Whether badged as Case IH or simply just IH, our two example 1255s are technically almost identical. In this report we find out how these tractors perform in practice, and highlight their special strengths and weaknesses
At first sight our two 1255s, one with the Case suffix and the other IH, look like completely different tractors. But appearances can be deceptive. Apart from overall styling and a few minor details, there’s surprisingly very little to choose between the older red/white IH and the relatively ‘new’ red/black Case.
In fact, the term ‘new’ is rather misleading because 1255 production actually ceased in December 1993, after a 14-year run; today, the 132hp Maxxum 5150 covers Case’s 125-135hp sector. Yet the 1255’s demise remains an almost tragic event to the tractor’s many fans, who recognised the model as a no-nonsense, robust workhorse.
For this is a tractor with an enviable reputation. Not only is it renowned for its reliable engine and strong axles, but the transmission has also proved itself over many years in the field – not something that can be said of many makes. A cynic may say there’s not a lot that can go wrong with such an unsophisticated machine. Correct, perhaps, but then that’s exactly what most second-hand buyers are looking for.
On the used tractor market, not surprisingly, reasonable prices and robust technology tend to be seen as more important than a plethora of powershift ratios, electronic gadgetry and gizzmos galore. Andfor further proof of this no-frills machine’s popularity, just look at the number of farmers and contractors which run a fleet of them, as well as the second-hand prices they command when up for sale.
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