The Super 55
Oliver’s Entry Into the Utility Tractor Market
By Sherry

The 8N Ford was introduced to the public July 9, 1947. It incorporated a hydraulically controlled 3-Point hitch with position control. The retail price at introduction was $1,095 fob Detroit, Michigan. This tractor was highly successful with over half a million models built through production and captured 19 percent of the US wheel tractor market. This had the attention of Oliver so they set out to build a utility model of their own to get a piece of that pie.

Alva Phelps, Oliver CEO, requested that the engineering department get busy to design a model similar to the 8N. Since Ford was tied up in a lawsuit with Ferguson regarding patent infringements, Oliver’s engineers began working on a draft control valve that would work with Vickers continuous-running hydraulic pump. This would release Oliver from Ferguson’s patents.

Oliver put together their first experimental model in June of 1952. Four units were put together using the transmission of the Oliver 60. Charles City was certain that Ford would be releasing a more modern tractor once their lawsuit with Ferguson was over. So the engineers concentrated on a better design with independent PTO, a modern seat and helical gear transmission instead of the one used in their first experimental units.

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