Project "Oliver Drill Resto"

ENG18LT · Feb 28, 2013

I went to check on a 10' cultipacker on craigslist today. Good thing I took extra cash. I did manage to get the packer, as well as an Oliver Superior grain drill. It is a model 64, serial number 64-4723. The unit has 17 rows, two large boxes on top, and a smaller (3"x3") box on the rear. Previous owner used it 3 years ago, then let it sit outside. It is going to need some PB Blaster, sanding and paint, and a couple tires. I am planning on using to plant a 5 acre food plot for wildlife. If anyone has manuals or knows where I might find copies please chime in. Here are some pictures of todays haul:

Enjoy! I look forward to your responses.

MIKE R · Feb 28, 2013

Looks good. Sorry I don't know where to find a manual for it.

kebo · Feb 28, 2013

Nice haul there!!! That drill looks to be in pretty good shape, very restorable if you wanted to go the whole 9 yds on it. Is there any rust down inside the boxes?? The packer looks nice too. You done good, my fellow CraigsList'er!!!

flusher · Mar 1, 2013

Nice stuff. You did good.
A few years ago I restored an old Minneapolis Moline P3-6 grain drill (10 ft wide, 20 drops, single disc openers, 6" row spacing). Bought two of them from a neighbor for $275 and used parts from both to make one good operating drill (the other drill is a lawn ornament). Added about $300 in new parts. A fun project.

Good luck

kevin37b · Mar 1, 2013

Just out of curiousity , what is the difference between a planter and a drill ?

GreenWannabe · Mar 1, 2013

You might be able to get a manual through your AGCO/Massey Ferguson dealer.

flusher · Mar 1, 2013

kevin37b said:
Just out of curiousity , what is the difference between a planter and a drill ?

Planters generally are used for larger size seeds (corn, soybeans, peas, beans etc) that are planted in widely spaced rows (1-3 ft). Grain drills are used for smaller size seeds (oats, wheat) that are planted with smaller row spacing (4-8").
Some grain drills, like mine, have grass seed boxes for planting smaller seeds (ryegrass, etc).

Both use some type of opener to form a furrow for the seed, some type of seed metering device, and some means to cover the seed and press it into contact with the soil.

ENG18LT · Mar 2, 2013

Thanks for all three responses. I am heading out to our property with the drill this morning. I had to reposition the load on the trailer, it was too much tongue weight. The ride shouldn't be bad, a friend of mine is riding along.

ENG18LT · Mar 2, 2013

flusher said:
Nice stuff. You did good.
A few years ago I restored an old Minneapolis Moline P3-6 grain drill (10 ft wide, 20 drops, single disc openers, 6" row spacing). Bought two of them from a neighbor for $275 and used parts from both to make one good operating drill (the other drill is a lawn ornament). Added about $300 in new parts. A fun project.

<img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=305897"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=305898"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=305899"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=305900"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=305901"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=305902"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=305903"/><img src="http://www.tractorbynet.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=305904"/>

Good luck

Nice job on the restoration. I am hoping to get mine cleaned up and functional over the summer.

flusher · Mar 2, 2013

ENG18LT said:
Nice job on the restoration. I am hoping to get mine cleaned up and functional over the summer.

Thanks. The seed cups were pretty rusted. I got them apart.

Cleaned the loose rust off.
I coated the fluted feeds (black parts) with Gemplers Rust Converter to slow down the oxidation process.

I used cold galvanize spray coating on the seed cup housings (grey parts).