IH 674 or Ford 4XXX

[56FordGuy]

I'm looking to upgrade to a larger tractor. I need to pull an 8-10' mower, and would like to be able to pull an 8-9' blade. I've found a few tractors locally that look like they might fit the bill. One is a 674, the others are a Ford 4600, and a 4630. None of them have loaders. The 674 should have more horsepower than the Fords, but I don't know a whole lot about them or know anyone that has one. I know several people with 46XX series tractors, and I know they're pretty solid little tractors.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

 

[whodat526]

I'm looking to upgrade to a larger tractor. I need to pull an 8-10' mower, and would like to be able to pull an 8-9' blade. I've found a few tractors locally that look like they might fit the bill. One is a 674, the others are a Ford 4600, and a 4630. None of them have loaders. The 674 should have more horsepower than the Fords, but I don't know a whole lot about them or know anyone that has one. I know several people with 46XX series tractors, and I know they're pretty solid little tractors.

Any opinions would be appreciated.

all 3 will be within 1hp of each other. they are all around 55hp. The ih will be a heavier built tractor but parts or alot more expensive than the ford the only difference bewteen the two fords is the 4600 has intergrated ps and the 4630has orbital motor type steering also the 4600 will have a metal fuel tank and the 4630 will have a plastic and the wiring harness is a little bit different

i would rather have the 4600 if it was in good shape then my next choice would be the 4630 even tho its never the electrical parts is just to high then my last choice would be the ih

 

[D7E]

IH will pull way more than the fords 674 is 10hp more than the 4600 . About 52 and 62 PTO hp but IH is a far livelier animal .

 

[56FordGuy]

According to TractorData, the 674 is 62 HP at the PTO and the 4600 is 52 HP. I think either one should be able to handle the equipment I want to run. I've been using a 35 HP tractor with slightly smaller implements to do the work, just looking to get it done a bit faster.

 

[RickB]

The 674 and 4630 will have more reverse speed choices if the 4630 has the 8x8. 4600 has two reverse choices, too fast and too slow. Hydraulic brakes, fuel tank and clutch are the weak points on a 674. Clutch and brakes are strong points on the Fords.

 

[uphere]

If in good shape, the 674 would be my choice - it is heavier and the D239 motor will pull both Fords on top of each other Parts are not the easiest perhaps to find and more expensive (better luck up here in Canada where I believe it was a bigger seller but I could be wrong)

 

[D7E]

To "farm" with i would take the IH but agree that clutch and brakes are poor . Not sure what you mean about the fuel tank being a weak point , hard to fill from 5 gal cans and a funny shape yes .I loved those cascade gearboxes especially for loader work , far outstrip the fords power wise ! And i'm a ford man

 

[cowski]

i would take the 674.one more difference is the 674 engine has knock out sleeves most of the fords are parent block.it will be much cheaper to rebuild the 674.i agree about the brakes ih wet brakes are prone to getting air on them.i do not remember the clutch being worse on the ih please enlighten me as to why? if the ford was a 5000 series, i would get the one in the best shape.the ih is a hydraulic pto .are the fords hydraulic or live? i prefer hydraulic.

 

[RickB]

To "farm" with i would take the IH but agree that clutch and brakes are poor . Not sure what you mean about the fuel tank being a weak point , hard to fill from 5 gal cans and a funny shape yes .I loved those cascade gearboxes especially for loader work , far outstrip the fords power wise ! And i'm a ford man

The two low corners are prone to collecting garbage and plugging. The balance tube is critical and is easily plugged. The mounting of the tank betwen the fenders leaves a place for moisture and dirt to colect and rust to form. I have seen tanks rust through in this area. There is no aftermarket tank I can find and a new OEM tank is over $1000 US.

 

[art]

The two low corners are prone to collecting garbage and plugging. The balance tube is critical and is easily plugged. The mounting of the tank betwen the fenders leaves a place for moisture and dirt to colect and rust to form. I have seen tanks rust through in this area. There is no aftermarket tank I can find and a new OEM tank is over $1000 US.

I don't know why the big difference from Rick's area but my lead tech who's been with us for 17 years said the largest problem with rust was from the outside of the tank from between the fenders and the tank. He did say that he's only had to replace one that he can remember! I can't think of how many we sold as that grouping with the four speeds in reverse was a big hit on the farm for loader work in the early seventies. The hydraulic PTO was also a big hit on drivelines with sensitive shear pins over other makes at the time.
Normally before you would get enough water build up into the tank to rust you would be having fuel issues that would shut the tractor down.