A quest for bigger and better tractors
IN THE SHOP with Rachel
By Rachel Gingell
Farms.com
The Oliver 1755, 1855 and 1955 share the same engine - with very different results!
In the 1970s, tractors were making a huge leap forward in horsepower. It seems like every major manufacturer was in a quest to put out a bigger and better tractor each year.
Oliver was no exception to this. In 1969-1970 they released a trio of powerful tractors: the Oliver 1755, 1855, and 1955. Each one had more horsepower than the next: the claimed PTO power was 86 hp, 92 hp, and 108 hp, respectively.
In order to be more efficient in production (and less expensive to the consumer), Oliver designed these three tractors with the same engine: an Oliver-Waukesha 5.1L 6-cylinder diesel engine. (The 1755 and 1855 also had gasoline options). In order to get more power in the larger models, Oliver turbo-charged the engine in the 1855 and the 1955.
From left: Oliver 1755, Oliver 1855 and Oliver 1955
Photos: TractorData.com
This increased power was too much for the 1855 and 1955. The over-powered engines continued to overheat when used at maximum capacity.
While the Oliver 1855 and 1955 aren't my favorite tractors, their over-powered engines can be helped along by frequent oil changes and thoughtful operation. If the tractors aren't pushed to their maximum operating capacity, they'll do just fine. You may even be able to find a good deal on a 1855 or 1955 that's been treated kindly - and if that's the case, you can get a lot of power for your money! Just be careful to thoroughly examine the block for signs of abuse and repair.
The 1755, on the other hand, didn't have these problems. The engine was appropriately sized for the rest of the tractor. Without the turbo-charge, it proved extremely reliable! In addition to great engine performance, the transmission and hydraulics also performed very well.
The Oliver 1755 worked out well enough to be sold under a different brand as well. The Minneapolis-Moline G850 is a sister model that is equally reliable.