IH 444 Fluids Questions

Hey Everyone. As you may have read previously, I have a "new to me" IH 444 with a 1501 Loader. I finally got her home, and was actually able to read the S/N under the layer of grease. I have #2248, a 1968. Anyways, I'm gathering up everything to get her serviced and ready for use here. My intentions are to drain everything and have a starting point for future intervals... especially since it sat for a couple of years. What coolant should I be using? The Operator's Manual did not specify a type, just a quantity. I'm guessing a regular glycol-based coolant would suffice, diluted 50%? Also, I have major confusion about the Trans and Hydraulic Fluids. The book says they call for the Hy-Tran Fluid; 3 gallons for the Hydraulic Reservoir, and 5 gallons for the Trans, with a long note, which I'm sure you're all familiar with; "Capacity is 5 gallons without front mounted hydraulic pump or draft control; 14 gallons with front mounted hydraulic pump - without draft control; or 17 gallons with front mounted hydraulic pump and draft control. I don't think I have the front-mounted pump it talks about in the note. Mine is mounted near the front on the side...I'm assuming the manual is referencing a pump located at the front, like in front of the grille? I do have draft control and a loader, though. So, I'm confused as to how much Hy-Tran I need to get? My last question (for now) is where does the power steering get its fluid from? I didn't see much in the book on the system other than it's capacity is 1 3/4 pt of IH steering gear lube, and it seems to look all self-contained. I have to replace a seal behind the steering wheel and was wondering how to service it afterward and with what?Sorry for the long-winded post. Thanks for any help you can provide!

Kerplooey :

I have had the same as yours tractor for 36 years .

50% glycol is great -- I used water for many years before replacing radiator. Then thought I'd use a little more sense to protect my investment.

Hytran or equivalent everywhere ; hydraulic reservoir and transmission are "loosely " connected SFAIR . Power steering has no separate fill system . Runs off tranny system SFAIR.

Front pump is pump at right front of tractor aft of sheet metal -- front pump is NOT all way in front of grill. So you have a 15 gallon capacity
transmission. Fill to six inches from fill-bung-opening .

No loader on mine -- so I could be wrong on capacity -- but firmly believe it will not be less than 15 gallons since you have the front mounted pump.

Hope this helps.

Thank You so much! Is there a good quality equivalent to the Hy-tran that is readily available? We have a TSC nearby, and several big box stores, a JD Dealer, and a Mahindra Dealer. Closest Case dealer is a bit of a hike.

Welcome ---

I am not nearly as careful as many are about fluids . I use whatever is available , TSC , Sam's Club , whatever. The label will show equivalency .Since IH ,at least as orig manufacturer , has died on the vine , look for equivalence to CASE-IH or to Deere. Actually the cheaper TSC line works for me .

These old tractors , in my-probably-uninformed-opinion , don't require the fancy fluids that the moderns do .

Enjoy -- I'm old and the IH 444 qualifies as a fine tractor for me. I can't say enough good about mine.

Thanks, Kajun. In awaiting a response I dug deep into the 'net and found many arguments between forum members in this and other forums... not any different than what I found as a member or a motorcycle forum about engine oil. TSC seems to be reasonable enough.

Welcome---

Yes that debate is here and elsewhere . One can never go wrong with best quality but I'm old and cheap , so you know where I stand :>).

In the cheap TSC line I meant this stuff:

Super S SuperTrac 303 Tractor Hydraulic Fluid, 5 gal.

You can buy generic IH Hydraulic ay most farm supply stores. I prefer the "red" looking oil that mimics the original. As for the capacity, the reservoir under the seat is separate from the transmission. The under seat tank is for the hydraulic functions. There is a cleanable screen in the big line out the front. The drain plug is directly out the back. The fill plug is at the back corner. It fills to the sleeve at the bottom of the fill plug. Its a good time to check the screen while the hydraulic oil is drained. Some machines had a hydraulic filter under the dash, in a small container.

As for the transmission, there are three drain plugs, two out the bottom, and one out the back. There two check plugs along the side roughly mid way. I drain ours out, and fill till the oil runs from the check plugs. Most good oil will work, however some thicker oil will make the hydraulics very slow, and crabby. Under NO circumstances use AW (Anti-Wear) oil. It will foam and will make the whole show really disagreeable.

The 444 is a great tractor, and if you remove the loader, it becomes a super great tractor. My grandma bought one in 1974, and it was a gift from Heaven. We still use it now.

Thanks for the reply, SS. One of the reasons I bought it was for the loader part, as I need it for cleaning out the barn. I'm hoping to come up with a stand of some sort to remove part of it during the Summer so I can use a finish mower. Still a little unclear on how to fill the hydraulic part.Do I add above the check plug since I have the loader? I watched a 444 fluids level change video on YouTube and it had a loader, bit he only filled to the check plugs. ??