This was a year for the 560 to come into its own. After 50 years since International Harvester rolled the 560 off the production line, Charlie Greer of the American Thresherman Assoc. (ATA) thought the 2009 show would be the perfect place to honor this timeworn tractor.

This idea was supported by the International Harvester Collectors Chapter 32, the Southern Illinois branch of the club. Chuck Hoene of Toledo, Ill., said the 560s started in 1958 and began with the serial number 501.

“The serial numbers progressed to around 66,032, so around 55,000 560s were produced until 1963. They were the first six-cylinder powered tractors that International Harvester came out with,” he explained.

In 1963, a new Farmall 560 cost around $5,500. The tractor was available in the row crop and high-clearance variations. The six-cylinder tractor was available in gas, diesel and LP.

The 560 was part of a numbered series that began with 400, 450 then the 560 series. The series goes: 240, 340, 460 and 560. Then, in 1959, the 660 IH line was introduced. “It was the 50th year for the 560.” Chuck explained.

The IH collectors who brought their 560s to the show decided to position the tractors into a design to read “50-560” when viewed from a distance.

To fit that many tractors into a design, it took a bit of planning, and Chuck’s daughter, Trisha, drew out the design on her CAD program after Chuck decided they needed a 300-by-300-foot area.
Chuck and his cousin, Karl Jansen, marked off the area and placed the tractors in formation as they arrived. When they had 69, they had it all spelled out – and then one last tractor came in. “We had him do a period at the end,” Chuck said.

While there were many variations of 560s at this year’s show, Chuck’s was special because he restored it in memory of his late brother, Dan. Chuck purchased the tractor from his sister-in-law, Janet, and nephews Scott and Aaron and niece Becky.

The idea of celebrating 50 years of the 560 was a successful one, with collectors bringing their tractors from all over. This event was just about a month prior to the Half Century of Progress, which was all about tractors – and also 50 years of progress.

Readers with questions or comments for Cindy Ladage may write to her in care of this publication.