Info on HG42

[Mark in WA]

Hi

Several years ago my Father gave me an Oliver Cletrac.  He bought it at a Farm auction in the 70ââ,¬â,,¢s as a toy and played with till giving it to me.  He fabricated and installed a front blade (see attached picture) and at one time replaced the engine.  We rebuilt the replacement engine a couple of years ago.  The tractor runs great.  

I have questions about the overall history of the tractor.  Can someone please enlighten me about the model numbers?  On the frame rail the tractor is marked HG 42 with a serial number 9GA-698.  The bell housing has OC3-42 stamped on it and the replacement engine has IXB3 on the tag.

The original engine (I still have it) is marked IXK3.    Any information about when the tractor was made or any other information would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[John Schwiebert]

Your HG is a very early 1944 model. The HG models used the IXK engine untill about February of 1950. Then the bore was increased 1/8 inch hence the introduction of the IXB model.. I forget when it was, but the serial number tags were moved from the frame rail to the bellhousing because they came off the frame rail fairly easy. No doubt when your father purchased the replacement engine the bellhousing and serial number tag were included

[John Schwiebert]

The 42 means the center to center distance of the tracks is 42 inches. They were also made in a 31 inch width and two wide ones which were more for row crops. The wide ones are 60 & 68 inch width models. Nice blade.

[Blake Malkamaki]

That pictures sure looks wider than a 42. Looks to me like a 68. I wonder what the deal is with the tag?

[Mark in WA]

Thanks for the replies.  Blake you are right.  The tracks measure 68 inches center to center.  Really makes me wonder about this tractor.  There is no mistake on the Model lettering HG 42 on the frame rail.  Given the huge job of converting one from 42 to 68 I wonder if the tag on the tractor was misnumbered originally.  Any ideas?

[Blake Malkamaki]

I bet someone put it together from parts.