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Today I’ve got a special project to share—a beautiful restoration of an 806 International. This one isn’t just any tractor; it’s packed with family history, and it was a privilege to work on. If you’re a fan of IH tractors, you’re going to love this story!
The tractor came to us in excellent shape, way above average for its age. It had been running well, but the customer wanted to give it a complete refresh. We got the motor rebuilt from top to bottom and installed a brand-new radiator core. The customer also brought us a set of new tires, and we replaced the rims—calcium buildup from the old ones had eaten through the hardware, a common issue we see with older tractors.
One of the coolest features was the rear seat cushion, still surrounded by its original fiberglass frame. It’s rare to see these in such good shape! We made a few minor repairs, but nothing major. The tractor also got a new American-made wiring harness, fresh gauges, and a refurbished original tachometer to bring it back to life.
What makes this 806 even more special is the family story behind it. The current owner’s father bought the tractor brand-new after purchasing the family farm. He needed a larger, newer machine to manage the bigger workload—and the 806 fit the bill perfectly.
Since finances were tight, the original buyer made a few cost-saving decisions. The tractor came with a standard seat instead of the deluxe version, and it’s configured as a narrow-front row crop model. Interestingly, it also has the Wheatland drawbar and a bareback setup, making it a unique combination you don’t see often. Adding to the history, the family still has the original bill of sale and even a photo of their father on the tractor from way back in the day.
Given the sentimental value, the family wanted a professional restoration to use the tractor for family photos at an upcoming fall event. It’s always an honor to help preserve such history, and we’re proud to have been a part of this project.
We replaced all the rear emblems and hardware, rebuilt the injection pump and injectors, and installed a shiny new chrome stack. The old fuel hoses were shot, so we swapped them out for new lines and added new battery covers and hold-downs. Every detail was inspected, from the lights to the charging system—everything is now in perfect working order.
As you can see, this tractor is ready for many more years of service and memories.
If you’ve got a family heirloom or a classic tractor in need of restoration, we’d love to help! Call us at Devon’s Tractor Parts at 920-894-2134. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and YouTube for more restoration videos and updates. We’ve got plenty of projects in the works, and we’d love to have you along for the ride!
Thanks for reading, and keep those tractors running!