Four cylinder OC46 engine (HG-OC3 owner)

[chrisvdv]

Have been trying to read up on OC46s as I have been offered a 1957 Gas in decent condition. Most seem to have a 3 cylinder Hercules. The one I am looking at has a four cylinder Hercules.
Cannot find anything on 4 cyl. OC46s except an old post from John saying they were made in 56-57 or 57-58.
Can someone tell me which Hercules engine these are? Manifold looks a little bit different from the OC3 IXB3 with a casting number above the OLIVER name.
They ALL have the same transmission, right, with High/Low range?

Any help and advice on these early ones gratefully received. Chris

[John Schwiebert]

Chris: The early OC-4 crawlers still have the 4 cylinder IXB engine. I would need to do a little research but I think the OC-4 was to have the 3 cylinder from the start, BUT I am not sure Hercules had it ready to go at that point.  This is a couple of years before my time with an Oliver dealer.

[chrisvdv]

Thanks John. I did a bit more research and was disappointed to hear the engine was a Hercules IXB3, so no more power than my OC3 AND it did not have the Hi/LO trans, so apart from being able to lift a lot more weight in that OC46 bucket, not much extra in terms of ability over my OC3 with Ware 3-WI....certainly not for pushing dirt. So even for $3500, a luxury I could not justify.

[Robert Barbour]

The OC 3 and OC 4 have about the same horsepower.  The OC 3 was a farm tractor with a 3 speed transmission.  Low gear is 2 mph with a drawbar pull of 3000 lbs.  The OC 4 was more of an industrial tractor with a four speed transmission.  There were optional reverser and 2 speed range transmission available on the later models.  The standard 4 speed has a low gear of 1.4 mph and a drawbar pull of 5000 lbs.  The OC 46 is capable of doing a lot more than the OC 3 loader.

[chrisvdv]

I guess my question is simple.
Can an OC46 be used for dozing? I am looking at either an OC3 with underdrive (9F 3R) or an OC46 with standard trans 4 cylinder set-up. Both are about the same price.

[Robert Barbour]

The OC 46 would be better for dozing than the OC 3 with under drive because it has the 4 roller track frame rather than 3 which give a long track on the gound. That make grading easier.  It also has a solid front cross member rather than the spring mount of the OC3.  The OC 46 is also a lot heavier at 7000 lbs so can put the power to the ground.