Looks like i'll have two now!!!

[GaToy]

I just went to my local dealership to pick up a thermostat for my '48 Ferguson TE-20. After I got the thermostat and paid for it I started wandering around the yard. A crawler over on the edge of the yard caught my attention. It's rather hidious looking. I asked the salesman "What's kind of crawler is that over there?". He replied "It's an old oliver." I went over to look at it and it still had the vin. plate. It is an HG68 serial number 38GA422. I looked it up on tractorshed.com and found that it was a '48 model. The salesman asked me what i'd give for it because they wanted it gone and he had no idea what it was worth. I said it wouldn't be more than about $500. He said he'd let me have it for $400 if i'll take it. So I guess tommorrow i'm going to go back and give hime some money to hold it till my next check. So now i'll have the '48 Ferguson, the '48 Oliver HG68, and the '57 Oliver OC4.

~C.C.~

[RAB]

Before you pay over any money, check to see if the undercarriage is going to cost you 2k or more, the engine 1k and the transmission a lot!
You may have a bargain or a parting out heap.
I have rarely heard of a salesman giving away even a hundred bucks without good reason.  Best of luck.
RAB

[GaToy]

Well, most everything looks to be complete. I know about the undercarrage build and all. I'm going through my OC4 now. It needs new tracks, rollers, etc. But I figured it would be something I could tinker with. It has a homade blade on it but after reading that they were only intended for farming I might get rid of the blade and run the lines to the back for remote hydraulics. I have always loved the wide track models. Plus this one has a PTO and a drawbar. I know it could be an expensive rebuild but you never know till you try.

~C.C.~

[mtncrawler]

I'm glad you picked it up - too many old tractors get melted down these days.

[RAB]

Assuming the blade is as wide as the tracks, that is a lot of blade for 20 HP, especially with their high gearing. It might do OK with the aux. tranny fitted to slow it down but it has more than 50% extra blade over an HG42.
RAB

[GaToy]

Yeah, its really wide. Like I said, I want to run the lines from the cylinder to the back and have a remote to control a drawbar mounted bushhog cutter. Are you sure about the 25hp? I was comming back on here to ask that very question. I haven't been able to find many specs on the net. I'll post the pics I took this morning as soon as I get a chance. Also, this HG has key start. But most of the pictures i've found have been crank start. I know my '48 Ferguson is electric start but I didn't know if it was offered for the HG yet.

~C.C.~

[RAB]

You wrote: Are you sure about the 25hp

I said 20 HP.  I was being generous.
Nebraska Test # 434 quotes max HP from the 3 1/4 bore engine  as 24.7 on the belt.
Rated belt load was 22.5
Rated drawbar load was 16.5

Test #324 on the 3 inch bore gave a rated drawbar HP  load of 11.1 with 17.6 on the belt.
RAB

[GaToy]

You wrote: Are you sure about the 25hp

I said 20 HP.  

Ooops. Sorry. It must have registered wrong when I read all the post. At 20HP, would it be strong enough to pull a mower?

~C.C.~