International Harvester tractor? Use? pictures? how many built?

Alex van de Wetering · #1 11-10-07, 12:38

Hi guys,

The nephew of a friend of mine, has recently bought an International Harvester tractor. He is looking for some information about the use of this vehicle.
What were they used for? Where did they use the large winch for? How many were built? Are there any period pictures of these vehicles? Is it a WW2 model-type still produced in the 50's or is it a real 50's design?

Some info:
IHC Chicago Illinois
Stocklistnr.: 78-8070.300-600
US registrationnr. : 865-877
Date: 18-01-1951

The winch is a Lufkin model 180-1 Line pull 125.000

Alex

Alex van de Wetering · #2 11-10-07, 12:40

x

Alex van de Wetering · #3 11-10-07, 12:40

xx

Alex van de Wetering · #4 11-10-07, 12:41

xxx

Alex van de Wetering · #5 11-10-07, 12:41

xxxx

Alex van de Wetering · #6 11-10-07, 12:42

And the last one

Grant Bowker · #7 11-10-07, 16:31

I don't know anything about the actual use of the tractor, but can speculate.
It looks like it has a ground anchor/spade on the rear to resist sliding backward while winching.
Since tractors are slow on the road, even by WW2 standards, it is likely it was trailered to wherever it was needed - in spite of the full fenders fitted.
My guess is that it would have been anchored using the earth spade and/or the large ring fitting on the front end and used to winch something like a Bailey bridge into place as it was being constructed. (based in part on the Corps of Engineers data plate)

Alex van de Wetering · #8 18-10-07, 17:57

Grant,

Thanks for your thoughts. The owner has a hard time finding info on this tractor and I am not sure how much, and if, it has been modified or fitted with parts of later manufacture.

Does anyone have any leads for a manual for this tractor?

Alex

Richard Farrant · #9 18-10-07, 20:49

This is a conversion of an industrial IH tractor, undertaken by the Mississippi Road Supply Co (MRS) and was designed for pulling road scrapers and dump trailers. Winch would be used when trailer or equipment was bogged and tractor unhitched, then driven on to hard ground before winching out. The tractor is heavily ballasted and would have solid cast wheel centres. Road speed is generally higher on these tractors, according to the plate it is 23 mph (? not clear).