Oliver 88 slow 1st gear

Hello all, I have an Oliver 88 that I need to go slower for baling hay and picking corn. Is there a slower 1st gear that goes around 1.5 mph?
If Oliver did make a slower 1st how hard are they to change? And does anyone know where I might be able too find one? Thanks
 
I'm no expert, but that seems awfully slow for what you want to do. What kind of 88 are we talking about? What tire size? Generally the ring and pinion and tires are the factors in speed in an 88.
 
I'm no expert, but that seems awfully slow for what you want to do. What kind of 88 are we talking about? What tire size? Generally the ring and pinion and tires are the factors in speed in an 88.
It's an 88 row crop. I not sure of the tire size but I will get it in the morning. The trouble I'm having is the tractor is moving to fast and the corn picker (new idea no.10) can't keep up and plugs up constantly. Thanks
 
Hello all, I have an Oliver 88 that I need to go slower for baling hay and picking corn. Is there a slower 1st gear that goes around 1.5 mph?
If Oliver did make a slower 1st how hard are they to change? And does anyone know where I might be able too find one? Thanks
If you can find the serial number and model number, there are people who can tell you what ring and pinion you have (Chris Losey), that is the only way that I know of to change travel speed in the transmission. An easier approach would be to install smaller tires. Do you know how fast you are traveling now?
 
It's an 88 row crop. I not sure of the tire size but I will get it in the morning. The trouble I'm having is the tractor is moving to fast and the corn picker (new idea no.10) can't keep up and plugs up constantly. Thanks
That picker is old enough that it was designed for 60 to 80 bushel per acre corn, so what is your yield, double or triple that? We have the same problem at our working farm show every September. I suggested planting a lower population on a few acres for the older pickers to harvest but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Just stop every little bit and let it catch up.
 
That picker is old enough that it was designed for 60 to 80 bushel per acre corn, so what is your yield, double or triple that? We have the same problem at our working farm show every September. I suggested planting a lower population on a few acres for the older pickers to harvest but it seems to have fallen on deaf ears. Just stop every little bit and let it catch up.
My average bpa was around 200 this year. I borrowed a tractor that went pretty slow and that worked really well with the picker. I had been considering lowering my population back to 22000 (it's 25000 right now) but I'm not sure that will be enough to fix the issue.

If I was just hobby farming I wouldn't worry about any of this. but since I grind my own feed for my livestock I need to get this issue sorted out. Thanks
 
If you can find the serial number and model number, there are people who can tell you what ring and pinion you have (Chris Losey), that is the only way that I know of to change travel speed in the transmission. An easier approach would be to install smaller tires. Do you know how fast you are traveling now?
I'm not exactly sure how fast I'm going but I would guess it's about 2.5 - 3 mph
 
I'm not exactly sure how fast I'm going but I would guess it's about 2.5 - 3 mph
I'm not exactly sure how fast I'm going but I would guess it's about 2.5 - 3 mph
You likely have a 10/47 Tooth Ring and Pinion in your Tractor, which would give You a First Gear Speed of 2.49 MPH.
There was an Optional 9/51 Tooth Ring and Pinion Available for the Fleetline Row Crops which would Slow You down to 1.88 MPH in First Gear, and a Top Speed of only 9.72 MPH in Sixth Gear.
Part Numbers are 1K-602-D, and 1K-644-D Respectively. If You can find a Set be prepared to Spend some time playing with Differential Shims to get Yourself Set up with the Correct Lash Adjustment.
 
Your best bet is to try a different tractor, the early 88s typically had a ring gear that would go about that fast in 1st gear, changing the ring gear is a major project.

I agree here. Never changed ring gear and pinion in a tractor, but did in my drag car. It isn't just changing then, it's shimming them properly. Not shimmed correctly and they wear fast, even break.
If having a shop do it, you're looking at some coins.
 
Your best bet is to try a different tractor, the early 88s typically had a ring gear that would go about that fast in 1st gear, changing the ring gear is a major project.
Yep. I generally always pick with my 1850 on the New Idea 325 picker. This year the stalks were so stinking brittle, I was about pulling my hair out. I was threatening to set fire to the field so I could pick off of bare stalks. The 1850 is the only one I have that the Hydra power doesn't work right on. Second gear was too fast and the trash would pile up in fifty feet. First was so painfully slow I couldn't stand it. I ended up picking with the 2-105. Second gear under drive was right and I could keep moving in pretty good shape.
 
You likely have a 10/47 Tooth Ring and Pinion in your Tractor, which would give You a First Gear Speed of 2.49 MPH.
There was an Optional 9/51 Tooth Ring and Pinion Available for the Fleetline Row Crops which would Slow You down to 1.88 MPH in First Gear, and a Top Speed of only 9.72 MPH in Sixth Gear.
Part Numbers are 1K-602-D, and 1K-644-D Respectively. If You can find a Set be prepared to Spend some time playing with Differential Shims to get Yourself Set up with the Correct Lash Adjustment.
Would a power booster work in a 88? That would slow you down 25% in low range.
 
Finding a good one will be your first challenge. Any you find will likely need to be overhauled. We have two with power boosters. One that we totaly went thru when rebuilding tractor 25 or 30 years ago that now under heavy load will sometimes slip when shifting into under. Pretty much all we have done with it is tractor pulling though so maybe a little hard on it? The other one I havent touched but it quits driving when not under load in under?? Then like someone said input shaft being different makes sense, and I am not sure about this but you may need a shaft from an early 880 that doesnt have the helical trans? I am in the house for the night but I have a fair bit of relevant info out in the shop I will look for in the morning and post back as to what all needs changed, but I am pretty sure the bell housing will also need to come from a 770/880 that had power booster? I also think I remember someone saying they had to do a bit of grinding on the frame tub for clearance. Not for the power booster but for the different bell housing maybe?? At the end of the day is it really worth it? If you have the regular speed ring and pinion you will still only get down to around 2 MPH at rated engine speed. Reduction by my memory is not quite 25% like 1550 said in his post. I will have to look for sure in the am but at best I think it may be 24%? If it were me I would just look for another tractor with lower gears? I guess you would say I am a diehard Oliver guy and I really dont think too much of the power booster. The hydrapower and hydraul shift however is a different story.
 
If I did opt to buy another tractor. what are you guys opinions on Oliver 770/880s gas or diesel with a power booster. If I could find one I would consider one of those if it had the slower ring and pinion.

If the 770/880 is not a good option what tractor would you guys recommend of any brand preferably from the mid to late 1950s thanks
 
If I did opt to buy another tractor. what are you guys opinions on Oliver 770/880s gas or diesel with a power booster. If I could find one I would consider one of those if it had the slower ring and pinion.

If the 770/880 is not a good option what tractor would you guys recommend of any brand preferably from the mid to late 1950s thanks
I've never owned a 770 or an 880, but the 770 was the feature tractor in the newest issue of Oliver Heritage magazine. I've never seen so many pictures and letters to the editors for a feature tractor as there were for the 770s. Seems everybody who has one loves it. That power booster was Oliver's first attempt at a two speed and didn't have the best reputation. It was an option, and I don't know what percentage of the 770s and 880s had them. Seems like I see more without than with.

I have a 1550 and feel the same way about that as guys feel about their 770s. I love that tractor. It was the model that replaced the 770. The 1600 replaced the 880. I have one of those too. It's a little bit newer than you mentioned, being made in 63 and 64, but a darned good tractor that would have the vastly better Hydra Power two speed. I don't think you'd be the least little bit disappointed with a 1550 or 1600.
 
Hello all, I have an Oliver 88 that I need to go slower for baling hay and picking corn. Is there a slower 1st gear that goes around 1.5 mph?
If Oliver did make a slower 1st how hard are they to change? And does anyone know where I might be able too find one? Thanks
Don't know where you are at but if you have hilly land a power booster or hydra-power isn't good. Those free wheel in low range. Probably smaller wheels is your best bet, if you stay with the 88. A 770 or 880 doesn't gain you much. Maybe lower gearing but same hydraulics, same pto, add on power steering etc. A 1550 or 1600 would give you better hydraulics a real 3 point hitch and power steering.
 

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