What is this on the dash? (IH 300 Utility 1956)

jim44 · Jul 25, 2014

You're looking at the wrong spot. The thing in question is below the steering wheel, right above the battery. I was convinced that it was a lighter without the knob, but on your picture, it also has no knob. So I reckon that ain't it. I'm now convinced it has something to do with the dewobbleizer.

Glo-plug indicator seems right. Had you asked 50 years ago, I could have told you exactly what it was.

big bubba · Jul 25, 2014

jim44: actually on the pic, below the steering wheel on the dash you'll notice a gauge on the spot in question. perhaps this is another series of the model. i do think (if it's a diesel) that it is in fact a glo indicator good point

Soundguy · Jul 25, 2014

just look behind the dash and see what is hooked up. once you see what is hooked up.. it's function will become much clearer!

chabat124 · Jul 25, 2014

I think after looking at the CASE IH parts store, it looks like it was a cigarette lighter with the knob missing.

It is a gas engine. I will look behind the dash.

Clint S · Jul 25, 2014

Yes IIRC I have seen some with a lighter there an it was an option.

chevy · Jul 25, 2014

I believe it is a lighter with the handle missing.
Those tractors did not have glow plugs. If they were diesel, they started on gas to warm up. After the engine warmed up, you moved a lever to switch it over to diesel.

RickB · Jul 26, 2014

chevy said:
I believe it is a lighter with the handle missing.
Those tractors did not have glow plugs. If they were diesel, they started on gas to warm up. After the engine warmed up, you moved a lever to switch it over to diesel.

An International 300 had no diesel option. If it were a 350 Diesel it would have had a Continental Diesel which was not one of the IH start-em-on gas-try-em- on -Diesel engines.

Texasmark · Jul 26, 2014

All you guys saying it's a cigarette lighter module less the knob are correct. How do I know? back when I smoked I took one off (it's handle) and replaced it when it quit working.

Mark

chevy · Jul 26, 2014

RickB said:
An International 300 had no diesel option. If it were a 350 Diesel it would have had a Continental Diesel which was not one of the IH start-em-on gas-try-em- on -Diesel engines.

Thank you for the correction Rick.

Texasmark · Jul 27, 2014

Actually we are all wrong. I just remembered it's a cigar lighter and that's why it is the diameter it is. Somebody said that years ago. Forget the origin but it made sense. But since most folks smoked cigarettes, not cigars, it was commonly known incorrectly as a cigarette lighter.

So much for today's trivia.

Mark