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| Listen, reality is somewhere between the extremes that you've been given for responses thus far. It is not fair (or entirely accurate) to judge the 1855 too harshly for what it was 40-some years ago when it was introduced. Yes, they did have the version of 310 Oliver diesel (jointly manufactured with Waukesha) which was initially most prone to failure, but if you research this in more detail you will find that many 1855s were updated in the field with an improved version of this engine and are running just fine today. There was a run of weak blocks that plagued them, but again, if a tractor is running fine today chances are pretty good that you've got a good one that will hold up just fine. Then again, this is judging a tractor on just one component, so let's assume that this one has a decent engine in it if it's made it to still being in service after 40 years whether or not it's the original engine or not. Behind that, these generally had a 3 speed Over/Under Hydraul Shift which is great and a rugged rear-end and trans. Closed center hydraulics made these an easy-handling tractor. These went head-to-head with Deere's 4020, and yes, while the 4020 wasn't plagued with the engine problems of the 1855 in its early days, the 1855 will easily outwork it and do it on less fuel. In this day and age with the updates to the engines that this 18 has likely had, I'd take it any day over a 4020, and also an 856. Granted, the IH engine is a tough one to beat, but give me the Oliver for sure from bell housing back over the IH. If the dealer that you're working with is familiar with these, ask them some questions or the previous owner of its history and if things generally check out kosher, go for it - they are a good tractor. That said, I would peel off the loader if you don't need it and most of these had 2 speed PTO, but it was an option. You can check the rear diff cover to see if there is a shifting spool with 2 positions to it that enables the 540 to 1000 range shift. If you want to judge it on what it was 40 years ago and not take into account the updates/improvements that Oliver released on these, go ahead, but you're likely missing out on a nice, handy tractor for the jobs you have in mind for it. Go over to the Yesterdays Tractors website to the Oliver section over there and do more research on your own - plenty of good info over there on the history of these and what to know on them. | |
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1855 oliver
