Bought an IH 454 diesel today :)

I've been looking around for a good, 2wd diesel tractor for awhile to use for odd jobs, mowing in tight places, or otherwise when our larger tractor with cab is not convenient. I'm just a hobby guy with 45 acres and a wood lot.

Found an IH 454 with diesel engine advertised last night about an hour away and priced well below value. I went there first thing this morning and found the tractor to be sound but a little rough around the edges. Only 5500 hours on the tach (which means nothing really) but it started right up from cold (it was down to freezing here over night) and ran well. Power steering worked great. Rear tires are about 60% and filled. Only leak found was in the fiber diesel return line.

Missing one headlight, the battery cover is pretty beat up, and the seat and one front tire need to be replaced. However for $1200, I drove her away and she runs real good, brakes were excellent, shifts smooth, etc. I think that I got an awesome deal for this area. Another guy showed up as I was driving away and followed me until I pulled into a friend's yard and asked if I would sell it.

I need to pick up a manual and with a bit of work, a few parts, and eventually some paint, it should be a great little tractor.

The fun begins...

Hi, you did get a great deal. The leaking return
lines are a common problem and are worse when the
weather is colder. They are still available from
CaseIH. At 5500 Hrs the engine is barely broken
in. My brother has a 1972 454 with well over
15,000 Hrs and still running good.
Some hints, add some Diesel fuel condition to the
fuel to keep the injection pump lubed and make
sure you always release the parking brake before
driving.
The newer models added a flasher to the parking
brake dash light to alarm the operator about brake
being on.

Enjoy your new tractor
JimB

I have a 454 diesel that Dad bought new. I think it is at about 4400 hours now. Has been a great tractor and still is. What do you use for a fuel additive. I"ve thought I should be using something in the fuel. Need some pointers on what and what not to use. Thanks.

Jimb2,

I saw some of your old posts about that tractor when searching to learn about the 454. I had been looking for a late '84, '85, or '95 series but this was just too good of a deal to pass on. A rear remote would have been nice, but not a deal breaker. I had been thinking about a 685 or similar because I'm always attracted to more power, but this sure is a handy little tractor that should handle the intended purposes while being real frugal on fuel.

I saw that deal on KIKIJI but i live in PEI and new it would be gone before i could get there.Your a lucky duck. Enjoy. Kent

Hi, I will not recommend any particular brand, I
would hope someone with more experience than me
would recommend one.
Myself, I would just add a couple tablespoons of
crankcase oil everytime you add Diesel to the
tractor.

JimB

I just got lucky (for once!). I usually buy high and sell low.

$1200 454 is a good deal, congrats.

I didn't see the ad, any pictures?

Hey Guys, I am looking for something about like this.

Can this tractor handle a loader and what kind of loader would fit on it?


I have a 460 utility now with a IH 2000 loader, but would like to upgrade.

Yes, quite easily.

IH made the 1550 loader for it, later loaders 1850 and 2200 will fit easily as well. A 2250 will fit, but is a little more loader than the tractor needs.

I didn't have my camera with me and the ad has been removed. I drove it over to Cameron's Equipment and they will keep it there and check it over for me before I get it hauled to Wallace.

The little thing moves right along on the road!

Is the IH manual the best one to get?

I haven't been into Cameron's in years.

Did the tractor by chance come from a place just off the 4 lane at the bible hill exit? There was a 454 around that place, had to to be newest thing there. There was an old fire truck or something behind the barns, and I think most of the buildings and stuff are gone now. The guy was putting loose hay up with a hay loader in the 1990's.

Pretty close to there! He said he last mowed hay about 4 years ago and just last year sold his drum mower. No fire truck or barn though. Tractor was only being used to blow snow recently.

Small world!

Might have been same place, I think the barns were long gone. I will have to see next time I'm down that way. I think the place was "cleaned up" so the old fire truck and stuff might have been long gone.