55 series styling

[knightguy]

One question that I have always had about the 55 series Olivers (1755 and larger)... I have always liked the styling, with the exception of how the hood fits to where the control panel is, or rather doesn't fit in my opinion. I know that there was a plastic piece that bridged this gap, but it is missing on most of those still around. I just think that Oliver could have done a better job fitting these in a better way. Maybe there is a reason and someone could fill me in? The 50 series did not have this gap. Thanks.

 

[Cas]

I think the reason might be in this time frame
White Farm Equipment was trying to make farm
equipment, trucks, refrigerators, etc. Consolidation and capitalization were real difficuties. This led to some necessary shortcuts.
ps I have used and collected White and Oliver
for almost 40 years

 

[Anonymous-0]

When did they make refrierators? I think you have the wrong White company there.

 

[rrlund]

Yea,that White Consolidated Industries refrigerator factory was 9 miles from me. It was always my understanding that they had nothing to do with White Motor Company.

 

[B A Star]

I look at the tractors that are being produced today and wonder what they will look like 40 years from now with all of the plastic that is on them.  I don't see how they can be "restored" as the olders are now.

 

[oliver fan]

With the 00 and 50 series of tractors, the operators platform was part of the top of the transmission and hydraulics. The instrument panel was mounted solid to the sheet metal. With all of the vibration of the operating componets, there was a lot of noise. That is why most anyone who has put an after market cab on one of those tractors, soon take it back off.

The 55 (1755 & up) series of tractors had a re-designed platform. The advertising for those tractor said "You float along on rubber. Rumble and chatter have been dampened. Rubber mountings now isolate the platform and instrument panel because they are assembled in one piece. Vibrations are absorbed, shocks are cushioned by the bushings---and air can circulate beneath to carry away heat under foot." That is why Oliver started to advertise cabs alot more. That gap in the sheet metal you are talking about was to seperate the solidly mounted sheet metal from the rubber mounted instrument panel.

 

[knightguy]

Thanks oliver fan... that makes a lot of sense, and with a cab, that gap is completely unnoticeable.

 

[Cas]

Thanks to the cost cutting CEO Edward Reddig from
White Consilidated was hard to tell with convoluted stock purchases, White Motor cutbacks,
cash and credit transfers who ran who. It ended
in 1970 if I remember right. But the damage was
done.
ps I still use and collect White and Oliver Farm
Equipment.