Just got home with a 1956 OC3 that I purchased for next to nothing. According to the previous owner it would not run and has been in the barn for a couple of years. After getting it home, checking and changing the fluids, I installed a battery, fixed some broken wires, and it fired right up and ran like a champ. I have been reading this board for a couple weeks now and want to send out some thanks to the members here for getting me so interested in owning my own OC3.
Thanks again.
OMG! that things in extremely nice shape. I think it's actually an earlier HG tho. Looks nothing like my 1956 OC-3 but in far better shape. Looks to be all original from what I'm seeing. I'm jealous
That's what I thought at first, then I ran the #'s. It has the original data plate and everything is surprisingly readable. Model # OC3-42-IND, Serial # 16WH-068. It even has the complete Anderson data plate for the dozer also. Model # F3A, Serial # OP6498
Hi Cplwill , Well done finding a nice machine like that . . It is amazing that little gems like yours are still out there waiting to be found and brought back to life . Ian .
Congradulations, great find, it's a good looking machine. I can't remember the last time I saw a hood that hadn't been hacked up in some way. Looks like the P.O. took good care of it.
Post some more pictures, I can use as a reference as I'm putting my 50s some crawler/loader back together.
Jethrow
As others have pointed out this is an HG with the engine out of an Industrial OC3 - not uncommon to see things like this. I had an OC3 42 IND with an OC3-31 tag.
Check the frame behind your right ankle..if you are very lucky there might be a serial number tag there, but, if not, you can be assured your HG is a late 40's model. I think all early 50s models had the solid front idlers and your's has the older pressed steel ones.
Also a look at the way the rear of the frame is attached to the final drives can be an indication of age, since earlier models had a wooden block with the big U bolts, later models had a more sturdy set-up with steel brackets on the rear frame - although retrofits were also available.
As John has probably pointed out, there were a of of incremental (strengthening) modifications to later HGs culminating in the release of the OC3.
That blade you have is a good one!