The International Harvester 553 is a utility tractor built for everyday farm work. It has a 2-wheel drive system and a manual steering setup. The tractor uses a partially synchronized transmission with 8 forward gears and 4 reverse gears, giving the driver good control over speed and power.
Under the hood, the 553 has a 3-cylinder diesel engine made by International Harvester. The engine is liquid-cooled and has average displacement for its class. It produces 52 horsepower at 2180 rpm, which is about average power for utility tractors. The tractor weighs 5950 pounds, making it a bit heavier than many similar models. It measures 135 inches long, 70.4 inches wide, and 69.1 inches tall. The 553 comes with a three-point hitch that can handle both category II and I implements, making it versatile for different farm tasks. It also features an electric starter for easy operation and has a wheelbase of 78.7 inches with standard 16.9-30 rear tires.