454 intl tractor and loader

What can you tell me about a 1973 international model 454 diesel with westendorf loader and grapple. Are they known to be a good reliable tractor. Seems to run real good and everything works. Does anyone have any idea what they are worth. I'm in central South Dakota. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks

Hi Monte, we have had a 454 Diesel since about 1972. It must have well over 15,000 Hrs on it. The hour part of the tach quit about 15 years ago.
Check the following:
1)Parking brake, if it doesn't work then someone has driven tractor with parking brake on and bits of parking brake ban could be in the hydraulic system. Then again this tractor has been running since 1973 and parking brake could have been damaged years ago and all the bits filtered out by now.
2)Check crankcase oil for Diesel smell, could have a leaking front seal on injection pump letting Diesel fuel leak into crankcase. Seal is only about $8.00 but have to remove injection pump to replace. To prevent this seal from wearing either add a good Diesel fuel condition to the fuel or add a tablespoon of crankcase oil everytime you add Diesel fuel to the tractor. This is a result of the new low sulphur Diesel fuel not having the same lubricity as the Diesel fuel from 40 years ago.
3)Check brakes for being "spongy", this means there is air in the hydraulic brakes and they will have to be bled. Could be a sign of leaking brake seals.

The D-179 Diesel engine runs a long time if it is properly maintained, good quality Diesel crankcase oil and clean Diesel fuel.

JimB

Jim,
Thanks for the help. All of that seems to be fine. The emer. brake works fine and the hyd. brakes work good. I'll have to check the oil for diesel smell. Not sure whether I'll get the deal done yet. I have a pickup for sale and he wants to trade this tractor to me as part of the deal. I could use a small tractor like this sometimes so we'll have to see how things work out. I appreciate the feedback. I knew nothing about this model. Thank you, Monte