Oliver 88 - What's the Skinny?????

Bill VA · Oct 26, 2016

Been reading about the Oliver 77 - much info on them and sounds like many were made/sold, but not much I can find on the Oliver 88, other
than pullers seem to like them.

Question is - what would have propelled a farmer in the day to buy an Oliver 88 over a 77 - other than hp? How did they differ featurewise and
how did the Oliver 88 compare to their competition at the time they we're made, i.e. JD, IH, Case, etc?

Can they be adapted to a 3 pt hitch? Are they a decent PTO tractor? I'm sure they were a dandy plow tractor. Parts/engine rebuild kits readily
available? Much different than a Super 88?

What's the skinny on the Oliver 88?

Just curious.

Thanks,
Bill

J. Schwiebert · Oct 26, 2016

They are a very good PTO tractor! What do you want to use the 3 point hitch for? maybe use our 3 point tractor for 3 implements: 674 IH for a 9 foot blade, a larger tractor to put on NH3 with and the big horse (195 H P) to pull a land leveler. Everybody wanted a Cat-2 3 point 50 years ago now very few are being used.

Tramway Guy · Oct 26, 2016

Most 88's probably have super 88 pistons and sleeves on them by now.

rrlund · Oct 26, 2016

They were a John Deere G sized tractor. More tractor than an A or a Farmall M. Around here,the guys who bought a new one generally did some custom work with them in addition to their own farming.

Traditional Farmer · Oct 27, 2016

We ran an 88 and a 77 for quite awhile in the 60's and early 70's,I always like the 77 better for some reason and the 77 would do about anything the 88 would do and the 77 would burn less gas.The old Central Tractor Company sold a really good 3 pt adapter that would fit a 77 and a 88,I have a brand new one that was never used fellow had it installed on a 77 and then got
into a divorce and the tractor sat at the repair shop for over 10 years.I finally ended up with the tractor took off the 3pt,PTO,hydraulics and sold the 77 to a puller.We had one of these 3pts on the 88 and it worked really good. Been looking for a
77,88 or Super to put the 3pt on.

Kerwin · Oct 27, 2016

I've got an 88 and it's a great tractor for jobs that don't need the HP of my 1650 and 1850. Nice tractor for my mower conditioner, 10 foot disc, and cultimulcher. Baler and thrower is a little much for it on my hills...kind of tail wagging the dog. Good amount of power at a low rpm.

Last time I checked you couldn't get a rebuild kit for an 88 but had to bore engine out to Super 88 specs.

ss55 · Oct 27, 2016

The 88 and 77 were some of the first tractors with live PTO, good tractors. They were also more comfortable to operate than their contemporaries (1948 to 1953?). Check the Nebraska Tractor tests for stock HP and features. It might cost close to $1000 to add an aftermarket 3 point hitch and the hitch will make it more difficult to climb on the tractor. For the extra $1000 you could find a newer Oliver 1600, 1650, or 1800 with factory 3 point hitch, draft control, hydra-power shift, front steps, power steering, etc.

Part Time Pete · Oct 27, 2016

Bill,
I never drove an 88, but the guy I worked for a kid had a 77 with a super 77 sleeve kit in it. I spent 5 summers raking, spreading manure, hauling wagons and side dressing corn on that tractor. I loved it, and I hope to track it down and own it some day.
Pete

Oliver 88 - What's the Skinny?????

Bill VA

Well-known Member

J. Schwiebert

Well-known Member

Tramway Guy

Well-known Member

rrlund

Well-known Member

Traditional Farmer

Well-known Member

Kerwin

Member

ss55

Well-known Member

Part Time Pete

Well-known Member

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