IH-574 tractor

[Ellis Kinney]

Curious about this tractor. What is it capable of work wise? What years was it built? Good reputation for reliability? I know I could "google it" but I would rather get opinions from users. This is with the diesel engine. It belongs to a neighbor who passed away and the family wants to sell it. Thanks, Ellis

 

[Sterff89]

I had a 1972 with over 8200 hours on it when I sold it. The engine is a D239 German model around 65hp I think. Very fuel efficient. The parking brakes are usually always shot as people don't release them and drive with it on. I had lots of issues with fuel lines rubbing holes in them and some people have fuel tank issues. Also the front axles (swept back style like below) can be pretty worn out if they ever had a loader on the tractor. I used mine to mow with for 10 years.

 

[Mrfred54]

Very reliable tractor. Keep the shifting linkage lubed. Have heard of a couple with fuel tank leaks. Clutch linkage and pedal get worn on tractors with a loaders. Over all they are a very reliable tractor.

 

[caterpillar guy]

We have had ours since new in 1971or 72. Has 7500plus hours according to the meter and it broke 10 years ago or so. I would guess it has more like 10-15,000 hours on it. Has had one set of sleeves in that time at around 4-5,000 hours due to a leaking sleeve o,ring and a lot of hours on it at the time. It now has isses with the front axle due to wear and needs new bushings and a lot of work on it. As for the fuels tanks leaks we have never had a problem with it but it has set in all it's life around here along with no line problems and the crossover line is open as far as I know. I mean we drive on thew top half the tank instead of the bottom half and with 3 different tanks of fuel around no need to run on the bottom half. Brakes were the biggest problem and slow hydrauilc action on a loader with just the internal pump of only 12GPM. The loader is also why the front axle is in such need of work. Otherwise it has been a pretty decent tractor. Is 54 or 57 HP. The shifting linkage is a big wear item for shifting. Forcing the lever will twist the shaft off going to the fork inside thus needing the top cover removed to change the lever/shaft. Biggest problem with them is the o-ring to seal the oil on them is a groove in the shaft rather than in the casting so the 3/4 shaft is now down to about 1/2-9/16. We just welded them up ground them round and put them back in without the o-ring even on them. No big leak due to that and solved the twisted off shaft problem also. Don't idle the diesel around it will get to smoking form that and will clear up if you run it harder then go back to it idling around again. Dad just idles around with it and will not open the throttle much so ours smokes a lot from that. IF I run it i open the throttle more for the slow hydraulic operation to speed it up some. thus quits smoking till it is idled around again. The Alternator has a goofy mount to it only a 5/16 bolt on the bottom if you have the delco electrical system . IF it has the Lucas electrical system I would pass on it. Just me but it seems to me it would be an odd thing to get parts for.

 

[caterpillar guy]

The fuel tank leaks are from setting outside a lot and water gets between the end of the tank and behind the fenders causing them to rot out allowing them to leak.

 

[BarnyardEngineering]

IH and CaseIH built that tractor from1970 until 2002 as many different models. If that doesn't tell you something, nothing will.

Of course no tractor is immune to wear, tear, and abuse. No reason to be afraid of a well maintained example, though there can be a LOT wrong with them and they'll still move and do work.

 

[MARK ROBKE]

I would pass on it if it sat outside because of rain and rust between the fuel tank and fenders. I had one and used another 585 (the next generation) on a 10' bush hog. It was a beast in some tall overgrown briars, bushes and weeds. One thing I will add- it needs the block heater plugged in below 50*. Mark.

 

[Mrfred54]

If you got to plug it in at 50 degrees, than something is wrong. With the cable shut off at about the half way position, is for starting.

 

[MARK ROBKE]

If you got to plug it in at 50 degrees, than something is wrong. With the cable shut off at about the half way position, is for starting.

I had one, and that was normal according to others who have posted here before. My belief is that the engine maybe has lower compression; the same engine is also in a 674 I believe. Mark.

 

[Jim in NC]

One lives here, and its main job is to power a JD 335 baler. It has been a good tractor. It is also hard to start in cold weather.

 

[caterpillar guy]

Yup ours was that way for cold weather starting since new. Below about 40or so it needed ether or heat to start. they were nnot the best cold starting tractors made by IH. Our 674 is even worse than the 574. Both need heat about 40 or so out side temp.

 

[Mrfred54]

Hummm, ours must be odd, cause we have never plugged the heater in. Always starts. I always use the cold start position on the shut off cable

 

[sandcastle1]

Mine needed heat below 45 degrees. Parts can be problematic also.

 

[urbancase]

I have a 584 and a c80 and it’s half of the tractor mostly rear half. The 584 was a fence row tractor that I brought back to life. Great for hay wagons and have run my nh310 bales for a few years, c80 is bigger and it’s a great tractor. I have no problem buy another one, I fact would like a 895 if I find one close. Only bad thing I had was the metal fuel tank and the way it mounts between fenders, had rust hole and fuel leaks. Took it off and had a guy weld pin holes shut.

 

[sandcastle1]

had one, started hard in the cold, below 50 degrees it needed heat. Parts are also a problem, lots of NLA items, that is why mine was scrapped.