Oliver Heritage Issue #119

OLIVER HERITAGE ISSUE #119 Feb/Mar 2024

• FEATURING: Oliver 880 LP. Oliver forced everyone to take notice when the Fleetline 88 was introduced in Battle Creek, Michigan, in 1948. Ten years later, the 88 had morphed into the 880 with more power and a new look. As the most powerful row crop tractor offered at that time, it once again got everyone’s attention. Feature tractor owner: John Schachtner, Schachtner Farms - Deer Park, WI

• Feature BONUS: 880 Literature. There were many pieces of sales literature offered to promote the sale of the 880. While this list might not be complete, it offers a good sampling of what is out there.

• 50 vs. 55 Series: Knowing the Difference. About every five to seven years, the tractor industry, as well as the auto industry, does a complete redesign of a model. Incorporated are new features, new technology, and new styling. All of this creates an “I want one of those” mentality. Sometimes the style changes are minimal, while what’s under the hood has major improvements. Such is the case in the Oliver line when going from a 50 to a 55 series.

• Cletrac Facts: Tractor Operations in Antarctica, part 1. Cletrac plays a vital role. Richard E. Byrd Jr., also known as Admiral Byrd, made his first expedition to the Antarctic in 1928. His second Antarctic expedition took place between 1933 and 1935. Many firsts would take place this time. Some of these included tractor transportation of supplies, motor driven electrical generating plants, and radio broadcasts to the outside world.

• Early Days of Threshing Grain: Hand “threshing” of grains and winnowing is as ancient as grain production. Constantly seeking innovative timesaving methods, farmers began developing mechanized threshing equipment during the late-1700s.

• Another Oliver User: Brian LaGesse. Most of the time, Oliver tractor collectors became addicted to the hobby in their youth, well before they even knew it. Brian LaGesse grew up on his family’s dairy farm outside of Bloomer, WI.

• Hart-Parr Highlights: The Hart-Parr 12-27.