"Ask The Oliver Mechanic" - September, 2017 Archives


Oliver 880 clutch

Posted by Dave on September 29, 2017, 7:34 pm 24.111.127.152

I have an 880 that has a clutch that may not disengage if the tractor has been sitting for a while. To break it lose I push the clutch all the way in and start it in gear. The tractor will jump just a little bit and then once it breaks lose it works normally. I'd like to figure out what makes it stick temporarily. Maybe the throw-out bearing is dry or rusty and sticking. I'd like to get some lube in there to free it up without tearing it all apart. Any words of wisdom for me. I read you board just about every. Thank you for your good work.

Re: Oliver 880 clutch

  Posted by Larry Harsin   on September 29, 2017, 7:51 pm, in reply to "Oliver 880 clutch" 172.242.140.109

Well, after you get it unstuck, use it for a long time then when you park it, lock the clutch pedal down tis you use it again and see if that helps. Larry


White 1470 3pth control lever stuck

Posted by ben lallier   on September 26, 2017, 1:37 pm 142.113.65.20

The lever that raises and lowers the 3pt hitch won't budge after 5 years of not being used. I am afraid to force it too much and break something. The hydraulic oil level is good and the filter was cleaned. When I move the position control/draft control lever the 3pt hitch arms move a bit so I know they are not stuck. Any ideas on how to get the lever unjammed? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Re: White 1470 3pth control lever stuck

Posted by L on September 29, 2017, 7:40 pm, in reply to "White 1470 3pth control lever stuck" 172.242.140.109

You might try warming the housing that the shaft moves in, with a propane torch. Be careful not to get it so hot it melts. Larry


Rebuild of Oliver 77 seat

Posted by Tom Kline on September 28, 2017, 9:41 pm 173.24.191.101

Do you have any instructions on rebuilding the early ridemaster seat on 1951 vintage 77?

Re: Rebuild of Oliver 77 seat

Posted by Larry Harsin   on September 29, 2017, 7:43 pm, in reply to "Rebuild of Oliver 77 seat" 172.242.140.109

No, I don't. Call Korves Oliver and ask them. 618-939-6681. Larry


1850 lower lift arm mounts

Posted by Daniel   on September 29, 2017, 10:01 am 70.195.86.25

Larry, Is it possible to replace the lower lift arm mounting belts. On my 1850? If as I where do I start. 1 is broken in half and the other is missing a portion. I have found a donor tractor. Thanks in advance for any help you may have.

Re: 1850 lower lift arm mounts

Posted by Daniel   on September 29, 2017, 12:28 pm, in reply to "1850 lower lift arm mounts" 70.195.86.25

That would be brackets not belts, and if yes where do I begin.

Re: 1850 lower lift arm mounts

Posted by Larry Harsin   on September 29, 2017, 7:45 pm, in reply to "Re: 1850 lower lift arm mounts" 172.242.140.109

You'll have to remove the PTO unit from the tractor before you can do this.. Larry

Re: 1850 lower lift arm mounts

Posted by Daniel   on September 29, 2017, 9:18 pm, in reply to "Re: 1850 lower lift arm mounts" 24.31.246.240

Thank you sir. That's what it was looking like, just checking with the expert before I drain things.


550 Oliver rumble between engine and transmission.

Posted by Larry K   on September 29, 2017, 4:39 pm 98.161.35.8

On my 1961 Oliver 550 gas, I am hearing an intermittent mid tractor growl. It is sounds normal for 2 seconds and growls for 2 secs. I hear it even when the clutch is depressed as well as when I am driving. With the clutch depressed, the transmission is not turning. Can the live pto cause that type of noise? What is the problem. Recommend plan to repair. If it is only a bearing I want to know which one to look for. Had too many noisy bearings that looked good. Thanks for your assistance

Re: 550 Oliver rumble between engine and transmission. Posted by Larry Harsin   on September 29, 2017, 7:48 pm, in reply to "550 Oliver rumble between engine and transmission." 172.242.140.109 Yes. It is possible that the noise might be in the PTO drive train. You should get a Shop Manual from the Museum in Charles City before you start. 641-228-1099. Larry


Transmission problem

Posted by Cb Cunningham   on September 25, 2017, 8:40 pm 66.116.34.243

I have a 1959 880 Gas with power booster that has been jumping out of gear and locking up the transmission up. What could be the problem ? Thank you for you time..

Re: Transmission problem

Posted by Larry Harsin   on September 26, 2017, 7:51 am, in reply to "Transmission problem" 172.242.140.109

You need to take the hydraulic unit off and look in there. Possibly, you can see what is wrong there. Larry


1850 smoke

Posted by Lester Braulick on September 24, 2017, 9:47 pm 66.60.213.28

Larry, 1850 with perkins diesel started to smoke like it was on fire and has a noticeable knock at low rpm's. I suspect a worn cam. If so will there probably be other damage? I am also in need of the ears that bolt to transmission from the drawbar assembly for a super 77. Thanks for any help or insight. Lester

Re: 1850 smoke

Posted by Larry Harsin   on September 26, 2017, 7:49 am, in reply to "1850 smoke" 172.242.140.109

I would suspect that you have broken piston rings on one piston. I probably have what you need for your Super 77, but I don't know exactly what you are talking about. Call me. 712-362-2966 . Larry


tach drive gear

Posted by arvid kraemer   on September 24, 2017, 7:25 pm 24.220.77.246

the shaft that my tachometer gear drive is attached to ceased up and stripped the nylon gears out. I fixed the problem by adding a grease zerk to the carrier nut. but where can I find the nylon gear or new shaft assembly.

Re: tach drive gear

Posted by arvid kraemer   on September 24, 2017, 7:31 pm, in reply to "tach drive gear" 24.220.77.246

this is on a 1650 oliver

Re: tach drive gear

Posted by Larry HarsinL   on September 26, 2017, 7:46 am, in reply to "Re: tach drive gear" 172.242.140.109

I will look. I may have one. I need to know which gear it is. Is it the output gear or th gear that drives it?? Larry 712-362-2966


1942 Oliver 70

Posted by Scott Stearns   on September 23, 2017, 6:27 am 24.59.65.129

I have an old tractor that has been setting around in the backyard of my Adirondack camp for years. It has the wide front end and is in fairly rough shape being outside for so long. As far as I can tell, it is all there, but most of the green has warn off. I am into refurbishing old stuff, jeeps & such, but have no interest in these big old tractors. I hate to see it sink into the ground. What is the best method to sell this and what should I start out with for price? Can you provide me with any advice? scott stearns 315-418-7124

Re: 1942 Oliver 70

Posted by Larry HarsinL   on September 26, 2017, 7:43 am, in reply to "1942 Oliver 70" 172.242.140.109

Advertise it locally for $300-$400 if it is compete. Surely someone can do something with it. Larry


1944 Oliver 70 smoking

Posted by Ethan Kurck   on September 20, 2017, 9:11 am 174.255.198.249

My 1944 70 has smoked since i got it. I changed the oil and it has gotten worse. At an idle it just rolls out a gray cloud and as soon as the throttle is just past idle it clears but still smells of oil. It holds good oil pressure and runs excellent. Does it just need the cyclinder honed and new rings or could it be something worse?

Re: 1944 Oliver 70 smoking

Posted by Larry HarsinL   on September 26, 2017, 7:41 am, in reply to "1944 Oliver 70 smoking" 172.242.140.109

You could have loose valve guides. 70's tend to put a lot of oil into the top, into the valves. If this is the case, you may b able to restrict the oil flow to the valve to help. Larry


Oliver 1850 hydraulic problems

Posted by Chris on September 19, 2017, 10:56 pm 71.31.211.11

Got an 1850 that had been working fine just done a clutch job on it, now the hydraulics are acting up. I have a discbine hooked to it the remote on left side works fine but the right will not raise both cylinders to pick up the machine I have played with swapping hoses in the remotes and can get the right cylinder on machine to raise if plugged into the right remote but it's very slow however it will not raise the left cylinder if I swap the hydraulic hose to the left remote the left cylinder on machine will raise but not the right could my restrictor valve be out of adjustment or a valve stuck ? Steering is great and lift arms raise up good any help is appreciate thanks Larry

Re: Oliver 1850 hydraulic problems

Posted by Larry HarsinL on September 26, 2017, 7:38 am, in reply to "Oliver 1850 hydraulic problems" 172.242.140.109

I would attach the hoses for raising the machine to the right valve and set it on single acting. Larry


1755 Oliver

Posted by Wyatt rikkola   on September 18, 2017, 8:25 pm 96.47.114.46

My tractor lost gears 1,2,3,5, and still has both reverse and 5,6 but it won't move when put in any of the gears 1,2,3,5 what could be the problem?

Re: 1755 Oliver

Posted by Larry Harsin   on September 26, 2017, 7:35 am, in reply to "1755 Oliver " 172.242.140.109

Remove the top cover and look in there and see what you can see wrong. Larry


oliver 1755

Posted by Jerrold   on September 14, 2017, 3:32 pm 67.235.183.71

my pto is leaking at the 540 shaft will I need to pull the back plate off to put a seal in it

Re: oliver 1755

Posted by Larry Harsin   on September 26, 2017, 7:33 am, in reply to "oliver 1755" 172.242.140.109

No. I would replace the O ring that goes around the PTO bearing. If the oil is coming through that bearing, you will have to replace the bearing. Larry


Oliver 1948 HG 42 WEIGHT?

Posted by Pat Traynor   on September 14, 2017, 11:44 am 12.14.238.51

I need to rent a trailer for it. What does it weigh?

Re: Oliver 1948 HG 42 WEIGHT?

Posted by Larry Harsin   on September 26, 2017, 7:30 am, in reply to "Oliver 1948 HG 42 WEIGHT?" 172.242.140.109

It weighs 4100 lbs. This info is in the Operator's Manual! Larry


Small Oliver

Posted by Richard Major   on September 12, 2017, 5:23 pm 24.115.177.72

Did Oliver ever make a tractor a little smaller than a farmall cub? The numbers on the side looks like Oliver but I'm not sure. It says it's a 154. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Re: Small Oliver

Posted by Larry Harsin   on September 26, 2017, 7:26 am, in reply to "Small Oliver" 172.242.140.109

I am not aware of any. The S44 or 440 were the smallest. They did have Oliver lawn mowers. Larry


Oliver 1850

Posted by Mac Powell   on September 11, 2017, 5:07 pm 208.101.212.238

How do I put in power stering fluid? Where do I put it in this tractor?

Re: Oliver 1850

Posted by CJ   on September 13, 2017, 8:21 pm, in reply to "Oliver 1850" 172.96.46.73

Power steering oil is supplied by the oil reservoirs in the rear frame, which supplies hydraulic oil for the remote cylinders, three point hitch if equipped .


Oliver super 55

Posted by Chuck Davidson   on September 11, 2017, 3:49 pm 72.175.18.182

PTO turns with no load, but slows down or stops when loaded. Most likely problem is ???

Re: Oliver super 55

Posted by Larry Harsin   on September 26, 2017, 7:19 am, in reply to "Oliver super 55" 172.242.140.109

You may have some warped plates in your PTO clutch. Larry


Oliver 770 power steering oil .

Posted by Ray Gourley   on September 9, 2017, 9:01 pm 24.154.219.76

I have a late model 770 wide front end ,the power steering reservoir continually boils over . Or at least it seams to be boiling ,just small droplets of oil spraying out of the cap ,making a mess of the hood and my glasses as well ! Any idea's ,????

Re: Oliver 770 power steering oil . Posted by Larry Harsin   on September 26, 2017, 7:17 am, in reply to "Oliver 770 power steering oil . " 172.242.140.109

I would try a new filler cap, possibly. Or possibly trying different oil. Maybe ATF. Larry


1850 ad on 3pth

Posted by Wes Hamm   on September 9, 2017, 8:25 am 208.114.165.174

Hello Larry, I have a standard 1850 with a 354 perkins. It has a loader that is using the 2 factory spools. I have purchased a aftermarket 3pth hitch for this tractor and now require 1 or possibly 2 more hydrolic outlets. How do I go about this Thanks Wes

Re: 1850 ad on 3pth

Posted by Larry Harsin   on September 26, 2017, 7:15 am, in reply to "1850 ad on 3pth" 172.242.140.109

I don't know if that is possible to do. Larry


1959 oliver 550

Posted by Gary Puett   on September 8, 2017, 8:01 am 47.35.200.72

I am trying to adjust the valves on a 1959 Oliver 550 gas engine. But cant find a picture showing how to identify which are the exhaust and intake valves. Thanks

Re: 1959 oliver 550

Posted by Larry Harsin on September 9, 2017, 8:14 am, in reply to "1959 oliver 550" 172.242.140.109

The 2nd and 3rd valves from the front are intakes. The 6th & 7th are intakes. Get an Operator's Manual from the Museum in Charles City. It explains all of this in there. Museum phone: 641-228-1099. Larry


1800, 880 265 Gas engines

Posted by Scott Collver   on September 7, 2017, 11:04 pm 67.3.13.186

I have a 1800 with a 265 and a 880 with a 265 both gas is there a difference with the engines and how do I identify them to make sure? Re: 1800, 880 265 Gas engines

Posted by Larry Harsin on September 9, 2017, 8:10 am, in reply to "1800, 880 265 Gas engines " 172.242.140.109

The 880 and the 1800 are two different engine families. The 1800 has 7 main bearings and the 880 has 4 main bearings. They have the same bore and stroke, but they use different sleeves and pistons. Larry


Water in crankcase

Posted by Cody Fitterer   on September 7, 2017, 2:39 pm 136.33.113.156

I'm working on a I believe 1959 Oliver 550 gas engine. It's getting coolant in the crankcase. I thought it was gonna be the sleeves leaking from what I've read online. Instead when I pressurized the coolant system it was coming out of the front of the camshaft into the crankcase. I'm typically a car guy and was wondering if you thought it was a head gasket or crack somewhere?? Thank you

Re: Water in crankcase

Posted by Larry Harsin on September 9, 2017, 8:08 am, in reply to "Water in crankcase" 172.242.140.109

This is a new problem for me, there must be a crack someplace. Larry


4-115 Mighty Tow

Posted by Doug Nelson   on September 6, 2017, 9:10 pm 67.182.152.150

Hello Larry: Did the Mighty Tow 4-115 come with a two speed Hydra shift or some kind of creeper shift?......or were both options? Thanks, Doug Nelson Olympia, WA

Re: 4-115 Mighty Tow

Posted by Larry Harsin on September 9, 2017, 8:06 am, in reply to "4-115 Mighty Tow" 172.242.140.109

Both were options. Larry


Oliver 1550 hydraulic lines chattering

Posted by Tori Rosich    on September 5, 2017, 10:40 pm 71.199.125.236

Hello, my dad and I are having issues with hydraulic lines chattering on an approx. 1965 Oliver 1550. I replaced the pump as well as the pressure relief valve. The line doesn't chatter when it sits idle, but once you feed it the lines chatter. All of my pressures are perfect. What else could it be? Maybe the servo valve? Appreciate any feedback. Thank you.

Re: Oliver 1550 hydraulic lines chattering

Posted by Larry Harsin on September 9, 2017, 8:05 am, in reply to " Oliver 1550 hydraulic lines chattering " 172.242.140.109

We talked this over on the phone. I'm not sure what is going on there. Larry


770 head bolt leaking oil

Posted by John Ostrowski   on September 5, 2017, 8:02 pm 104.8.53.111

After rebuilding my 770 gas engine, I was running my oil preluber with 18 psi. I observed oil coming from under the head of the head bolt with the oil line. Torque is 96-100. Should there be some kind of sealer, permatex, or something there? What psi should the preluber be run at to push the oil up through the rocker arms?

Re: 770 head bolt leaking oil

Posted by Larry Harsin on September 9, 2017, 8:04 am, in reply to "770 head bolt leaking oil" 172.242.140.109

I think I'd put a washer on that one bolt and see if that stops the oil migration. 18 psi should be fine. Larry


1960 880 diesel fuel tank

Posted by Don   on September 5, 2017, 10:13 am 174.198.14.172

Larry, This is my first tractor to restore. The 880 sat for several years and the fuel has turned to tar. I have been able to clean the fuel supply pump and fuel lines with mineral spirits and carb cleaner. I have purchased new fuel filters. My question is how to clean the bottom of the fuel tank that has a layer of this tar material. Thank you, Don

Re: 1960 880 diesel fuel tank

Posted by Larry Harsin on September 9, 2017, 8:01 am, in reply to "1960 880 diesel fuel tank" 172.242.140.109

Use lacquer thinner. Larry


Oliver 1955 diesel

Posted by Davd L   on September 1, 2017, 4:31 am 174.55.98.7

I'm looking at a Oliver 1955 with a Waukesha 6.1 diesel. I've had very good luck with my 1750 diesel over the years. Would you say the 1955 model is similar, better or worse in terms of reliability? Do they tend to have any unique problems or issues in this model?

Re: Oliver 1955 diesel

Posted by Larry Harsin on September 2, 2017, 7:46 am, in reply to "Oliver 1955 diesel" 172.242.140.109

The 1955 compared to the 1755 and 1855 is better, But crankshafs are getting harder to find for those engines. Larry


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