HG/OC-3 questions

thecatskinner · July 16, 2002, 02:14:09 PM

This is the first of what I expect to be many questions.
I have just bought a HG-68. I donÃ¢â,¬â,,¢t have it home yet but have some questions.
I think it is a 1951 based on the serial number. It also has HG on the plate. The front idlers are not HG idlers, they are OC-3 solid idlers. I should add that the paint appears to be original and it is green, with HG decals.
My questions are:
Were these idlers used as original equipment on the late HGs?
Can the OC-3 idler be retrofitted without modifications to the frame or shaft and bearings?
I believe the HG idler ran inside the track chain and the OC-3 outside, are the tracks the same?

Blake Malkamaki · July 16, 2002, 04:47:15 PM

QuoteMy questions are: Were these idlers used as original equipment on the late HGs?
Can the OC-3 idler be retrofitted without modifications to the frame or shaft and bearings?
I believe the HG idler ran inside the track chain and the OC-3 outside, are the tracks the same?

I'm not an HG expert by any means, but I recall the very early HGs had inside flanges and the later HGs had outside flanges. I know my 6 cyl. HG has them on the inside.

Blake

thecatskinner · July 16, 2002, 09:30:17 PM

I was not aware that there was a 6 cylinder HG--could you tell me more?

John Schwiebert · July 16, 2002, 09:52:22 PM

I need to double check, but In the late Hg parts book, (final edition 1958). There is a kit mentioned to convert them. Also a late HG is not much different than an early OC-3

Blake Malkamaki · July 16, 2002, 10:06:22 PM

QuoteI was not aware that there was a 6 cylinder HG--could you tell me more?

I have the only one. This tractor has an Oliver 77 engine and was the experimental tractor for developing the OC-6.

Blake

thecatskinner · July 17, 2002, 12:50:47 PM

:cool:
Must be a tight fit:o

Blake Malkamaki · July 17, 2002, 08:24:14 PM

QuoteMust be a tight fit

Pretty tight. They cut the fuel tank in half and soldered in a flat front half. The grill is Oliver (birdcage), as is the clutch and bellhousing.

Blake

John Schwiebert · July 18, 2002, 01:46:06 AM

Did they do anything to the Hg (Clkark) final drives and transmissions? How fast do they run the 77 engine? Clark only rated that final drive at 70 foot pounds so did they keep the RPM up on the 77? Is it gas or diesel?Landis showed me a picture of what must have been a protype OC-6 and it too had a belt pulley like an HG and it was painted a color other than yellow, probably green.

Blake Malkamaki · July 18, 2002, 02:30:39 AM

Landis was over one day a few years ago, so he might have taken a picture. But the one I have is a creamy yellow - I think Oliver used that color on some of their industrial rubber-tired tractors.

It has the HG rearend up to and including the transmission. It's a 3 speed, but I have a 4 speed too. Plus a torque converter for an HG!

I'm not sure about the RPM of the engine, but I know it held up good. My mom and uncle say it will pull a 3-bottom plow just fine. It's too light to tear itself up - just spins the tracks. Oh, the engine is gasoline, or perhaps distillate - not sure which it is.

thecatskinner · July 18, 2002, 01:05:08 PM

Brought the new baby home last night:D:D It slept---I didn't;)

Serial number is 55GA763. Could someone confirm if that is a 1951. I'm not sure if the listed numbers in the Serial number resource data base is the first or last for the model year. Thanks

thecatskinner · July 18, 2002, 04:12:11 PM

Not sure the edit funtion is working.
I talked to Landis Zimmerman this morning and he confirmed this is a 1951.