Oliver’s history stretches back to 1857, when it sold plows made from chilled metal, which resisted abrasion and lasted longer. In time, manufacturers began attaching implements to the new-fangled tractor, boosting sales of both products. Oliver expanded its repertoire when it bought Cleveland Tractor Company in 1944, adding dozens of new models to its inventory. The “Cletrac” offered a valuable option for farmers plowing tender fields – tracks spread the weight of the machine over a larger surface area, helping to prevent wheel ruts. The Hi-Crop configuration was made specifically to cultivate rows, providing enough clearance to leave seedlings intact. This one is an HG-68 with a 68″ center-to-center track width. It’s listed here at Aumann Auctions, with bidding at $4050; retrieve it from St. Cloud, Florida.
The HG-68 was made from 1939 through 1951, with power supplied by a gas-fueled Hercules four- or, later, a six-cylinder engine. Output from the smaller engine ranged from 14 to 21 hp at the drawbar. This example’s engine is free, both clutches work, and it steers in each direction. Research shows that this should have a three-speed-plus-reverse gearbox; speeds are very slow, since Hi-Crops are made for careful work, including hand-harvesting. This one’s fuel tank is rusty, but considering that the entire vehicle will need reconditioning, that’s a minor issue.
The operator sits well behind the action, with the only suspension provided by the flex in the metal seat. Two gauges give oil pressure and water temperature readings. This example has a rear PTO and a hitch. HG survivors are rare, with fewer than 30,000 ever made, including all width variants. Oliver HG parts can be found, but no doubt ingenuity will be required during this restoration.
Tracks are tricky, and these are in great condition. Oliver made a rubber-tracked version of its Hi-Crop, called the HGR, but it didn’t sell well. The rubber stretched, and stones slipped between the belts and the wheels, wrecking the tread. The condition of this HG-68 makes it an excellent restoration prospect, and it’s a seldom-seen model. Sixty-nine bids have been clocked so far; it wouldn’t be surprising to see this tractor sell for more than the current quote.
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