Newbie Crawler Owner

[eyeball-shifter]

Hello,

I am new to crawlers and just went crazy and bought a mid year OC-4.  I know nothing about this, but it sure looks cool.  It is a gas 3 cylinder, has a model number of what looks like OC-4-42-86, can't read the serial number and has DAVCO badge on the nose.  It runs, doesn't smoke, needs a tune up, drives well (I think), and the water pump is leaking.

I plan to rebuild the water pump next week and can use any advice anyone has on the pump or anything I should check, watch out for.

Thanks for your help.

[eyeball-shifter]

Here is the pic

[Lowspeedlife]

Welcome Brian, to the wonderful world of collecting Cletrac/Oliver crawlers. I say collecting because now that you have one others are to follow, trust me. I only have three, others here have many more. That's a nice looking complete OC-4. The Davco. Badge is most likely for the blade on the front. If I'm wrong about that I'm sure Oliver Chris will correct me. Again welcome to the club!

Scott R.

[oliverchris]

Hey Scott. Welcome to the addictive world of Cletrac and Oliver Crawlers 
I think we spoke earlier this week.
Gimme a shout if I can help with a water pump kit etc. So far as I can tell, H. F. Davis Tractor Co. (Boston, Mass.) was the parent to Davco Corporation, who made just the blades for this type of Oliver 'dozer' equipment, that was largely made by A. C. Anderson (Wildwood, NJ). H. F. Davis made a vast range of industrial equipment.
The Davco Corporation collaboration with Anderson seems to have been based on the market for municipal sidewalk snowplows — especially in the New England States, I think. At one time, over 300 Oliver-Cletrac tractors were used in sidewalk snow clearance in Eastern Massachusetts alone!

That's a mean-looking dozer blade you have on there though, not a snow blade — Davco certainly made a variety of blades.
What's that vertical 'arm' for — stablizing the muffler?

Anyway, interesting machine in great condition. Very good news that the engine is still strong. Can I put pic that in the owner's gallery of my Facebook?
Here's a similar one but narrow 31 gauge version with offset tracks (uploads not working at present - when Blake fixes it, I'll add the photo)

[eyeball-shifter]

Thanks guys.  Chris, you really know your stuff.  I was told that this machine was used to clear the city of Woonsocket, RI sidewalks of snow.  The arm that holds the muffler attaches to a bracket on the right side of the cowl that has been welded on.  There is one on the other side as well.  It looks like it could have been a part of a set up that enclosed the cab for those cold plow nights, but not sure.  Feel free to post it on your facebook.  Chris, I am sure I will be calling you for parts! 

[Blake Malkamaki]

Can't find any problem at this end Chris.

(uploads not working at present - when Blake fixes it, I'll add the photo)

[Jethrow]

Nice looking machine; it looks straight.  I rebuilt the water pump on my OC3 with parts from Zimmerman.  Used some special water proof grease on the seals and bearing.  Can't remember if the grease came from Zimmerman or eBay.  The rebuild was also an excuse to buy the HF 20 ton press but the shaft pushed pretty easy.

Good luck

[eyeball-shifter]

Thanks, the instructions call for cement on the seal before pressing in.  What kind of cement would this be?  Also, I always use a thin coat of Permatex for the gaskets on cars...I assume this applies to crawlers as well.  Thanks for all your help.