International Harvester 5488
Built: 1981–1985 · Series: 88 er-Serie
More machines from model year 1981
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International Harvester 88 series (1981–1985) – the last IH tractors before Case IH: 3088 to 3688 from Rock Island, 5088 and 5488 with the new cab, 7388 to 7788 as 2+2 articulated tractors
The 88 series was the last tractor programme International Harvester brought to market as an independent group: presented in 1981, ended in 1985 with the takeover of the farm-equipment division by Tenneco and the merger with Case. The type logic: the final digits 88 mark the series, the thousands digit the group – 3088, 3288, 3488 Hydro and 3688 the range from the Rock Island plant with six-cylinders of the D-358 and DT-436 series, the 3488 with stepless hydrostatic transmission; 5088 and 5488 the new 50 range with the Control Center cab, the 18-speed synchromesh transmission and the DT-466 engines; 7388, 7588 and 7788 the 2+2 articulated tractors of the Super 70 range with the engine ahead of the pivot, announced in 1984 and built in only very small numbers because of the merger – the 7788 with the 13.1 litre V8 at the top. The register span of 6 to 8 cylinders and 5,871 to 13,077 cm³ shows that breadth.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists 9 versions with 60.3 to 246.4 kW at 2,400 rpm rated speed, unladen weights from 5,334 to 9,820 kg, lengths from 4,674 to 6,248 mm, widths from 2,591 to 2,972 mm and heights from 2,845 to 3,734 mm.
The 5088 and 5488 are regarded as the best-resolved late IH tractors – their cab and transmission lived on in the first Case IH Magnums; the Super 70 articulated tractors are collectors' items today.
On used tractors, operating hours, the condition of engine and turbocharger, transmission and synchromesh (5088), the hydrostatic drive on the 3488, hydraulics and cab count; parts run through Case IH.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: International Harvester 88er-Serie, International Harvester (Wikipedia)
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | dieselcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 190 hp (139.7 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 2,400 rpmcorrect |
| Torque | 793 Nmcorrect |
| Speed at max. torque | 1,600 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 6correct |
| Displacement | 7,636 cm³correct |
| Bore | 109.22 mmcorrect |
| Stroke | 135.89 mmcorrect |
| Compression ratio | 16.3correct |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 4,994 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,896 mmcorrect |
| Height | 2,946 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 2,835 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 465 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 7,820 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear- and four-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 18 V/6 Rcorrect |
| Front tyres | 14 L-16.1correct |
| Rear tyres | 20.8 R 38correct |
| Top speed | 30 km/hcorrect |
Origin and approval
| Construction | semi-frame constructioncorrect |
|---|---|
| Units built | 3,951correct |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 17.9 kW/t (140 kW / 7.8 t)
Power class: Heavy (> 180 hp)
Stronger than 90% of the tractors in the register — out of 15,663 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the International Harvester 5488 have?
The International Harvester 5488 delivers 190 hp.
How much does the International Harvester 5488 weigh?
The unladen weight is 7,820 kg.
What engine does the International Harvester 5488 have?
6 cylinders, 7,636 cm³ displacement, Diesel.
How fast does the International Harvester 5488 go?
Top speed is 30 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the International Harvester 5488?
4,994 mm × 2,896 mm × 2,946 mm.
When was the International Harvester 5488 built?
Production years: 1981–1985.
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 the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- 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 25 individual figures for this model. They come from 2 recorded sources; 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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Other models in this series
Sources: Wikibooks Traktorenlexikon (CC BY-SA 4.0) (retrieved August 2026) · Wikipedia (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
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