In order for a tractor manufacturer to be competitive in the earlier years, it needed to offer a full line of equipment. This both increased sales for the company and kept the customer from walking in someone else’s door. If the manufacturer did not feel it was cost effective to design their own product, they would often purchase equipment from another vendor and then market it as their own. This was the case with Oliver swathers.

By the late 1930’s, many farm tractor manufacturers were taking notice of the many small farm owners that could benefit from a small tractor. In 1936, there were 3.5 million small farms that could not justify tractor ownership as there was not anything being built to fit their need. Cletrac wanted to fill that void and did so very well with one of their most successful little machines.

The WHITE agricultural brand entered the 1980’s as an endangered entity. For most of 1980, White Farm Equipment was unable to produce any tractors due to the financial collapse of its parent company, White Motors. With the sale of the WHITE agricultural brand to Texas Investment Corporation (TIC), the farm equipment line was stabilized and able to return to full production.

Most people think that the flex-fuel vehicle is a product of the last decade. However, the dual fuel system actually began following the turn of the century. Henry Ford produced the first commercial flex-fuel vehicle in 1908 with the model T. However, first use of a flex-fuel system in a tractor should probably go to Hart-Parr with their kerosene and gasoline tractor back in 1905. By the time the 18-36 came around, the tractor was designed to burn THREE fuels, making it a true flex-fuel machine.

Identification or Confusion?

The main reason a serial number was attached to a tractor or piece of equipment was to provide a means of individualized identification. The company was able to track how many units were built, when changes occurred, and sometimes how the machine was equipped by the serial number.

While many will agree that the model 70 was revolutionary as a modern tractor, many will also agree that the introduction of the Fleetline series gave Oliver a real boost in the market. With new engines, new styling and new features, these three models had efficiency AND beauty. In my opinion, these are still some of the best looking tractors out there today and no wonder that they are referred to as - The Three Beauties.

Shortline companies have always played a large role in the manufacturing of agricultural equipment. Manufacturers like Oliver were in business to build tractors, equipment and some of the optional accessories. However, when it came to the many smaller tools that could be used with their tractors, this was often left to the shortline companies. If the manufacturer approved those tools, they would help to sell them as an allied equipment supplier.

The Le Sueur County Pioneer Power Association was formed in 1977. In 1979, this enthusiastic group of volunteers purchased 110 acres of land and began a yearly summer show that grows more every year. In addition the association also hold a spring swap meet in the last weekend of April that draws tractor and machinery buffs from all across the country.

This year on August 27-29, the Heritage of Oliver was celebrated at their 33rd annual show. The title encompassed all brands that were part of Oliver. Three chapters pitched in to help make this a successful show with over 250 tractors present. Those three were the Great Plains Oliver Collectors, the Great Northern Oliver Collectors and the Northland Oliver Collectors.

By the late 1960’s Oliver was pushing to offer a wide array of equipment for all of their dealers. Oliver’s many plants were able to build the majority of their equipment with the exception of a few parts. For example, Electric Wheel manufactured the wagons and Wetmore built the grinder/mixers. An outside company also built the stalk chopper and flail shredders.