[AT] Another Oliver practical technical question for the list

Spencer Yost yostsw at atis.net
Wed Mar 1 18:07:46 PST 2006


I have a 77 diesel and am not sure how a crack like that started.   There
is a web/baffle in the case near there, but I don't think normal heavy use
could start it.  - it would take abuse - serious abuse, to do it.   I am
guessing it flipped over at some point in time in its life and now just
time and wear made it more noticeable or got it started.   Mine isn't a
long axle, so I could be wrong.

If you are sure the crack is recent, structural, and serious, get another
tractor.  There is no repairing it in a way that assures operator safety,
especially not cheaply.  Personally, I'd mark it with an engraver and watch
it closely.  Sometimes vibration or a recent pressure washing, or a good
long use after after a period of dormancy, will open an old leak back up
making something like that appear recent when it really isn't

Spencer Yost
Owner, ATIS
Plow the Net!
http://www.atis.net

*********** REPLY SEPARATOR  ***********

On 2/26/2006 at 9:11 PM Grant Brians wrote:

>Friday, the tractor driver pointed out to me a potentially serious issue
>on 
>one of our Oliver 77's (a Super 77 Diesel that has worked long and hard
>and 
>is in regular use!) There is a crack that appears to be about 6-7" long in

>the left side of the transmission case just forward of the axle connection

>and below the disc brake housing. The direction of the crack is mostly 
>vertical but tending toward the front of the tractor a bit as it goes 
>upward. The crack is seeping gear oil.
>    I need to figure out whether this crack is a structural problem and 
>needs to be welded,or if it is an annoyance that should be pinned and JB 
>welded. I assume the crack is from the beating the tractor has taken over 
>the years and especially from the hay work and heavy sleds when doing some

>of the cultivating. The tractor has however done everything from discing
>to 
>grading to pulling the mower conditioner that should take closer to 60hp 
>than the 45 of the Oliver. Oh, one other item that might have a bearing on

>this issue - the tractor has the 120" axle and was in the distant past
>when 
>it was the primary cultivating tractor on a 500 acre tomato and dry beans 
>farm used at the wider settings. It is back on 60" now and should stay 
>there. The wide front is in perfect condition.
>    Can anyone on the list help me with this VERY practical and necessary 
>concern? I really need to be able to rely on this tractor for quite some 
>time still, after all it only has been working for 51 years!
>        Grant Brians
>        Hollister, California
>
>_______________________________________________
>AT mailing list
>Remembering Our Friend Cecil Monson 11-4-2005
>http://www.antique-tractor.com/mailman/listinfo/at






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