Dieselrider
Bronze Member
Looking at one of these. 3 cyl. diesel two wheel drive. Does anyone have experience with these? Could you pass on the good, bad and ugly of them? Thanks
International 234
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Cpjlube
Silver Member
It's a Mitsubishi made tractor. I think all those were hydro. Could be wrong. No experience with the hydro version. Parts can be expensive. Starters etc. Overall pretty simple designs. Motors are reliable. My 254 (larger variant) has been pretty solid. If it looked abused I would stay away. Internal repairs will be pricey. If it seems well maintained, I might chance it. Case IH dealers can get parts and there are diagrams and parts lists available on the Case IH website.
Chuck
Chuck
OP
Dieselrider
Bronze Member
Chuck, how has your 254 tractor been for you? I also found a 1982 254 that is for sale but, I don't know a thing about them. What would the strong points or weak points to look for be? The thing is owned by a borough for grass maintenance and has an odometer rather than an hour meter. It is listed as having 1770 miles on it- don't know what that figures out to be in hours. Comes with a 6 ft. finish mower and brush hog all for $2900.00. How hard is it to get parts through IHC/Case?
art
Super Member
Most parts are readily available but for a few discontinued parts. They are still building tractors under another name and in the recent past also built them for Cadet.
I've never seen anything but an hour meter on these tractors!
I've never seen anything but an hour meter on these tractors!
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Cpjlube
Silver Member
Trust me. It's an hour meter. The guy you talked to is clueless. Case IH would never put an odometer on a tractor. It has been strong. Mine is a 1986 model. The motor and trans (gear 2WD) have been flawless. I can give you the list of issues I have had. The three point arm mount points will come lose. Tighten frequently. The air filter snorkel hose is junk. The filter sits in front if the radiator and the hose runs to the back of the engine ( about 2 feet). . If this part fails The engine gets dusted. And the diff lock failed early on. Requires tear down of the back end to repair.
I'm a big on PM and have avoided any major issues. Overall it's been a great tractor and very reliable.
Chuck
I'm a big on PM and have avoided any major issues. Overall it's been a great tractor and very reliable.
Chuck
OP
Dieselrider
Bronze Member
Thank you guys.
OP
Dieselrider
Bronze Member
Just one more question on these 234 and 254 tractors. What are the dimensions? Tractor Data has the 234 at 39 inches wide and the 254 at 45 or 46 inches wide. That just sounds narrow to me but, since I have never had any dealings with these machines, maybe that is correct. I need to plan on whether they would fit my trailer or if I need to rent a trailer to haul one on. Thanks for all your help.
art
Super Member
Add about 4-5 inches for turf tires over the old standard ag tires.
Cpjlube
Silver Member
My 254 came with 11.2 / 10 - 24 turf tires. R1s are on it now. Still have the turfs on rims if I need them. 46 sounds about right. A four foot box blade just clears the tires.
Took this while burning brush, last fall. With the tires loaded it does pretty well for a two wheel drive.
Chuck
Took this while burning brush, last fall. With the tires loaded it does pretty well for a two wheel drive.
Chuck
DABS
New member
Had starting problem with 234 Hydro. Started troubleshooting the problem, once I got it started I could not shut the tractor off. I had to disconnect the fuel supply to shut the tractor off. Has anyone had this problem before? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!
kneedeep
Veteran Member
Cpjlube
Silver Member
If the tractor won't shut off again. Just pull the shut off lever on the injector pump. There is a solenoid the pushes this lever that normally shuts off the tractor.
I have encountered this problem a few times. Like you, it was after a starting issue. I replaced the ground cable and carefully cleaned the frame mounting area. The starting and shut off issues went away.
Chuck
