International Harvester W-450 Overview
International Harvester W 450: The International Harvester W-450 is a mid‑century IH utility tractor built for mid‑size farms. It uses a 281 ci engine and a compact Torque Amplifier two‑speed transmission, delivering versatile field performance for routine chores.
With a 540 rear PTO and a practical footprint, the W‑450 offered a flexible platform for a range of implements and farm tasks, from tillage to hauling.
Public references from baseline specification data pages, vintage manuals, and test reports provide context for real-world configurations. Because IH used several engine options and serial/region variants, confirm the exact build with the tractor’s serial number and the relevant manual or catalog before ordering parts or performing service.
International Harvester W 450 Quick Answers
- Production yearsThe International Harvester W-450 was produced from 1956 through 1958.
- PowerPublished power data includes 41-46 hp (30.6 kW), with drawbar power tested at 47.30 hp (35.3 kW). Match any claim to the documented engine and transmission setup before treating it as model-wide.
- EngineEngine displacement is 281 ci (4.6 L).
- PTO and hitchRear PTO is 540 rpm.
- Service capacityCoolant capacity is published as 28 qts (26.5 L).
Engine and Power
Engine options for the W-450 include gasoline, diesel, and LP-gas, all at 281 ci. Diesel variants use a higher compression (17.45:1), gasoline variants 6.6:1, and LP-gas variants 8.35:1; rated speed is 1,450 RPM.
Gasoline engine
International Harvester / gasoline / 4-cylinder / liquid-cooled vertical I-head
| Displacement | 281 ci 4.6 L |
|---|---|
| Bore Stroke | 4.125x5.25 inches 105 x 133 mm |
| Compression | 6.6:1 |
| Rated Rpm | 1450 |
| Starter Volts | 6 |
| Coolant Capacity | 28 qts 26.5 L |
Diesel engine
International Harvester / diesel / 4-cylinder / liquid-cooled vertical I-head
| Displacement | 281 ci 4.6 L |
|---|---|
| Bore Stroke | 4.125x5.25 inches 105 x 133 mm |
| Compression | 17.45:1 |
| Rated Rpm | 1450 |
| Starter Volts | 12 |
LP-gas engine
International Harvester / LP gas / 4-cylinder / liquid-cooled vertical I-head
| Displacement | 281 ci 4.6 L |
|---|---|
| Bore Stroke | 4.125x5.25 inches 105 x 133 mm |
| Compression | 8.35:1 |
| Rated Rpm | 1450 |
| Starter Volts | 6 |
Manufacturer
Manufacture years
Tested drawbar
Transmission
The W-450 uses a Torque Amplifier two‑speed power shift with 10 forward and 2 reverse gears.
Torque Amplifier
| Name | Torque Amplifier |
|---|---|
| Type | two-speed power shift |
| Gears | 10 forward and 2 reverse |
PTO and Hitch
Rear PTO is 540 rpm and configured as independent for accessory drives.
Rear PTO
Rear PTO type
Fluids, Battery, and Service Facts
Coolant capacity is 28 qts (26.5 L). Fluid, filter, belt, and battery guidance vary with configuration; rely on the manual, parts catalog, or trusted supplier data for exact values.
Fuel tank
Tires and Dimensions
Tire and dimension values can vary by wheel, axle, and configuration.
Wheelbase
Weight
Length
Width
Height
Front tire
Rear tire
Ag front
Ag rear
Serial Number Lookup
Serial rows help narrow the W-450 by model year. Factory prefixes, regional builds, and serial breaks require documentation before applying a year table beyond the stated range.
1956
1957
1958
final
Manuals and Documents
The documents below add manual, parts, and test context for the International Harvester W-450. They are useful for controls, service categories, parts matching, and tested-performance details that do not fit into short spec rows.
Match coverage carefully before relying on a document for service decisions, especially when one manual, catalog, or report covers several models, fuel types, transmissions, or tractor variants.
- I&T Shop Manual for International Harvester IH10 300, 350, 400, 450, W450 ( IH 10 )Covers International Harvester IH/ Farmall 300, 350, 400, 450, W400, W450 among others; includes service procedures for W450Open source
- Case IH McCormick International W-400, W-450 Series Tractors Parts Catalog ManualComplete parts catalog for the W-400 and W-450 series tractors (Case IH/McCormick International W-400, W-450 series)Open source
- Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory - Test ReportsOfficial Nebraska Tractor Test Laboratory reports for OECD/SAE testing; includes historical test reporting workflow and access to test reportsOpen source
- Fiche technique IH W-450 - IH W-450 specificationSpec sheet for International Harvester W-450 including power, PTO, fuel capacity, serial numbers, drivetrain detailsOpen source
- International Harvester W-450 specificationModel specs drawn from public sources including engine displacement, bore/stroke, PTO, fuel capacity, transmission configuration, and serial rangesOpen source
Parts Checks Before Ordering
Do not order International Harvester W-450 parts from the model name alone. Match the part to the tractor's model code, serial range, engine, and PTO setup before ordering.
Parts such as filters, fluids, belts, electrical items, clutch and PTO, and hydraulics vary by configuration. Exact part numbers require a parts catalog, manual, or trusted supplier data to verify applicability.
Accuracy Note
Tractor specifications can vary by year, region, factory configuration, installed equipment, and later repairs. Match serial range, engine, transmission, PTO setup, and model code before ordering parts or doing service work.