Canary-colored IH: 1961 International 4300
Dec 09, 2009
This tractor was featured for the month of November in the 2009 Classic Farm Tractor Calendar.
Looking like a canary rather than a cardinal, what’s the deal? It really is an IH tractor, a monster with a 6-cyl. 817-cu. in. turbo engine, built to compete with Deere’s four-wheel-drive tractor, nearly 50 years ago. Fewer than four dozen were built and only a handful remain. It’s yellow because it was built are the IH Hough Payloader plant in Libertyville, Ill, a factory for construction equipment. Everything that came out of that plant was painted yellow. This one had an Allison automatic transmission with air brakes and “crab” steering. It is not articulated, but all four wheel are steerable. Engine needed 34 quarts in the crankcase.
Owner: Jerry W. Mez
Avoca, Iowa
He’s sold his Case IH dealership, but his passion for IH Farmall tractors is as strong as ever. His Farmall-Land USA Museum, hard by I-80 in western Iowa, is a must-see for Red Power fans. Lettering on the front says, “Before I Grew Up, I was a Cub Cadet.”
The world-famous Classic Farm Tractor Calendar from Classic Tractor Fever is in its 21st year of publication with the 2010 calendar available now. They have calendars, videos, books, and much, much, more. Click here to visit their online shop.
