Off-topic: Wanted, crawler tractor

[Jerry]

As some of you know I am working on cleaning up dead wood from my 7 acre lot which is located in central Colorado. Last spring I bought a 25hp chipper to aid in this effort but I need a way to move it around my not very level lot. My ATV is to light to pull it up the slopes even in 4-wheel drive; just bounces with all 4 tires spinning. (Chipper weighs 1,700 pounds, ATV is rated to pull 1,300 pounds.)

So...I am looking for a small (compact) crawler tractor.

What I have in mind is an Oliver OC3. From an Oliver web site: "The Oliver OC-3 with slight modifications, was actually the Cleveland Tractor Company's Model HG, a compact crawler introduced in 1939. The Model GG was marketed in Canada by Massey-Harris and in the United States by Montgomery Ward and the Farmers Union CO-OP. In 1942, the Model GG was sold to B.F. Avery & Sons, and the Avery Company sold the tractor as the Model A. After Minneapolis-Moline acquired B.F. Avery and Sons in 1951, the tractor was sold as the MM Model BF." The OC3 was built into the mid-50's as far as I can tell.

If any of you happen to come across an old crawler or see a crawler listing please let me know. I can't afford a full restored unit, has to be something that I can work on and repair as needed. Probably a winter project.

A fully restored OC3 (with optional "street" shoes) looks like this:



One reason I'm looking at an OC3 is that the engines were designed to provide lubrication on side hill slopes of up to 35 degrees and straight-on grades of up to 45 degrees. Just what I need for working on my lot. I would also consider a Caterpillar 22 or 25 or any other small crawler.

Thanks.

[soccer4m]

4wd

Howdy Jerry,,,,would a 4 wheel drive small truck, like a toyota tacoma type work for you? They can pull quite a bit, usually rated at least 3500lb tow capacity, and are pretty tough especially with trail tires...and can be used for driving around also. Cool rally seeing you there with all the Coloradians. Cant help you with the minidozer, good luck anyway Mike in Sun Diego

[Jerry]

Mike:
A compact truck is not maneuverable enough to slip around the trees and around sharp bends. I am trying to minimize cutting live trees to make roads, trying to go around them instead. Makes it a challenge to get larger equipment where I want to go. Have looked at larger crawlers such as a Cat-D2 but even that is almost to big. The Oliver (previously Cletrac) line is probably going to be my best bet as they made small agricultural-type tractors not meant for earth moving or other construction work, just to pull stuff around a farm and do light dozing work such as plowing snow or spreading gravel.

Have done OK so far with my ATV but am now getting into the steeper parts of the lot and the ATV can't pull much uphill on the steeper grades. Need a better horse!

[Bonz]

Just curious, what size is your ATV? Or maybe better to ask, what ATV do you have?

[natemoen]

I am kind of in the same shoes as you. Wife and I just purchased 10 acres and a little dozer would be perfect. We don't have the angles of course though.

[Jerry]

Just curious, what size is your ATV? Or maybe better to ask, what ATV do you have?

Yamaha Grizzly 550 with EPS (Electronic Power Steering.) have been using it to pull a trailer around the lot but it is not working for the higher/steeper parts I am now working.

Photo of ATV pulling a trailer on my lot:



This load of brush heading for the chipper since I can't get the chipper to the brush...

[Bonz]

Do you think if an ATV-type vehicle was heavier it would work? Meaning, would it be heavy enough for all you plan to do, or would a crawler be the ultimate solution?

A side-by-side four wheeler would double the weight of the Griz, would that be maneuverable enough?

However that crawler you showed the picture of is really cool! Are they maintainable and parts available?

[Jerry]

Howard:

I don't think a larger / heavier ATV would do the trick. Pulling 1,700 pounds up a 35 degree slope takes traction more than HP and the lot, particularly on the steeper spots, is mostly decomposed granite instead of dirt. Makes traction an issue! I really think a tracked vehicle is going to do better than a rubber tired puller of any kind.

Like the XS, there is an active Oliver / Cletrac users group and a few different sources for NOS and used parts. Not cheap but available. The engines and tracks were used in quite a few different applications by several manufacturers so most parts are not an issue.

There is one for sale here in Colorado but it is over priced at $3,500. It needs track work and has not run for 4+ years. Looking at one in Oregon for $700.00 but has not run in 22 years although it has been in a shed. Would prefer a $700 rig closer to home but Colorado is not a big agricultural state where most of these were sold. Thought if more people could look out for one it would increase my chances of getting a decent crawler for a good price.

[3Phase]

It's an odd lookin' critter but there's a project crawler on eBay that might be what you're looking for:-


Barn Find! Oliver OC-3 Crawler, nice PTO Belt Pulley on back, no reserve, as is
susigordo_0 (2 )
100% Positive feedback
Item location: Bolivar, Ohio, United States
Ships to: Local pick-up only
Time left: 1 day 9 hours Thursday, 5:29PM
Starting bid:US $2,895.00

[Bonz]

Wow, that has a wide track! I envisioned it narrower from the picture in one of the first posts. Definitely will hold side hills and steep hills with that base.

I sure understand the decomposed granite, it's all over in my area as well. That stuff is hard on tires too.

[DiverRay]

The wide track is for row crops. Most orchards used the standard track, and vineyards use a narrow track. Don't ask me how I know this Yes, the wide track WOULD help to keep it from tipping on a slope, but I think it's not what Jerry want's for going around trees.

[Jerry]

The crawlers, as I am learning, came in several different track widths (called "gauges") depending on application. Common sizes are 31", 42", 60", and 68" as measured from center to center of each track. The 42" was considered "standard" for most models and that is what the restored OC3 in my previous post has as tracks.

The project one looks to be the 60" version which was used if a loader was going to be installed on the crawler, a fairly common configuration.The PTO/belt pulley was a common option for running older belt-powered accessories such as a buzz saw or newer gear that used the PTO. The one on eBay is new enough to have electric start (older ones are hand-crank only) and there is a hydraulic pump hidden behind the front grill that could be used for dozer blades, loaders, rippers, or other hydraulic-operated accessories.

I really want a 31" or 42" track version and will keep an eye on eBay and Craig's List. However, as we all know, sometimes what you want isn't advertised; rigs can be found sitting along fences, in old sheds and garages, out in fields. I hope someone might see or know of such a unit and can let me know about it.

I would take a wider track if the price was right. Supposedly the wide track units are more collectible than the standard track units as they are not as common. This tends to make them more expensive and a bit more of a problem when trying to find parts.

[webbcraft2150]

Have you considered a skid steer w/tracks mounted? Might have to be a bit creative mounting a trailer hitch. I operated one many years ago in the mountains of New Mexico and it would climb some pretty serious inclines and turn in its own length. the enclosed cab was nice as we were working about 8000ft, in the winter. The old tractors you are looking at are pretty cool but I would be afraid parts could be very hard to find. They are brutal to operate to. No hydraulic assist or drive by wire with those. And....if it starts to flip, better jump to the high side Check out Machinery Trader, they list a bunch of them. Watch out for some of the imports, parts support can be non-existent. Kinda like a Hyosung motorcycle.

[Jerry]

Have you considered a skid steer w/tracks mounted?

Had considered that but price of a skid steer plus price of tracks puts it out of my price range. Also skid steer units have very little ground clearance and I need to go over a few edges that might hang up a low-clearance puller.

Know what you say about operation but I only need to pull a chipper and trailer around the lot, not going to do any hard work with it.

Anyone near Yreka, California? There is a unit there that might fit the bill.

http://http://roseburg.craigslist.or...232669477.html

Wonder if someone could actually look at it for me? Specifically looking for wear on the tracks and rollers and some close-up photos would be great to have. I would contact the seller and arrange a visit.

Have been looking at Machinery Trader On-line and a few other places but have not seen anything in my price range yet. I missed the one in Oregon but could do a California trip without a lot of problems. Another on-line auction place (proxibid.com) has a few small crawlers but same story...prices a bit on the high side. I bought my chipper through them, though, so continue to monitor their listings as well.

[3Phase]

Je-e-e-r-r-r-y-y-y ... there's a BUSH! growing through the holes in the metal seat.
It looks like they dragged or drove it to a shed for the follow-up pictures.


http://roseburg.craigslist.org/grd/6232669477.html
Oliver cletrac crawler | Yreka