574's are great loader, utility, and small chore tractors. Very maneuverable and agile, they can pretty much fit in anywhere. They are also very well built and reliable. I wouldn't recommend them for heavy tillage though. Main trouble points have already been mentioned, but here are a few more:
1. make sure the park brake is either disconnected or properly adjusted, otherwise it will burn up the brake and the chunks will fall into the transmission oil, plugging up the filters.
2. Check the condition of the gas tank. If the tank is rusty, get ready for a lot of trouble with stalling. It uses a complicated tank design with crossover tubes that are known for plugging up, leaving you with only half of the tanks capacity being usable(side opposite the filler). Best way to clean it is to disconnect the lines and blow out with compressed air.
3. See if the differential lock still works. It is the pedal to the right of the transmission tube between your legs and right in front of the seat. The pedal can rust tight, and if loosened back up , the lock will work just fine. If you plan to do any pulling with the loader attached, you will need this pedal, or you will be getting another tractor to pull it out. 4. If it is gas and you experience hard starting, missing, and low power, try disconnecting the fuel line between the tank and the carb, and blow compressed air through it. You wouldn't believe the crud that can come out. Clean the carb screen while you are at it. Although the power rating is quite a bit higher than your 340, it really won't show. It is all high rpm power, and will probably feel only slightly more powerful than your 340. Our 36 horspower W6 feels a LOT more powerful than our 574. Also, if it is gas, it seems to use quite a bit more fuel per hour than the older gas tractors. If you are going to be working it really hard, prepare for hot legs and feet. The underslung exhaust really heats things up! (on a sidenote, don't put anything in the toolbox under your left foot with the underslung exhaust, it will melt the rubber off of a rubber coated wrench handle and scald you when you try to remove it. Don't ask me how I found out:) I would recommend them for loader work. Really great for loading trucks.
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