Proud New Owner

[Cplwill]

Just got home with a 1956 OC3 that I purchased for next to nothing. According to the previous owner it would not run and has been in the barn for a couple of years. After getting it home, checking and changing the fluids, I installed a battery, fixed some broken wires, and it fired right up and ran like a champ. I have been reading this board for a couple weeks now and want to send out some thanks to the members here for getting me so interested in owning my own OC3.
Thanks again.

[hotratz]

OMG! that things in extremely nice shape. I think it's actually an earlier HG tho. Looks nothing like my 1956 OC-3 but in far better shape. Looks to be all original from what I'm seeing. I'm jealous  

[Cplwill]

That's what I thought at first, then I ran the #'s. It has the original data plate and everything is surprisingly readable. Model # OC3-42-IND, Serial # 16WH-068. It even has the complete Anderson data plate for the dozer also. Model # F3A, Serial # OP6498

[ianoz]

Hi Cplwill , Well done finding a nice machine like that . . It is amazing that little gems like yours are still out there waiting  to be found  and brought back to life . Ian .

[Jethrow]

Congradulations, great find, it's a good looking machine.  I can't remember the last time I saw a hood that hadn't been hacked up in some way.  Looks like the P.O. took good care of it.

Post some more pictures, I can use as a reference as I'm putting my 50s some crawler/loader back together.

Jethrow

[oliverchris]

As others have pointed out this is an HG with the engine out of an Industrial OC3 - not uncommon to see things like this. I had an OC3 42 IND with an OC3-31 tag.
Check the frame behind your right ankle..if you are very lucky there might be a serial number tag there, but, if not, you can be assured your HG is a late 40's model. I think all early 50s models had the solid front idlers and your's has the older pressed steel ones.
Also a look at the way the rear of the frame is attached to the final drives can be an indication of age, since earlier models had a wooden block with the big U bolts, later models had a more sturdy set-up with steel brackets on the rear frame - although retrofits were also available.
As John has probably pointed out, there were a of of incremental (strengthening) modifications to later HGs culminating in the release of the OC3.
That blade you have is a good one!