The gasoline engine found in the Oliver 1600 Series B tractor was a robust and reliable power source commonly used during its era. It featured a 6-cylinder design and utilized a liquid-cooling system to maintain optimal operating temperatures. With its displacement of 248 cubic inches (4.1 liters), this engine provided ample power for various agricultural tasks. Its design incorporated an oil bath air cleaner for effective filtration and had a compression ratio suitable for gasoline fuel. Operating smoothly at a rated RPM of 1900, this engine offered dependable performance for farm work. With a 12-volt starter system, it was well-equipped to handle the demands of starting and running the tractor. Overall, this gasoline engine was a workhorse that contributed to the tractor’s reliability and capability in the field.
| Oliver 1600 Series B Specs |
|---|
| Model Year | 1963-1964 |
| Series | 4-Digit Series |
| Type | Row-Crop tractor |
| Manufacturer | Oliver |
| Factory | Charles City, Iowa, USA |
| Original Price (1964) | $5,000 |
| Variants |
|---|
| Row-Crop | Tricycle front |
| Wheatland | Standard-front axle |
| High-Clearance | Extended ground clearance |
| Oliver 1600 Power |
|---|
| Gas Drawbar (claimed) | 51.5 hp / 38.4 kW |
| LP-gas Drawbar (claimed) | 47.5 hp / 35.4 kW |
| Diesel Drawbar (claimed) | 52.5 hp / 39.1 kW |
| Gas PTO (claimed) | 60 hp / 44.7 kW |
| LP-gas PTO (claimed) | 56 hp / 41.8 kW |
| Diesel PTO (claimed) | 61 hp / 45.5 kW |
| Plows | 4-5 |
| Engines Overview |
|---|
| Waukesha-Oliver | 4.3L 6-cyl diesel |
| Waukesha-Oliver | 4.1L 6-cyl gasoline |
| Waukesha-Oliver | 4.1L 6-cyl LP gas |
| Engine Details (Waukesha-Oliver Diesel) |
|---|
| Cylindes | 6-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 265 ci (4.3 L) |
| Bore/Stroke | 3.75×4.00 inches (95 x 102 mm) |
| Air cleaner | Oil bath |
| Compression | 16.25:1 |
| Rated RPM | 1900 |
| Firing order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Starter volts | 12 |
| Oil capacity | 8 qts (7.6 L) |
| Coolant capacity | 20 qts (18.9 L) |
| Engine Details (Waukesha-Oliver Gasoline and LP Gas) |
|---|
| Cylinders | 6-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 248 ci (4.1 L) |
| Bore/Stroke | 3.625×4.00 inches (92 x 102 mm) |
| Air cleaner | Oil bath |
| Compression (Gasoline) | 8.5:1 |
| Compression (LP Gas) | 9:1 |
| Rated RPM | 1900 |
| Firing order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Starter volts | 12 |
| Oil capacity | 8 qts (7.6 L) |
| Coolant capacity | 20 qts (18.9 L) |
| Engine Detail (Waukesha-Oliver Gasoline) |
|---|
| Type | 6-cylinder |
| Cooling | Liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 248 cubic inches (4.1 liters) |
| Bore/Stroke | 3.625 x 4.00 inches (92 x 102 mm) |
| Air Cleaner | Oil bath |
| Compression Ratio | 8.5:1 |
| Rated RPM | 1900 |
| Firing Order | 1-5-3-6-2-4 |
| Starter Voltage | 12 volts |
| Oil Capacity | 8 quarts (7.6 liters) |
| Coolant Capacity | 20 quarts (18.9 liters) |
| Transmissions variants |
|---|
| Opt | 6-speed gear |
| Opt | 12-speed partial power shift |
| Gear Transmission Details |
|---|
| Type | Gear |
| Gears | 6 forward and 2 reverse |
| Clutch | 279.4mm dry disc |
| Oil capacity | 32 qts (30.3 L) |
| Partial Power Shift Transmission Details (Hydra-Power) |
|---|
| Type | Partial power shift |
| Gears | 12 forward and 4 reverse |
| Clutch | 279.4mm dry disc |
| Note | Power shift control between direct drive and Hydra-Power range |
| Mechanical |
|---|
| Chassis | 4×2 2WD, 4×4 MFWD 4WD |
| Steering | Manual, power-assist optional |
| Brakes | Differential mechanical dry disc |
| Cab | Open operator station |
| Power Take-off (PTO) |
|---|
| Rear PTO | Independent |
| Rear RPM | 540 (1.375), 1000 (1.375) |
| 1600 Serial Numbers |
|---|
| Location | Serial plate on instrument panel |
| 1962 | 124-420 (A) |
| 1963 | 127-044 (A) |
| 1963 | 137-613 (B) |
| 1964 | 140-723 (B) |
| Final | 147-568 (B) |
| Oliver 1600 Tires |
|---|
| Ag Front | 6.00-16, 7.50-18 |
| Ag Rear | 13.6-38, 14.9-28, 15.5-38, 16.9-28, 18.4-34, 16.9-34, 18.4-30, 23.1-26 |
| Dimensions |
|---|
| 2WD Wheelbase | 99.3 inches (252 cm) |
| 4WD Wheelbase | 82.125 inches (208 cm) |
| Length | 154.6 inches (392 cm) |
| Width | 81.5 inches (207 cm) |
| Height (steering wheel) | 77 inches (195 cm) |
| Ground clearance | 23.625 inches (60 cm) |
| 2WD Front tread | 54 to 74 inches (137 to 187 cm) |
| 4WD Front tread | 66/70.75 inches (167/179 cm) |
| Rear tread | 56.5 to 89.5 inches (143 to 227 cm) |
| Oliver 1600 Weight |
|---|
| 2WD Operating | 7400 lbs (3356 kg) |
| 4WD Operating | 8140 lbs (3692 kg) |
| Ballasted | 11,020 lbs (4998 kg) |
Oliver 1600 Series B Tractor Overview
The Oliver 1600 Series B tractor, produced between 1963 and 1964, holds a special place in agricultural history as a significant representative of tractor technology from that era. Today, it is considered a historical and collectible model, cherished by tractor enthusiasts and collectors alike.
In its time, the Oliver 1600 Series B was a symbol of innovation and reliability in the agricultural industry. It featured a gasoline engine with a displacement of 248 cubic inches (4.1 liters) and a 6-cylinder design, which was quite advanced for the era. The liquid-cooling system ensured the engine’s temperature remained stable during long hours of operation, a crucial factor for agricultural tasks.
One of the standout aspects of this tractor was its versatility. It came in various variants, including Row-Crop, Wheatland, and High-Clearance versions, making it adaptable to different farming needs. The 6-speed gear and 12-speed partial power shift transmissions provided farmers with options for varying power and speed requirements, making it suitable for a wide range of tasks.
The Oliver 1600 Series B’s design was a testament to the robustness and durability of tractors from that period. Its manual steering, though labor-intensive by today’s standards, was typical for the time, and power-assist was optional. The differential mechanical dry disc brakes ensured reliable stopping power in the field.
Collectors today appreciate the Oliver 1600 Series B for its historical significance and the glimpse it provides into the state-of-the-art technology of the 1960s. Its vintage design, including the distinctive tricycle front or standard-front axle, adds to its appeal as a collector’s item. The tractor’s open operator station, a stark contrast to modern enclosed cabs, reflects the simplicity and ruggedness that characterized farm machinery of its era.
Overall, the Oliver 1600 Series B stands as a remarkable representation of tractor technology of its time, serving as a cherished collectible that connects us with the agricultural heritage of the past. Its enduring legacy and historical value make it a sought-after piece for tractor enthusiasts and collectors, who appreciate its contribution to the evolution of farming machinery.
