Like 427Mach1, I have very fond memories of growing up farming and driving tractors. My dad's weren't anything to write home about, but I worked for several different neighbors from time to time, and they had some interesting ones. One of my employers had me running both a JD 4020 and an IH of comparable size(can't remember which model, maybe an 856). I used several different IH models over the years, and preferred them to any of the others I operated. The 4020 was a naturally aspirated diesel, and those just didn't seem to have much power. I don't know why engineers didn't turbocharge tractor engines from the factory much sooner than they did. Maybe someone here has some inside knowledge of that.
In addition the bulk and power of the IHs I used, I always felt the design of the IH tractors was superior from the operator's standpoint. The stairsteps to mount the tractor were easy to navigate, the controls were simple and within easy reach, the pedals pressed fore and aft rather than up and down, which is MUCH easier on the knees, the seats were comfortable, and there was plenty of room on the operator's platform. The pedals also had a rather large surface area, which seemed to almost grip one's shoes(John Deeres and others in those days had vertically-narrow pedals -just didn't seem to provide the sense of control that I liked).
Another feature of the IH tractors which was very helpful was the Torque Amplifier, which could be shifted on the go, and provided, as the name suggests, extra torque when tough conditions were encountered, such as plowing through a clay spot(the area in which I grew up features a variety of soils in every field).
Still another innovative feature of many of the IH tractors was what was called a "fast hitch". My dad had this feature on his 450D. One could back right into a mounted or semi-mounted implement and hook it up and be ready to go without having to get off the tractor or really do anything else. I could outline the details of the hitch's design, but I'll spare you.
Finally, I preferred the IHs of those days from an aesthetic sense. They had those straight lines and squared-off corners which I like -the same reason I liked Mopars back in the day.
Boy, I guess I've been getting nostalgic here. Pardon me for the long-winded post.
Andy
Does that count? Grew up with dad's 1948 International Farmall H. Wish I still had it.
That tractor was turbo-charged, and made about 90hp. I bought it strictly to run that pto pump that Summer.
Besides that, there's still one pld feller up here that still uses mules.
