International Harvester 574 4.60 star(s) (9)

Good Tractor Once The Bugs Were Worked Out
Model Year: 0

I bought this tractor (gasoline) with 2,200 hours on it. It was in good shape. I have had to replace the distributor because it was worn badly. I use ethanol free gas on the farm, but before me who knows. The one problem is the gas tanks. You can't get a new one because International Harvester obsoleted them and there are basically no good used ones around. I had to acid wash mine to eliminate the rust problem. The 3-point hitch and hydraulics are good. I use mine for mowing, bailing, hauling manure and general farm work. It is very maneuverable and easy to handle. My wife loves it.

Pros: Ease of operation, handling, size, power
Cons: No replacement fuel tanks

Good Old Tractor
Model Year: 0

I got this IH 574 with 2200 loader in 2005. Hour meter stuck at 2200 hours, who knows how many it really has. Couple of things to look for if you're thinking of getting one: be sure yours has locking differential. My doesn't, and that is not fun when loader is full of rock, the back tire just spins. Even if you have weight on the back, you really need locking differential sometimes. Also, the draft control and 3-pt are extremely hard to get exactly right. 3-pt is either all the way up or all the way down on mine 99% of the time. Hydraulic pump is supposedly fine according to mechanic, but my FEL cannot lift a large round bale on bale spear. I have to use the 3 pt for large bales. Also, the front wheel spindle came off and wheel fell off when driving, which is very dangerous if going fast.

Pros: Heavy, solid, starts every time.
Cons: Optional locking differential, poor traction.

Good Utility Tractor Heavy Weight for 50HP
Model Year: 1975

I bought this tractor cheap in need of work. This is the diesel model and has a D239 engine which is bulletproof as long as the oil and coolant are maintained. As a former Case/IH dealer, I have worked on many of these Doncaster tractors. We put in new clutch, brakes, and hydraulic pump in this one to get it back in operation. This one has the 2050 IH loader so it is a heavy duty loader. The tractor is heavily ballasted and we use it extensively around the shop for material handling jobs. This one easily picks up 2000 pound pallets with ease. We also use it on a 8-foot Bushhog and it has the power to mow anything the tractor can pushover. There is lots of iron in these tractors so they are built to work. Only real drawbacks of these tractors are is they do develop minor dripping leaks that are not cost efficient to fix (hydraulic oil, engine oil). These tractors are cheap to buy and will run along time. They do use engine oil so you have to keep an eye on that and keep it topped up. Engine Oil consumption in these tractors is pretty normal. My only big gripe is that since Case sold the Doncaster plant the price of parts has increased significantly for these tractors. If you need a cheap heavy 50HP utility tractor you won't go wrong on a 574.

Pros: Heavy tractor.
Cons: Complicated hydraulic system, leaks that cannot be fixed, expensive parts.

Old 574
Model Year: 1976

Bought 17 flat acres and needed a tractor. Wanted something over 50HP and cheap and dependable. Saw this IH 574 in Craigslist for 6500 with a loader so bought it. Have a 6' brush hog and it is perfect. Now just got a 12' grader blade at an auction to work on the road to the barn and a mobile home pad. Will see how the 574 handles the big heavy blade. I think it will be fine. Only complaint I have is would be nice to have a throttle pedal instead of a lever when mowing but no biggie. Want to buy some paint and paint it.

Pros: Powerful, dependable, cheap.
Cons: Haven't ran across any yet.

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IH 574 RC
Model Year: 1978

This tractor has been a work horse. I had to install a new clutch and brakes during the time I have used it. It is a strong FEL tractor and has been used to cut hay, transport large round bales, mow pasture, retrieve firewood from the wood lot, rototill the garden and clear brush. Its only fault is when rototilling soft ground the front tires act like a plow and stop turning. I have broken a front axle and replaced it.

Pros: Powerful for its size.
Cons: Can't keep the front wheels turning when in soft garden.

IH 574
Model Year: 1975

68 HP Diesel model. Excellent all round tractor that suits me. Generally used for firewood processing and charity road runs.

Pros: Good all rounder, power steering a bonus.
Cons: None.

Love My Tractor
Model Year: 1978

Just purchased this gas tractor a week ago. Have already used it to move round bales, spread manure and general farm work. Looking forward to plowing and haying.

Pros: Nimble, great looks, functional hydraulics.
Cons: None.

International Harvester 574.
Model Year: 1977

I'm not a farmer or a dealer, I'm merely an enthusiast. I bought the 574 in may 2010 with the intention of restoring it and taking it on tractor road runs and taking it to shows. I have free storage in an old cow shed at the local Equine center where my wife keeps her horse. However, my tractor has also become a working tractor again. I do quite a bit of grass topping and chain harrowing of the paddocks, schooling arena and the 1 mile gallops circuit. I find the I.H. 574 very light on steering, very responsive, a comfortable ride and the cab is warm and safe. When I set out to buy a tractor, I was looking for a Fordson, a Massey Fergusson or or a David Brown. I'm glad to say I don't regret buying the IH. and I've had quite a bit of fun this last year working it. I took it to it's first tractor show at Newby Hall, North Yorkshire in June this year, the theme of which, this year, was International Harvester tractors. Out of 500 tractors mine was the only 574 model on the site. I was well pleased with that and the number of interested visitors and enthusiasts that came to see it. It's a great little tractor and great fun to drive and operate.

Pros: Good starter, power steering, good visibility, good cab.
Cons: Small fuel tank.

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IH 574 Diesel Good Buy
Model Year: 1974

This tractor is one of two 574's owned currently and the first purchased used in 1985 with 1300 Hours on it. The engine had just been rebuilt because of poor maintenance from original owner and tractor was bought by us at a local farm auction. It came with an 1850 loader. The side shift feature missing on other brands at the time has been indispensable in our vegetable operation. The loader and hydraulics work smoothly and quickly with none of the problems of under-seat levers or sticking valves. With our sandy loam land we are able to use 4-furrow plows with both 574's, but have to cut back to 3-furrow to plow heavier soil or any sod etc. We have no problem drawing 10 Ft. heavy discs or 12 Ft. S-tine cultivators with the 54 HP power unit. Our 'Bad' issues are that after 30+ years the foot step is getting weak - but then, so are we! They have been retrofitted with two steps! Also, the glass bottom fuel filters are fussy to get in place with no leaks and fitting percolator style heaters to the engine-rad combination is tricky owing to a lack of ports in the block etc. Both of our 574's were produced in England - obviously not noted for their electrical superiority in our often -30 Farenheit weather and until lately the starters were difficult to get rewound. Now, CNH imports 'NEW' starters at less than a rebuilt price. Overall, a pleasant experience,even today. To replace these two units - which eventually we will - is going to be a challenge, but we are looking at 85HP 4X4's with two sets of remotes. Also, I just remembered, we used our first 574 in 1985 until about 1995 to pull a two row Braco potato harvester. Other local potato producers who haven't seen us do this tend not to believe it's possible - but it is. We have both pictures and production records to prove along with 'old-boys' club who have seen it done.

Pros: Excellent hydraulics, superior side-shifting, & good balance of weight to power.
Cons: Originally had electrical problems, fuel filters are still fussy, differential lock and parking brake require experience to operate without having to re-work.