Need some experienced eyes to help identify

Kerplooey

Member
Hey everyone! I finally got a machine to call my own. Unfortunately, there's some rather big details that I'm hoping you all can help me with. Its an IH 444 w loader. She's a but greasy, but I think its all coming from a leaky valve cover. I've got a couple of weeks before I get her home. Anyways, the data plate is still attached, but nothing legible. Pretty much just a smooth piece of bare metal. I bought the machine as part of an estate sale, and the lady's uncle put a bunch of work and money into it to get it going. (New fuel pump, filter, flushed the tank, new cap, points, plugs, and wires.) She runs like a champ and blows no smoke at all, with 3,050 hrs on the clock. I digress; can anyone give me an estimate of the year from the photos? I'm thinking 68 or 69. Oh, and is this the industrial model, or is it merely a yellow a.c. model? The seller didn't know a whole lot about it. So, I'm ona treasure hunt. I jave some more pics if it helps. Thanks!

18799.jpg
18801.jpg
 
If this was an industrial model, it would be a 2444. My guess is that the previous owner painted it yellow. The 444 was made from 1967 to 1971. But your grille doesn't look like a 444-it looks like a 404/504 grille.
 
(quoted from post at 15:54:38 06/24/18) If this was an industrial model, it would be a 2444. My guess is that the previous owner painted it yellow. The 444 was made from 1967 to 1971. But your grille doesn't look like a 444-it looks like a 404/504 grille.

I thought that I'd read somewhere (on here?) that these tractors could be ordered painted yellow or red with the white side panels? I forgot that the 2424 and 2444 models were the industrials. Was there something about the flat fenders as opposed to curved that was a distinguishing feature of the models?
 
Hi, looking at rear view it is a 444 with a IH 1501 only single acting boom cylinders. The IH 1550 loader had double acting (down
pressure) on the boom cylinders. I don't think it is a 2444 as it doesn't have heavy front axle. It is a crate 444 assembled in
Louisville, Kentucky, USA as it has swept back front axle.
Agree with other post that the front grill should have head lights in the top.
Look at tractordata.com for years and serial number ranges.

JimB
 
Thanks for the assist, guys. Gives me a starting point for sure. Really wish I had a S/N. I thought the front end looked off, but thought maybe it was just like that because of the loader. I'll keep an eye on for a grille, as front lights would be extremely helpful.
 
Hey, Jim. What are your thoughts on the paint color? I could have sworn that I read somewhere that the dealers could order the tractors certain colors.
 
I live in Canada and only have seen the AG models in Red/White and Industrial 2444 in yellow. The tractors that we received in Canada were shipped fully
assembled from the Doncaster, UK plant.

Google: images of IH 444 tractor and you will see a variety of styles including one yellow one with turf tires.
The ones shipped to continental Europe had the head lights in the bottom part of the grill, the UK and Canada 444's had the head lights in top of grill.
The UK build 444s had a box front axle, with a Power Steering assist and Lucas electrics. The USA assembled ones had tubular front axle, with full PS with
hydraulic servo under the dash, Delco electrics and some other differences.

Good luck with your 444
JimB
 

I did do some Googlefu, and saw a variety of setups and paint, etc. I couldn't figure out why the variances with the headlights, so thanks for that. You've given me a ton to get rolling with. It did look like the loader arms were painted, as I could see the brush strokes. The yellow on the tractor looks original, though. I hope that one day, I can help out on here as you all have for me. Thanks!
 
The serial number plate should be located in front of the brake pedals with the number stamped in. My 2444 has another plate on the left side in front of the clutch pedal that had the skid unit info as it came from England. Info on that plate was just an ink stamp and was usually gone after a few years.
 
Ok. I will look again once I go to pick it up. I was looking at the right side. I'm hoping the leaky valve cover gasket just had it caked over.
 
So, I think that I may have narrowed down the grille that belongs in this tractor to the one with the vertical bars, and then the bezel which holds the headlights at the top (as photo). I've searched A LOT of pics forums, parts stores, etc, but cannot seem to locate the "bezel" portion of the grille. Any ideas as to where I could find one, or the term that IH called this part?
19171.jpg
 
Note: I wouldn't be opposed to using something a little different if more readily available and compatible with the nose cone/bowl which I already have.
 

We sell tractor parts! We have the parts you need to repair your tractor - the right parts. Our low prices and years of research make us your best choice when you need parts. Shop Online Today.

Back
Top