Buying Advice Compatible, smaller, older tractor, similar to an International Harvester 574

[rnk]

Hi,

I bought a small farm (in the UK) in 2012 and I now have one International Harvester 574
(diesel) tractor for use on it. My main jobs are going to be related
to hay-making (55 acres) and boring holes for fence posts and tree
planting jobs. I may need a log splitter attachment and a few other
"extras", but essentially, I am finding that one tractor is not enough
for what I need to do. The IH 574 is the ideal size for my land and access tracks.

I need to buy at least one more tractor. As I am short of time and
labour, I want to plan so that I only need to become familiar with the
layout and mechanicals of one type of tractor and to able to keep the
minimum number of spare parts that are common to all my tractors (two
or more).

This gives me a couple of options. I could buy another IH 574, but
there aren't so many for sale (they are fairly old...!). I could also buy the nearest similar
model that has the maximum number of common parts, but I do not know
how similar, or different, each of the IH models are. I am
particularly interested in things like wheels and tyres, in case of
punctures. I would like to have one common wheel, tyre and
bolt-pattern on my tractors so that one spare wheel could fit all the
tractors, as any one could get punctured or damaged at any time,
etc...

As reliability, functionality, ease of maintenance and availability of
spare parts at low costs are my priorities, I would also consider a
totally different brand of tractor if there were significant
advantages to a manufacturer other than IH.

With these point in mind, could you recommend the best models that I
should look at that can satisfy most of the above points?

Any advice or opinions welcomed...

Regards,

Rob

 

[downslope]

Maybe ask this question over at w-w-w.red-power-magazine-dot-com/forums/ for best IH info (clean up URL address).

I assume common in UK are Ford and Massey as well as IH. If you could find a Ford/NH 7710, 7740, etc, (OR 6/76XX variants if you don't need/want row-crop) they were good machines made in UK and could be found a little newer. Or similar MF/Agco if you can find. I have good luck with White 2-70 AND 2-85 in that size but don't know what Agco support would be in UK, but I would guess pretty good. Good luck.

Hi,

I bought a small farm (in the UK) in 2012 and I now have one International Harvester 574
(diesel) tractor for use on it. My main jobs are going to be related
to hay-making (55 acres) and boring holes for fence posts and tree
planting jobs. I may need a log splitter attachment and a few other
"extras", but essentially, I am finding that one tractor is not enough
for what I need to do. The IH 574 is the ideal size for my land and access tracks.

I need to buy at least one more tractor. As I am short of time and
labour, I want to plan so that I only need to become familiar with the
layout and mechanicals of one type of tractor and to able to keep the
minimum number of spare parts that are common to all my tractors (two
or more).

This gives me a couple of options. I could buy another IH 574, but
there aren't so many for sale (they are fairly old...!). I could also buy the nearest similar
model that has the maximum number of common parts, but I do not know
how similar, or different, each of the IH models are. I am
particularly interested in things like wheels and tyres, in case of
punctures. I would like to have one common wheel, tyre and
bolt-pattern on my tractors so that one spare wheel could fit all the
tractors, as any one could get punctured or damaged at any time,
etc...

As reliability, functionality, ease of maintenance and availability of
spare parts at low costs are my priorities, I would also consider a
totally different brand of tractor if there were significant
advantages to a manufacturer other than IH.

With these point in mind, could you recommend the best models that I
should look at that can satisfy most of the above points?

Any advice or opinions welcomed...

Regards,

Rob

 

[geko1]

How much horse power are you after?
I've been looking at a new 85hp kubota for commercial grass cutting, couldn't come close to budget with a JD of similar power/spec, then got offered a deal on a case 115 farmall.
Awesome price, full spec (can, air con etc), and more power than kubota or JD.
About £28500 + vat if I remember rightly. I had to get turf tyres at about £4K but still a better deal!

In the end the contract I wanted was given to someone else, so didn't go for it.

I did consider the imported stuff (siromer etc.) as they had decent kit for very little money. Only thing was reliability, but the rep I spoke to quelled my fears regarding spares etc

 

[doxford jim]

Chinese tractors might be worth taking a look at - despite many owners who claim they are not good.
I have a Jinma 55hp machine and it does all I want it to do. About 1/4 of the price of the larger known brands at the time I purchased it (2007).
I would take a look at the cab Dong Feng tractors - they have a good reputation. The beauty of the Chinese tractor is it is new and does not (to date) have a computer or the annoying sensors, to go wrong.
My only regret on buying the Jinma tractor is that I did not by one with a factory cab - where I live it gets down to -35C winter and +35C in the summer.

 

[Roadbuilder6]

I don't know if this is something your interested in or would consider. But what I would do is sell the 574 and buy a Case 45b cvt or the new holland equivalent.