Puzzled new OC3 HG42 owner

[oliverchris]

I am just starting out on this journey - already have 2 Oliver 550s and a White 2-44 13LL loader backhoe.
OK looked for serial number tag on bellhousing, but could ony find a casting number: B1W28588D and casting on rear axle 112291. No tag anywhere that I can see.
Do these help to identify model and year? It is painted orange (someone has restored it some years ago) and has Cletrac logo - no mention of Oliver.
It has the large holes on the front wheels, making it a pre-1950 HG, yes?
What else should I check for find out year?
Many thanks in advance...oh, also where do I get the small grease gun needed?

[Blake Malkamaki]

Look for the serial number tag on the side of the frame near where your right foot would rest.

Blake

[chrisvdv]

Sadly the tag appears to be missing. So now I am trying to find out engine model and if there is a water pump. Archived articles seem to indicate that this can narrow down the year somewhat. It has the older front wheels and is painted orange.

Another question: looking at the frame, which is really quite lightweight. I cannot conceive that this might be able to support a heavy blade. Was the OC-3 better suited for such, or were HGs able to support such heavy front-loading? Looks like I already have two frame cracks from flexing - they have been repaired. Many thanks.
I should have said, the guy who sold it to me supplied me with a loose home-fabricated blade set-up, front pump, reservoir etc. that came off another one.

[John Schwiebert]

Chris when they were designed they were made to farm with, the blade stuff didn't happen till into World War 2 when they were used by the Military.

[chrisvdv]

Well I bet they needed a lot of welding repairs when they came back from Europe!!
I think I will use it for log-skidding and forget the blade.
Anyone want to sell me an OC4?

[chrisvdv]

Look for the serial number tag on the side of the frame near where your right foot would rest.

Blake

Sadly, both engine and serial number plates are missing.

But, I have found the following:
stamping/casting number behind oil filter, close to head: 1289542    IXK3
Date cast in block behind the mag. 1-13-47
Dipstick 27146 or 27148 (last digit not fully stamped)

So would mid-1947 be a fair assumption? Roughly 28GAXXX to 30GAXXX ?

Many thanks, Chris

[Nick C.]

The Hercules IXK3 engine was used on the HGs and then went to the IXB3 engine with the late HGs and OC-3s (I little longer stroke and more displacement).  The IXK3 did not have a water pump, the IXB3 does.  There was allot of overlap in colors throughout Production and branding from Cletrac to Oliver, so you really cannot go by that for the model year.  The frames went through 3 major changes from the early HG to OC-3, I'll try to summarize as I remember from my own experiences:

1st Generation Frame:

Small or no inside fish plate reinforcement, four rear bolt holes to mount to the differential case with the addition of angle brackets bolted to the side of the frame and U-bolts through these brackets & around the final drive housings for additional mounting support.

2nd Generation Frame:

Long inside frame fish plates for added stiffening.

3rd Generation Frame:

Long inside frame fish plates and fanges that go through the rear finals.  What I mean by this is that the frame had 3/8" thick plates that were sandwiched between the final drives and differential.  This added much better support for dozer operations.

You probably will have a hard time finding out the exact model year, but would probably guess up to 1946 for the 1st generation frame, '47 to '49 for the 2nd, and '50 up for the 3rd.

[Gazer61]

I have an OC-3 that was manufactured in late 1951(3WH 312) and this tractor has the generation 2 frame. I know that the tractor is 100% original because my Dad bought it new. I also have an OC-3 tractor that I just bought and I think it was built in 52 ( engine #2460129) and this also has the generation 2 frame.I think that I was told that the generation 2 frame was used until mid 1952. I hope this information is a help

[John Schwiebert]

I just had this information out the other day. One thing I always thought was also that the water pump came with the IXB engine. It did not, late IXK engines had a water pump. Bulletin gives a starting serial number. I also have bulletins that list the starting serial numbers when frame changes were made as well. Of course late HG tractors have different final drives as well. More on that after the first of the year.

[chrisvdv]

Hi John. If you get a chance, can you post that serial number for us? Since that is all I have on my machine, I would be interested. Thanks.