IH Then and Now

International Harvester August 12, 1902 to August 12, 2002 100 Years of Red Power Rare IH Tractors of the 1980's Then and Now *Super 70's Lined Up at the 2002 Red Power Round Up*
In 1902 the largest merger to that date in American history took place when several reaper corporations including McCormick and Deering came together on August 12, 1902 to form International Harvester. IH entered the 4wd market in the late 1950's. By 1982 IH had some of the most refined and powerful 4wds in the field. The rarest of all IH 4wds are the Super 70 Series. Announced in late 1981 were the articulated Super 70s. These new models would have replaced the 4386, 4586 and 4786 with the 7388, 7588 and 7788. Due to production changes in the difficult 1980's economy IH exited the articulated market. Only two of each Super 70 articulated 4wd were produced. Above is a rare picture of the serial #1 7588 rolling out of the Steiger plant in Fargo, ND where IH had its 4wds built. On the lower right is the same 7588 19 years latter still in use on a farm and on display at the 2001 Red Power Roundup. Another rare IH is the Super 70 "2+2." While not labeled a 2+2 by IH but a full time 4wd these Super 70s were best known as Anteaters in the U.S. and Snoopys in England. The 7288 and 7488 were due for release in 1985 and featured beefed axels to offer duals all around for full time 4wd power where previous 2+2's were not built to be a big 4wd. Above is the serial #1 7488 featured on a promotional IH postcard in the fall of 1984. Below the post card 17 years later is the same serial #1 7488 set up for spring corn planting. This rare tractor only saw 16 units produced before the Super 70's were dropped by CaseIH the merged company formed by Tenneco in November 1984. The Last Farmall to roll of the IH line was the 5488 on May 14, 1985. This special tractor was fitted with a chrome muffler, fwa and rice tires. This tractor stands as a tribute to International Harvester. It marks the end of an era for a company that revolutionized the tractor industry with its Farmall Tractor line, produced 2 million plus tractors in the Farmall Plant and being the first equipment manufacturer to produce over 5 million tractors. Today the last 5488 is owned by the CNH and remains in storage at the company's tractor plant in Racine, WI. The Last 5488 was shown on public display at the 2002 Red Power Round Up.

International Harvester 7588 rolling of the line at Steiger in Fargo in December 1981 (left) and the same 7588 19 years later at the 2001 Red Power Round Up (right)

International Harvester 7488 serial #1 on a 1984 IH promotional postcard (left) and the same 7488 19 years later hard at work putting the 2002 corn crop in (right)

From Left to Right: The Last IH at the Farmall Plant on May 14, 1985 and the Last 5488 17 years latter at the 2002 Red Power Round Up.

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