Combines Opinion on 88 Series International Tractors

Ask these guys over here too. I have an early 5488 and though it was a real POS till I got everything updated, it is now a pretty good tractor and has been quite reliable. The guys over on redpower will give you some serial number breaks for updates and so forth. There has been quite a few folks ask this exact same question over there, and usually the results are fairly detailed and complete. Good luck. Hope you find a tractor you'll be happy with.

Dad and I bought a '84 5288mfd in '92. We gave it an inframe overhaul at 3815hr. apparently the previous owner didn't do things right, as those are 5000hr engines. Installed a Schwitzer 3lM turbo at that time too, which has more boost than the Airesearch she was born with. Traded her for a 7150 after a total 7700hrs. No tranny or rear or front problems ever. Only thing I wish could have been better is if it would have had a way to power shift each way of one gear like an over-direct-under type of thing.