What Killed Oliver?

[@geraldpeters4625]

What a great video! My dad was a Oliver dealer in the 1960's in Dinuba CA. He sold a lot of Super 55's and 550's, we had 15 of them at one time that we used in our farming operation. I still have a 550 that my dad had sold new to a local farmer, it still has his company sticker on it. I went through the Oliver mfg plant in 1971, I was in 7th grade. We use to have a OC12. Dad said when they turned both tracks would stay engaged for more power, not like a CAT that clutches the inside track. You are right, the Oliver engineers did listen, Dad told them the PTO lever on the 550's was in a bad spot, between the right fender and lift arm control. He got them to move it up to the right side by the brakes. Great Memories of a once Great Tractor.

[@josephFM1956]

Bravo, excellent video and explanation. I am a JD guy but love all mechanical devices. I felt back in the day that White destroyed Oliver. I had no info or proof. But you put it in perspective. Oliver was one of the greatest companies in farm equipment that was destroyed by white collar management. No company should ever have been allowed to get so big as to buy out a good solid company and ruin it. It always comes back to who is in the office. People of power have no common sense. Just look at our Government. Biggest joke in the world. This video put a lot of loose ends together, and it is the same old story. Good hard working people put out by brain dead white collar losers. remember, small business and hard working people made this Country great. The guy in coveralls is the MAN that made this Country great. The guy in a suit is the one that ruined it. When I was a little kid I was at my Dads best friends shop. An insurance sales man stopped and the old guy promptly run him off. The old guy said, never, never trust a man that makes a living wearing a suit. He is not working, he is using you money to get rich without working. So true today yet.

[@brianbuttram3131]

Thanks for the lesson, my first tractor that I wanted was an Oliver, can't remember the model, a 60, or 66 not sure I was eleven at the time. I just found your vids, and I commend you. I left the farm when I was 17 and joined the army, spent twenty years service, retired moved to Tn. and made friends with a farmer here. Now all I want to do is farm. You are a very smart young man, your opinions on politics when it comes to farming are spot on. Try asking people why we don't feed the world anymore. Ask them why China practices industrial espionage on the farm industry in the United States. I have watched several of your broadcasts in the recent weeks, you are well informed and that is what I expect from your generation. Good luck! and Good farming!

[@longlakeshore]

When I was a kid back in the 1970s a friend's grandfather ran an Oliver dealership which became a White dealership. He was hopping mad about what was happening to the company. Never got the whole story until now. Thanks for the history lesson. I was a townie who helped on their farms and used the 2-85 and 2-105 in the fields. I also used the Oliver 55, 70 and 88. All were great tractors but my favorite was the Super 88 diesel.

[@billwhitman1529]

I was farming in the mid-late 70's and it was a time when our economy was built by pyramiding, even farms. It was a bubble that had to burst and ruined 10's of 1,000's of farms and many big businesses. Greed and desperation. First time I heard the phrase, "too big to fail". Banks would bail out the big farmers but the mid size and small farmers were thrown to the wolves. Another great video and explanation!

[@Oliver66FarmBoy]

To big to fail is a phrase that has almost single handedly broke this country. No company is to big to fail.

[@applejack120]

agree!!!

[@steigerpower]

@@Oliver66FarmBoy The oligarchy had infiltrated your political system long ago,.both sides of congress,.the same could be said in many countries were certain groups rule from behind the curtains. In 1977 as teen I'd manage to visit WFE in Brisbane Aust,.my family farm had purchase numerous new and 2nd tractors n combines from our then White dealer.

[@mikearthur6058]

Yeah seen lots of that here

[@garygerritson9128]

You are 1000% correct. I worked at the Charles City plant as both a machine operator, and later a mfg. engineer from 1968 until the closing in July of 1993. Oliver was so far ahead of everybody else it was crazy. White Motor Corp.ruined probably what could have been the best tractor ever built. The final straw was when the guy from Texas bought it after the White bankrupcty as a tax writeoff.

[@mattclark8436]

Very interesting video! In about 1968 I operated a 1950T Oliver for a farm operation when I was attending college. If I remember correctly it had a 40 gallon fuel tank and an additional 40 gallons of fuel in each fender, and it had power! Also, while I was working there we assembled a 20 row Oliver toolbar corn planter that was mainly used for planting seed corn. Each unit on the planter was individually ground driven. This video brings back a lot of memories. I never met any of them but there were Oliver engineers at the operation during the assembly of the planter.

[@karinadler2308]

Great information. I hate that Oliver went away. My favorite brand tractor

[@larjomack8576]

Many thanks for putting this video up again. I don't know how many times I have wished I could watch it again. I appreciate you making that possible.

[@rodder2046]

I've been looking forward to the return of your channel and this video in particular. Thank you !!!

[@rustybuttrusty9960]

Just had to watch this again, probably the 5th time . Thanks for being back..

[@ryanfowler6900]

I'm glade you're back on KZbin. My father saw this video years ago, it was a suggest video. By the time I went to watch it, it was removed. Read online you shut down t he channel. Thanks for reposting.

[@rendlerendle]

Wow, I'm glad this video is back up. I found it about 3 years ago and then it disappeared. Good info. The past few years I've attended some antique tractor shows and it is interesting to see how many brands have disappeared. I have even discovered some brands that I did not know that existed. Glad you're posting again. Take care.

[@williamburnett6616]

I Dad work at Oliver in South bend Indiana for 30 years before white bought out Oliver. My Dad using to hunt on Oliver property on south side of south bend. I have Oliver 55 runs great.

[@cornshucker77]

It is sad. My Grandpa and Uncle always had Olivers (my cousin still does) and my dad always had Minneapolis-Moline so I can relate to this story. Good video.

[@Oliver66FarmBoy]

Thanks boss.

[@nellsonstout7001]

My great aunt and great uncle have a huge shed of all original classic Olivers waiting to be restored when my great uncle retires from his day job. It's been awhile since I've been up there but I remember a 77 and a wide front 880

[@adolphsfather4834]

I'm a Minnie mo fan and I am sad about it too

[@montecasler215]

My father in law worked in the plant he would tell about how they had to work 7 days a week 12 hours a day for months and months trying to keep up with orders. Have alot of friends and family that worked there. Even after surviving the tornado of 1968. At the very end the foundry was subcontracting to make parts for a lot of other companies but it was to late. now its just a lot of concrete covering a big chunk of ground with lots of memories of what was. The Oliver engineers where so understanding of what farmers needed and what they would need in the future it was like they had a crystal ball to see what agriculture would grow into.

[@Oliver66FarmBoy]

Oliver would have had the world by the ass if White would have just left well enough alone. I wish I could have seen that plant in full swing with the R&D department doing their thing. That would have been a sight to see.

[@randyrobinson8751]

White could of screwed up a wet dream. 585 Moline engine is a prime example. Not given enuf test time& haphazardly rushed into\ not ready for production

[@MrBer43]

Thanks for the info. Often wandered how the story went. Oliver had a very good tractor. Dad bought a Oliver 70 in 1949 from our local co-op. I started farming in 1962 when I got out of the Army and retired in 2006. I ran Ihc. , tractors and pickets. Now everything is green. Thanks again for the most informative info.

[@smid2550]

The beginning of the end for Oliver was White motor Co. My opinion anyway -

[@kennethlaw5216]

To many irons in the fire. Minneapolis Moline, Oliver, White, Cockshutt. Merged to many brands and some had to go. That and the fact that they had the worst management ever. John Deere in the early years weren't a great tractor compared to others but they had great management.

[@firstname6208]

worked on big trucks in the late 70's. their road commode was one POS. sales couldn't give them away, always broke down- wiring issues galore. poor management and poor product spells doom.

[@henryford4856]

The story of corporate America! Buy other business to finance your failing business ,destroy everything

[@jonbruce536]

Thanks for the history lesson. Very well done and much appreciated.

[@RB-cz5jn]

I had the privilege of running a 1800 and a 1850. I fell in love with the white tractors and as a child the 2-155 was my daily driver during summer for my Dad and my grandfather had his Oliver’s. High respect to Oliver. Thank you for bringing backthe memories .

[@lechandler4041]

Thanks for the information. I always wondered what happened to Oliver, Allis Chalmers, etc. Amazing what a difference management makes. International Harvester was saved by Case, a middle of the road company (perhaps Tenneco actually saved both). Bottom line, it seems like Case/IH is taking over the agricultural market followed by AGCO, with John Deere copying as usual.

[@original72canuck]

Thanks for sharing some of the rich Oliver history! Growing up on the farm and around construction equipment, I always enjoyed hearing some accounts of why some manufacturers were no longer around, but you never knew how much truth there was to the info because it seems like it was a world away in the US. We even had an old 1750 cockshutt which was the first tractor I learned to operate, which now I know was an oliver in red skin... Also, never knew they were that technologically advanced as a company! The history more interesting for me now since I design, validate and manufacture equipment for one of big names in the US.

[@johnirwin1837]

Glad to see you farming with the ole 'Olie equipment. I grew up on a small family farm in southern Indiana using Oliver equipment. Granddad had a '39 70, dad had a '37 70 and bought a new 88 in '49. I have a picture of all three discing and planting in May of '49. The planter was a 4 row mounted on the front pipes of the 70. I loved to drive the 70, except for plowing, after driving the 88 with its' electrically controlled hyd. I biggest Oliver I drove was one of uncles '65 1850 gas with a 6 bottom plow. What a rush. Our combine was a Massey Harris self-propelled Clipper. My brother still has and runs the 88 on our home place for minor chores. We don't farm. I have a '48 60 at my place just to tinker with. It is in need of new rear rubber.

[@MustangsTrainsMowers]

Don’t let an outsider get control of your company.

[@akross6966]

Thanks for the videos. I grew up on Ford here in the eastern US. I hadn't heard of Oliver until now. Been watching your videos for a couple of weeks and they are extremely insightful. We are looking at getting into hay bailing and possibly farming. Looks to be like an awesome tractor to use for what we want. Look forward to more videos.

[@Oliver66FarmBoy]

Thanks man.

[@earthman-br5zi]

My father bought a new Super 77 diesel from Hand Implement in Independence, IA in 1955. Had two hydraulic cylinders that clamped on the fenders for storage. When he ran it through the farm yard it smelled so good! Later on, my uncle was thinking of buying an 1800, but when he found out that it's engine was just a bored out 88, he bought a JD 720 instead. Thanks for the super great info!

[@boB7710II]

That was a great history lesson

[@judithcoffing6326]

Great history lesson. What could have been? Sadly we'll never know. Chris Losey does a great job telling the story about Oliver as he goes through his collection. It a great watch too. I would like to read your paper you did in college. Purdue was and is a great place. I graduated in '75 with a degree in Ag Ed.

[@gregadrianson4082]

Very glad to see this video again and all your other videos as well. I would like to know more about the history of the company if you wouldn't mind sharing.

[@edcowan2839]

We had a 2255 with the CAT 3150 we never had a bit of trouble with it except for the A/C, water pump and the radiator. We always had a water pump on hand. I could pull the fan and put the pump back on. The water would be hot when I was putting it back in. It pulled a 7 bottom plow set on 18”. It also pulled a 25 foot Krause disc with 22 inch disc blades. Before that we had three 1800 tractors, two of them gas and one of them diesel. The diesel was always broke down. You had a great video. I enjoyed watching it.

[@ssonnenmoser]

This really takes me back. On our own family farm in northwest MO we had originally been fairly consistent JD or Farmall/IH customers. But starting in late '62 or early '63 we bought our first Olivers. A 1900(with the GM turbocharged truck engine) and a 1600(gasoline version). And then a few years later an 1850(with, I think, a Perkins truck diesel)which I operated for much of each summer whilst growing to adulthood on our farm. And loved that old tractor. But my hands-down favorite was the gas-powered 1600 because even at full throttle that power-plant didn't sound much louder than a hive full of angry bees--which at the end of 12-14 hours was a lot easier on the ears than a higher-compression diesel. Don't know if that owed more to the lower compression gas engine or better muffling in the exhaust system but my ears sure appreciated it. Many thanks to Oliver66FarmBoy!

[@scottmcleod614]

In my 60 years, I can't honestly say how many small companies I've seen that bite the dust, due to management decisions made by people who are educated in the latest management theory, but have never run a kool-aid stand. Usually they show up all enthusiastic with the latest ideology on how to save the world, but leave destruction and lost jobs in their wake.

[@Oliver66FarmBoy]

I took a introductory leadership/people management class in college because it was required. The things I "learned" in that class scared the shit out of me.

[@scottmcleod614]

+Oliver66FarmBoy you want some real entertainment, sit in on a management meeting, with 2 freshly hatched MBA's, from different schools and different professors, who belive they have all the answers. It was like trying to listen to a choir of tards. Their final strategy/answer always is to get rid of, lay off or fire any of the producers in the organization, fill those positions with something like HR specialist and cut back on production. Then they are puzzled that Nobody is buying the products that aren't producing.... Genius...

[@JOEZEP54]

@@scottmcleod614 I was self-employed for most of my life. The last 15 years I worked for a major insurance co & then a major bank. It is incredible what rises to the top in management & how the wind shifts every time a new one comes along. I am not a disgruntled employee, no desire to be in management, I would not have sold my business if so. Just putting this out there for the trolls 😉 Small businesses could not withstand the mismanagement, bad decisions and employee moral crushing that I have witnessed. Well looks like some of the larger businesses went out and are still going & this is prior to our current crisis. Stay safe, Joe Z

[@farmalmta]

Amen. When the wrong people make boneheaded decisions, enterprises fail. I recently assisted my son with finding living arrangements in a new city. An MBA student advertised a room for rent in his apartment. We arrived, looked the place over, listened to him proudly discuss in great detail his academic accomplishments but nothing mentioned in the way of real world experience. After my son expressed interest in renting the room, the MBA presented him with a list of background check items on an application he'd prepared to be filled out. My son who grew up assisting with our rental properties already knew what was legal and required and had ALL with him in a folder, as well as summarized. Here's where it gets MBA-weird. The guy was completely flummoxed by my son going off script. He actually REFUSED to look at my son's already available documents, insisting instead that he complete the 4 page highly intrusive application. I patiently explained that it wasn't necessary to spend all the time, that the information he both needed and was asking for was already bulleted and his to keep. Nope, got to fill out the lengthy application. I looked at my son, my son looked at me and we both grinned and walked out. No use wasting time with an MBA process wienie who has no idea at all what he's doing, but is convinced he's God's gift to business. I pity any company that hires people like that. Bonus info: my son had just graduated with BA degrees in business finance and accounting and has been a successful commercial appraiser for 5 years now. But he's avoided getting an MBA like the plague they are.

[@scottmcleod614]

I'm not certain who can do the most damage to an efficient company or organization, a newly hatched Management graduate or an example of activist Human Resources petson. Both likely are doing it for similar reasons. They're blindly arrogant..

[@andymotl]

I did find your video very informative and interesting. Thanks for posting.

[@mosriteflyinfingers9252]

You have received many positive compliments on your very detailed, succinct historical narrative on the demise of Oliver in the comments below, but the positive compliments bear repeating! Your knowledge of the Oliver range of machines is curatorial and detailed! Having growing up around small Ferguson and M-F tractors in VA, a state where Olivers are few and far-between, my knowledge of these Charles City-built machines is superficial at best. I have to say THANKS, firstly, for posting the video. Secondly, THANKS, for the education on White-Oliver!

[@Oliver66FarmBoy]

Thanks man.

[@sartainja]

My hat is off to you for farming with Oliver equipment. There is not much Oliver equipment in my part of the MidSouth. Keeping up the good work. Best of luck to you in your enterprises.

[@Farmboy-fs5xw]

Thanks for the info boss man. Keep them coming!

[@ferengibri]

I love Olivers. Loved the 1855 and Super 88 Diesels.

[@Glimrman65]

Owned a 1971 1355 from 71 till 2004 . Best tractor we ever owned. went thru Case, JD, Ferguson, Fords and more I cant recall. Old ollie chugged right on, never a bolt turned on engine. Just typical maintenance . Due to health reasons our farm and equipment was sold. Im glad you told your story , I learned a lot I didn't know. Thank you sir. The right green.

[@Glimrman65]

Forgot to say we traded a 550 in on the 1355. Don't remember the year , was very young at the time.

[@allannantes8583]

It was a Fiat engine and the rest was as well, been around for decades.

[@coltonswindell689]

Listened to this on my way to work. Thank you for putting this information out there!

[@randallparker8477]

I grew up in the foothills of central CA around my uncles tree farm. He had a 56 or 57 Oliver Super 77 High Crop to cultivate the lanes between the young tree fields. He grew shrubs for nursery's and Christmas trees. He used it for everything really. At the age of 8 I got to learn how to run it and did pretty well. That was in 62/63. I believe it had a diesel engine. Fond memories indeed.

[@1juanitosully]

Now my grandpappy had a Oliver 1650 and she was a pullin as I remember.

[@krispytoast8804]

The closest I’ve been to farming is cutting my grass but I find this stuff interesting

[@Ihfarmer23]

That's not even farming more like gardening

[@rustybuttrusty9960]

Best one so far. Keep em coming

[@rustybuttrusty9960]

Thanks for putting this back up. Great story

[@rendlerendle]

This is an excellent video. I love seeing the old iron still in use. I grew up on a farm and we ran the red stuff - Farmall. The info you present is good to know. Over the past few years I've gone to several antique tractor shows and have wondered what happened to Oliver. I'm amazed at all the different brands that used to be in existence but have disappeared. Thanks for posting this video.

[@TM15R]

A truely outstanding video. Thank you

[@ih1206]

Very interesting. I never really knew what happened to Oliver. Spent some time on a White 2-150 and didn't care for it along with a 1650 which was a nice little tractor. Best thing that happens to the White was trading it for a 1066. Dad and my uncle had either an 1850 or 55, can't remember. Dad never really cared for it but said you could shut the lights off at night and run by the glow off the manifold. We were always IH and still are. I agree with you on the big three thing. According to Machinery Pete, Deere was running scared when IH introduced the new transmission on the 88 series, but we all know that didn't get a chance to fully develop.

[@coleheppner9133]

Excellent video and knowledge, thanks for sharing. I spent a lot of time on a Oliver 1555 growing up. Loved that tractor.

[@Oliver66FarmBoy]

1555's are good little tractors.

[@cbmech2563]

I worked for a Oliver White tractor dealer in 1976 .The smaller tractors were fiats ,the mid size were using a Perkins , 1755 1855 series .

[@Oliver66FarmBoy]

The only Oliver that used a Perkins was the 1850. They didnt start using it again until the 2-105 came out. The 17, 18 and 1955 used the 310 Waukesha.

[@Magnacharger07]

Do you remember white Volvo and white Freightliner yikes😬😬. Hearing this really bums me out......thanks for the story. Your history lesson was amazing...

[@michaelbailey1578]

Wow, I was an Oliver 88 farm boy. A small tractor by today's standards, it was a beast to handle on plowed ground when I was ten years-old or so back is the 50s. Thanks for posting.

[@karljacobson1575]

Very interesting, always wondered what happened. Lot of Oliver’s here when I was a kid!! Wonder why they allowed White to buy em??? Bet they wouldn’t have had they known.......

[@nukedrums]

First drove a 1750 about 30 years ago,loved that tractor! Nothing compares to an Oliver! Keystone for life!

[@eptyr12]

I loved the Oliver tractors.

[@stanleyharrell6009]

I never knew this happened to Oliver. There was not many Olivers down here in Middle Georgia, but the ones I knew about were darn good tractors.

[@b.l.barfield2420]

The best Dealer was D E WOOD tractor company in Cordele, Ga. we had a 1255 made in Italy. AC's and Oliver along with the famous Sidewinder mowers ran by a tire. All that stuff around here is know as a "DOUG WOOD SPECIAL" I still use a Sidewinder with the tire drive from D.E. Wood Tractor Company.

[@robertheinkel6225]

My dad started farming with a new Oliver 66 and a 77 diesel. The 77 was a demonstrator model. My brother still has the 66, and the 77 went to a collector. I was always a fan of Olivers until my uncle bought a 4020 power shift. The JD spoiled me, but I never lost my love of Olivers.

[@williamchristopher1560]

Born, raised in NE Kansas. NEVER saw a Oliver baler. I had a couple relation that had a ti[p toe 1827 tractor, and a 77. tractors. I never saw anybody else have an oliver. I went to the Oliver sale in St Joe Mo. with dad in around 59/61. They had an F-20 with a 2 row mounted corn picker. I asked dad about buying it, but he didnt, and it sold for $100

[@BonnieKay13]

I watched as the pattern maker glued the words OLIVER and ROW CROP on the patterns for the rear axle housings for 77 and 88, I've had all these models on my farm over the years.

[@markallen3293]

I loved the Oliver, my father had a 1550 and a 1750. I remember we didn't have a cab, but we had a am radio. Those tractors would work so hard that they had a red hot exhaust. Then my had bought a cab for the 1750, we thought we we were in heaven. No matter how deep you put the plow down, which i did, that front end would lift the front end up. I miss Oliver, a great tractor.

[@kevinmccune682]

I used to drive an Old Row crop 88 Diesel, the shifter was sort of unique, She was a good ol' tractor

[@jamescooper2618]

Saw this and remembered th 2 small dairy farms I worked on as a kid. Both had a single 770 that did the vast majority of the work. One other smaller tractor moved wagons and raked hay while the 770 ran the baler.

[@ronniebrown8775]

LOVE THE HISTORY LESSON

[@randyrobinson8751]

You coming to Rollag for Oliver Hart Parr feature?

[@bobblenuts]

I remember in maybe mid to late 60's White ran full page color ad's in farm magazines like AA & Farm Journal. Ad's had photos of all their company brands including trucks & farm equipment. Through the years the number of brands grew like crazy. That was when I realized it was the end of a lot of great names like Oliver. Thanks for your history lesson, It's about how I remembered a lot of it in early 60's till the end.🍺🥨🍺

[@greggschultz5768]

We have always been the other green but I remember as a kid seeing Oliver's in the fields, and lots of them!! We had an Oliver dealership 10 miles west of us and one 15 miles east. First one and then the other were closed and I remember my dad saying, the Oliver Company is done. Those were sad days to lots of fellows around here.

[@estevatopanchovillacruz9969]

My family used to go pick cucumbers at Mach Farms in Ohio in the 70's and 80's. We used to use these tractors to pull the trailers with large boxes so we could load up the cucumbers we picked at the end of the day. When I was 8 years old I decided to take one of these tractors for a spin. I didn't tell anybody I just started it up and took off. It was one of the best days and best feelings of my life! I still remember that day like it was yesterday. Nowadays I write software for a living but my life long dream is to save up enough money to own some land so that I can buy one of these tractors to ride around in.

[@jarvisstone2130]

So basically a broken company bought out a thriving company to save the broken company but ultimately made them all go broke!?!

[@OnePieceTractor]

Volvo ended up with that road boss cab. Growing up we had an 1800 gas and three 1850 Diesels. I loved them all and my open station 2-105 White

[@montyfowler1312]

Started farming with my dad in 1964 at age 9. Ran Fords along with a row crop 77 that had been rebuilt to super 77 specs. Dad got it from the original owner, an old WW1 vet who bought it from the Oliver dealer in Lyons, IN in 1952. Later we had an 1850 and a White 2-85. Hated the White. Sold the 1850 but we still have the 77. The starter only makes a couple of turns before she starts. She sure is smooth.

[@haulshine4093]

I was a small boy in 66 when the farm was sold but I still remember those 77's, 88's that had been running on the farm a long time before I was even born! My dad had a love for those old Oliver tractors so I knew a little bit about Oliver's becoming white's.. great video and I know my dad would have liked it also.. thanks a bunch..

[@davidkimmel4216]

Great Great video. You are so true. The dealer was the backbone of the company

[@redwolf393]

Great story, I knew some of it but you filled in everything. We bought a new 2-70 White in 1978, it has been a great tractor, we have quit farming and I am almost finished repainting it for the second time. I also am ticked of about how things were done, just a waste. As much as I like our tractor if I could find a junked 1655 I would definitely try to buy all the parts to turn it into a Oliver and maybe put in some old tractor shows.

[@garyhelms3467]

Very interesting. So now I know you are more than just a pretty face. I appreciate the tutorials as much if not more than just the machines. Thanks.

[@danrayman4306]

Piss poor management killed Massey Ferguson too. That's how AGCO was able to buy them out. They held their own for a while but years of mismanagement slowly took its toll on them.

[@jacobbishop1477]

Didn't white go in with them too

[@timbryson5595]

my grandpa work in the plant in Shelbyville, Il when it stared. I have his baige it reads number 19, he was working there when they had the fire and up tell it closed. He work for annarber before then.

[@rockyhart3578]

My dad made the pallets and shipping skids for the Shelbyville plant. From mid 50's until they closed.

[@bunky060171]

my grandfather worked at the Charles City works. (around the time of the 1968 tornado) He retired shortly before the change-over to WFE.

[@danrayman4306]

I've always said AGCO should do a limited series of Heritage lines Oliver, Minneapolis Moline, Massey Harris, Cockshutt and Allis Chalmers. That would be awesome

[@211steelman]

There was a time when Agco painted their tractors in all the popular colors, to appeal to the old die-hards, I suppose. I also assume that under the paint, they were all the same tractor. Not sure about the timing but I would guess it was mid-1990s.

[@adolphsfather4834]

Yes I would love a new Minnie mo

[@mbmcclure3579]

I'd like to see somebody make a video going over the baler history. The roto-flo sounds like a real interesting design and i would love to own one.

[@HobbyFarmerAdam]

Didn't Oliver invent the powershift but Deere bought the plans because Oliver didn't have the funds?

[@terrywitt5543]

Power shift started at ford what I remember select o speed it’s on classic tractor on Saturday ford hurried it didn’t work they fired the technician or he quit went to Deere what I remember

[@robertdouglas3456]

I love the old Oliver tractors!. I think my father said that there was a small factory in Springfield, Ohio for Oliver tractors. I worked for White motors in Springfield, Ohio from 1979 to 1982. They made big Gasoline, & Diesel engines & Compressors for Oil drilling rigs & for ships. The sold it to Cooper Industries. Cooper Besmer closed the plant in the late 1980s & moved it to Mount Verron, Ohio. Coopers wanted it for the Compressors. Great place to work. Another screw up of White motors!..

[@irvinkiblerjr972]

Great to see this video back up id been wanting to watch it a second time. Thanks again

[@donrichter3523]

My dad was an Oliver man. First tractor he bought new was a 1949 77. While it was his workhorse for a few years, it eventually became his feedlot tractor. At some point he had bought an 88, that became his prime tillage tractor, then traded it in on a new 1965 1850. That tractor was the envy of many around because it could really pull hard. Later in 1970, he bought a used high time 1966 1750 for cheap. That 1750 had a jacked up engine and he had it professionally overhauled almost right away. He used it for the lighter duties until he retired in 1986. That 1850 he worked hard as the tillage tractor, added propane injection which definitely bumped power, but had a nasty habit of burning valves. He needed that to properly pull a 5-bottom moldboard. In 1975, he traded that for a White 2-150 because he needed the power for bigger equipment as he had recently gotten out of hogs and bought more land. That thing was a big honkin POS!!....just poor quality. Numerous problems with the brakes, kept breaking motor mounts, and was a bit thirsty. That said, the big MM 585 NA diesel could really lug and the 6X3 transmission, while no CVT, was still better than everybody else’s transmission. But compared to a JD 4630 From same time frame, it just didn’t compare, except the transmission. Eventually he got tired of stuff failing on that piece of junk and traded it for a new JD 4640 In 1982. Now that was a tractor, again except for the shitty quad range transmission.

[@JamesCurtis44]

We had an Cockshutt 30 on our farm and it was an dam good tractor .

[@allannantes8583]

The Cockshutt 30 was produced in small numbers in 1938 with the LPTO but was put on hold until the WW2 ended due to the fact the Canadian Government commandeered the plant for war production. This was documented in the book “The Cockshutt Story” written by the last President of the company. His last name was Cockshutt. The serial numbers from 1938 are documented and authenticated. Many companies were working on it but Cockshutt got it right and ran with full production in 1946. Also the combines built in Brantford Ontario by Cockshutt were Cockshutt’s design as they were considered leading edge in combine technology at the time. Cockshutt started working on the Rotary development in 1959 one year after they built their new combine plant in 1958. Another fact is Cockshutt sold a license to their patent to Massy Harris in 1943 so that Massy Harris could build the 500 21A self propelled combines for the “Combine Brigade” that harvested grain from Texas to the Canadian prairies in 1944. I could write a book on why this happened but that is another story.

[@tedlawrence4189]

My late dad worked at So.Bend plant 1937-42 and 1945 to 1978. He was a WW2 Vet. By 1950 he was still working on the line. He became a foreman at that time. As soon as white farm became new owners they let him go. He was offered either $800 or job back as a laborer. He took the job. It actually paid more than the foreman's position. My dad said that the company started to go downhill right after the 1960 sale.He said the new boss,name of Meek, did not know what the hell he was doing.

[@allisfarmboy5914]

Great video I'm an Allis Chalmers guy myself but love the Olivers. It's a shame how bad management can run a company underground. Allis suffered the same fate as Oliver. I have to disagree with you though, Allis was the most innovative company of their time. But Oliver was right up there too. Deere and Case IH were built on the innovation of the smaller guys like Oliver and Allis.

[@guy1704]

Please tell me that’s not a fram oil filter. An Oliver deserves better.

[@alvinroundy6856]

Its a baldwin

[@HarrisPropertyMaintenance]

I’m a young equipment operator out of Texas and I’ve got nothing to do with farming nor does my family but listening to this I’ll say it hurt not just because I’ve loved the look of Oliver’s but because Oliver truly care for the American farmer but I guess what’s history is history

[@durainedavis1160]

Good information. Corporate malfunction at the worst. TRied to finance the over the road on the back of the the farm industry. Kind of like the farmer who would sell a cow to feed the rest of the herd. Finally he was down to one cow that had consumed all the others due to his management style.

[@kls1724]

Part of the corporate tractor is at Floyd County Mueseum. And the little white decal was put on 55 series Olivers from 1969 to roughly 1973

[@farmdude1008]

Dude I just realized that your family was the feature collectors of the July/August 2015 issue. That's so cool!

[@Oliver66FarmBoy]

It must have been hit and miss then cause Morleys 1955 is a 72 and it never had a White decal on it.

[@joshspencer6898]

Great video I bought a 1966 Oliver 550 last saturday and wanted to know a little bit about the history of them

[@Oliver66FarmBoy]

Cant help you much there. The Super 55 and 550 are the only 2 tractors I never really cared much for. Dont like having to straddle the transmission.

[@joshspencer6898]

+Oliver66FarmBoy yea it does take some getting used to I've teddered hay with it all this week and it has done great.

[@Oliver66FarmBoy]

Bout the only thing I can tell you is that behind the 70 they were the longest production run tractor Oliver ever had and the diesels are somewhat hard to come by. Past that ive never taken much time to learn much about them.

[@joshspencer6898]

I have a gas and i didnt know that about the production

[@cjfarms2239]

oh man, yes thats a flaw, but they are the handlest little tractors ever, better than a 8n...... i will say

[@dweathers56b]

My high school physics teacher was a test engineer on the 1855. He told stories of the things they had to deal with. One of the first engine problems was the head would lift enough to loose coolant under high load and temp. The increased the size of the head bolts to correct then other problems started. He said the engineers could fix the tractor but management wouldn't approval the funds.

[@Oliver66FarmBoy]

Ill bet he was a cool guy to talk to!

[@dweathers56b]

Yes he was. He pasted away last Monday at 86 years old. I worked on a farm for 25 years and never drove an Oliver. They had a local dealer but they never caught on in our area. We did have a lot of Cockshuts and a huge number Molines.

[@krypton6971]

Dad started with a 77, then a 770, but the best was his 1655. Over/Under transmission. That tractor screamed all day long 3-point hitch chisel plowing.

[@farmingforfunandprofit940]

Good history lesson..More informative than google.......

[@randykresge4184]

My first big tractor that I was let to operate was a 1600 Oliver like in the video. It was awesome. An old gasoline machine but still strong and cool

[@calebbisson4577]

our oliver 1800 with the Wakashaw ran perfect until it blew up. I don't remember what happened but I remember it was going to cost like 3k to repair and we only paid like 5k so we sold it. but it lasted a few years

[@calebbisson4577]

actually I think we had a 1600. I was really young when we had it but I just found an original 1600 owners manual with service records for a long time

[@redironacres]

There actually were some things from Cockshutt White did keep. They used Cockshutts combines, sicklebar mowers, one way discers, and a couple other odds and ends. Cockshutt also had the first tractor that had over 100 pto horsepower which was the 580 Super. But never got produced because of White.

[@Oliver66FarmBoy]

That was the whole reason for White buying Cockshutt was the new combine plant and the new combine design that they built the plant for. At least there is one 580 floating around somewhere. I remember seeing it on Classic Tractor Fever years ago.

[@BigCountryFarmer]

Just Subscribed! Good video and can't wait for more!

[@dirtthunder1638]

Some thing to think about is that White had large contracts with other manufactures of trucks to build part of there line for them just to have there partners pulled out a few years in.. They built trucks for GMC, Freightliner, AutoCar and so on. All of which they had a larger investment in then there partner did. (A bad business idea) They also bought Hercules trying to control there engine supply in the 70s that was a cash cow until they lost military contracts and had no new designs to keep up with companies like Cummins.

[@canvids1]

I drove a white Freightliner at the railway in late 70's I see now new trucks are just Freightliner. Great history on the Oliver. I often wondered what happened to Oliver.

[@Oliver66FarmBoy]

Freightliner is now owned by Mercedes. Them trucks are basically junk now. Bottom of the barrel company trucks compared to Pete and KW.

[@BillyBBecker]

Love this story, very interesting!