Oliver 1550

RichZ · Apr 1, 2002

Well, I got my 50+ hp loader tractor! I got a 1967 Oliver 1550, with an Oliver loader on it, at an auction on Saturday. I spent a little more than I originally intended, but it was in real nice shape. It's got a six cylinder gas engine that purrs. As hard as it may be to believe, I prefer gas over diesel, so, I'm VERY happy. It does have some fixable problems, most notably, the steering is VERY loose. But I talked to my tractor mechanic, who is coming over to check it out this week, and he said it should be easily fixable.

I was pretty upset right after I won the bid on it, because someone came up and told me the steering box on it is shot, and a new one will cost at least $1000. (It turns out, that I think he was trying to sell me another Oliver!) But thanks, to my buddy John Miller III's urging, I talked to the auctioner (who is a dealer), and he promised me a new steering box for free if it needs one. My mechanic doubts I will though.

When I first won the bid, though, I was pretty nervous and upset and actually considered killing the deal. Luckily, John was with me, and he kept me from freaking out and having a heart attack!! But after speaking to several local farmers, my mechanic, and my local Temco parts dealer, during the past 2 days, I have been assured that I made a purchase of an excellent tractor for a very good price, in spite of needing some work. It should be ready to start working this weekend, and I'm psyched to start getting used to it.

It sure is big, compared to my little Fergeson TO-20, but I'll get used to it, and I can't wait to start learning!!/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

My extreme thanks to JMIII, who, as usual, was there when I needed him!!!! Friends like him are VERY hard to find!!! He got his pants soaked helping me!!! I owe him, again!!!

Anyone on TBN have any experience with an Oliver 1550? I'd love to hear any comments, pro or con!!

Rich
"What a long strange trip it's been."

MikePA · Apr 1, 2002

Rich, congrats on your new tractor. I look forward to seeing some pictures.

<font color=blue>He got his pants soaked helping me!!! </font color=blue>
Er, um, would you care to elaborate? /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

s1120 · Apr 1, 2002

WOHOO!! Glad you found your self a "new" tractor. Hope all works out well with it. Just be carfull that fergie does not get mad becouse your spending to much time with the new one. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

s1120 · Apr 1, 2002

Oh ya, lets see some pics. /w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Devildog · Apr 2, 2002

Congrats Rich, There isnt nothing like old Iron to work with./w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

JohnMiller3 · Apr 2, 2002

Richie's New Oliver 1550

JohnMiller3 · Apr 2, 2002

Ummmmmmmmmmm... well the seat was very worn/ripped/ kinda just foam rubber... filled with yesterday's "rain"... now my wranglers "butt" contained the water... /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

Richie... you're gonna buy that girl a brand new seat right...! /w3tcompact/icons/blush.gif

RichZ · Apr 2, 2002

Thanks for the picture John!!! I already have the new seat on order!!! I think I also have to order you a new pair of jeans!!!

Rich
"What a long strange trip it's been."

RichZ · Apr 2, 2002

Thanks, Paul! I introduced Fergie to his new buddy Ollie. Fergie thinks Ollie is just a kid, but they get along great, since each of them will be getting a lot of use!/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Rich
"What a long strange trip it's been."

s1120 · Apr 2, 2002

Thats it. Keep them happy, and they will keep you happy. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

bmabe · Apr 3, 2002

Rich,
That's one heavy duty tractor! Looks like it'll be able to do some serious work. Glad your search is over.

Barry Mabery

rancar · Apr 6, 2002

Hi Barry,

Were you ever able to make it up to Salem's auction on 3/30? If so, what were your impressions. Heard from others here at TBN that quality of the machinery was somewhat sub-par.

Bob

rancar · Apr 6, 2002

Rich,

Congratulations! Looks like a real work horse. Is this the tractor you'll be using to do your hay baling?

BTW, my wife wanted me to ask you if she could buy some bales of hay from you...either old if you have them or from the new 2002 crop. She would like some for gardening and mulching purposes. She's found this helps with moisture retention in her plantings.

Bob

RichZ · Apr 8, 2002

Thanks, Barry! I can't wait to start using it!

RichZ · Apr 8, 2002

Thanks, Bob! Yep that's gonna be my hay tractor, its exactly what I was looking for.
When does your wife want the hay? I might have some spoiled round bales that she can use. I use the spoiled hay as mulch, and it works great since it's already starting to decompose. I'm not sure if we have any spoiled ones yet, but I'll check. Let me know when she needs it by. If we don't have any spoiled round bales, I can bring you over as many square bales as you want, I pick them up from a friend down the road who has a dairy farm for $2/bale. I'll be glad to get you as many as you need.

rancar · Apr 8, 2002

Rich,

<font color=blue>When does your wife want the hay?</font color=blue>

She's flexible. If you have a spoiled one or will have one in the next month or so, this should do. I can come over in the pick up and and we can drop it in the back. If you don't have spoiled ones, the square ones will do just fine @ $2/bale...I would say about six of them. Again, I can come over in the pick up and we can load those on the back. Let me know when it's good to come over...look forward to meeting you.

Bob

Woody1 · May 6, 2002

In my younger farm days, I have hauled a lot and I mean a LOT of pig-poop with the exact same tractor! sure brought back some memories seeing it in ur pic!

RichZ · May 7, 2002

So, Paul, since you've had a lot of experience with the Oliver 1550, what do you think of it. Can you tell me good and bad points that you know of? I need to know as much as I can about my new tractor, especially since this is my first large agricultural tractor, and it sure feels huge to me! I'm used to my little Ferguson TO-20!

RichZ · May 28, 2002

Just an update on my Oliver. The auctioneer/dealer I bought it from made good his promise and ordered me all the parts to fix the steering. It turned out the steering box was fine, but the steering column and other parts had to be replaced. All the parts were brand new!/w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif My mechanic put it all together, and it works beautifully! I can't believe how easy it is to steer such a big tractor, easier than my pickup with power steering!

I'm just getting used to operating such a big tractor. I'm still learning to use the FEL. I think I need to get a toothbar, because I have a lot of trouble picking up round bales of hay or horse manure. I think I have the bucket filled, and when I dump it, I've only picked up a tiny amount!/w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif But I'm learning, and hope to be more comfortable on it in a few weeks, when we start haying!/w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

Woodbeef · Jun 18, 2002

Hey Rich,

Congrats on the new addition!! Might want to wander over to the Oliver board at www.ytmag.com

Asfor your loader work. Just angle the bucket down a bit so it bites in some. I'd also suggest a bale spear,lot easier and a whole heck of a lot safer too!!