Antique-Tractor (ATIS) Community
Miscellaneous Forums => 'round the pot-bellied stove => Topic started by: Danny on May 09, 2008, 10:01:52 PM
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I have on the hook an Oliver 70 grader. I was told by somebody who knows somebody who has one for sale. The price is right and I said I'll take it but thats as far as we've gotten. I haven't reeled it in yet. Like I say "It aint mine till its mine"
I must have a soft spot for 70's as it seems they almost dominate my collection. Almost every shape, size and axle configuration. If there's one that looks a little different from what I already have, I'm prone to buy it. I also have a soft spot for attachments. Whether it be pickers, planters, cultivators or as with the 70 grader, an attachments that will turn a common tractor into something entirely different.
So I guess you can tell I'm pretty excited to just hear there's one not far and for sale. Now I just hope here in the near future it'll be residing in my shed.
Danny
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Don't just sit there, hook up the trailer and go get it!!! I've seen a couple of these setups, The ones made out of a Farmall M and a Huber. The Huber had a belly mount blade as well as a small blade on the front.
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Well you know how it goes working through somebody. I do think its mine though. Here is a picture of one like it. Kinda neat. huh
Danny
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Going to need a loooooong trailer to haul that! I wonder if loading without swinging the machine on the blade would be a problem?
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Well its officially mine:D The one I have is yeller and in about the same shape as the one pictured. One of the fenders is in need of repair, I guess it blew off going down the road. But the fender skin looks alright. The tractor frame was cracked and repaired. Again I believe I have enough parts 70's to find a frame to put on it.
It now sits 3 miles or so from the house. I should be gettin' it here next week. Then I'll take a few pics of it and pur 'em up.....Boy, I just can't wait to start dipping my greasy paws into this thing;):p
Danny
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Do you paint them after you fix them?
Like to see pictures of it when you get it home.
Dave
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yea, My plan is to go the whole nine yards on this one. Its rare or different enough to get the works. Whenever I start calling something rare usually a zillion others turn up.
I'm a little baffled with the serial number or maybe I learned something. The Industrial 70's serial number starts with 4, the rowcrops start with 2. This one has 2 at the beginning of the number. I guess I learned that they numbered them by the style of tractor not by its purpose. If that makes any sense:confused: I am certain its the original engine and tractor.
I am also planning on dragging home my Oliver top soil elevator. Its a rather strange piece as well. They both will be the same color paint and so I'm going to try to restore them both at the same time....TRY i say
I'll definately post before, during and after pictures of both projects. That would be pretty cool:cool: Maybe others will do the same with their projects
Danny
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I do not yet have the grader home (probably be this weekend) but I thought I'd comment on something else I learned with Oliver 70's. I had the chance to bring in one of my donor tractors to strip down..... Too the point here, usually when removing the engine I leave the bell housing in the frame. Pivot the engine up and it will slip right out and let the bellhousing stay in the frame. The reason is because I've broken too many frames trying to pull those stupid pins out.
This time I took the engine out the same way but decided to see if I could get the pins out and save the bellhousing. I of course removed the throw-out bearing and pilot shaft, threaded a bolt into the supid pin and started beating it in....the stupid thing popped right out and into the b'housing. All the time and frames I wasted trying to pull them out when I should have been beating them IN. As easy as that....who'dathunkit :(:confused:
Hope this helps others
Danny
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I was able to pick up the Oliver Grader this afternoon. Here are a few pics of it and hopefully tomorrow I'll take some more after its unloaded. I'll use this thread to keep everybody updated on my progress with it. I have my work cut out for me:eek:...but I love it:D
Danny
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I unloaded the Grader today and put it in the shop where it is now drip drying. Sorry the rain didn't allow me to take any pictures to post.
While in the shop I did a little more investigating on the machine and I'll post my findings.
-------------Its a 1948 Oliver 70 serial# 261128G this would be the last year they made 70's (if memory serves me well)
The Grader attachment is made by Henke Manufacturing Co. out of Janesville, Iowa. I found a website for them and they are still in business in Kansas building snow plows.
http://www.henkemfg.com/henke_history.html
The hydralics are by Hydreco out of Cleveland Ohio and they to are still in business. Based now in Charlotte, NC.
http://www.hydreco.com/index.htm
While studying the Grader I discovered on the right side frame rail "USA" was welded into it upside down. Then a few inches over towards the front, In a sort of fancy fashion "S SIONI 77" was welded into it< right side up. I figure S. Sioni is probably the fella who put it together and 77 was his employee number. Probably USA was welded into it while still on the ground. It would be neat to know the whole story behind it.
I think I'm going to try and contact the 2 companies still in business and see if they have any info. on this machine or even info. on their company during that time and their "partnership" with Oliver.
Danny
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Hah! Thanx Danny!, I finally made it! Geez they seem to hide this forum. Grader looks great, even has the drawbar on her yet.
Does it run? Overall, it looks pretty straight. One picture shows a double edge blade. Is that right?
I hope it all comes together for you.
Larry NE IL:)
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You know, a pretty paint job and then take it to a tractor pull to keep the track level would be a good way to go with this one. Might have more folks watching you than the tractor pull itself!:)
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Hah! Thanx Danny!, I finally made it! Geez they seem to hide this forum. Grader looks great, even has the drawbar on her yet.
Does it run? Overall, it looks pretty straight. One picture shows a double edge blade. Is that right?
I hope it all comes together for you.
Larry NE IL:)
No, not running yet. It is loose though. I was trying to plan my attack on it. I think maybe I'll first get it running, to see what the engine is going to need. Rings etc. The entire grader will need to be taken off though so I can replace the tractor frame The cylinders will need to be sent off because the pistons are rust pitted. I might as well send out the pump and control valve as well.
Yes it is double edge......I'm going to have to start taking steriods....dagone everything looks heavy and awkward on the dern thing.
:DGlad to see you made it Larry. There's a good bunch of guys hang out here
Danny
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You know, a pretty paint job and then take it to a tractor pull to keep the track level would be a good way to go with this one. Might have more folks watching you than the tractor pull itself!:)
Its definatly neat and will hopefully be an eye catcher....I would like to have it at a tractor pull.....but I wonder if I could afford the price of fuel to run it very long:confused::eek::mad:
Danny
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Its definatly neat and will hopefully be an eye catcher....I would like to have it at a tractor pull.....but I wonder if I could afford the price of fuel to run it very long:confused::eek::mad:
Danny
It can't burn that much fuel! It's like a recent discussuion I had with a fellow about his boat, if he can afford the boat, he can afford the fuel. If not he'll be affording a for sale sign!:rolleyes: We have already talked about limiting trips to our clubs show--but I'll save that discussion for another thread.
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It can't burn that much fuel! It's like a recent discussuion I had with a fellow about his boat, if he can afford the boat, he can afford the fuel. If not he'll be affording a for sale sign!:rolleyes: We have already talked about limiting trips to our clubs show--but I'll save that discussion for another thread.
Other than the county fair, I've pretty much made up my mind to stay home and work on tractors. Danny
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I had sent an email to Henke Mfg. and asked if by chance they had information on my machine. While not having any information on my machine, Back in the archives Mr. Hood (Henke representative) found some photo's of interest. I thought I should put them up on the forum.
Danny
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I had sent an email to Henke Mfg. and asked if by chance they had information on my machine. While not having any information on my machine, Back in the archives Mr. Hood (Henke representative) found some photo's of interest. I thought I should put them up on the forum.
Danny
Is that a sickle mower in photo #3?
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Yea, that is a ready-looking machine, aint it! Loader, grader blade and sickle mower....picture 2 is definatly an Oliver (probably 88) but can anybody tell what the other tractors are?
Danny
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Yea, that is a ready-looking machine, aint it! Loader, grader blade and sickle mower....picture 2 is definatly an Oliver (probably 88) but can anybody tell what the other tractors are?
Danny
Can't tell what the other tractors are. Is the company that made these the same that made the graders out of Farmall M's? If so, I wonder how many different brands of tractors they ever used?
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Here is one that shows up at Rough and Tumble, Kinzer Pa, with a Trojan grader mounted. Then I've heard of Farmall M's with American Road Machinery Company >graders on them. I wonder how many companies made graders....and what arrangement they had with the tractor manufacturers.
I have a Lessmann 25, basically an Industrial 70 with an awkward Lessmann loader. Lessmann usually used Fordsons. However for a short time they purchased a couple railcars of Oliver 25's (Ind. 70) for their loader. This information came from a very elderly nephew of the original Mr. Lessmann. He was to send me more info. but you know how that goes.
I wonder if the grader manufacturers did the same thing and sold the entire unit under their own name? If this makes any sense:confused::rolleyes:
Danny
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Danny, looks like a unique piece of machinery. I have seen similar here. Somewhere I have an article on restoring one that was based on a Cockshutt 50. Not sure but I think the graders used for the conversion here were built by Richardson. In fact I know I have a picture of one from a farm auction sale last year. The name on the grader is "American". The tractor was non running and they had converted it to a pull type unit.
(http://[URL=http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2929429760032927439evNwqg][IMG]http://inlinethumb22.webshots.com/39573/2929429760032927439S600x600Q85.jpg)[/URL][/IMG]
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Danny, looks like a unique piece of machinery. I have seen similar here. Somewhere I have an article on restoring one that was based on a Cockshutt 50. Not sure but I think the graders used for the conversion here were built by Richardson. In fact I know I have a picture of one from a farm auction sale last year. The name on the grader is "American". The tractor was non running and they had converted it to a pull type unit.
(http://[URL=http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/photo/2929429760032927439evNwqg][IMG]http://inlinethumb22.webshots.com/39573/2929429760032927439S600x600Q85.jpg)[/URL][/IMG]
Holy cow That one needs more work than mine! It looks like the grader frame goes all the way back to the rear axle. I wonder if its attached to the axle with a U-clamp type deal. Thats was the weakness with mine, it was mounted at the rear cultivator bar hole and bolted where the tractor originally had the pedestal. So all the weight was in the middle of the tractor. I'll have to count how many lines of weld are on my frame for repairs. Must be atleast half a dozen. Thanks for the photo Ralph
Today in between other projects, I put a rebuilt starter on my grader and discovered the mag hasn't any fire. So off it'll go to get that rectified. Tomorrow I'll rebuild its carb. It may prove interesting the goopy goo I'll find in it:eek:
Danny
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I rebuilt the carb. on the grader today and so it'll be ready when the time comes to start the engine. I guess I should have posted this earlier on but the danged thing has 2 valves that are STUCK in a big way. I can't get 'em to drive down or pry up. I've sprayed them with WD40 and PB blaster and hammered still nothing. Looks although somebody before me took a whack at 'em by the way one of the rocker arms is mashed on the top. Any secret concoctions I can mix that may help free them.
I think unless a miracle happens that I'll be taking the head off. I have a decent one that only needs a little polishing up, back on the shelf. I can put on in its place.
My second question is> I need a manifold for it. I posted on YT asking for suggestions on who to buy from. I know the YT website offers them. Has anybody had any experience buying from YT. A fella emailed me, having a China made maifold he wanted to sell. He had said it looks fine and he uses the same companies manifolds on his John Deere's and hadn't had any problems. Comments and suggestions, please
Danny
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Here are a few more pics of my grader. I'm taking pics as I disassemble it in hopes that I'll be able to put it back together again:rolleyes:
In one pic you will see where the builder welded his name into the frame; S Sioni. Another pic I have the steering off the Grader and had taken the picture of it alongside a common Rowcrop 70 steering box.
hope you all enjoy the pics.
Danny
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Not much activity on the forum(http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/sleep025.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org)
I guess everybody's been busy. (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/chores005.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org)
I almost have the grader all apart. I'm thankful to have a backhoe for the heavy lifting but still theres a bunch of bull work it can't get to.
The hyd. cylinders are off and I'm now contemplating where to send them. I believe one more full day and the grader will be completely disassembled.
I have more pics to go through then I'll put them up later
Danny
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From the looks of it you are making great progress. What's the plan? Is this just a mechanical restoration or are you going to completely dissasemble and paint as you go back?
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From the looks of it you are making great progress. What's the plan? Is this just a mechanical restoration or are you going to completely dissasemble and paint as you go back?
I'm going to completely disassemble it and paint it before putting it back together. My first plan was to first get it running but the two contrary valves changed it for me. Once I took the head off there was no stopping my tearing it down. I THINK I'll be able to get it back together!
Danny
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But will you get it dirty after the paint dries is the $1,000,000 question:D
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But will you get it dirty after the paint dries is the $1,000,000 question:D
I'll cross that bridge when i get to it but I think it'd be a safe bet that it won't take long for the blades paint to get scuffed.
I had to torch some of the pins holding parts of the grader together and so I've been stalled a little on them. Once past that I'll move forward in an expiditous manner or atleast until the next stall.
Things are back to being slow on the site again (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/sleep001.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org)
Danny
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Danny, things are slow here because for the last while I have not been able to post anything. The site will not accept my posts or photos for some reason. I am trying again, lets see what happens.
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I had sent a "pm" to Spencer about it some time back. I'm certain he's been busy. We can reply to posts but can't start new threads. I'm afraid if cuttin' torches, wrenches or hammers can't be used, I'm not able to fix the problem:)
Maybe if some one has a direct line to Spencer they can tell him.
Danny
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It seems to be working fine now, my picture of the Massey tractor and threshing machine came through ok. I dragged this old thresher out of the bush where it has sat the past 50 or more years and put it out on display near the highway. Might as well be out there where people can see it. I can't find a name on this machine so don't know what to call it.
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It seems to be working fine now, my picture of the Massey tractor and threshing machine came through ok. I dragged this old thresher out of the bush where it has sat the past 50 or more years and put it out on display near the highway. Might as well be out there where people can see it. I can't find a name on this machine so don't know what to call it.
still doesn't work for me, at least when I try to start a new thead. I can reply to current threads fine.....hmmmm Nice looking thresher, If it sat with in sight of the road here, it wouldn't last one week before it would be missing, sent to the scrap yard for a fast boat to China. Yea, its gotten that bad, the thieves:mad:
Danny
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Things aren't slowing down, you just can't post any new threads.
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It seems to be working fine now, my picture of the Massey tractor and threshing machine came through ok. I dragged this old thresher out of the bush where it has sat the past 50 or more years and put it out on display near the highway. Might as well be out there where people can see it. I can't find a name on this machine so don't know what to call it.
Well if it is an IHC or Case it should be wrapped up in their logos on every cast iron part. Maybe Nichols and Shepard or Avery?
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Well if it is an IHC or Case it should be wrapped up in their logos on every cast iron part. Maybe Nichols and Shepard or Avery?
I don't think it is a Nichols and Shepard. I have a Red River Special which I think is a N&S thresher and it is quite different. I don't recall seeing any recognizable names on any of the castings. All I remember seeing is the size up front under the feeder. Its a fairly small looking machine compared to the Red River Special.
There are lots of these old threshers still sitting in farm yards and fields here. They never seem to bring much money at sales and its possible some of them go for scrap iron. I can't imagine anybody ever stealing one. This one I parked right beside a busy highway.
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I'll cross that bridge when i get to it but I think it'd be a safe bet that it won't take long for the blades paint to get scuffed.
I had to torch some of the pins holding parts of the grader together and so I've been stalled a little on them. Once past that I'll move forward in an expiditous manner or atleast until the next stall.
Things are back to being slow on the site again (http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/sleep001.gif) (http://www.freesmileys.org)
Danny
I was able to finish drilling & melting out the pins. Now it'll be taking taking off the front axle then frame....I'll be down to just a tractor then. I wish I had more time than just an hour here and there to work on it. Just keeping everybody updated
Hard to live & make a living too
Danny
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Lack of time is why I have practically quit working on the Titan. Now that the wheat is harvested and some needed building repairs have been made around the farm, I'll see if I can squeeze it in the shop.
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Lack of time is why I have practically quit working on the Titan. Now that the wheat is harvested and some needed building repairs have been made around the farm, I'll see if I can squeeze it in the shop.
Yea I've been helpin' Pop put up siding yesterday on his house. The side of the house we were working on we were able to stand on the new additions roof.....Now I've told him and he knew that roof was gettin a little soft. Wanted to hold off and put tin on it after we had finished the siding. Well the roof was more than soft, dang if I didn't fall through.....and so today guess what we were doin'. The roof was in worse shape than I thought. Shooo am I worn out now!!!!
Yesterday I did get an hour or so in the shop and seperated the tractor from the grader frame. Just need to get the backhoe in and move the grader frame out of the way....I didn't take any picture but I will. I feel like I'm progressing on it....can't wait to start filling the air with the smell of paint but I'm a ways from that!
Danny
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Well I'm officially down to just the tractor. I have the grader attachment completely off. Here are a couple pics. Also I have 2 pics of the Lessmann loader I mentioned earlier in this thread. I'm starting to get a hankering to bring it in the shop and make it a mate to the grader.
Just to create a little buzz and show the redneck side of me, a pic of Mad Max, the VW that thinks its a Peterbilt.....alright thats enough....Hope everybody enjoyed Independance Day
Danny
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Hope you have a good memory or took some photos!!
I've got to ask, is the VW diesel powered?:D
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I don't think I'll have much trouble putting 'er back together, everything seems simple enough. But yes I did take plenty of pictures, along with drawing diagrams.
The VW has the original non turbo'd engine...we turned it way up, along with some other things. It sits where it does now because I got a little cocky with it. Weighted it down, hooked it to the sled and thus ripped the front end out. Like to figure out how to make it rear wheel drive or 4wd but still keep the original engine....but that'll be a project for a later date
Danny
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Well I'm down to the rear now and have finished taking off brake pedals, etc. Of course behind the brake covers was full of rear oil, so I'll be putting a couple seals in. Thats pretty typical for old 70's. I also have the motor on the stand ready to be taken apart.
Oh and I had taken the rear tires off the rims...the backhoe makes an excellent bead breaker, sure beats swingin' a hammer....still sweated my butt off w/ the tire irons the rubber was pretty dang stiff to work with.
Danny
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I had the chance to jump back into working on the grader. I actually have the rear hanging off a motor hoist so I can clean it well and prepare it for paint. The rear and transm. look to be in good shape both inside and out. Which, in fact is a miracle as everything else cast on it has been repaired or in need of repair. From the gear shift base too the seat brackets. I imagine the old thing has been run hard and slammed around hard as well. I'm glad I let all those 70 parts take up room in my shop, they are coming in handy!
I want to get a few pics of the frame I had taken off the grader as it best tells the story of the life the grader had. Some pictures will be put up in the near future.
Danny
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How are you going to clean it up for paint? My current method is to remove whatever really needs sandblasting, which allows for easier wire brushing of everything else. I'm not a big fan of blasting around shafts and seals. Of course grease removal comes first.
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I do about the same as you. Most of it will be wire brushed as far as the rear goes. I may blast the frame but thats a big may, as my sandbaster is big and cumbersome to set up. I only get a couple hours at a time to work on tractors and so by the time I set up the blaster, time is up.....Sheet metal I do blast with my smaller blaster.
Brake clean and ether (starter fluid) works excellent to remove grease and oil after pressure washing. Before primer I wipe it down with cheap paint thinner..
I know guys who do more than I with metal prep and in most cases their tractors look better than mine. I also know guys who do far less then I and in many cases , in my eyes, their tractors look better than mine. which really makes me scratch my head but then I am my worst critic.
Danny
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Trying to prep for paint with only a couple of hours working time is a real pain. I envy somewhat the retired guys who can put in a 8-12 hour day working on their restorations.
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Trying to prep for paint with only a couple of hours working time is a real pain. I envy somewhat the retired guys who can put in a 8-12 hour day working on their restorations.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.....I've had retired guys tell me they wish they had my energy, enthusiasm and money.....I wish I had their time and all the money they think I have. Yea some times we meet at the fence and talk about these things. Don't worry John, we'll be on the other side of the fence soon enough
Danny
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Assuming I make it to the other side of the fence, I probably will have wimped out and gone to electric start tractors and refuse to restore one that is more than 10% rust. Of the 3 I have restored, 1 was proably 75% rust, the other 2 as well as the one I am on now were 98% or greater covered in rust. Come to think of it, one of them was actually passed over a couple of times by older guys! And as for the money part, what has changed that they think those of us who are working, paying mortgages and saving for college educations can smoke Cuban cigars and light them with $100 bills? Maybe they painted too many tractors without using a respirator!:rolleyes:
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Hey Danny, saw just what you need to compliment the grader--an Oliver powered road roller/packer. It's coming up for auction soon--in the Midwest I believe. Now that would make a GREAT working display at a tractor pull!:D
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Hey Danny, got a chance to pick up an Oliver road grader here in Maine. Hope to go look at it this afternoon and will take some photos of it for you. Let you know how I make out later.
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Hey Danny, saw just what you need to compliment the grader--an Oliver powered road roller/packer. It's coming up for auction soon--in the Midwest I believe. Now that would make a GREAT working display at a tractor pull!:D
Did it have the 66 power unit? There was one not far from me. I had asked about it and was told it wasn't for sale. It disapeared from where it sat (for yrs.) not long after my asking.....not sure what happened to it but I hope it is in good hands.
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Hey Danny, got a chance to pick up an Oliver road grader here in Maine. Hope to go look at it this afternoon and will take some photos of it for you. Let you know how I make out later.
First of all,
Welcome to the Forum I see this is your first post and hope there will be many more.....
I would like to see pics of the grader you've gotten. I've made quite a bit of progress on my own. I hope to be able to take pics of what I've accomplished so far, real soon. Sorry I hadn't responded sooner
Danny
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Did it have the 66 power unit? There was one not far from me. I had asked about it and was told it wasn't for sale. It disapeared from where it sat (for yrs.) not long after my asking.....not sure what happened to it but I hope it is in good hands.
I think I saw the ad in the last issue of Antique Power. There was a small picture of it in the auction ad.
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Danny, we didn't get it. It was a home made thing with a V-8 in it.
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It has been quite a while since I've visited ATIS forum but that doesn't mean I haven't been working on tractors. Here are some pics of the grader I have finished.....Now on to the next project@
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Nice looking grader!
How about coming over and doing my 800' gravel driveway? It needs to reshaped as it has lost its crown years ago and doesn't drain water at all.
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Looks great! Now all you need to do is find a tractor pull and grade the track with it! Most of the dirt would wash off.:eek:
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That sure is some impressive work, Danny. If one had not seen the pictures of the machine you trailed home last year, it would be hard to believe they are the same machine. Thanks for posting.
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Thank you everybody....I'm currently working on a couple other Oliver 70's. I'd like to have a nice line of 70's of different configurations for the show's next year.
I had taken the grader to our local Farm Museums show last weekend and needless to say it had gotten quite a few comments and interest. I am sort of half heartedly looking for someone that can make me a toy model of it.
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Looks Great! It's not often that you can find an item that is collectible and useful!
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This is my grader. It is a Badger made by Russell. Vintage around 1924.
2 of the photos show it where I bought it, and the other is my Titan pulling it in the Labor Day parade a couple of years ago.
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All those wheels would keep the operator busy I would guess. It sure looks different from when you got it