| Production | |
| Manufacturer | International Harvester | 
| Row-Crop tractor | |
| Built in Rock Island, Illinois, USA | |
| Original price | $33,900 (1981) | 
| Variants | |
| Hydro 186 Hi-Clear | high clearance | 
| International Harvester Hydro 186 Engine | |
| International Harvester 7.1L 6-cyl diesel | |
| International Harvester Hydro 186 Power | |
| Drawbar (claimed) | 82 hp 61.1 kW  | 
| PTO (claimed) | 104 hp 77.6 kW  | 
| Drawbar (tested) | 79.83 hp 59.5 kW  | 
| PTO (tested) | 105.02 hp 78.3 kW  | 
| Mechanical | |
| Two- or four-wheel drive | |
| Final drives | bull gear | 
| Steering | power assist | 
| Hydraulic disc brakes | |
| Cab standard with air-conditioning. Open operator station and four-post ROPS available. | |
| Capacity | |
| Fuel | 50 gal 189.2 L  | 
|   | 22 gal (auxiliary) 83.3 L  | 
| Hydraulic system | 28.5 gal 107.9 L  | 
| Hydraulics | |
| Type | open center | 
|   | closed center *Optional after late 1980. | 
| Capacity | 28.5 gal 107.9 L  | 
| Valves | 2 | 
| Pump flow | 12 gpm 45.4 lpm  | 
| Tractor hitch | |
| Rear Type | II | 
| Rear lift (at 24"/610mm) | 6660 lbs 3020 kg  | 
| Power Take-off (PTO) | |
| Rear PTO | independent | 
| Rear PTO Type | 540/1000 (1.375) | 
| Engine RPM | 540@2100 | 
|   | 1000@2100 | 
| Dimensions & Tires | |
| Wheelbase | 105 inches 266 cm  | 
|   | 101 inches (tricycle front) 256 cm  | 
|   | 99 inches (4WD) 251 cm  | 
|   | 106 inches (Hi-Clear) 269 cm  | 
| Weight | 11500 to 13135 pounds | 
| Front tire | 10.00-16 | 
| Rear tire | 18.4-34 | 
| Hydro 186 Serial Numbers | |
| Location: | Rear axle. | 
| 1976 | 8601 | 
| 1977 | 8813 | 
| 1978 | 9806 | 
| 1979 | 10626 | 
| 1980 | 11465 | 
| 1981 | 12279 | 
FAQ: How to read a serial number table.  | |
| Electrical | |
| Ground | negative | 
| Charging system | alternator | 
| Charging amps | 42 | 
|   | 61 (with cab) | 
| Batteries | 2 | 
| Battery CCA | 470 | 
| Battery volts | 12 | 
| References | |
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| 1978 Buyer's Guide published by International Harvester | |
| 1979 Buyer's Guide published by International Harvester | |
| Buyer's Guide 1981 published by International Harvester | |
| Series 86 Tractors published in 1976, by International Harvester | |
| 86 Series Tractors - The pro-ag line published in 1976, by International Harvester | |
| Operator's Manual 786, 886, 986, 1086, 1486, 1586 and Hydro-186 Tractors (1096207R4) published in 1986 | 
| Page information | |
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| TractorData is a family-owned small business located in Minnesota that has been providing reference information on tractors since 1999. | |
| Peter Easterlund - owner/author | |
| Email: Peter@TractorData.com | |
| Updated on April 15, 2025 |