18.4-38 rear tires.

Transmission — Torque Amplifier

Transmission	Torque Amplifier
Type	partial power shift
Gears	16 forward and 8 reverse
Oil capacity	68 qts 64.4 L
Four gears (1-4) in two ranges (low/high) plus reverse range. The Torque Amplifier (TA) allows a clutchless shift from direct drive (DD) to the lower TA speed in all gears and ranges.
With 18.4-38 rear tires.

Dimensions

International Harvester 1256 Tires
Standard tires (ag)	Front: 10.00-16. Rear: 18.4-38 (Farmall)
	Front: 11.00-16. Rear: 24.5-32 (International)

Dimensions
Wheelbase	105 inches (Farmall) 266 cm
	92 inches (International) 233 cm
Length	164 inches 416 cm
Width	92 inches 233 cm
Height (steering wheel)	86 inches 218 cm

International Harvester 1256 Weight
Shipping	9940 lbs (Farmall) 4508 kg
	11030 lbs (International) 5003 kg
Operating	10405 lbs 4719 kg
Ballasted	13810 lbs 6264 kg

Tests

Nebraska Tractor Test 971
Diesel Torque Amplifier 2WD April 15 - 30, 1968 Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 971 file
PTO performance
Power at rated engine speed	116.12 hp 86.6 kW
Fuel use	7.5 gal/hour 28.4 l/hour
Power at rated PTO speed	113.33 hp 84.5 kW
Fuel use	6.8 gal/hour 25.7 l/hour
Drawbar performance
Max power	102.03 hp 76.1 kW
Fuel use	7.6 gal/hour 28.8 l/hour
Gear 1H-TA used for power test.
Max pull	11,104 lbs 5036 kg
Gear 3L-TA used for pull test.

Photos

1969 International 1256 tractor.

International 1256 with dozer blade.

Recommended Implements & Sizing Guide

Engineering recommendations for International Harvester 1256 based on its 116.12 HP power envelope and ASAE agricultural standards.

Implement & Operation	Recommended Size	Workload Rating	Engineering Notes
Moldboard PlowPrimary Tillage	4 to 5 Bottom (16-18")4 - 5 铧 (40-45 cm)	Heavy Duty	Heavy primary tillage; semi-mounted hitch recommended.
Rotary Cutter / MowerMowing & Clearing	10 to 12 ft Flex-Wing3.0 - 3.6 m 折叠双翼	Heavy Duty	Wide swath pasture and crop residue shredding.
Rotary TillerSeedbed Prep	90 to 120 in Heavy Duty230 - 300 cm 重型旋耕机	Commercial / Field Scale	Deep intensive seedbed preparation for commercial row crops.
Disc HarrowSecondary Tillage	10 to 14 ft Tandem / Offset3.0 - 4.2 m 重型交错耙	Heavy Duty	Aggressive residue cutting in corn/cotton stubble.
Hay BalerHay & Forage	5x6 Round Baler or 3x3 Mid Square1.5x1.8 m 大圆捆或中型方捆机	Heavy Duty	High density baling; requires minimum 85 PTO HP.

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 International Harvester 1256.

Estimated Continuous Field Runtime: 7 hrs

Approximately 7 hours of continuous field operation at ~75% rated power on a full tank (42 gal / 159 L).

Estimated 75% Load Fuel Burn~6 gal/hr (22.9 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