Value of Oliver 55

I have a lead on an Oliver 55 Diesel. I don't know if it's a Super. Older restoration and supposedly nice. Is this a tractor to stay away from or are they a decent tractor? What would be a fair value?

Thanks in advance for your response.

All '55's were 'Super's, there were no straight '55's. From what I have read, these are nice tractors and well thought off. Does it have power steering? I will let others more knowledgeable than I point out things to look out for.

(quoted from post at 03:57:50 06/10/15) I have a lead on an Oliver 55 Diesel. I don't know if it's a Super. Older restoration and supposedly nice. Is this a tractor to stay away from or are they a decent tractor? What would be a fair value?

Thanks in advance for your response.

Click to expand...

I have one, but it's my only tractor, but people who have had lots of different utility tractors like the Super 55 and 550. There are a few things to look for when buying. Does it have a draw bar and external hydraulics. Does it have power steering, not common. Those are very pricey to buy, if you can find one. Look on the serial number tag, it's near your left knee when you sit on the tractor. Find out what year it is by looking up the serial number that is located under Research and Info on the left column of this page. They were made from 54 to 58 and there were a few changes over the years. One thing I noticed on my 1955, was replacement castings that have an "A" after the part number. There must have been some cracking of the center castings and they beefed them up. Check the steering when you look at the tractor. Does it have a lot of play or is it hard to turn? Try all the gears, 6 forward and 2 reverse. There was an article on this site that mentioned what to look for on a 550, which may have some info that relates to the Super 55. The 550 is the newer series of the same tractor. Hopefully others will chime in with more info, but this is all I can think of right now, other than things you would look on any old tractor like sheet metal, tires, brakes...etc.

$2500 would be about the average base price. Up or down from there depending on condition and extras.
A guy asked me that question about a later "improved" 1957 model gas three years ago. He said it had been getting water in the oil and was in pieces. I told him it could be anywhere from $1200 to $3500. He said $1000 would buy it,so I went and got it. I have another $1500 in it and haven't painted the green parts yet,but it's a nice straight tractor.

(quoted from post at 22:57:50 06/09/15) I have a lead on an Oliver 55 Diesel. I don't know if it's a Super. Older restoration and supposedly nice. Is this a tractor to stay away from or are they a decent tractor? What would be a fair value?

Thanks in advance for your response.

Click to expand...

You can tell the year by checking the serial number on http://www.tractordata.com/farm-tractors/000/6/6/666-oliver-super-55.html
Don't forget to check the hydraulic operation (3 points) which is expensive to repair because replacement parts are hard to find in good condition. Steering gear is a weak point, also expensive to repair and rebuild.