for a 770.

My neighbor bought it at auction (for how much, I don't know) and is asking $3500 hoping to make a profit. He seems to know the tractor well -his father apparantly had one. I'm trying to figure what it could be worth so I can make a reasonable offer. It's a row crop, gas powered 6-cyl. Serial number starts 11-something (I forgot the rest) , so I think its a 1961 model. (I hope the buyout in 1960 by White Motor Corp., went better than most acquistions I've suffered through). It has a live PTO that can be operated standing next to the rear. Hand/foot operated clutch, two hydraulic lines seem loosely slung across the rear axle. It looks like its been well cared for (slight damage on the hood), it started firt turn and sounds quite sweet. Its rear tires are worn out (how much would these cost to replace?). I noticed one of the spark plugs wobbles slightly, but perhaps it just needs tightening (?)

Reading between the lines it seems 770 was a good model. I don't think its had much restoration, its just a working tractor. Anything I should look for as signs of major repair needed?

Excuse the ignorance, but does this tractor need leaded gas to run? If it has been converted to unleaded, how would you tell?

Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Steve.

Armed with your insights, I went to test drive the tractor last night. Here's what I found:

First off, it was really fun to sit up so high and look down that long green hood.

I had some difficulty getting it into R2, it always seemed to crunch into gear. Space was too limited to go through the gears - especially for a novice like me.

The RPM guage is basically not working (some readout, but it doesn't climb beyond a certain amount) so you can't tell when you're at PTO speed by that anyway. I guess that can be replaced for a price.

The PTO engages and disengages fine.

I haven't seen the hydraulics work. There seemed to be oil in the reservoir, but we couldn't find a dipstick to tell whether it was properly full. Is there a way to guage level? Think I'd better ask to see the hydraulics in action.

Front wheel rims are slightly dished, perhaps from a hard crunch into a log or curb or pulling a wheelie sometime.

The rubber springs on the seat had been painted and the paint had eaten into the rubber which has a 1/4 deep split on one.

Based on cost of new tires and general condition, I offered $2800. He said he'd take $3250. That's where we left it, for now.

The 770 is a great tractor, I have one from the first year of production, and wouldn't trade/sell it except to keep the family fed. The $3500 is on the high side. If it has a factory 3 pt. I would say no more that $3000, no factory 3 pt. about $2500. The "loose" plug more than likely means that the threads are stripped. Maybe 770's in south central PA have gone cheap and I'm spoiled by that fact. Still I don't have enough good things to say about my 770, it'll pull a 3 bottom 16 inch plow through the clay, works it hard but it does the job. I bale around 1400 bales a year with it, that includes mowing, raking and the baling.

The Olivers I've seen running are all fine machines. My neighbor bought one to use while he figured out what was wrong with his prize JD....I think the Oliver is now is Prize! My great uncle used Oliver's on his farm in ND...his whole life (he's still alive, and now his favorite stories regard driving 6 horse hitches.)My great grandad ran Ford's, apparently. No wonder his boy (my grandpa) quit farming!

I run high octane unleaded fuel sold specifically for collector vehicles, snowmobiles, and ATV's in my tractor. It is also non oxygenated. I wouldn't run ethanol in an old tractor.....(it voids manufacturer's warrantys on new snowmobiles, or used to, so imagine what it would do to an old tractor!)

Tom

A>Link loose spark plug might just need tightening but more likely indicates stripped threads in the head; otherwise the current owner would have tightened the plug, right?

Unleaded gas is fine. The usual plan is to wait until the head needs to come off for some other reason and then do a valve job which includes hardened valve seats.

I'd be sure to check all the fluids for level and contamination. This usually indicates the care the owner took with the rest of the tractor.

It's worth what you're willing to pay for it. Sounds like you've fallen in love with it, right? It's easy to do with Olivers! When you get it, be sure to get a complete set of manuals for it. If the owner doesn't have them, you can buy them off a link on this website at the top of this page.

Good luck!