Oliver Heritage Issue #102

Oliver Heritage Issue #102 April/May 2021

• FEATURING: Oliver 1750 FWA Gas - the One and Only. By the mid-1960s, the four digit series was coming on strong. The idea was to have a complete series with horsepower increases of an average 13 horsepower between each model. Introduced as “New for 1967” was the new 1750, completing the five most popular models in the 50 series lineup. While all are collectible, there’s nothing quite as rare as the one-and-only 1750 FWA gasser. Feature tractor owner: Dennis Mulvaney - Metamora, IL.

• Cletrac Facts: Road Building with Cletracs, Part 2.By 1936, the Cletrac letter series was beginning to replace the earlier numbered series. The model 20C was replaced by models AG, later AG6, and a diesel model AD. The AG was the only one of the three tested at Nebraska.

• Another Oliver User: Mark Light. In the world of Oliver tractor collecting, there are as many stories and reasons behind those acquisitions as there are tractors. No matter what size their collection, they all share one thing… their love for Olivers.

• Oliver Dyno Car: Putting Horsepower to the Test. In 1934, Charlie Adams went to work as an engineer for the test station located in Lincoln, Nebraska. While there, he began building a new test car, which was put into use for the 1938 test season. Based on the Oliver chassis, this unit went through many modifications through the years but continued to be used until 2003. 

• Tractor Warm Seat Company: Heat Your Hiney. Before farmers had the ability to pick over 3,000 bushels per hour, harvest would extend well into the winter months. With that came no protection from the elements, often shortening the length of time a person could remain on a tractor. One farmer took matters into his own hands to invent a product that could at least warm part of the body – a heated tractor seat. 

• Dave Westlund: From Hardware to Oliver Man. I had just hung up from talking to my son who lives in Seattle, Washington. “Dad, I really want our old Oliver 77. It was the first tractor I ever drove. I was only seven-years-old when you let me rake hay in that field south of the barn. Remember? You told me not to turn too short or the rake would get caught on the rear tire lugs and you kept saying… take it slow… make wide turns… do a nice, neat job.” I remembered alright...