Oliver 70 Row Crop

A Brief History

The Oliver 70 was part of the "Streamlined Series" which also included the Oliver 60 and the old style Oliver 88. It was manufactured from 1937 to 1948. The row-crop configuration could have either dual or single front wheels, and even had an adjustable wide front end option. The Oliver 70 was also offered in the standard, orchard and industrial configurations.

They were sold in the USA as the Oliver 70, painted green with red wheels. When sold in Canada they were painted red with cream colored wheels and were sold under the Cockshutt brand as the Cockshutt 70. With the optional 6 speed transmission these tractors are capable of traveling 13 mph down the road. An early advertisement states "Power when you want it - power when you need it - power to help put in crops when field conditions are right and time and help are limited. That's the power you'll find in an Oliver Row Crop 70." The tractors produced during these years were among the finiest and best performaing of the world's farm machines.

The Oliver 70 RC Today

Production data shows that almost 63,000 of these units were manufactured. How many are still around today is not known. They are very collectible and we would venture to say that more of them are being cared for as a collection piece than in use for everyday farm chores. Parts are still available from select parts dealers. There are also a few specialty dealers who specialize in only the old Olivers. We see these tractors now and again at the local tractor shows - they are indeed a beautiful, stream-lined machine.

The Specs

Air Cleaner: Donaldson, oil wah
Carburetor: Zenith, 1 inch
Clutch: Borg & Beck, 9 inch single plate, dry
Governor: Own, centrifugal, flyball, variable speed
Ignition: Bosch, high tension
Lighting: Delco-Remy - guide L., electric, storage battery
Oil Filter: Michiana
Radiator: Modine-Young, tubular-fin
Spark Plugs: Champion 5 Com.
Starter: Delco-Remy
Engine: Own, 3-1/8 x 4-3/8, 1,500 rpm, 6-cylinders, vertical, cast en bloc, removable sleeves
Speeds: MPH forward 2.44, 3.32, 4.33, 5.88 and 2.44 reverse

Nebraska Tractor Test Results

TEST NO. 351

Oliver Farm Equipment Co., Charles City, Iowa

DATE TESTED: August 23 to August 29, 1940

Oliver featured their own six-cylinder I-head engine in the "70". Rated at 1,5000 rpm, it carried a 3-1/8 x 4-3/8 inch boare and stroke. A Zenith 61AXJ7 carburetor and an American Bosch MJC magneto also came as standard equipment. The model tested was equipped with 11 x 40 inch rear rubber and 5.50 x 16 front tires. To the rear wheels were added 775 pounds of cast iron weight plus another 432 pounds of calcium chloride solution, a total of 2400 pounds of ballast included in the operating weight of 6,770 pounds. No repairs or adjustments were noted in 49 hours of engine operating time. Six forward speeds were provided of 2.56, 3.47, 4.55, 6.17, 7.61 and 13.44 mph. Third gear was selected for Test H. In this ten hour run the "70" came away with a fuel economy of 9.81 horsepower hours per gallon of gasoline, pulling a 1,986 pound load at 4.29 mph and delivering 22.72 rated drawbar horsepower. The low gear maximum test indicated a pulll of 4,170 pounds at 2.23 mph. Test C noted 30.37 brake horsepower under maximum operating load with an economy of 11.28 horsepower hours per gallon of fuel. This figure dropped an insignificant 0.04 to 11.24 at the rated load of 28.46 horsepower as noted in Test C.

Serial Numbers