Case IH vs. Case IH

Tractors are like cars in that they attract a loyal following–die-hard owners that love a particular brand and will argue that their machine is best, often in the face of stiff opposition. For the first of our new head-to-head comparisons, however, there’s a twist. Both machines come from the same manufacturer–in this instance, Case IH.

The latter half of the 1980s was an interesting period for tractor buyers, with two manufacturers becoming one and brand allegiance posing some thought-provoking questions. The merger of J I Case and International Harvester had created Case IH and it was obvious that not all of the manufacturers’ models would be retained in the new-look line-up.

The range that would take Case IH forward comprised 16 models–six from Case and 10 from IH–from 45hp to 291hp. Three of these were in the popular 80-90hp bracket, with two built in Britain and one on the Continent. Although the turbocharged 856XL was a well-respected fourcylinder tractor, it would not achieve the sales volumes enjoyed by its stablemates, and it is for this reason that our comparison focuses on the 1494 and 885XL.

The Case 1494 had its roots in