|
The International 1206 is finally here. The famous 100 + IH kicks of the all new CaseIH Precision Key Series from Ertl. This tractor is one of the most famous IH’s in the Farmall line history.
In August 1965, IH announced its first ever 100 + hp row crop tractor, the 1206 Turbo diesel. It was the first tractor from IH to be fitted with a turbocharger from the factory. The 1206 was the big row crop tractor for the modern farmer of the 1960's. Most of the row crop tractors of the day were 40-70 hp. For a long time a 100 hp tractor was thought to be too big. IH proved that a 100 hp row crop was possible and useful on the farm.
The 1206 was all new from the ground up. It was not an 806 plus. From the star IH engineers built the 1206 to be a 100 hp tractor. Engineers used twinjet oil-cooled pistons, a larger dry type air cleaner, an increased capacity radiator and larger engine oil cooler. A factory turbo was developed at IH’s Solar Turbine division to boost the 1206's performance.
IH author Ken Updike tells us that special care was needed when hauling the 1206 by truck and rail. Air entering the exhaust could cause the turbo to spin. If the engine was not running, oil could not lubricate the turbo bearings and the windmilling effect from the air would cause the turbo to fail. To prevent this type of damage a small spring was added to the rain cap during shipping. All 1206 tractors came standard with a straight pipe exhaust rather than a muffler.
IH sent the Farmall 1206 to the Nebraska Tractor Test in September 1965. Nebraska test #910 was the first test of a turbocharged 100 hp row crop tractor. The 1206 recorded 112 maximum horse power.
Another first for the 1206 was a new style of deluxe fenders . The fenders were taller, wider and offered more protection from field debris than previous shell style fenders. Lights were added under the fenders for better vision at night. Hand grips were also added to the fenders to make access to the tractor easier
The 1206's red and white style is unlike any IH before or after the 1206. The white paint scheme came about as a result of the 1206's new welded tubular steel grill. The 806 had a heavy cast bar grill that was awkward to handle so IH engineers wanted the 1206 to have a lighter grill. Because the 1206 was such an upgrade ober an 806 IH decided to make it stand out from the all red tractor. The 1206 was dolled up with a white grill and deluxe flat top fenders. A white Turbo decal was added to the hood. The white highlights helped farmers see that the 1206 offered much more features and power. This extra attention helped sales and from 1965-1967 over 25,000 1206's were sold.
Since the introduction of the Precision Replicas in 1990 IH collectors have hoped for a 1206. The power and looks of the 1206 make it a popular collectible. Ertl chose the 1206 to kick off its new CaseIH Key Series in a big way with the 1206. The CaseIH Precision Classic Series ran for thirteen years from 1991-2004. The last model in the series was #20, a Farmall MV High-Clear. The new Key Series offers an open face package with historical graphics. The 1206 is now enclosed with a clear plastic window on the box. Collectors raised concerns over the open face box of the Key Series Precision John Deere #1 4430. Let Ertl’s product manager Bill Walter’s know what you think of the 1206 box on Toy Talk on post: http://www.toytractortimes.com/messageboard/viewtopic.php?t=2727
The 1206 continues to raise level of Precision detail. The close up pictures speak for themselves showing the detailed engine, operators platform and hitch area.
The 1206 is at CaseIH dealers now and will be soon be joined by the IH 3588 Key Series Precision #2. The Precision 3588 was featured in the March 2005 Toy Tractor Times and a box sample is in the June Toy Tractor Show.com Farm Toy Report at: http://www.toytractorshow.com/farmtoyreport/june05/
Remember: Collect what you like and like what you collect.
|
.jpg)
