OldIHC

Written by Lehman Orluck.

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Lehman and his 1925 IHC Model SD

This is a 1 Ton Model SD of the S series of trucks that International was selling in 1925. The SD was introduced late in 1924 and was succeeded during 1926 by models SD-34 and SD-36, which were stripped 1-1/2 ton dumps. Production quantities were: 1924=128, 1925=529 and I believe 1926=961.

1925 IHC Model SD - Specifications

The SD was a short, 110 inch wheelbase truck with a 3,000 pound capacity intended primarily for road building. Everything that was not absolutely needed was sacrificed for the sake of the payload. Doors, cab, fenders and even the windshield were discarded. It even dispensed with the electric starter, the only S model to do so.

But, what it lacked in amenities, it made up for in strength. It had extra frame bracing, and at the rear it used  2-1/2 inch wide, quarter-elliptic springs with fourteen leaves. The tires were 34×5 at the front and 36×6 at the rear. It was powered by a four cylinder, block-cast, L-head type Lycoming KB engine with only two main bearings.  The lubrication is by a constant level, circulating splash system. The oil is circulated by a plunger pump, mounted inside the oil pan and driven by an eccentric on the camshaft. Each connecting rod is provided with an oil scoop, which dips an equal depth into oil troughs, under all road conditions.  The engine receives its spark from an American Bosch high-tension magneto and is water cooled via a thermo-siphoning system.

1925 IHC Model SD Engine

This 1925 SD model was purchased new for $1,500 at the Springfield, Ohio factory by Alex Kenney. He worked it for 20 years as a gravel truck in the summer time and it was the first school bus 40 miles north of Grand Rapids, in Pierson, Michigan in the winter. Alex handed it down to his son, Harvey, who worked it for 20 years on the farm in Grand Ledge, Michigan. Harvey handed it down to Alex’s grandson, Jack, in 1965, using it in parades and the Manistee County Fair. He added the home made windshield and carriage top.

I first saw a write-up posted by Cheryl, Jack’s daughter (Alex’s great granddaughter), in the classified ads on the OldIHC website stating that the truck was for sale on 29 April 2010. I received e-mailed pictures of the truck on 6 May and made arrangements to see the truck on 8 May. Upon inspection of the truck I came to an agreement on the price with Cheryl, who was speaking to her dad on the phone who still owned the truck, and arranged to pick it up on 22 May.

However, before going to inspect the truck I was busy sending e-mails to Trevor (sl34speed) in Australia along with phone calls and e-mails to Al (Jackiedog29) and Bill (SpeedTruckBill) both in Iowa. They tried to infuse in me as much knowledge as they could figure out from looking at the initial pictures of what the truck was and its value to help me make a decision. Would this be the vehicle to fulfill a dream I have had for 40 years?

1925 IHC Dump Truck 1 Ton Model SD

When I was about 10 years old, my next door neighbor, Ray Mercer, was restoring a Model A and that is when the bug first bit me in wanting my own vehicle to restore and enjoy. I have learned that the OLD IHC website is a collection of IH enthusiasts who you come to think of as family. They are always there to help with advice and a dash of humor on any question you might have in your restoration project or life in general. I want to once again thank Trevor, Al and Bill for helping me to get in as much trouble with my “new” truck as they are in with their trucks and loving every minute of the journey. So far I only know of one other SD that is still in existence and it is located in Australia and in very poor shape according to Trevor. Along with them, I must also thank my father, Al, and brother, David, for their support in bringing the truck home and assistance when needed in working on the truck.

The recently acquired dump bed for the truck

When I took the truck to my first car show at the old Packard Proving Grounds located just three miles from my house on 13 June 2010 I learned of the camaraderie of the greater antique vehicle enthusiasts in helping others. The truck did not have the original carburetor when I purchased it. At the car show I met Wayne Funk who rebuilt an original carburetor that was cracked and falling apart, due to the venturi valve being made from pot metal, which I acquired from Bill. I also met Russ Kraft at the show, when upon hearing that this truck of mine was originally a dump truck and I was looking for a bed, said that he would locate one for me. Sure enough, on 20 July Russ called me and said that he had located a dump bed for my truck and I picked it up from him on 24 July. Thank you gentlemen!

Lehman and his 1925 IHC Model SD at a show

Due to health reasons, I did not get any restoration work done on the truck in 2011, but was able to get it out to a couple of shows. For the show at the old Packard Proving Grounds on 12 June there was parked on the driver side of me a 1910 Maxwell and on the passenger side was a 1930 Model A. Both were magnificently restored! Yet, in the late afternoon, a lady from the party with the Model A told me, “You are the car show.” I asked her what she meant by that and she said, “All day long people are walking by all the vehicles and asking a question every now and then. But, everyone stops at your truck to ask questions and you have been talking non-stop all day. You are the show!” I guess that explained why my throat was sore that night!

The good Lord willing, when the summer comes in 2012 I’ll be able to restore the dump bed and mount it onto my truck so that I might be able to take it to Henry Ford’s Greenfield Village for the Old Car Festival in September.

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