looking for "Early" OC-3 frame

Gazer61 · August 08, 2009, 11:16:16 PM

I am looking for a frame for my 1951 OC-3 . I thought that I had one but it turned out to be an HG frame. I was not aware that there was a difference until I took a picture of my old frame to compare it to the one that I was going to buy. The difference that I found was that the notch for the bell-housing on the HG is just cut out and the OC-3 is bent up for more strength, also the plate that is inside the frame in that area is allot longer on the OC-3. There is a short period of time that these were made(about one year).
if anyone has got a lead on one could they contact me please.
Thank you

Gazer61 · August 18, 2009, 01:16:21 PM

this is a picture of the flange that the OC-3 frame has

Jack in NB · August 19, 2009, 10:44:42 PM

Hello, Gazer.

I have a spare late OC-3 frame here. It has the longer frame with plates extending to the rear of the final drive housing mounts on the transmission case. This fixed the field fix to correct the transmission coming loose in the frame with the original 4 bolts and collets securing the assembly.

The later final drives were 3/8" or 1/2" shorter (frame thickness) to maintain track alignment.

I'd guess the early final drives will work, but not sure - the gurus on the board may know.

I may also have one of the early frames - but can't find it today - it's hidden in an almost impenetrable vegetation jungle of burdock and wild parsnip plants. Should be able to find it about Nov 1!

Gazer61 · August 20, 2009, 04:20:27 PM

Jack
I already have one of the newer frames in my garage,I also have the newer final drives to match up with the frame. I was looking for the early OC-3 frames because that is what my Dads tractor came with new. The tractor serial # is 3WH-312 , and was made in the time frame that the OC-3 was painted green. I would like to get this as close to original as possible. My Avatar picture is a picture of my dads tractor before I started fixing it. Let me know what you find out about the other frame that you have.
thank you

mikeinnh · August 23, 2009, 02:39:34 AM

not to hyjack your thread, but just wondering what years this type frame was used? I have been having trouble pinpointing the year or model of mine, I thought it was a mid forties hg-31, but now im not sure, It has the bent up frame at the bellhousing and it also has the frame that extends all the way to the trans and bolts to the trans and finals. but it has the ixk-3 engine, so does this mean its a late forties oc-3?

Gazer61 · August 24, 2009, 06:22:46 PM

The OC-3 was not made in the 40s that started mid 1951. I have not had much contact with any of the 31 inch, they may have had a different style frame
Does your frame get sandwiched between the trans and final drive? This is a picture of the newer OC-3 frame where it goes between the final and the transmission. Yours should just butt up to the final drive casting..

Gazer61 · August 24, 2009, 06:29:37 PM

here is a better picture of the frame where it flares up.

mikeinnh · August 25, 2009, 10:31:16 AM

thats excatly what my frame looks like, it is bolted in between the finals and the trans housing and has the twisted up area next to the bellhousing. what years were these frames used? was this a cletrac design or an oliver design change? still have no idea what year my rig is.

Gazer61 · August 25, 2009, 01:29:49 PM

I think that you have a mutt on your hands. The frame sandwiched between the finals is a mid-1952 to the end of OC-3 frame. The IXK- motor is an HG. I am curious, does the final drive's have the access plates to the drive shaft. These plates also have the filler hole for the final drives. Also look at the track frames, they were different between the OC-3 and the HG.

John Schwiebert · August 25, 2009, 04:44:45 PM

I am going to be gone till almost labor day. I might have a chance to look tomorrow if it rains, but I need to look through my old bulletins and get you guys the facts. One: some later HG tractors had heavy duty drives. TwO: also used to have several bulletins on frame changes and width of tractor made a difference as to the time they were changed.

Gazer61 · August 25, 2009, 06:17:47 PM

John
I think it would be a great help if you could find the time to post the bulletins like you did for the HG, any information is usefull.

Gazer61 · August 25, 2009, 06:21:18 PM

mikeinnh
have you checked the date stamp on your motor? You will find it behind the magneto. This might shed some light on the year of manufacture.

mikeinnh · August 25, 2009, 10:33:51 PM

i didnt see any access plates on the finals, i did dig further and behind some of the grease found the code behind the magneto - top line is 29474 c, bottom line is- 7 17 46 and this strange symbol - im assuming this is the code for 1946?
thanks
mike

Gazer61 · August 26, 2009, 02:55:45 AM

why type when a picture does it better, this is a picture from the owners manual.Part # 1-17 is the cover that I am talking about

you can see the final drive filler plug in this pic looking through the sprocket.

One my tractor's has an IXB-3 motor but it does not have these covers , the filler is in the top of the final drive. So I am unsure of the age of ,ine also
is the 7-17-46 built right into the engine block? If so that would mean that the block was cast on July 17 1946.

mikeinnh · August 26, 2009, 04:04:51 AM

I dont have those access plates, now i know what your talking about. my fill plug is a screw plug in the top, and those numbers are cast in the block, so that must be the year. oh yeah, heres a picture of my rig the first picture you can see it has the bent up frame rail.