OLIVER 440: TIME TO RUN!

My Oliver 440 has been patiently sitting in the corner, waiting to fire up once again. It has been 3 or 4 years since I last had it running, but before I do that, one of the front tires is in desperate need of replacement. Then while working on the 880, I decided it was time. Will it start? I think so, but what will it take to get there?
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That Oliver Guy
PO Box 299
Eaton Rapids, MI 48827
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As always, Thanks for watching!

[@bustersmith5569]

The only 440 ive ever seen ........... 👍👍

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

They only made 750.

[@travisstrader7722]

We used a handyman jack to bale tobacco back in the day. You learn real quick how to handle it!

[@petepeeff5807]

440's make me chuckle. It's like the CEO drove into the engineering department on an A farmall one day and said we need a tractor like this. The engineers then got to work building a copy with off the shelf parts.😁

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

The first inception of the 44 was going to have the engine mounted at an angle instead of offset, for visibility. That got axed quickly. They presented the 44 to dealers in the early 1950s as a model to compete in the small tractor market, and the dealer council told them no, we want something like the 8n/9n. The 44 was shelved and they developed the Super 55. Enough dealers did see a place for the Super 44, so Oliver pulled it out of design limbo and put it in production in 1957. It was meant to compete with the Farmall A, and I've even had people ask me why I took an A and dressed it up to look like an Oliver.

[@justinstearns9723]

Does anyone know what the tractor with the angled engine would’ve looked like? In the late 30s prior to the development of what became the Farmall A and B, IH experimented with, or at least had overall blueprints of what they called the Triangle tractor. The engine, torque tube, and rear end made up one side of the triangle, with a frame and the rear axle making the other two sides. Sounds like a similar idea.

[@robertheinkel6225]

Dad always used the narrow front end on the 77 to break those beads. Just follow the rim around with the tire.

[@WisconsinOliverNut]

Love those little tractors. They run so well, and its just neat driving them offset and having the clutch and brake pedals next to each other. Good vid, glad to hear it run!

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

Thanks! For such a small tractor, they are fun to drive. Smooth and quiet.

[@bigun447]

Aww Shucks, I expected you to grab a corn cob, cut off about a 3" piece, poke a hole down thru the core, and then push it down over the spark plug on #4, and then push the plug wire in far enough that the spark would have to jump the gap. We all know electricity is lazy and will take the path of least resistance. Making the spark have to jump the gap made by the old farmer's anti-fouling device, the now intensified spark will usually burn off any oil that was fouling the plug. Years ago, at fairs and even on TV, there were shysters (not doctors) who would have a car that would have the hood removed, the rear wheels jacked up off the ground, and a speedometer setting on the cowl. When he got a few people listening to his sales pitch about the "Wonderful Spark Intensifier" he would start the car, open the throttle some and point to the speedometer. It would read maybe 40 mph. Then he would pull the coil wire from the distributor and quickly stick his magic spark intensifier in and the speedometer would magically jump to 50 mph. While he was giving his sales pitch he would keep removing and putting the device back in so people could see the difference made. Then he would shut the engine down and sell several of them. The trick is that he had a couple of spark plugs gapped far apart enough that compression suppressing the spark from jumping the gap which caused those cylinders to not fire. Then when he put the device in the coil wire the gap in the spark intensifier would make those cylinders fire again. The same for oil-burning car engines. We used to put Champion UN-12Y plugs in gas 1850 Olivers. Those plugs had an auxiliary gap built into them. It did make the spark hotter in the cylinder which made sure there was plenty of spark at the plug gap when the engine was under a load. With the M&W pistons, and their little higher compression the auxiliary gap plugs gave the needed spark to jump the gap under a load.

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

I did pull the wire and had it not touching so the spark had to jump but it wasn't much of a gap. It was all but touching the plug. I like wires with rubber boots. I can pull them off and try to get the spark to jump without making me jump. It's also a Champion plug, so there's that problem too

[@rosstheoliverman]

Ah, the Handiman Jack. Flagship of the Widowmaker line of products. However, I don’t know that you were using it correctly. It didn’t fall over or hit you in the head even one time.

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

It's the crocs. Danger was too busy staring at them to even notice the jack.

[@rosstheoliverman]

@@ThatOliverGuyChris 🤣🤣🤣 I was thinking one shot from that wheel weight and your wife would be able to sell tickets to see the one-footed Losey.

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

I was surprised how much iron is on that little weight. Mrs Losey can sell tickets to see the Amazing Hernia Man!

[@rosstheoliverman]

@@ThatOliverGuyChris Just have her rub you down with Linemnt and then feed you a fresh apple and you should be fine.

[@Dan-qy1rg]

What a neat little tractor, the Oliver 440 is just a jewel, and I would bet easy on gas. Thanks for sharing Chris, have a wonderful Sunday and week ahead.

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

Thank you!

[@davidvogel2592]

Kind of cool looking little Tractor

[@mjbirdClavdivs]

Your not in a competition with Ross. We value BOTH of your approaches! Cool that an engine missing 1/4th it's power can still sound so sweet when idling. Thanks for showing us!

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

Gotta have some fun while we're at it! 😂

[@mischef18]

Neat little tractor bro it sounds sweet just idling away. Safe travels

[@dylanhockaday9878]

She is a long way from home lol good to see her going

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

Do you recognize it? My dad bought it off Ollie Schaefer, but I don't know anything farther back than that.

[@tomharrington1393]

👍👍

[@xade7863]

Nice looking 440 I got one with the cole distributor on it. It was my grandpas and he sold it somewhere around 88 and we found it back a couple a years ago from the front end being broke from my cousin. Crazy how things that seem like a problem when they happen can help u later on.

[@paulprillwitz9901]

👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@arnoldalt2571]

I found that using a couple of dowel bolts makes the wrestling match reinstalling the tire and wheel go easier.

[@gdheck]

Chris, have a look around for a Simplex 15 ton ratchet jack there's short and tall, steel and aluminum and round or square handle versions. I like the ones that take a square handle, because I can use my 6ft. long prybar in them. They're used in the railroad industry and much safer than one of those dang handyman jacks.

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

After watching Ross fight the death jack so many times, and seeing this one leaning against the wall, I just had to use it. I can't remember the last time is was used. With the 440 being so light and being on concrete, I figured I'd survive. If I was really going to do it right, I would have hauled a hydraulic floor jack from another building. Way easier to get the wheel hub the right height for putting bolts back in.

[@NEAFarmKid4010]

Sounding good! Now we've heard all your Supers and Three Digits run. Time for some older ones LOL.

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

I need to fire up that 18-27.

[@1friplease]

Hear them Continental engines are smooth running got a Ford 8N with a continental and we've had it for like 20 years not did nothing to it besides tune up change to 12 volts good little tractor I'm not a Ford dude I'd rather have a Oliver with a continental LOL I suppose that's what the Oliver 55 is Right Continental maybe a bigger engine my Grandpa has one on the farm where we live thanks for video

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

The 55 is an Oliver Waukesha. The Oliver 70 was a straight 6 Continental, and they were smoooooth.

[@hartleyhomesteadmichigan6041]

Nice 440!

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

Thank you!

[@miniaturefarmer464]

That would be a great tractor for a 2 acre sweet corn operation.

[@billsmith8739]

Runs good for missing one cylinder. Too bad they did not put that 440 engine in Oliver HG.

[@Adam_Poirier]

That's a cool little tractor. You are a dangerous guy though Chris.... crocs while using a jack… What's next chrome sockets on an impact gun? I know you're not crazy enough to hit two hammers together and end up in another dimension

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

OMG! I have done all of those things... I can feel myself fading away.... this is it... TELL MY STORY!

[@Adam_Poirier]

I'll tell my grandchildren about you someday… The smartest Oliver guy I knew until he hit two hammers together and that was it

[@johnwarren-649]

Handy man jack tried killing me in 93 it was the last one ever to be in working condition till that day

[@corydriver7634]

Neat little tractor. Just one question; Are the Crocs steel-toed?

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

No, but that would make for a good video!

[@michaelsheeder148]

Now Ross will have to change a tire wearing his Crocs. The Oliver tractor is running pretty good for not going on all four cylinders. Is it pretty rare the tractors would have wheel weights on the front rims? I looking forward to your next video! Thanks Michael

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

I don't think Ross owns a pair of Crocs. Maybe he can use a pair of Birkenstocks. I don't see front wheel weights very often. Whatever they were lifting on the back must have been giving it a challenge. Front wheel weights and calcium. Oliver was a little late in the 3 point category, so I don't think front weights became an issue until the late 50s when they had a couple models with 3 point and the power traction hitch. With that cast iron front frame, the Oliver was balanced out fairly well for drawbar work.

[@michaelsheeder148]

Good one 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@pagrainfarmer]

Glad you got the tire changed and the 440 started up. However, I can see that this tractor is causing you a lot of stress which is not good for your health. For the sake of your continued good health, I would be willing to do you a big favor and take that tractor off your hands so you don't have to worry about it any more. You don't need the stress. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

Maybe some bartering is in order. Do you have any steel towd crocs?

[@pagrainfarmer]

@@ThatOliverGuyChris How about steel-toed flip-flops?

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

@@pagrainfarmer Steel toed sandals, with socks?

[@pagrainfarmer]

@@ThatOliverGuyChris Done! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@OliverGuyAidenDunham]

Hey Chris have you ever been to the tractor doctors place?? I have it was so cool I got a tour of his shed and he even has a super cool mini gravity box

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

I haven't, but it's definitely on my bucket list.

[@OliverGuyAidenDunham]

I hope you get to see it sometime I know you will like it

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

I've seen pictures, I have no doubt it will be awesome.

[@jeffwilliams3642]

Do you load tires when you have to change them? Do you mess with hit and miss engines? I heard you mention several videos ago about trading you a tractor for a hit and miss engine you had.

[@ThatOliverGuyChris]

I do not load the tires any more. If I need weight, I'll bolt it on. I've never messed with a hit and miss. Grandpa had a large one, I think 15 horse. I think he took it to a couple of local shows, but it mostly sat in the barn. I do think they are neat, and I was planning on tinkering with that one and getting it running when the deal for the tractor came along. I couldn't say no.