International Harvester 55 / 56

Brake fluid capacity & service interval

International Harvester 55 / 56 uses brake fluid with a capacity range of 0,2 to 0,6 liters. Service intervals include checking at 50 hours and changing at 800, 1000, or 1600 hours. The data covers 9 configurations.

The configuration chart below lists fill volumes and service intervals for each engine and trim variant.

TypeSpecifications
856 XL, 856 XLA (1984-1985)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,5 liter
  • Check 50 hours
  • Change 1000 hours
1056, 1056 XL (1982-1985)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,6 liter
  • Check 50 hours
  • Change 800 hours
956, 956 XL (1982-1985)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,6 liter
  • Check 50 hours
  • Change 1000 hours
1255 XL (1981-1985)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,2 liter
  • Check 50 hours
  • Change 1000 hours
1455 XL (1981-1985)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,2 liter
  • Check 50 hours
  • Change 1000 hours
1055 (1978-1981)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,5 liter
  • Check 50 hours
  • Change 1600 hours
1255 (1978-1981)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,5 liter
  • Check 50 hours
  • Change 1000 hours
1455 (1978-1981)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,5 liter
  • Check 50 hours
  • Change 1000 hours
955 (1978-1981)
  • Use: Normal
  • Capacity 0,5 liter
  • Check 50 hours
  • Change 1600 hours

Additional Notes

  • Across the International Harvester 55 / 56 series, hydraulic brake system fluid capacities fall into three distinct values: 0.2 liter, 0.5 liter, and 0.6 liter. The 0.6-liter figure represents the largest reservoir volume in the lineup, appearing on the 1056 / 1056 XL and 956 / 956 XL models.
  • The 1255 XL (1981-1985) and 1455 XL (1981-1985) carry a notably smaller hydraulic brake system capacity of 0.2 liter, compared to the 0.5-liter capacity of the non-XL 1255 (1978-1981) and 1455 (1978-1981) variants. The XL designation in both cases corresponds to a reduced fluid volume in the brake circuit.
  • All nine model configurations share a 50-hour brake fluid check interval. In hour-based service schedules typical of agricultural machinery, a 50-hour interval represents a relatively frequent inspection cycle, reflecting the safety-critical nature of hydraulic brake systems.
  • The 1055 (1978-1981) and 955 (1978-1981) share the longest brake fluid change interval in the series at 1600 hours, while retaining the same 0.5-liter capacity and 50-hour check interval as several other configurations.
  • The 1056 and 1056 XL (1982-1985) carry a change interval of 800 hours, the shortest in the series. Despite having the same 0.6-liter capacity as the 956 / 956 XL, the 956 / 956 XL models are specified at a 1000-hour change interval.
  • The 1255 (1978-1981), 1455 (1978-1981), 1255 XL (1981-1985), 1455 XL (1981-1985), 856 XL / 856 XLA (1984-1985), and 956 / 956 XL (1982-1985) all share a 1000-hour change interval, making it the most common drain cycle across the 55 / 56 brake fluid specifications.
  • The 856 XL and 856 XLA, introduced for 1984-1985, carry a 0.5-liter capacity and a 1000-hour change interval, aligning with the mid-range specifications seen on several other models in the series rather than the reduced-capacity figures associated with other XL-designated variants.

Other Systems