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The Oliver I bought today

R

rrlund

Well-known Member
Hey Royse,must be you didn't see this on CL or it'd be in your shop right now instead of mine. LOL

It's a diesel,serial number 3. Yep,third one built. I thought the whole orchard thing was pretty special since I don't know of another one and didn't even know that there was one that existed,but when I saw the serial number,I thought I was gonna bust. The old guy who owned it died and his son in law didn't know much about it,except that it's been sitting in the barn for a long time. I wanted a diesel to show along side my gas version,but an orchard model? Wow! This'll be a conversation piece.

I got it down in southwest Michigan,in orchard country. There are a few more pictures and details down on the Oliver forum.
a177562.jpg

a177563.jpg
 
So that would be a 3cyl. forerunner to a DB880?? I have never seen or knew about white/brown DB 850s. As said really nice find. Looking to see it all prettied up, however it doesn't look that bad now. Maybe just a spit shine and polish.
Loren
 
Another? You going to build a new polebarn next? Hope you took a a certain young lady out for dinner at a swanky joint. Roses?
 
No,it's 4 cylinder. I've got a gas version too,but it's not an orchard. I think they just made the gassers to burn off some old inventory. They had some leftover DB Crop Master engines from the 50s. There was no market for a gas tractor in Europe anymore,so they put them in some 850s and sent them over here and sold them as Oliver 500s. There were only 2000 500s total and most were diesels. They figure most of the gassers came on the first shipment.
a177575.jpg
 
DOn't you have some room in your pole barn for it? I was hoping that you did. lol

I took her to McDonalds for lunch on the way home,does that count? I was on the fence about even going to look at it because it wasn't cheap,but she pushed me in to it.
 
Randy, great find ! I like those 500 series Olivers and have contemplated a few for sale locally over the years. Low S/N orchard, that is something I've never seen or heard of. Sure looks straight and correct, and you know these well, low hours I'd imagine too. Well worth the cost even if a little steep.
 
It's showing 1400 and some odd hours,but I haven't started it yet to know if the tach works or not.
 
I'll try to get it looking sharp eventually. I took a picture of the good side. The fender on the other side has a few whammies.
 
I did see that on CL actually. I thought it was a little steep.
But then, I didn't go look so I didn't know the serial number.
Glad you got it so it will be well taken care of!

I have five of my own up for sale right now. Simply out of room.
If none of them sell, a couple will have to set outdoors over the
winter. I'm sure it won't be their first outdoor winter stay, just the
first since I've owned them. Mine are priced pretty steep too. LOL
 
I didn't pay quite what he was asking,but close enough that it sure smarted. I hope some day it doubles in value so it'll be worth half what I paid for it.
 
Ya,they're an acquired taste. They hold kind of a special place for me. A neighbor bought one brand new. This was back in the days when everybody had to go look at it when somebody bought a new tractor. My uncle lived between us and that guy. He had a Super 55. I remember Dad,Uncle Donald and I going to look at that one right after it was delivered.
They're gaining some popularity. There's even a national registry of the serial numbers. There are 60 some odd on the list now. I just added this one. There was a special gathering of them at the National Oliver Show this year. There were 13 of them there.
 
Do turnips get tall enough to need fenders like that to keep them out of the tires? LOL
 
Saw that one on fb a couple days ago. People were asking if it was actually an orchard. Thought of you when I saw it. Glad you got it and hope you enjoy it.
 
We'll probably never know,but I'm going to leave it an orchard. I'm not the guy with a 500 orchard,I'm the guy with THE 500 orchard. LOL
 
I never use swanky and McD's in the same paragraph. You need to do better.

That said, looks like you got a real neat tractor. Congrats on a find. Will be watching for it at the shows. Always thought orchard models were especially unique.
 
I don't think I can bang it out that quick. It took me 4 years on the gasser. On the bright side,I've got experience with them now,so this one shouldn't take more than half that much time.
 
"I don't think I can bang it out that quick."

You could if you'd quit taking those naps at night. ;)

It was supposed to rain all last weekend so I figured I'd
do an engine swap in a Ford 3000. Piece of cake, right?
Yeah, still waiting on parts to get it running.
At least it's back together and I can push it out the same
way I pushed it in if the parts don't get here soon. :roll:

Take your time, do it right. You'll be happier in the end.
 
Can I borrow it? I'll bring it back just like I found it lol. Never seen one like that, quite the find!
 
IF I did not know you so well I would ask why in the H .. you bought that ugly tractor, but know you it will be a collectors dream in about a year.. Looks good that is for sure.
 
Randy you said you were pushed to go look at it does that mean the young ladies name will be on it. RB
 
Nope. She's got her Super 55. Wait til she finds out I can only haul two 500s and her 55 has to stay home. LOL
 
"Wait til she finds out I can only haul two 500s and her 55 has to stay home."

Time for a new truck and trailer! Always a silver lining. ;)
 
Glenda bought Gale a new trailer and a 77. Maybe they can get Kim's tractor on with his.
 
It has a coolant heater on it too. I'll plug that in and see if it works. If it does,I'll let the block warm up good before I try it.
 
I saw that hit CL the first day and thought of you, but figured the orchard part would be less attractive to you. I also figured you had already seen the ad or someone here had alerted you to it, I know you get a lot of those messages.

Wish I'd known you were coming over to my cuff of the mitten, I could have suggested a place just a little more swanky! Next time.

Good luck with the project, hopeful it goes well.
 
I was hoping it wouldn't get mentioned anywhere. I didn't want somebody buying it out from under me. I wouldn't have given it a second look if it hadn't had the orchard fenders,not at that price anyway. I thought it was unique enough to make it worth the trip and the investment.

Wasn't really time for much more than a quick stop at Micky Ds. I cut across lots to get down there. Took me close to three hours. I wised up coming home and just took 94 all the way to Battle Creek then up 66. It took 45 minutes off the trip. I had a lot of motorists and truckers ticked off at me going 60 miles an hour,but I made it without any trouble anyway.
 
RRLUND.. are you in southern MI?

Not too far away in North Cent Indiana.

we go thru MI orchard/grape country on occasion to go up to south Haven or on a wine tour.
 
I'm up about 150 miles north east of where the tractor was. By road anyway. I'm about 35 miles southwest of a marker that designates the geographic center of the lower peninsula.
 
Make sure the preheater works generally have to hit it regardless of the temperature.
Click to expand...

My 500 diesel does not have a pre-heater. I'm pretty sure none of them did. When it is really cold here (haha like ~30 for us) I sometimes use my hot air gun to blow warm air down the intake. Seems to start easier so less strain on the starter and battery.
 
ah so around Greenville or Orleans area?

used to call on Frigidaire when they still existed in Greenville.

GR is about 90 miles straight north of us. 131 turns into IN13 when you cross the board.
 
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