Hydrostatic Transmission International 544 Hydro
Built: 1968-1973 · Series: Other models
More machines from model year 1968
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International 544 Hydro: hydrostatic drive with a water-cooled four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 54 hp at the PTO and 42 hp at the drawbar, as a continuously variable tractor
Hydrostatic transmission was, during the 1960s and 1970s, an alternative to the classic gearbox: engine power is transmitted continuously through a hydraulic pump and hydraulic motor instead of a clutch and gear train. The International 544 Hydro is a version of International Harvester's 544 model fitted with this technology.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The water-cooled four-cylinder petrol engine, type International C-200, ran at 2,400 rpm and, in a tractor test, produced 54 hp at the power take-off and 42 hp at the drawbar. The difference between the two figures corresponds to the usual loss between PTO output and pull at the hitch caused by wheel slip and rolling resistance.
The continuously variable hydrostatic drive made fine control easier during loading work and manoeuvring, since speed and pulling force could be adjusted steplessly without clutching or shifting gears. This advantage came at the cost of somewhat lower mechanical efficiency compared with a classic gearbox.
When buying a hydrostatically driven tractor of this age, the tightness of the hydraulic pump and drive motor is decisive — loss of power or creeping while stationary points to wear on the pistons or valves. The radiator and water pump of the petrol engine, along with the condition of the carburettor gaskets, which often harden and crack on petrol engines of this age, should also be checked.
Sources: SpecCodex-Register: Kennwerte des Modells International 544 Hydro
Technical data
Engine
| Engine make | Internationalcorrect |
|---|---|
| Engine model | C-200correct |
| Fuel | petrolcorrect |
| Power | 54 hpcorrect |
| Rated speed | 2,400 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 4correct |
| Displacement | 200 cicorrect |
| Bore | 3.813"correct |
| Stroke | 4.3875"correct |
| Naturally aspirated | naturally aspiratedcorrect |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 138"correct |
|---|---|
| Height | 62"correct |
| Wheelbase | 73"correct |
| Unladen weight | 4,980 lbcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | hydrostatic transmissioncorrect |
| Gearbox make | Internationalcorrect |
| Forward gears | 2correct |
| Reverse gears | 1correct |
| Front tyres | 6.00-16 6-plycorrect |
| Rear tyres | 14.9-28 6-plycorrect |
Origin and approval
| Plant | USAcorrect |
|---|
Other data
| Drawbar output | 42correct |
|---|---|
| PTO output | 54 hpcorrect |
| Predecessor | New Modelcorrect |
More machines with this engine (International C-200, 6)
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the Hydrostatic Transmission International 544 Hydro have?
The Hydrostatic Transmission International 544 Hydro delivers 54 hp.
What engine does the Hydrostatic Transmission International 544 Hydro have?
4 cylinders, Benzin.
What is the PTO output of the Hydrostatic Transmission International 544 Hydro?
PTO output is 54 hp.
When was the Hydrostatic Transmission International 544 Hydro built?
Production years: 1968-1973.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check front and rear tyre sizes: mismatched pairs strain the drivetrain.
- Shift the gearbox cold and warm — jumps only show up at temperature.
- Load the hydraulics and watch for sag.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 29 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
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Sources: Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki (CC BY-SA 3.0) (retrieved August 2026) · Values adopted and presented in our own form; changes from the source are possible. · How we check the data
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