Super 55 loader tractor

Molinechris

New User
Location
SW Idaho
There’s a super 55 selling tomorrow on auction time. I’m wondering if it would be good for me or if I need something bigger. I farm about 30 acres of hay, and stacking everything on racks by hand sucks. Guess I’m not as young as I think I am. I have a land honor 10 bale accumulator grabber I bought when the neighbor retired last year. He ran it on a skid steer, but those are way too expensive for me. I have a loader on my 1955, but I think it would be too big and awkward for accumulating. I think I need something smaller and more maneuverable in the fields, so I can see what I’m doing better. I spotted this Super 55 and am wondering if it’s too small for the job, or a good fit. It’s a gas model with power steering and a yellow loader of some type on it. I have a PTO pump and tank in the shed I could use to run oil to the grapple cylinder if the tractor doesn’t have enough capacity. The grabber weighs about 750 pounds, and I make 40-45 pounds bales. So about 1200 pounds combined. Is this tractor up to the job, or do I need something's bigger? I don’t have any hills and I have as pretty heavy blade I could carry as rear ballast. Just worried about the front end mostly
 
I'm assuming you're looking at the one in Montana. I know they listed it with power steering, and I'd be hard pressed to think a loader tractor doesn't have power steering, but many of those early Olivers were run without PS with the loaders. I figure I could see it in the pictures but I can't see any PS cylinders. You may want to confirm with them. As for could if it could handle it, I think you wouldn't have a problem. I'm assuming there's probably some weight in those rear tires as well, but you may want a three point weight box because that accumulator will probably stick out a little further than the bucket.
 
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Yep, it’s the one in Montana. I’m in Idaho so it wouldn’t be too much of a trip to get it. I’ll call and make sure it has power steering then. Any idea how they plumbed the loader- I’m guessing basically just direct tapped into the casing plugs? I didn’t see a PTO or engine pump for the loader in the pictures. I’m guessing that’ll lift my loaded grabber to 8-10 feet probably? I can use my big tractor to stack, and I’m not going far so not too worried about loading the max on the wagons
 
There's a chance the power steering is the early torque generator, no later PS cylinders.

As for hydraulics, I'm assuming it's plumbed right off the hydraulic unit, by the operator's right leg. I do see a Vickers hydraulic valve, so that's kind of cool. I think the adjuster knob is broken however, and I don't see the lever.
 
Do those torque generators systems do the job good enough? I’m guessing the Vickers system is a flow control system to speed up or slow down the flow to the loader??
 
1200 pounds is a lot of weight on the front of that little guy. The first utility loader tractor we had was a Super 55 with a Feeeman loader. We broke the front axle one time loading manure with it. We ran the loader off the tractors hydraulic pump. It was awful slow. Ours didn't have power steering and it was a bear to turn with a load on it. I love those little tractors, don't get me wrong, but if you have a quick attach on the loader on the 1955 so you can put the grapple on and take it off quick, I'd for sure be using that and not spend money or a trip to get the 55. If you just want a 55, for sure, buy it so that you have one.
 
I’m not a collector, so I’m not really set on anything. I don’t think I can do a good job with my 1955. I mocked it up and I can’t see the grabber over the hood. I’m sure i I could unload my hay racks with it, but I think accumulating would be a nightmare. I have an F11 with PTO pump I could mount on something. I just saw this little guy and thought that it might be just the ticket. I mostly am worried about breaking a front end on something and not seeing the grabber over the hood. My grandfather worked for Moline so I have a fondness for them, but I’m really not too brand loyal. The best tractor is the one that does the job the best.
 
If you have an F-11 loader I would look for an oliver 77 or 88, the F-11 will mount up real easy and they could handle the weight, PTO pump makes them fast. I have had sevral olivers set up with farmhand 10 bale packs, used one in the field and one at the dairy to unload. went to big bales and they would handle it but were a bit harder to steer without power steering. added charlyn power steering and they worked like a dream. good visibility and with high reverse made fast work.
 
Do those torque generators systems do the job good enough? I’m guessing the Vickers system is a flow control system to speed up or slow down the flow to the loader??

I don't know the torque generators. I would imagine it would be a little weak for a loader and its weight if stationary. I don't know how it's plumbed, but I would imagine it would be better to have it plumbed directly to a correct loader valve setup.
 

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