84 74 Series I H Utility Tractors

Ross Bryner · Oct 21, 2009

I would like opinions as to what are the better and more durable International Harvester Utility Tractors from the late 1970's / early 1980's. I specifically am interested in the 50 to 70 horse- power diesel class; namely the 574 and 674 versus the 584, 684 and 784.

I am sold on the 544, 656, 666 and 686 Farmall row-crop tractors (my dad had a GREAT 656 that ran strong for many, many years and many, many hours).

I currently have a Case 1494 (David Brown) that I just don't like ! I am going to try to sell it and buy an International.

Basically, I will look for the best deal and best condition tractor I can get whether it be one of the row-crop ones I have listed or one of the utility ones I have listed.

Any responses will be appreciated. - Thanks.

Mich John · Oct 21, 2009

Here's one vote for a model 784. Great power & not that thirsty. All these models suffer from the parking brake having been left on and driven; mine is NO exception. The previous owner did NOT ruin the tractor, however, just took a lot of hours off the band.

495man · Oct 21, 2009

All of them are solid...would not shy away from one in great condition.

My pick of the IH branded ones would be the 1982-1984 solid red with H shift pattern.

I like the (case)IH 95 series best, they have "all the updates" (better parking brake, better hyd cap, inline fwa etc etc and in my opinion best style of that range.

JimB2 · Oct 21, 2009

Hi, as others have said weak point is parking brake. To warn the Operator, the 95 and 30 series have flashing warning light for parking brake.
The German engines in these tractors will run a long time if regular maintenance is performed, like oil & filter changes. My brother still has 454 that was bought in 1972 and has over 15,000 engine hours without overhaul.
If you purchase one be sure to add either Diesel fuel additive or a little 2 cycle engine oil to every tank of fuel. The older style Bosch injection pumps requires additional lubrication when today's low sulphur Diesel fuel is used.

JimB

Ross Bryner · Oct 22, 2009

Thanks for all the good comments.

I appreciate the info. on the Case-IH "later" versions of these tractors (685, 785 etc... and the fact that they are a little more "modernized" and upgraded than the earlier IH versions).

I will start selling my Case 1494 this next spring and then try to find one of these "nice" tractors !

495man · Oct 22, 2009

Our 485 had THREE warning lights for the parking brake, one soild one, plus TWO flashing ones in the far corners on the light panel on the dash.

The 495 has a single light flasher...but on ours it burnt out..so now it's wired to glow solid and I hooked a buzzer up to the circuit.

84 74 Series I H Utility Tractors

Ross Bryner

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Mich John

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495man

Well-known Member

JimB2

Well-known Member

Ross Bryner

New User

495man

Well-known Member

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