When the Oliver Chilled Plow Works merged with Nichols & Shepard in 1929, the Battle Creek company had already been in the harvesting equipment business since 1848. But the well-known manufacturer had been in business for over 100 years before they would ever produce a self-propelled combine.

“Oliver Begins Its Second Century” was the celebration of Oliver in 1948. Even though Oliver did not start in the farm equipment business until 1855, they still claimed Nichols & Shepard anniversary as their own. With this century celebration, the Battle Creek plant took part in a $26,000,000 modernization and expansion program. Out of this program the first self-propelled combine was born, the Model 33. This machine was actually unveiled at the Centennial Celebration held in Battle Creek in 1948, not far from where Hart-Parr No. 3 was on display, but regular production did not begin until 1949.

In 1954 production began on the new model 35 combine but actual promotion and sales of this model didn't start until 1955. 1954 was also the end of production for the model 33. The differences between the 35 and 33 did not involve major redesign but the 35 had a larger, improved cleaning capacity.
Competition for the model 35 consisted of the AC 100, the Case 120, the Cockshutt 427 & 428, John Deere's 45 and 55, Gleaner's T-2 & T-3 and the A & R. Massey was marketing their SP Clipper along with the 60, 80 and 90. McCormick offered the 141 while MM was selling the SP 168 and the LA Uni-Harvestor.

The 35 was powered by an L-head, 6-cyl. F226 Continental engine. The early style engine was used in the first 1400 production models (1954-1955). These also used a Marvel-Schebler TSX-384. When they switched to the later style engine (FA226) at serial #351400, they used a Zenith 267X9. The machine was designed so the engine was waist high and easy to get too. There was no climbing up a ladder to check the oil or squeezing through a door. It was right there....simple.

Several changes were made during the early years of production. The straw spreader originally used a pan/paddle type spreader. At serial number 350951 the thrower was replaced by a system using 3 rubber belts. As a youngster I remember seeing that type of spreader and thinking there were snakes hanging out of the combine.

The straw elevator and walker were also redesigned at 350951. Early models used a step-type straw walker while later models used the saw tooth walker (see illustration on right). The elevators on the later model used a new sprocket with deeper teeth to drive the raddle chain in a more efficient manner. There were also minor changes made to the cylinder drive and concave at the same time.

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