The Tractor That Couldn’t Wait Until Supper

This Week In Ag #169

“Wonder what’s taking your dad so long?” Mom pondered on that warm summer’s day. Being late for dinner (our mid-day meal) was akin to him being late for church. It’s something he never did. Then we saw why. He pulled up the driveway in a shiny new tractor. A red tractor. He bounced out of the cab glowing like a firefly. Then, he briefly composed himself and asked Mom if he could buy it. A mere formality. More like a beg for forgiveness than a request for permission. And mom knew it.

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of International Harvester’s 986 tractor.

Simply put, the 986 was one hell of a machine. It was powerful enough to pull a plow. Agile enough to plant. And perfect for haying. But its toughness and versatility may have been secondary to its primary innovation.

The 986 ushered a new concept in farm tractors: operator comfort. The idea that a farm tractor could be comfortable went against the grain in those times. After all, farm tractors were strictly made to be rugged, durable and reliable. Until the 986 rolled off the assembly line in Rock Island, Illinois.

Enter the “Control Center” cab.

This cab was its own isolated unit. It was not bolted on to the tractor’s chassis. The cab was mounted onto the frame by rubber iso mounts. This meant the operator no longer felt every vibration or noise that traveled up from the transmission housing to the seat. Now, thanks to the “Sound-Gard” cab, you don’t even have to blast the radio just to hear it. You could even hear yourself think. Summer chores like working in the hay fields were cooler inside the cab, as heat rising from the tranny was shielded. The cab sat closer to the front of the tractor and featured floor-to-ceiling windows, so you could actually see your surroundings. Control levels were grouped together, making them easy to reach. Plus, the cab had doors on both sides.

These features are taken for granted today, as modern cabs more closely resemble studio apartments mounted on self-driving tractors. But back in the day, the 986 defined the term “creature comforts”.

During a five-year run from 1976 to 1981, IH produced over 20,000 units. Sadly, the 986 would be the last hurrah; the final great product from the once revered red brand. In 1982, IH was sold – to the parent company of JI Case, no less – in a move that sent shockwaves across the farming industry, and initiated merger-mania within the agricultural industry. Yet the 986 is still very popular among collectors today. You still see them working productively on farms.

I paid homage to our 986 by purchasing a replica model last week, adding to my collection. My goal is to own a toy model of every piece of farm equipment owned by my family (okay, and maybe a few others).

Whenever I peer at that 986 on my shelf, I’ll forever be transported back in time and see the expressions on the faces of both dad and mom, as he rolled up the driveway that eventful day. Those memories are what make farming the world’s greatest profession.