Tractor Choice??

[g42guy]

Steve, I agree with you. I don't know much about the Jinma's but when I am completely honest with myself, what I really want is a real nice maybe even restored old tractor. The ones I have mentioned are very capable and let's face it, they look darn nice puttin around!!

Since the larger tractor is more for my "other" lots rather than where I live (my bx2200 works fine here). My dream would be to have an old Ford or Oliver lookin real good up on a trailer pulled with a '56 Ford F1. (I don't have the truck either). ...NICE

 

[RichZ]

Yesterdaystractors.com

Click on the Oliver forum.

I have an Oliver 1550. I love it!! Great tractor, I'd get another Oliver in a heartbeat, and I probably will!!

 

[Bob_Skurka]

There is a very active Oliver Tractor Collectors Association, of which I am a member. Anything related to Hart-Parr, Cletrac, Oliver, etc can be found in their magazine. They also have a website. The magazine is a great source for information on restoration, history, etc.

Oliver Collectors Association

 

[Soundguy]

If you do go for an old ford.. get a 53 or newer.. which puts you in the Jubilee/naa ( 1954 ) area. and up. The 53's an up had live hyds.. the newer models.. like the 800.. some had live pto, etc.

Soundguy

 

[slowrev]

Yesterdaystractors.com has an Oliver section with some very knowledeable people over there.

 

[rambler]

www.ytmag.com (as the others have said) is a wonderful source of info for all the old tractors, Oliver included.

All 3 of the general machines you mention were good machines, so you are starting out well.

As to the Fords, do you know the difference? A 640 will be similar to the N you had, with a few tweaks to improve it, mostly live hyd. The 860 has a bigger & stronger engine, and will have live pto & a 5-speed tranny. I would much rather have a 660 Ford than a 640 - that middle digit tells you the options the Fords have. 'x6x' is most desirable, lower numbers have less options, higher numbers have the SoS auto tranny which was a good unit actually, but costs a TON to repair & parts are becoming difficult to get. If the choice is 640 vs 860, go for the 860!

--->Paul

 

[g42guy]

Thanks Paul, I guess if it came to a choice between a 6xx and a 8xx I would go with which ever was the best shape. I realize the 800 series had more power but the 600 series has more power than a 8N as well.

As I said ealier I have had a 8N in the past. My dad currently has a 640 so yes I do know the difference. For my needs realistly a 8N would do the job. But hey, I agree with you, if I could get more power in "roughly" the same size package I would go for it.

Another tractor I have seen on the web since I started my search is the JD 430 W. I think they are a little bigger in size but seem to have a lot of nice features. I may need to expand my list!

 

[professor]

For Oliver information you can try our web site at www.hartparroliver.org. This is the web site for our Oliver organization. Visitors welcome. You can also go to the Oliver site on Yesterdays Tractor.
As for other sizes, Oliver imported the David Brown and named them the 500 & 600 models. Good cheap tractors but parts could be a problem. Oliver also imported Fiat tractors in late sixties and sold them as the 1250, 1350 and 1450. Part are extremely hard to get. If you can get a good S55 or 550 you will be very happy. My opinion is you get the best tractor for the money. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[slowrev]

Professor,
Yes, the official Oliver sites will be no help on the 500 and 600. They don't seem to acknowledge their existence.

 

[g42guy]

Re: Hey rambler!

Hey Paul, I just now noticed you are a MN res. Looks like you have a few tractors under your belt!

If you hear of any old fords (or Olivers) in great shape around the state give me a holler. I'm still lookin. Not in a real big hurry. Have plans on the books to build a barn next spring so hope to find a tractor to help fill the new space!

I really miss my 8N. It was a nice "working" tractor with a loader. I sold it about 5 years ago along with a 15 acre lot. Wish I had BOTH back.

Keep me in mind!
Guy