IH 5488 or Case 2590

[Jared 1066]

Hey guys,

I am wanting to ad a second tractor with more HP than my 1066.

I have been looking at both the IH 5488 and the case 2590. What are the pros and cons of these tractors?

My uncle says to stay away from the 5488, but just as Meany people say to stay away from a 2590.

Should I just stick with the IH 66 or 86 series?

Thanks,

Jared

[Nebrfarmr]

Why does your uncle say to stay away from the 5488?  Between myself, and my brothers we run three 5088s, and they are some of the best tractors we have ever owned.  They do have a couple odd quirks, but nothing major.  On two of the three, we have had a problem with the powershift module, and a new one from CaseIH is something like $400+.  However, an aftermarket company, I think Hy-Capacity makes a replacement module for around $90 that plugs right into the wiring harness, and has been 100% reliable for around 10 years now one one, and 6-7 years on the other.  The 5X88 tractors don't have the old TA that gave so much trouble, they have a true powershift, far more rugged.  The other oddity of them is the forward-blowing fan.  The fan sits in front of the radiator and has a shaft that goes through a hole in the radiator, and rides on a bearing.  We have found that if you replace this $20 bearing every time the tractor rolls over an even thousand hours, you will never have a problem with it.

We also run a 1066, and a 986, and I think the 5X88 series has a lot of advantages over them including:

better hydraulics, with adjustable flow

planetary final drive instead of the bull gear, and stouter axles

cab MUCH quieter than the 1066, and a little quieter than the 986

Wet clutch (runs in hydraulic oil) instead of dry clutch

and the biggie when it comes to convienience - ALL forward gears are SYNCHRONIZED, if you grind a gear, you did something wrong,.  The only shift that isn't truly synchronized is forward to reverse, and that still shifts better than the 66/86 series.

While I am sure they can be abused/neglected like anything, my personal experiences with my 5088 is that is like a 1066 with just a little more power, faster hydraulics, a quiet cab, and a transmission that doesn't clash gears.  I bought it used, it now has about 7700 hours on it, and has only been in the shop once in 7+ years.

[James22]

Just make sure the 5488 transmission has been updated.  If it has any appreciable hours it will have been done.  Hate the front opening cab doors, seems one is always brushing against the dirty rear tires.  Hydraulic levers are not a very robust design and the pivot points seem prone to corrosion/sticking.  Pretty short wheel base so more pronounced fore/aft pitching.  When IH changed from a Keystone to a "twist" style top ring, low idle blowby significantly increased.  Isn't a problem but can be irritating. Keystone is a more durable design but apparently owners were having difficulty keeping them from glazing. 

[Jared 1066]

Thanks for the input guys.

My uncle had told me that the transmission in the 5488s where a nightmare, and that any time the tractor needed a repair it would cost three times as much as any other tractor, but then again he never owned one.

There is a local guy that is wanting to sell his case 2590, where these pretty good tractors?

Thanks,

Jared 

[James22]

I would rather have the 5488 if it has the updated transmission.  The updated transmission is much better, engine is better, the front located cooling fan is quirky but works.  Cab is quiet but still hate the doors and overall the Case wins this category.   The 504 is just an OK engine, nothing special, and I think the transmission sucks.

[Bleeding RED]

I've never had any experience with the Case.  I do know that the '88 series International has the same clutch packs in the rear end as the older Magnums do.  As long as the '88 transmission has been updated you should be fine.  I realize that it is more money, but, you may want to consider moving up to a 7100 series Magnum.  Much quieter cab and the powershift is great.  These are truely bulletproof.  Mine has almost 9000 hours on it.  I bought it used and the only thing I have ever replaced is the radio.