1952–1954 McCormick & International Super W-6 Tractors Operator's Manual (P/N 1 004 251 R1)

• 107-page PDF containing the International Harvester Company Operator's Manual for the McCormick Super W-6, publication 1 004 251 R1
• Factory identification is tied to tractor serial prefix SW-6 and engine serial prefix C-264; the C-264 is a 4-cylinder, 264-cu-in carbureted engine with a 4-inch bore and 5-1/4-inch stroke
• Covers gasoline, distillate, and kerosene operation; 6-volt battery ignition or IH Type H-4 magneto; five-speed transmission; belt pulley, PTO, and hydraulic Remote-Control equipment
• Illustration numbering runs through Illust. 94, with additional lettered views, wiring diagrams, cutaways, and exploded service illustrations

Operations and Maintenance Details

This factory publication covers the operating and maintenance work International Harvester specified for the McCormick Super W-6. The manual itself identifies tractor coverage by the SW-6 serial-number prefix and the C-264 engine prefix rather than by a printed model-year range, which is useful when matching the book to an existing tractor.

Fuel-system coverage is configuration-specific. Gasoline tractors have their own starting and operating instructions, while distillate and kerosene versions use a gasoline starting tank and procedures for warming the engine, positioning the radiator shutter and manifold heat control, and changing over to the main fuel. Specifications list a 21-gallon main fuel tank and a 7/8-gallon gasoline starting tank on distillate or kerosene tractors.

Driving instructions cover the clutch, individual and interlocked brakes, steering, gear selection, belt-pulley operation, PTO use, and field operation of the hydraulic Remote-Control system. The transmission is a five-speed unit with reverse; fifth gear is specifically locked out when steel wheels are fitted. The PTO specification gives 537 rpm at maximum full-load engine speed.

The lubrication guide is arranged around actual operating hours rather than a generic seasonal schedule. Service points are mapped for daily or 10-hour attention, 60-hour service, 120-hour service, and six-month or 500-hour work, with additional periodic items. Fluid data includes a 6-1/4-gallon cooling system, 2-gallon crankcase, and 13-gallon transmission and differential case. Front-wheel bearing removal, cleaning, repacking, and adjustment are covered alongside air-cleaner service, crankcase ventilation, fuel-strainer cleaning, fan-belt adjustment, water-pump packing, and storage preparation.

Electrical, Repair, and Diagnostic Coverage

The electrical section separates battery-ignition tractors from magneto-equipped machines. Battery-starting and lighting equipment is 6-volt, with the grounded battery terminal identified as positive. Service information covers the distributor, breaker points, condenser, ignition coil, generator and regulator, starting motor, battery, cables, lamps, and instrument-panel connections. Breaker-point opening is specified at 0.020 inch and spark-plug gap at 0.023 inch.

Factory procedures that go beyond routine daily maintenance include carburetor removal and installation, idle and main-fuel adjustment, battery ignition-unit removal and installation, distributor-to-engine timing, magneto removal and timing, generator polarization and commutator service, starting-motor removal, valve-clearance adjustment, brake equalization, clutch adjustment, front-wheel bearing service, fan-belt replacement, and hydraulic Remote-Control fluid service. These are the kinds of repair and setup operations for which having the original specifications and illustrations matters before parts are changed or a repair is started.

Useful technical drawings include the oil-filter cutaway in Illust. 24, the air-cleaner exploded view in Illust. 43, the battery-ignition starting and lighting wiring diagrams in Illust. 57 and 58, the magneto wiring diagram in Illust. 60, and the double-disc-type brake cutaway in Illust. 68A. The troubleshooting section then ties symptoms to probable causes across hard starting, irregular running or knocking, lack of power, overheating, oil-pressure problems, excessive oil or fuel use, fuel delivery, ignition and electrical faults, brakes, transmission, steering, wheels and tires, and the hydraulic Remote-Control system.

Adjustment data is unusually specific for an operator-level book. Hot valve clearance is 0.017 inch. Brake pedal free travel is specified at 1-1/8 to 1-3/8 inches, with a 1-3/16-inch preload dimension when the brake operating-rod spring has been disassembled. The 12-inch single-plate dry clutch calls for 3/16-inch release-bearing clearance and 7/8-inch pedal free movement.

Several manual-specific repair cautions are worth noting. The clutch section warns that allowing pedal free movement to drop below 1/2 inch can badly damage the clutch. When polarizing the generator, touching the jumper lead to the generator's “F” terminal can damage the regulator, while reversed polarity can produce arcing and burned relay contacts. The cooling-system section also warns that careless straightening of radiator fins can damage the tubes or break the bond between the fins and tubes.

Hydraulic Remote-Control, Special Equipment, and Manual Scope

Remote-Control coverage identifies the engine-mounted pump, control lever and valve, reservoir, hose connections, break-away coupling, and adjustable cylinder stroke/depth control. The hydraulic cylinder package is listed as 356 522 R91 and uses a 3-1/2 x 8-inch push-type cylinder with two 140-inch hoses. Refill capacity is approximately 7 quarts; a completely dry or rebuilt unit takes about 7-1/2 quarts, with IH Touch-Control fluid specified.

The factory special-equipment index adds useful attachment identification rather than simply naming accessories. Examples include belt pulley 357 297 R91, power take-off 67 232 D, Remote-Control cylinder 356 522 R91, and service meter 357 108 R91, along with 5,000- and 8,000-foot altitude pistons, wheel weights, steel-wheel equipment, skid rings, spade lugs, extension tires, swinging drawbar equipment, and pneumatic tire pumps.

Scope is important here: this is an Operator's Manual with substantial maintenance, adjustment, troubleshooting, and minor repair content, not a full internal-engine overhaul reference. Under “Minor Engine Service Operations,” International Harvester specifically directs connecting-rod bearing, crankshaft bearing, piston and ring replacement, and valve grinding to dealer service. Buyers needing complete engine teardown and rebuilding procedures should therefore use this publication for its intended operating and service scope rather than expect a full overhaul section.

Machine-specific safety instructions cover rotating belt-pulley and PTO equipment, brake-pedal locking, battery isolation, cooling-system pressure, tire servicing, and hydraulic operation. Those cautions should be reviewed before performing the related service or adjustment work.