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880 vs. 550

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Bob Kirk

12-25-1999 13:42:34




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Merry Christmas to everyone! May we all have the joy of those shephards who were so excited they ran to tell everyone of the miracle they had seen!

You all were kind enough to give a beginner like me some advice a few weeks ago about what tractor would meet my needs. One strong suggestion was an Oliver Super 55 or 550 -- low center of gravity for the mountains of West Virginia, live pto, live hydraulics for a loader, etc.

I've seen a couple things like the Oliver 880 that just showed up on the picture ads page. I guess this is quite a bit bigger tractor with a higher center of gravity, but I think it has power steering that would be nice with a loader.

Is the 880 or 770 a comparable alternative to the 550, or is it in a different league? Would the bigger guy be more or less stable on the slopes?

Also, since I am sure I want a loader, should I ignore tractors that don't have one? Or can I be confident that I can find a loader that will work ok if I select one of these Olivers? Is installing one doable for a moderately mechanical but solo operator like me? (I have, for example, swapped the frame out of a '60 Buick being restored).

Thanks so much for your thoughts.

Bob Kirk

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bob skurka

12-30-1999 13:12:07




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 Re: 880 vs. 550 in reply to Bob Kirk, 12-25-1999 13:42:34  
The 880 and the 550 are in different classes, the 550 is probably better for you, even without power steering.

Super 55s or 550s will do what you describe you need to do. Get one with wheel weights and that will help prevent burying the front end.

As for the front loader, you may be able to do without it based on what you describe if you use a 3pt trip bucket. The buckets mount on the 3pt hitch, they are available from places like Tractor Supply or Northern Hydraulics. They come in a couple different sizes and are pretty cheap, especially compared to a front loader.

The trip bucket is basically a flat bottomed bucket turned on its side so the opening faces backwards. You lower the bucket with the flat edge resting on the ground and back up your tractor, the bucket scoops up anything in its path, you use the 3 pt to lift the bucket and then drive away. It will not be usefull for loading things into the rear of a pick up truck, or to make tall piles, but it does work well for transporting bulk materials from one place to another.

If you look for a front loader for a 55 or 550, you should consider a small one. Many people try to put large front loaders on small tractors and end up with grief. Difficult to steer, burying the front end, wearing out spindles, etc. Smaller is often better!

As for snow plowing, consider a rear blade, about $150 for a 6' wide blade. You can turn them backwards and plow very easily in reverse. The same blade is usefull in the summer turned forward when you want to scrape the ground smooth.

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jeff

12-28-1999 06:48:10




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 Re: 880 vs. 550 in reply to Bob Kirk, 12-25-1999 13:42:34  
hi bob,

i have a super 55 ( older 550) and do alot of the things you are talking about doing with it.
i had a front loader and sold it.
the loader makes for a long tractor difficult to
manuvere in the woods. and heavy you have to add
weight to the back or it will be front heavy.
they are super easy to get stuck if you do not have down pressure on the main arms. (most don,t)
basically you bury the front axle if you are by yourself bad situation.
i'm not negative about the tractor only the loader.
i plow snow with a front blade i made for the tractor. nothing sweeter. it is a joy to plow snow. it works great for everything.
two yrs ago i purchased an oc-6 (oliver crawler)
it is many times better for skidding logs.
no flat or puncured tires and much more manuverable alot better traction and number one
alot safer for log skidding.
any questions just give a email

good luck

ps in my opinion the 88 or 77 do not match your need near as well

jeff

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Paul Stanley

12-26-1999 18:04:54




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 Re: 880 vs. 550 in reply to Bob Kirk, 12-25-1999 13:42:34  
I have a Super55 for my first tractor and it is great. What kind of work do you plan on doing with that tractor? What do you want the front end loader for? Could you get by with a 3point trip bucket? Much safer and a lot less to maintain. The 550 and Super 55 seem to be one of the best utility tractors for guys like us with little experience.
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Bob Kirk

12-27-1999 18:46:52




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 Re: Re: 880 vs. 550 in reply to Paul Stanley, 12-26-1999 18:04:54  
Paul:

My work will be homesteading on 22 acres of wooded mountain land. Lots of wagon loads of firewood, some skidding logs, some snowplowing and dressing the woods road, some large vegetable-garden work, maybe some bush hogging.

The loader would be for snow plowing, moving dirt and rocks and just lifting stuff. No other men or boys in the family, so I'm thinking a pair of hydraulic arms would often come in handy.

I am enough of a beginner that I've never even heard of a 3-point trip bucket. What is it? Would it be of any use for snow plowing? Backwards? I would appreciate hearing of a web site where I could have a look at one of these.

Many thanks for your thoughts.

Bob

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highboyford

12-25-1999 16:12:14




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 Re: 880 vs. 550 in reply to Bob Kirk, 12-25-1999 13:42:34  
Well well lets see for a beginner I would still recomend the 550 for being closer to the ground and therefore a little more forgiving than the 880.Not that there is anything wrong with the 880 I have one and for the size they are pretty peppy.Other thing is alot easier to find a 550 with three point than it is to find a 880 with three point(was a option).880 in these parts are alot cheaper than the 550 thou.I have never put a loader on or owned a 550 but i have put loaders on 88s to 880s to 1655s and they mount very easy not a problem for one man(or woman).I think you would be bettor off in the end to find a 550 with a loader.Good luck

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