Oliver Fever

[Graham]

Hello folks. Request permission to come aboard

The little wife and I are saving for a few acres out here in the Columbia Gorge of Oregon with the hopes of starting a small vineyard in our retirement and giving the grandkids a shot at something better than the city life.

I have always liked restoring old things ..bringing them back to their former glory.  Some lads like planes..some trains..other automobiles.

I am guilty of all of the above..and then some...but I've always had an eye for old tractors. I suspect I get this from my Grandpa..who in my youth..was a pretty fair farmer and would give me an afternoon ride along through his corn field..atop a John Deere. I never forgot that.

He always told me it was in my blood..and I guess it is...because although he is long gone..and myself raised a city boy...I just can't stop trying to grow things.  

I guess the moral of this story is....today..I find myself the proud father of a distressed 1958 Oliver OC-3 with a front bucket...rusting in a berrie thicket.

I have chopped her out of the berrie bushes and she looks to be worthy of a second chance.

I know little of these machines..but she looks good for her age and the ghost of my old German Grandpa is just screaming in my ear.."this is something you need to do!".

I know that Grandpa...but what do you think that thing weigths and what monster winch will I need to drag her out of the mud..and the flat bed to haul her home?

By now..you all know I'm going to find a way to do that anyway...but any advice would be a good thing.

Bunch of questions here...but will read all of the board first before asking.

I have a AA in machine tool tech..also chew "Red Man"....so feel free to spit whatever you have to offer.

I think she will make a great little lady for my vineyard..is there a back hoe for these?

Best,
Ron Graham

[Terry Welshans]

Hi Ron.

Welcome aboard the board!

Lots of knowledgeable folks here, so don't be shy.

I have a 53 OC3 IND-42.  No bucket or blade, just a neat little tractor.

[polk crawler]

You are in contact with the best source of information in existence with any questions about Cletracs. I have an OC3, not restored, but did get it in working condition and have a "hot" buyer wanting it.

I live in Dallas, E of Salem. Notice you live in Prtlnd. Columbia Gorge area I go through often. Hope your dreams and plans mature. The little OC3 has limitations, tends to be geared a little high for earth moving. However, I think it would suit your needs. Backhoes will work on OC3s IF you can find one.

Zimmerman in PA is an excellent source of parts, advice, etc. A fur piece to go but worth the time and expense.
Good luck.
PC Forgot to add I am behind on reading all posts which is why this one is late. Hope it is helpful.

[Graham]

I had hoped to get her pulled out of the bushes this weekend and onto a flatbed for the trip home to my garage.  The weather is not going along with my plan and it has continued to rain most of the week and now into the week end.  Perhaps it will clear and I can get this done.  My "guesstimation" is that I'm probably looking at about 3+ tons of metal here?

I have also figured out this is the "Industrial" model with wider tracks and a grill guard..so suspect it is a bit heavier than the standard OC-3 .

Thanks in advance for the help I will most surely need with this project.  It is a neet litttle machine and I seem to grow fonder of her each day.

Ron Graham

[tcr]

Hi and welcome the the board
I recently ( last september) found myself in a similar situation.  I went ahead a bought it, an oc 3 with a loader, and was wondering the same questions you have.   I think it weighs is about 4500 lbs., but this is only a guess. I had it hauled home on a roll back, and he had no problem winching it on, we did though have a problem getting it off, so I recommend trying to unload it in front of a big tree that you can tie it off to.  vI am hoping to get my motor back in this weekend and trying a test drive.

good luck and have fun

[Graham]

4500 lbs seems to be the popular guess around here also and we will go ahead and work with that figure..plus or minus a few hundred lbs.

The machine was running a couple of years ago without problem.  The new plan is to raise the bucket with an A-frame so we can get at the engine and replace anything necessary to get it running.  Hopefully , I can just drive it out and onto the flatbed. With all new fluids and such , I don't think I will damage anything?

At first, my two lads thought this was one of dads follies but have both now caught the fever.  It seems leaving the manuals lying around on the coffee table was a good idea

We now have a full blown family adventure and everyone seems excited with the project.  The rain has gone for awhile...so hopefully I will be able to report some progress here soon.

Ron