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Introduction to the IH 175 Track Loader
The International Harvester 175 is a mid-20th century crawler loader that blended rugged mechanical engineering with the emerging hydraulic sophistication of its time. Manufactured in the early 1960s, the 175 was designed to compete with Caterpillar’s 955 and Allis-Chalmers HD series. Its robust frame, gear-driven final drives, and mechanical levers made it a favorite in road construction, farm use, and logging—especially in North America’s rugged terrain.
Powered by the DT-282 six-cylinder diesel engine, the 175 offered between 80 to 100 flywheel horsepower, depending on variant. With a standard bucket capacity of 1.5 to 2 cubic yards and an operating weight of over 30,000 pounds, the machine was no lightweight—it was built for serious earthmoving.
The Miracle of Low Hours
One extraordinary example surfaced: a 1963 IH 175 with only 494 original hours. Machines of this age almost universally show 10,000+ hours on the meter—many with the gauge long broken or rolled over multiple times. A verified 494-hour machine is nearly unheard of.
Machines like this typically fall into one of a few categories:
Mechanical Simplicity and Durability
The IH 175 embodies a now-vanishing era of mechanical clarity. Unlike today's electronically controlled machines, the 175 runs on mechanical linkages and levers:
Common Issues With the IH 175
Despite its toughness, age introduces predictable vulnerabilities. Even a low-hour unit is not immune to these:
Waking up a near-unused 60-year-old machine requires care and methodical attention. A step-by-step strategy includes:
The International Harvester 175 was often overshadowed by the more ubiquitous Caterpillar 955 and Case 1150 series in its heyday. However, many operators preferred the IH for its torquey diesel, solid boom arms, and reliable undercarriage design.
In the collector market today, a running 175 in fair shape may fetch $4,000 to $8,000. But a 494-hour example in near-original condition is something else entirely—it holds historical and mechanical value far beyond its workhorse origins.
Examples like this have appeared in museums, collector fleets, and even farm auctions, where machinery enthusiasts compete fiercely for unrestored survivors. Some are fully restored and shown at vintage machinery events, where they draw interest from both mechanics and historians.
A Story From the Rust Belt
A farmer in western Pennsylvania once discovered a 1965 IH 175 inside an abandoned township garage. It had been used for three years to build rural roads, then parked when state contracts ended. The machine had 820 hours. With new fuel, batteries, and a rebuilt hydraulic pump, it was operational again within a week.
He used it for 10 more years to clear land, dig ponds, and move logs. The only major repair? A leaking torque converter seal and a track adjuster spring—both fixed with donor parts from a junked 175 found in Ohio.
Preserving the Machine
A rare find like this deserves preservation. Suggestions for long-term storage or display include:
A 1963 IH 175 crawler loader with just 494 hours is more than a machine—it’s a story frozen in steel. It represents a moment in industrial history when iron, diesel, and grease ruled the earthmoving world. Whether it ends up as a showpiece or a working legend, it will serve as a reminder that even machines, when built right and cared for—or forgotten—can defy time.
The International Harvester 175 is a mid-20th century crawler loader that blended rugged mechanical engineering with the emerging hydraulic sophistication of its time. Manufactured in the early 1960s, the 175 was designed to compete with Caterpillar’s 955 and Allis-Chalmers HD series. Its robust frame, gear-driven final drives, and mechanical levers made it a favorite in road construction, farm use, and logging—especially in North America’s rugged terrain.
Powered by the DT-282 six-cylinder diesel engine, the 175 offered between 80 to 100 flywheel horsepower, depending on variant. With a standard bucket capacity of 1.5 to 2 cubic yards and an operating weight of over 30,000 pounds, the machine was no lightweight—it was built for serious earthmoving.
The Miracle of Low Hours
One extraordinary example surfaced: a 1963 IH 175 with only 494 original hours. Machines of this age almost universally show 10,000+ hours on the meter—many with the gauge long broken or rolled over multiple times. A verified 494-hour machine is nearly unheard of.
Machines like this typically fall into one of a few categories:
- Purchased for a single, unfinished project and then mothballed
- Stored indoors and forgotten on a government or institutional site
- Bought by a small farmer and rarely used
- Held in reserve by a contractor who later modernized before heavy use
Mechanical Simplicity and Durability
The IH 175 embodies a now-vanishing era of mechanical clarity. Unlike today's electronically controlled machines, the 175 runs on mechanical linkages and levers:
- Foot-operated steering clutches actuate each track independently
- Lever-actuated bucket controls are connected by direct hydraulic valve rods
- No onboard electronics, ECMs, or diagnostics—just fuel, oil, air, and spark
- A torque converter paired to a 3-speed powershift transmission
- Dry-type steering clutch assemblies, similar to those found on bulldozers
- Heavy-duty final drives with easily serviceable reduction gears
Common Issues With the IH 175
Despite its toughness, age introduces predictable vulnerabilities. Even a low-hour unit is not immune to these:
- Cracked or hardened hydraulic hoses
Even unused hoses from the 1960s will degrade from ozone and temperature shifts.
- Fuel system contamination
Diesel left in tanks for decades forms varnish and algae, plugging filters and injectors.
- Dry gaskets and seals
Rear main seals, steering clutch covers, and torque converter housings often leak after long idle periods.
- Frozen or sticky linkages
Grease points neglected for decades can seize or grind due to rust.
Waking up a near-unused 60-year-old machine requires care and methodical attention. A step-by-step strategy includes:
- Inspecting all fluids
Drain and replace hydraulic oil, engine oil, fuel, and coolant. Watch for sludge or water contamination.
- Flushing the fuel system
Remove the tank, clean all lines, replace filters, and clean injectors if necessary.
- Testing hydraulics under load
With fresh fluid and cleaned screens, cycle cylinders at low RPMs to check for sticking spools or leaky pistons.
- Assessing undercarriage tension
Grease idlers and check track slack. A tight track can snap a dry idler spring or cause pin wear.
- Check clutch engagement
Operate steering clutches slowly to avoid breaking any rusted lining or frozen shaft.
The International Harvester 175 was often overshadowed by the more ubiquitous Caterpillar 955 and Case 1150 series in its heyday. However, many operators preferred the IH for its torquey diesel, solid boom arms, and reliable undercarriage design.
In the collector market today, a running 175 in fair shape may fetch $4,000 to $8,000. But a 494-hour example in near-original condition is something else entirely—it holds historical and mechanical value far beyond its workhorse origins.
Examples like this have appeared in museums, collector fleets, and even farm auctions, where machinery enthusiasts compete fiercely for unrestored survivors. Some are fully restored and shown at vintage machinery events, where they draw interest from both mechanics and historians.
A Story From the Rust Belt
A farmer in western Pennsylvania once discovered a 1965 IH 175 inside an abandoned township garage. It had been used for three years to build rural roads, then parked when state contracts ended. The machine had 820 hours. With new fuel, batteries, and a rebuilt hydraulic pump, it was operational again within a week.
He used it for 10 more years to clear land, dig ponds, and move logs. The only major repair? A leaking torque converter seal and a track adjuster spring—both fixed with donor parts from a junked 175 found in Ohio.
Preserving the Machine
A rare find like this deserves preservation. Suggestions for long-term storage or display include:
- Store indoors on wooden planks to prevent moisture wicking
- Keep fuel system empty or filled with treated diesel
- Cycle the engine monthly to prevent ring sticking
- Use synthetic hydraulic oil to extend seal life
- Paint faded areas with historically accurate IH yellow
A 1963 IH 175 crawler loader with just 494 hours is more than a machine—it’s a story frozen in steel. It represents a moment in industrial history when iron, diesel, and grease ruled the earthmoving world. Whether it ends up as a showpiece or a working legend, it will serve as a reminder that even machines, when built right and cared for—or forgotten—can defy time.
