Classic Collection Of Oliver Tractors

Classic Collection of Oliver Tractors AG WORLD Ag World 15-5-17 It was just 14 years ago that Jean Olson decided to expand his fleet of Oliver tractors. Since then, he has managed to put together what's reported to be one of the most complete collections of working Oliver tractors anywhere. What makes the Olson collection of nearly 100 tractors remarkable is that he not only has almost every model that Oliver ever made, but that nearly half of the tractors have been restored to mint operating condition. "People come from all over the U.S. to visit our farm to see the collection. There may be larger Oliver tractor collections, but I'm told that no one else has as many re-stored and repainted Oliver tractors in working order," says Olson, of Chatfield, Minn. "I've always been interested in Oliver tractors because my father owned them and my two older brothers, Delbert and Lyle, worked in the Oliver manufacturing plant in Charles City, Iowa, from 1935 to 1938. My father bought one of the first 4-cylinder models made by Oliver, a 28-44 Oliver Hart-Parr built in 1930. "I've always farmed exclusively with Oliver tractors. My first model, the one I started farming with, was a6-cylinder model 70 built in 1941. I'm also proud of a pair of 2-cylinder models, a 12-24 and an 18-36, made in about 1928. Hart-Parr tractors were first produced about 1905. I own several of them. My oldest Oliver is a Cletrac model built in 1919. I've never seen another one like it. Instead of having a Caterpillar tractor's leverage-type steering, it has a steering wheel that mounts straight up and down on a post. The Cleveland Crawler Tractor Company (Cletrac) became part of Oliver in 1944." According to Olson, Oliver tractors are easy to operate and require very little maintenance. He still frequently uses a 550 model that he bought new in 1965. It has never had a major overhaul. Olson relies on Stan Sorensen, a retired mechanic who formerly worked on Oliver tractors, to do most of the restoration work. Neighbor Les Johnson also helps out. Olson estimates that he has about three dozen Olivers still waiting to be restored, with more being added every year. Every year Olson has entered the tractors in a Chatfield, Minnesota, parade. Last year he entered 30 models, and it took several people a month to get the tractors ready and drivers assigned for the parade. A 1935 Oliver on the front lawn makes the Olson farm easier for visitors to find. During Christmas another older model is added, and the Olsons' son and daughter-in-law mount Christmas lights on the two models to make it look like their wheels are turning at night. For more information, contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Jean Olson, Rt. 1, Box 237, Chatfield, Minn. 55923 (ph 507 867-3047).

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