My Tractor Mechanic is not happy

[DappleDoxieStaff]

I may have bought a 1955 Oliver Super 55 with four implements, delivered, for $2,800.
My mechanic is rolling his eyes because it is elderly and it is gas. But he was at his folks' place or wheat harvest,
I was unsupervised!!!
Is he going to be right in the long run? Did I want a diesel??

 

[jyoutz]

It depends on your intended uses for the tractor.

 

[dirttoys]

I may have bought a 1955 Oliver Super 55 with four implements, delivered, for $2,800.
My mechanic is rolling his eyes because it is elderly and it is gas. But he was at his folks' place or wheat harvest,
I was unsupervised!!!
Is he going to be right in the long run? Did I want a diesel??

I had a gas Oli. It was a fine tractor. It used more fuel than a diesel would. Probably didn't have the same torque characteristics as a diesel.

I would prefer a diesel, but, if I only had one tractor, and no other diesel, I would not be ashamed to own a gas tractor, they start easier in the cold too.

Best,

ed

 

[DappleDoxieStaff]

It depends on your intended uses for the tractor.

It is to be the dedicated bush mower tractor. I have a 24hp 4wd Mitsubishi with a F/E loader to do everything else. I just HATE dealing with the mowing deck!!!

 

[DappleDoxieStaff]

I had a gas Oli. It was a fine tractor. It used more fuel than a diesel would. Probably didn't have the same torque characteristics as a diesel.

I would prefer a diesel, but, if I only had one tractor, and no other diesel, I would not be ashamed to own a gas tractor, they start easier in the cold too.

Best,

ed

So just to mow the pastures, I am good?? Have a diesel with a f/e loader already

 

[CalG]

You can count on it to start in cold weather.!

 

[Emainiac]

My first tractor was a 1959 Farmall Cub. I didn't know what I wanted and a friend of mine said this was a good place to start. I loved that tractor and wish I still had it because the $1800 I sold it for is long gone.

It put out a (massive) 12 HP but the machine was incredible when you pushed it a little. I would skid 25' pine logs with it's 2 point hitch and it didn't miss a beat. It was gas and incredibly reliable.

 

[dirttoys]

So just to mow the pastures, I am good?? Have a diesel with a f/e loader already

can't imagine why not

 

[jyoutz]

It is to be the dedicated bush mower tractor. I have a 24hp 4wd Mitsubishi with a F/E loader to do everything else. I just HATE dealing with the mowing deck!!!

I think the old Oliver is more than up to pulling a rotary cutter. You should have no problem for that purpose.

 

[jeff9366]

Oliver Super 55 Power
Drawbar (claimed):	23.3 hp 17.4 kW
PTO (claimed):	32.65 hp 24.3 kW
Drawbar (tested):	29.60 hp 22.1 kW
Belt (tested):	34.39 hp 25.6 kW

Mechanical
Chassis:	4x2 2WD
Brakes:	mechanical disc
	Open operator station.
Transmission:	6-speed unsychronized gear

Dimensions
Length:	120 inches 304 cm
Height:	71 inches 180 cm
Operating weight:	3,400 lbs 1542 kg
Ballasted weight:	5,500 lbs 2494 kg
Front tread:	48 to 76 inches 121 to 193 cm
Rear tread:	48 to 76 inches 121 to 193 cm

 

[jeff9366]

What about Oliver repair parts?

2022 - 1956 = 66 years

Oliver Super 55​

1954 - 1958 Utility tractor

 

[Rockbadchild]

dose it run ?? at $2800 and if it runs with 4 implements (don't know what they are but just in implements alone you get most of that money back) it's a good deal especially now days... you wont lose money even if you sent it for scraps, there is not much that can go wrong with these tractors and I am sure AGCO still have some parts for it .... their is nothing wrong with a gas tractor this small... pictures of the implements and tractor would help knowing how good of a deal it is or even knowing what are the implements are.

 

[2manyrocks]

No emissions.

 

[LouNY]

The only issue with a gas tractor is the same as it has been for many years;
the quality of the gasoline and how well the carb stays clean and ungummed.
Then the fact that many point sets available today don't seem to last as long as they used to.
You may want to keep a set of points and a condenser around as spares.

 

[stevem5215]

Older machines require more maintenance compared to a newer one. This one with points requires that especially. The carb is designed for real gas. Don't use Ethanol in it at all. Good luck with it ! And the mechanic is right to roll his eyes unless he has experience working on them. I rolled my eyes when my brother told me he bought a FarmPro(Jinma) Chinesism diesel for use at our farm. I ended up working on it and got used to it's quirks and it was ok long term (we sold it recently for almost the same money it was purchased for).

 

[DappleDoxieStaff]

I think the old Oliver is more than up to pulling a rotary cutter. You should have no problem for that purpose.

Thank you!!! My late husband farmed wheat in KS on the family farm and they had Olivers and MinMolines. I think he'd be pleased with my purchase
My mechanic will just have to learn to love it, I guess. Now to find Oliver a seat and a shade cover!!!

 

[DappleDoxieStaff]

The only issue with a gas tractor is the same as it has been for many years;
the quality of the gasoline and how well the carb stays clean and ungummed.
Then the fact that many point sets available today don't seem to last as long as they used to.
You may want to keep a set of points and a condenser around as spares.

Taking notes!!! I love having spare parts around before things break!!

 

[DappleDoxieStaff]

Older machines require more maintenance compared to a newer one. This one with points requires that especially. The carb is designed for real gas. Don't use Ethanol in it at all. Good luck with it ! And the mechanic is right to roll his eyes unless he has experience working on them.

I have been well schooled on ethanol and my equipment!!
My Mechanic has experience ... I think he was hoping I would let him at least inspect any beastie that I was dragging home. But ... I was unsupervised. And comfortable with the price. AND it came with free implements!!!

 

[scaredychicken]

thinking out of the box ...

you could probably sell the tractor and the implements for a nice profit and then your mechanic would be happy. if that was your "intended plan" (hint hint) then you don't need supervision.

 

[DappleDoxieStaff]

What about Oliver repair parts?

2022 - 1956 = 66 years

Oliver Super 55​

1954 - 1958 Utility tractor

I actually asked that question!! And the seller told me parts were not difficult. I sorta wonder about the veracity of that since Oliver is out of business ... BUT the antique tractor community is a thing and they love to restore stuff. It may be a hunt, but I think it is doable