574 advice needed

I am looking at a 574 diesel with about 6700 hours on it. Seems real good mechanically, very tight tractor. Engine, clutch, pto, brakes, everything works perfect. It will need a back tire and a rim, and the right fender is rusted really bad, way past repairable. The rest of the paint is good and the sheetmetal is straight. Only leak on the tractor was around the pto shaft and it was minor. It's a little bigger tractor than what I was looking for, but I really started to like it after running it awhile. The price is 4000, does that sound about right? I don't see many IH's like this one for sale around these parts and don't know alot about them. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.

Price sounds reasonable. A rim, tire, and fender will run you close to a grand. Is it gas or diesel? Does it have a loader? If its diesel with a loader its a great deal. Kent

I bought a 574 gas two summers ago with 3200 hrs, good rubber on the rear, excellent rubber on the front, solid clutch and brakes, straight sheet metal, strong hydraulics, 3pt hitch, and always shedded. Sure it could use a paint job but still a decent original paint job. I paid $4800. I really like the tractor and use it mostly for my 6ft Bush Hog mower. I don't know if that helps or not.

I appreciate the advice, it is a diesel, and doesn't have a loader. (I wish it did).

An old man once told me that a bigger tractor will do anything a smaller tractor will do---and MORE.He was right!

Check the parking brake. Most of them got left on and destroyed the band. The pieces circulated through the trans/hydraulic system and eventually plugged the filters. You are looking at at least a day's work to replace it. If you buy it, make sure the parking brake warning light works, and that you are religious about releasing it.

The other thing is, if the fenders are rusting, to take a real careful look at the fuel tank. Moisture gets between the tank and fender and rusts through the tank. Not hard to fix if you have the fender off anyway.

I had one for 30 years that we got new. One of the most advanced utility tractors of it's time. One weakness the brakes will work like a charm up to the point they are desintegrating and will clog up the hydraulic system. Ours were still good at 6000 hours, but it was used for mowing and planting and othe lighter jobs. A brake job can be well over $1000 without complications in the hydraulic system. There have been many brought to the US used that were originally sold in the European market, these do not have full parts compatibility with the US market models. The US models have flat top fenders with two lights on each fender. The European models had different fenders and may have some ligts in the grill or side mounted on the front of the tractor. Other big failure is cavitation in the engine sleeves or failure of the sleeve seals (diesels). These are great tractors when in good shape and could often go twice as long with out major engine or brake repairs than other brands, but the repairs are more expensive. Do a search in this forum for 574 or for D239 and you can read more on the pros and cons. If it is the was originally sold in Europe might want to leave it alone or go for a lower price. US sold diesels were built in Europe, but had different specifications. If you buy it cheap enought to afford an engine overhaul and brake job you will have a tractor for the rest of your life with proper care. The sleeve problems were related to antifreeze becoming acidic. Later models had a coolant filter with a sacrifical part that could be replaced instead of the sleeve walls being attacked.

I'd buy it for that price you can always sell it if you don't like it. The price is good. We bought one in 1972 and still have it with a loader. If you do put a loader on it get the tires loaded, and all the weight you can find for the wheels. They get heavy in the front and light in back Especially with the set back front axle. Also get the what they call a snow bucket for it you'll not regret it. Ours has the 2050 series A loader. It's a heavy loader for its time.

I have a 574 also and love it. Its a diesel with over 18000 hours on it. I have rebuilt the motor at 17500 due to a leaking sleive seal and i have also rebuilt the front end 3 times(it carries 400lbs of weights) They are a great tractor, mine runs out on the dyno at 64 horse.

The flat fendered 574's with lights on the fenders were Louisville assembled from a Doncaster UK skid unit.

The 574's with the lights in the grill and marker lights on the fenders were Doncaster built and shipped into Canada as new. Canada did not get the Louisville built 574's.

I own one too, bought new in '75. Gas engine in mine. Good solid tractor, mostly on this forum the only issues you see with them are the parking brake or some hydraulic issues, those usually due to lack of maintaince on the hydraulic system. Mines got 1800 hours, always kept under cover.