IH 50 forage harvester

GM Guy · Dec 19, 2020

Hey all,

What vintage would this machine be? https://www.bigiron.com/Lots/International50ForageHarvester

How well would a Hydro 70 gas handle it, if at all? Would kinda like a toy for Dad's old Hydro 70 if it goes cheap, but I wont bother if its going to take more than the old girl has to offer. Its a friend of mine that is close by, otherwise I think Id stick to finding an Oliver to play with, since a straight piped 478 Hercules is more fun.

Thanks!

Timmycornpicker · Dec 19, 2020

Around 62-66 era. I don't know what kind of power it would need.

dairyman · Dec 20, 2020

Years ago dad hired a guy to fill silo for us that used a international 550 with 2 row head being pulled by a 84 hydro. It seemed to handle the load ok so I think your 70 hydro would be ok with that 50.

DeltaSteve · Dec 20, 2020

It will be cheap. Dont worry. Made in the early 60s. I had one in the late 70/early 80.Also had a 55 and 550,they are basicly the same machine,except for the feed chain and rollers.Many parts are interchangeable. I doubt if many are left.Pulled with an early(282) 706.Cut 20 ton corn in 2nd gear,IIRC.Later used an 856,no issues there,plenty of power.

Your H70 will pull it fine in short,lighter corn.They are a 'cut and throw' machine. They pull as easy,or easier than most.IH had two 2 row heads available. A wide,36-38 inch,and a 'wide/narrow',32-36".A 30" head from a 550/650 would fit.If you want to cut one row at a time,you need to find a one row head as they dont handle one row with the two row head.The most distinctive thing about them is they HOWL.Big time. I remember listening to that howl all day long during harvest. A sound I will never forget. Go for it!

DeltaSteve · Dec 20, 2020

Couple of tips. Because it is 'cut and throw',the knives need to be set close to the pan to throw. the width of a dime or less. as the gap gets wider,the throwing ability will diminish. As it reaches 1/4 to 3/8",It will barely throw the silage out the top of the spout.All my machines were worn out when I bought them. I had several,just to keep one good one running.It was a 55 that I used the most/longest.That cutter head is huge,it will spin for a long time after you shut it down. If I could keep the chopper running,It would not coast to a stop before I got to the next row. Sometimes It would only stop twice a day. At noon,and at 6:00. Rarely would it run all day with atleast one(or more) breakdown.A neighbor had a 650,with a blower,pulled with a turbo 806. That thing would really throw the corn....Finally replaced them with a NewHolland 770.

The old IH machines got hauled to the scrapper. Thanks for listening to my rambleing memories.

IH 50 forage harvester

GM Guy

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Timmycornpicker

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dairyman

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DeltaSteve

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DeltaSteve

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