My Oliver 1850 adventure

I have been looking for a year or so for an Oliver 1850 or IH 806.From what I could read on this site both seem to be good, strong, tough old tractors. Yesterday my search ended about 2 miles from me! An older gentleman that I knew fairly well had one to sell. He grew up on a local farm before Uncle Sam felt the need to train him to be a jet engine mechanic in Korea. He then worked for dodge for 30+ years. He had bought this 1850 to restore and has a pretty good start on it. He did a major on the engine including pump and injectors. It also has a brand new set of firestone 18.4-34s on it. He got sick so it still doesn't have all the sheet metal back on it and a few other odds and ends. About the only thing that looks really bad is the seat. The drawbar shows no wear and the lift arms look real good.
It comes with a set of duals and a cab. I probably wont put the cab on but who knows? He priced it for 3 k. I couldn't believe the other people that looked at it didn't buy it. Anyway I am sure I will be back at least a few times before it is finished. Thanks Rrlund for guidance on this and other things and thanks J. Wondergem for the phone number to get a manual. I hope to get it home next week. THEN THE FUN BEGINS!

Don't forget the pictures, we like pictures.

I hope there's an invite to stop in and see it if we get down there this summer. Maybe we can take the wives out for supper?

Randy you have an invite anytime you are in the area. I just hope I can finish the little things to put it together. As for supper for the wives Im always ready. I intend to take pictures before I move it and as I hopefully get it completed. Can you tell I don't have the most confidence? I have never even sat on a running Oliver tractor. I figure this can be my first lol. I have worked on a few farmalls , fords, and deeres but am dang far from being an expert.

Lee, if this has a year round cab like my 1650 did, you will have an easy on and off cab if you want one. Unbolting the front at the isolation(rubber)pads, the cab(you will have to unhook any electrical and heater hose connections) will pivot over backwards and lay down on an axle high support (pallets, flatbed trailer, or such). I have taken mine off several times for the summer. Sounds like you have an enviable project!!

(reply to post at 23:50:43 03/29/14)

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I bought a 1850 diesel 3 years ago for 1,500 dollars. It was a complete disaster. I have 15,000 dollars in it now. Everything is new in the engine, The only thing that is not new is the crank, head, and block. The only problem with it is it misses. and we cannot locate where the miss is in it. We are going to put it on the Dyno this summer and break it in, and check the timing. Good luck with yours.

Mel it is a Cozy Cab so I dont know what a fellow would be getting into. I have a couple of year rounds and like them. I guess I will just have to get it home and check it out. Thanks for the reply. Lee

Thanks,I really hope I dont end up with that much in this one. When I think about it I had rather have 15k in an 1850 in top shape than 25-30k in a similar size new tractor. At least I will be able to do a good portion of repair myself on an 1850. With a new one that would not be possible. Lee