cletrac HG 68's???

[d21smith]

hello folks my name is david i have recently purchased 2 crawlers that i was informed were hg 68's i havent been around many oliver crawlers i have a caterpillar 22 but never had any olivers.  i have several mm's andavery's that used the same looking little hercules engines.  these two crawlers were COMPLETELY tore apart for restoration and i purchased them as they sit i had a complete truckload of small parts and a good sized trailerload of track frames, idlers, tracks etc...  was kinda looking for some info on them i was told the serial #'s were on the frames?  but i havent seen them yet, the one crawler is significantly in better shape than the other one such as the tracks, under carriage, engine parts, but this crawler appears to have been painted yellow???  and the other appears to be green like oliver???  was looking for some help for identification?  i will post some pictures later to get some ideas as to where to start etc.  i am going to put the rough crawler together first then the other one painted before i put it together.  thank you for any and all information.

[John Schwiebert]

Well 68 means the width of the crawler. They were built in several different widths 31, 42 60 & 68 inch). Now on the engines. Look on the left side of the engine block near the center  toward the top. There will be a flat area there. The model and serial number of the engine will be stamped there. Very early HG models used an IXA, most used an IXK and the late one used an IXB same as the Avery and Molines models you talk about. The serial number of the tractor have been located on the frame,as well as on the bellhousing. Start with that. Then ask more questions. Where are you located? John

[d21smith]

well i have started on one of the crawlers today and have a rolling chassis now .  But there is not a serial number tag on the frame or the bellhousing???  any information is welcome and appreciated.

[oliverchris]

Might not be original engine, but there's casting date on the block behind where the mag sits. I was told machine left factory about six months after that date.