difference between 1550 and 1600 ?

michaelr

Member
Heya,
Looking for a loader tractor. See a 1550 with an oliver loader, and a 1600 with an oliver loader. Both narrow front ends. What differences are there between the two?
 
The 1600 is older, easier to shift. Are both loaders run off the tractor hydraulics? The 1550 had a smaller hydraulic pump than a 1600 unless someone installed the larger pump which can be done.
 
One big difference between them is the front axel. The 1550 uses the same hubs as the 1600 and 1850 for that mater the problem is the spindle size, Its smaller and with a loader on it they tend to bend from the extra weight from the loader and it load. A front end from a 1600 1650 1655 1750 1755 1850 and 1855 will work under a 1550. I have 2 1550 that I changed the narrow fronts on. One has a 1650 NF under it and the other has a WF off an 1850 under it. The only reason I changed them was the bearings in the pedestal were bad on both of them and it was cheaper to replace the front end than to buy the bearings and seals to fix them. There both good tractors but that the 1550 soft spot, The NF and the hydrolic pump like J said. Bandit
 
They are both run off the tractor hydraulics, not a pto pump. Sounds like people prefer the 1600? Even though the 1550 is a new machine?
 
Yes. The 1600 came out in the early 60's (60 61 I think) along with the 1800 and the 1900. The 50 series came out in 64 and the 1550 was born to replace the 770 and both the 770 and 1550 were sold at the same time. Both the 1550 and 1600 were good chore tractor that's for sure and still are to this day. Baandit
 
If my memory is any good the 1550 retained the sliding spur gear type transmission which could be sold at a lower cost versus a constant mesh helical cut or synchronized shift of Oliver's competitors. Further this was done in a row crop chassis versus a utility to sell to those farmers who wanted an inexpensive row crop tractor as opposed to settling for a utility. I want a 1550 before I am too old to care.
 
I'll just toss my 2 cents worth in. I've got both. I leave the loader on the 1600 most of the time,but I've had it on the 1550 at least three times while I was working on the 1600.
I'd trade the 1600 for another 1550,but I wouldn't trade the 1550 for another 1600.
I'd rather drive the 1550,that's why the loader is on the 1600. The 1550 has the smaller 15 inch dished steering wheel,three position tilt,full set of gauges and a better seat suspension.
The 1600 has the big 17 inch flat steering wheel,two position tilt,rubber torsion seat suspension and idiot lights.
As far as the hydraulics,I run the loader off a separate valve,not the tractor levers,I use the tractor pump not a separate pump,but I don't notice a dimes worth of difference between them as far as lift or speed.
My 1600 has the original small bore pistons and to use it for something like grinding feed,it still has more power than the 1550,but for loader work,there isn't enough difference to matter spit.
 
Well, coming from a guy who owns both and has used both with a loader, don't think I could find a better opinion! Thanks for sharing your comments.
 
Excellent thread so far. Okay I have 3 questions.

Tranny whine: Any noticeable difference in less of the infamous Oliver tranny whine out of the Oliver 1600 (helical gears) compared to the 1550 (spur gears)?

Engine Noise: Ollie 1600 gasser is rated 1900 WOT and 1740 rpm for the PTO to turn 540 rpm. Ollie 1550 is rated for 2200 WOT and for the PTO to turn 540 rpm. Does this translate to significantly more engine noise?

Fuel economy: Assuming the 1600 has not had bigger pistons installed for more power just how close is the fuel consumption in real world use (Yes I have looked at Nebraska test already).

Thanks in advance...
 
I don't notice any whine in the 1550 like I do in the 77. I don't know if it's because of the cast pump housing sitting on top instead of just a pressed steel plate or what?
Hard to say on the engine noise. I have a smaller diameter muffler on the 1550 than I do on the 1600,whole different sound because of it.
Gas consumption,I honestly don't know if there's any difference.
 

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