IHC 574

In my opinion, excellent loader and utility tractor, very maneuverable, left hand control on the shuttle shift, and easy to get on and off.

Hottest thing this side of an oven if you use it for extended operation in haying or tillage in hot weather, worse if you have a loader on it, worst if it is the gas model.

Before you buy one make sure that the parking brake works, or figure on a two day thrash to replace it, and get the remains out of the hydraulic system. Once the parking brake works, get a strobe light about the size of a lighthouse, and hook it up to the parking brake indicator. The brake holds the tractor from rolling quite nicely, but it can be overpowered by putting tractor in gear and taking off. After a few incidents of this the $200 brake band will disintegrate and distribute itself throughout the transmission and hydraulic system, eventually plugging the filters, or something more expensive. The service brakes will do this also, but they will last a long time before it happens.

On the particular tractor I am familiar with, both front spindles have been replaced, but I am sure that is from operator abuse/accident. It was previously owned by a young man who loaned it out indiscriminately among his friends and casual acquaintances. This, in itself, indicates that except for the parking brake problem, it is a relatively tough and trouble free machine.

I personally wouldn't touch one of those C-153 or C-200 engines if planning to do much heavy work, or log on big hours. I was farming full time with 8 relatively new tractors back when those were new. Those two engines had a poor reputation well known to IH customers before they were 5 years old.

Other specs include 8/4 synchromesh transmission, plus optional TA, 11 inch clutch, wet hydraulic disc brakes, Cat.II 3 point hitch and 540 - 1000 rpm pto. I expect that pto was twin shaft, however the guide doesn't say.

You may want to ask some questions about hydraulic, transmission and rear end. I saw some discussion on here awhile back, something to do with brakes or pto, seemed like a major tear down for a small fix. I didn't pay close attention, thus cant tell you the exact details. Someone will probably chime in on that one.

I've never heard anything but good about that 239 diesel, it was used in several tractors and subsequent models, at least to the Case buy out in 84-85. I'm not certain, but think Case continued to use it well into the 90s.