| Author | Message | ||
     Dave Lee |
i have a 1968 oliver 550 gas tractor with a loader/bucket on it i am looking to cleanup and restore this tractor for the labor day parade next year. i am looking for pictures of a tractor like this so i can repaint it back to original specs the only thing missing is the original grill which got busted up a couple years after the tractor was bought new other wise it is all original and just went thru a complete engine overhaul about 5 years ago and still runing like a new one. would greatly appreciate any help you could give me. my email is thecherokee8@icqmail.com Dave Lee | ||
| admin |
Here's a picture of a 550 that was at the Penfield Show. It should be the same as yours.  You can get a grille and decals from Dumonts Decals. You can find a link to the web page on our links page. He can also help you out with paint codes and schemes. | ||
| DaveLee |
hey thanks a bunch i know my boys are going to enjoy restoring this tractor and running it in the parade as soon as the restore begins i will keep you posted on it i really didn't know there was as big a following on restoring tractors and such till this year when my kids were in the labor day parade with a homade tractor they built just for the occasion once again thanks a bunch Dave | ||
| G Knowlton |
Dave I am curious what type of hydraulics do you use to lift your loader on the 550? Internal,Pto or front pump? I have tried to use the internal pump but find that I only have 1100 psi for 2 seconds and then it drops to 500 psi coming out of my external control valve. | ||
| gknowlton |
Trying to decide if I am dollars ahead to invest in a front mounted pump for loader hydraulics or try to have my pump checked and or fixed. The local garage is quoting $45-50 per hour and $650 for a hydro pump rebuild. I will also have 120 miles of hauling to pay for. Maibach insists that the 550 hydraulics should lift a loader, bucket and a load reasonably heavy although it will be slow. I have $4,650 invested in this 550 now including the loader bucket and maibach equipment. Tractor is in good to excellent condition,good rubber and no leaks, paint good, lots of power (minus hydraulics). Any advice would be appreciated. | ||
| Canada Grant |
We have a cockshutt [oliver] 550 purchased new with 59A loader with hydraulic bucket. Used daily for 30 years as main loader now semi retired [like dad he,s only 84] pump was replaced when new , don't know why but its still lifting and pushing. used with 4 foot manure bucket and 6 foot snow. If your pump is problem you should also be having lift problems with 3 point hitch? After 40 years perhaps just wear and tear so you shouldn't have to do it again unless your like dad and not quite finished with that tractor yet! | ||
| Chris Losey (Admin) |
If you plan on using the loader regularly, (weekly or more often) you'll really appreciate the speed that the front pump will give you. If you are just going to move a little odds and ends, then using the internal pump would suffice. If the internal pump is good and everything is working ok, it will lift most any loader that will fit on the 550. Something else to condsider. Any external hydraulic valve on a Super 55 or 550 should have a relief valve built into it. If the relief valve is sticking in your external remote valve, it could cause a pressure drop at that point. You might want to check this out before you spend the big bucks on a rebuilt hydraulic pump. If you don't have a relief valve built into your external remote valve, then there is a good chance that the hydraulic pump is cracked. Also, have you changed the hydraulic filter? | ||
| gknowlton |
I plan to use the loader to move gravel, dirt and snow, hobby farm stuff, maybe a load of wood an occasional rock. The 550 is replacing a tired 9n that used a dirt scoop and 50 inch material bucket (trip). I am impressed with the Ollies power on all points except of course Hydro. My external control valve does have a built in relief valve that is factory preset(Cross). I understand that the Maibach cover plate also has a relief valve. Adjustment to this relief valve has no impact on the loaders lift speed or power. Changing oil from 10 weight to sae30 did have an impact about 15 percent until the oil warms up and the control valve gets hot; then it lifts about 50 lbs or 5 gallons of dirt. The filter looked very clean,was blown out but was not changed. Over filling the reservoir didn't help although it did answer my question about capacity and of course made a mess. Hydro cover bolts look pretty clean and makes me think that the dealer knows more than he is telling me about my problem. He does assure me that his team are not oliver hydro experts and they do not want to work on my problem. I agree with them after hearing their story about installing an Ollie pump and draft cylinder that turned into an ejection seat upon starting. I think I will reinstall the original three bolt cover and try to check the pressure before it reaches the new control valve and eliminate it as a problem. I appreciate any and all help. | ||
| DaveLee |
my oliver 550 uses the internal pump for the loader/bucket. it came new with a mcoullough loader which is what it is currently using smae one have had braces welded a few times for stress cracks and have rebuilt the lift cylinders on average once every 2 or 3 years but otherwise have had no problem at all with ity and it has been used for al kinds of stuff from moving dirt to moving manure to loading sawdust when we ran a sawmill also lugged around several logs with it and changed a few engines with it and not had and sewrious problems with it. | ||
| Chris Losey (Admin) |
Gknowlton, that sounds like a good idea to check the pressure with out the valve. Is your Cross valve open or closed center? It should be open center. With heavier oil making a difference, I'm leaning toward it being a worn out pump. Where are you located? | ||
| G knowlton |
Chris; The control valve is a cross, Open center it is a 2 spool with the B fitting plugged and my loader running into A. In and out ports connected to the Miabach cover plate via 4 ft hoses.This valve is made for wood splitters. But pressure up was all I was concerned with as I do not need pressure down yet, one way loader cylnders. I am thinking about checking the relief valve on this cover plate from Miabach before I remove it. Although I was told it is factory preset maybe it is adjustable and I could get more pressure through it. It has a large, flat one inch nut on it. Hopefully it will not go into orbit when I take it off. I am in mid west Wisconsin, Eau Claire area and yes all Packer fans here! | ||
| Clint Cowgill |
Gentlemen I need help to determine if i have an Oliver oc-3 or Cletrac can you or any one help? | ||
| Chris Losey (Admin) |
Clint, if you have an OC-3 it will look like this. http://olivergang.org/discus/messages/619/761.jpg The serial number can be found on the bell housing where the red circle is in the picture. Find it and post it here and I can tell you more. |
