Farmall Cub

I need another tractor for work. Kubotas are too tall, too high center of gravity for my terrain. I like much about the Massey 135 and similar models, but the clutch pedal action is not to my liking at all. Couple of IH 424s offered in the area. I prefer a little more power but one of them would do much of what I need. Do they have power steering standard? Do they have live PTO? Your opinion of them in general?

There has been a 424 on our farm since it was new, in 1967. Ours has been very reliable. It is tough as nails, has a good draft sensing three point hitch, and did I mention it was tough--it survived my middle and high school years! You DEFINATELY want one with power steering. Ours does not have it (on the manual steering models there are 4 universal joints from the steering wheel to the steering gear box!) and that is the one thing that makes it a good tractor instead of a great tractor. Live PTO was optional, again ours has the old tranny-driven PTO.

They made them in gas or diesels. Ours is a gas. From what I have heard the diesel engine is nice but a little tricky to work on. They have glow plugs. The gas engine is a C-146 very similar to a Super A, etc. engine except it does not have sleeves. If you look at it you can see the "family resemblance."

Al

Thanks for the information. The Tractor Data site seems to imply that the PS and live PTO are standard. The apparent fact that the tractor was offered both ways makes the repair parts situation a bit more tenuous in that donor tractors might, or might not, have the parts needed. There were a few in my area bought new, but sales volume was probably much less than the Massey 135.
Still thinking it over.

Bus Driver wrote:Thanks for the information. The Tractor Data site seems to imply that the PS and live PTO are standard. The apparent fact that the tractor was offered both ways makes the repair parts situation a bit more tenuous in that donor tractors might, or might not, have the parts needed. There were a few in my area bought new, but sales volume was probably much less than the Massey 135.
Still thinking it over.

If I had to guess I would say the majority came with live PTO. I have a feeling power steering was about 50/50. I imagine our tractor was ordered the way it was for "budget minded" farmers. It does have spin-out rear wheels though...

I am sure the 135 MF out-sold it by a large margin. I have never run a 135, but just looking at them, and knowing MF in general, I would say the 424 is a much sturdier tractor.

Al