Introduction
Farmall 230 Row-Crop Tractor
The Farmall 230 is a row-crop tractor produced by International Harvester between 1956 and 1958 in Louisville, Kentucky. It was designed to serve as a versatile utility machine for mid-century agricultural operations, positioned within the manufacturer's lineup as a reliable two-wheel-drive platform.
Engine and Performance
The tractor is equipped with the International Harvester C123 engine, a liquid-cooled, 4-cylinder, vertical I-head gasoline unit. With a displacement of 122.7 cubic inches (2.0 liters) and a bore/stroke ratio of 3.125 by 4.00 inches, the engine reaches its rated output at 1800 RPM. It produces 27 horsepower, providing sufficient power for standard field implements of the era.
Transmission and Drivetrain
The standard transmission is a 4-speed sliding gear unit with 4 forward and 1 reverse gear. For specialized agricultural tasks requiring very low speeds, an optional Hydra-Creeper unit was available. This system utilizes a hydraulic motor attached to the tractor's PTO shaft, powered by the hydraulic system, to drive the tractor at reduced speeds, offering 4 forward and 4 reverse gears.
Mechanical and Operational Features
The Farmall 230 features manual steering and differential mechanical dry disc brakes. The tractor is configured as a two-wheel-drive unit with an open operator station. Its rear power take-off (PTO) operates at a standard speed of 540 RPM. The machine has an operating weight of 3,440 lbs (1,560 kg), which can be increased to 5,331 lbs (2,418 kg) with ballasting for improved traction.
Conclusion
The Farmall 230 was a specialized row-crop tractor intended for general agricultural use. Its combination of a gasoline-powered engine, optional creeper transmission, and standard PTO connectivity made it a functional tool for row-crop maintenance and light-to-medium traction tasks during the late 1950s.
Production Information of Farmall, 230
- Original price was $2,100 in 1958
- Row-Crop tractor
- Built in Louisville, Kentucky, USA
| Manufacturer | Farmall (a part of International Harvester) |
|---|
Dimension and Tires Information of Farmall, 230
| Operating weight | 3440 lbs [1560 kg] |
|---|---|
| Ballasted weight | 5331 lbs [2418 kg] |
| Ag front | 5.00-15 |
|---|---|
| Ag rear | 11.2-36 |
Engine Specifications of Farmall, 230
- International Harvester C123
- Liquid-cooled vertical I-head
- Gasoline
- 4-cylinder
| Oil capacity | 5 qts [4.7 L] |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 122.7 ci [2.0 L] |
| Rated RPM | 1800 |
| Bore/Stroke | 3.125x4.00 inches [79 x 102 mm] |
| Coolant capacity | 15 qts [14.2 L] |
| Starter volts | 6 |
| Firing order | 1-3-4-2 |
| Compression | 6.94:1 |
Transmission Information of Farmall, 230
Transmission variants 1
| Type | Sliding gear |
|---|---|
| Gears | 4 forward and 1 reverse |
Transmission variants 2
- The Hydra-Creeper unit consisted of a hydraulic motor that attached to the tractor's PTO shaft. The motor was powered from the tractor's hydraulics and drove the tractor through the PTO shaft.
| Transmission | Hydra-Creeper |
|---|---|
| Type | Creeper |
| Gears | 4 forward and reverse |
- 4-speed sliding gear
- 4-speed creeper
Mechanical Specs of Farmall, 230
- Two-wheel drive
- Open operator station.
- Manual steering
- Differential mechanical dry disc brakes
Power Information of Farmall, 230
| Rear PTO Type | 540 |
|---|
Where it sits
With 27 hp[P] HP, the Farmall 230 sits between 200 (26 HP) and 240 (34 HP) in Farmall's range. Its power puts it in the 27th percentile of 1950s models in our database (592 machines).
Frequently asked questions
How much horsepower does the Farmall 230 have?
The Farmall 230 delivers 27 hp[P] HP.
What years was the Farmall 230 produced?
The Farmall 230 was produced in 1956-1958.
What engine does the Farmall 230 have?
The Farmall 230 is powered by a Gasoline, 4-cylinder engine.
What transmission does the Farmall 230 use?
The Farmall 230 uses a Sliding gear transmission.
How much does the Farmall 230 weigh?
The Farmall 230 weighs 3440 lbs [1560 kg].
Is the Farmall 230 4WD?
The Farmall 230 is available in 2WD.