I've lowered my sights (and price range) on looking for a tractor and came across a sixties vintage Oliver 500 that appears to be fairly priced for what it is (42HP wide front 2WD gas with PS, 3 pt. hitch and loader) at something under $5,000. The problem I have is I know nothing of the brand. I was hoping someone here might be familiar with them and able to give me some ideas what to look for and what to avoid on them.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), July 14, 2001

Answers

Hi Gary. We have an Oliver 1550.. wide front w/ FEL and rear 3pt hitch... it's been a lifesaver here. We got it reasonably at a farm auction that was during an early spring snowstorm, so not many people showed up, and the seller wouldn't "no sale" it. You name the job, and we've used the tractor for it...it's a real workhorse. We bought a 7ft wide snowblower for it to do our quarter mile long driveway with as well, and have been glad we did. As far as we're concerned, it's more than paid for itself in the 10 or so years we've had it. We ordered an owners manual for it from a dealer, and that has helped when parts or repairs are needed, but they've been few. I think the price you mentioned is probably in the ballpark. (We're in Wisconsin BTW). Hope that helps.. :)patty Prairie Oak Miniatures http://www.minifarm.com/prairie_oak

-- patty (littlegoats@wi.rr.com), July 14, 2001.

Years ago I did a lot of mowing and discing with olivers, I don,t remember the models but I would rate them along side any massey ferguson or case and in any situtation like this find a parts supplier before you buy.

-- mitch hearn (moopups1@aol.com), July 15, 2001.

Olivers? Have two, a 550 made in 63 and a Super 77 made in 1958. Use both on my dairyfarm here in Missouri Ozarks. Almost 20 yrs ago put sleeve kit and rod bearings in 550. Thats about all I spent on it in all those yrs. All parts are available through your White dealer. I think AGCO owns White now. The 550 is a great machine since it has independent pto and factory 3 point. I used to skid logs with it when I sawmilled alot. Now pull a small spreader, scrap manure, mow hay, dig postholes, it is good for about all jobs except handlng the very large big bales.

The 77 has over 8200 hrs on it and you could get by by checking oil once a yr if you wanted to. But I change every hundred hours. Never add any. I put about an hour a day on it seven days a week from October thru March. Start at cold temps with no heater. Used to run a 9 ft haybine with it, and have Rd. baled some. Both rigs are gas.

Olivers? I buy them.

Don

-- Don (dairyagri@yahoo.com), July 15, 2001.

Took a look in my parts supply catalog and while most models have a long list of parts available, all that was listed for the 500 was an oil filter. I remember an Oliver in the back of the tractor repair shop covered with dust and the mechanic said he could not get parts for that model as it was made overseas and only a few were imported. I don't know what model it was, but something to think about. A friend was thinking of buying a small International once and it was the same deal. Made a few overseas then stopped. People down at the CaseIH never even saw one in person. I know this is a complete turnaround of my usual Oliver praise, but I would call about parts on this one.

Don

-- Don (dairyagri@yahoo.com), July 15, 2001.

Don,

Since I read your first post I did some research on the internet here and had found out the same thing. While there is some debate as to whether or not Oliver actually made the 500 (I read it was made by John Brown for Oliver) there seems to be agreement it is an English made tractor with virtually no parts interchange with any other Olivers.

I guess this gets back to the old adage "If something sounds too good to be true..."

In any event, thanks so much for following up like this to save me from a potentially major parts locating problem. It looks like my (as one friend put it) "Quixotic search for the perfect tractor continues."

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), July 15, 2001.

Hi Gary, would that be 'David Brown'? I am sure you can still get just about anything for a David Brown if you search in UK or maybe Canada.

-- john hill (john@cnd.co.nz), July 15, 2001.

John,

Do you suppose there's any way I could go back and edit that after it's posted? ;o) Yes, it's 'David' Brown. I can even picture the DB logo. I'll have to call around and ask about availability of parts tomorrow. If nothing else, I think I might try to use this as a negotiating chip if I do decide to try to buy that one here with the loader. Sounds like it's time for more research on my end here. Thanks for your input.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), July 15, 2001.

What a great thread. Doesn't do anything for me personally at this moment, but that's the sort of information we're here for.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), July 18, 2001.

Gary, go over to www.ytmag.com and find the Oliver discussion forum. Those guys can tell you whatever you want to know about anything that ever had the Oliver name on it.

-- Dan G. (Stagecoach@hotmail.com), July 20, 2001.

THE TRACTOR YOU ARE ON ABOUT IS A DAVID BROWN 950 OR 990 IT WAS MADE ABOUT 1961 TO 1965. THE TRACTOR WAS MADE UNDER LISENCE TO THE OLIVER CORPARATION.AND ALL THE PARTS ARE THE SAME.APART FRON GRILLS AND AFEW MINOR DETAILS COLOUR TRANSFERS ETC.I AM A DAVID BROWN COLLECTOR AND WOULD LOVE ONE OF THESE MODELS CAN YOU FIND ME ONE. TEL ENGLAND 01889 590483. FOR INFORMATON

-- thomas sale (gill.derbyshire@aol.com), January 19, 2002.

THE OLIVER 500 WAS MADE IN 1961 TO 1965 AND WAS BASED ON THE 880 AND 850 MODELS THEY ALSO MADE A 600 AS WELL BY DAVID BROWN WHICH WERE BASED ON THE 990 AND 950.THEY ARE IDENTICAL APART FROM DECALS AND GRILLS.AND PAINT WITH MINOR SPEC IHAVE PHOTOS OF THE OLIVERS CORPARATION EVALUATION AT MELTHAM ENGLAND 1960. PLEASE PHONE ME IF YOU HAVE ONE OR INFOMATION OF ONE FOR SALE.ANY INFO GIVE ME ACALL 01889 590483 THATS ENGLAND

-- TOM SALE (GILL .DERBYSHIRE@AOL.COM), January 19, 2002.