Oliver Collector Keeps Adding To His Long Green Line
Retired Wisconsin dairyman Wayne Rabas has channeled the energy he previously used for tending 100 milk cows into growing his new “herd”, a long green line of Oliver tractors. Since milking cows for the last time in 2016, Rabas has devoted hundreds of hours toward expanding his collection of Oliver tractors, implements and memorabilia. His lineup includes more than 50 models ranging from a cute little 440 up to a powerful 2255, and many others in between.
Rabas says he gravitated to the brand because his father owned a nice 77 diesel, and as a 9 or 10-year-old, it was the first tractor he learned to drive on the family farm. It was an all-around workhorse for tillage, planting, harvesting, baling hay and tending livestock. Today a 77, a slightly more powerful ‘Super 77’, a 550 and an 1800, all in original condition, are the favorites in his collection.
Also in his current lineup are 60, 70 and 80 models along with 660, 770, 880 and 990’s. The 880, with just over 3,100 original hours, joined his collection this year. He uses his 550, 1755 and an 1800 around the farm where he and his wife Susie live. He also drives several of the tractors in nearby parades and enjoys attending auctions and sales where other Oliver models go to the highest bidder. These days he’s looking hard for a model 1950 with a Detroit Diesel engine, a rare tractor that’s usually not at auctions. He’s hoping to locate one in the near future.
His collection also includes an Oliver planter, corn picker, manure spreader, dealership signage, advertising materials, and other memorabilia, including an Oliver gas pump. “I grew up with the brand and drove many Olivers like these at the equipment dealership our family had, so it’s a nice trip down memory lane to collect them,” Rabas says. “As a 13 or 14-year-old, I painted my first Oliver and used to paint them for nearly 35 years at our dealership.”
Most of those he purchases these days are in good running condition, though he hopes to restore a few more.
“Even though the Oliver brand was purchased by White Equipment in 1960, they still built wonderful tractors and implements until 1974, when the name disappeared and everything was branded White,” says Rabas. “The fact they’re not made anymore makes them all the more valuable, not just to me, but many others who remember them working on farms across the country.”
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Wayne Rabas, 6264 Pine Grove Road, Luxemburg, Wis. 54217 (ph 920 863-6074).
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Oliver Collector Keeps Adding To His Long Green Line TRACTORS Collectors Retired Wisconsin dairyman Wayne Rabas has channeled the energy he previously used for tending 100 milk cows into growing his new “herd” a long green line of Oliver tractors Since milking cows for the last time in 2016 Rabas has devoted hundreds of hours toward expanding his collection of Oliver tractors implements and memorabilia His lineup includes more than 50 models ranging from a cute little 440 up to a powerful 2255 and many others in between Rabas says he gravitated to the brand because his father owned a nice 77 diesel and as a 9 or 10-year-old it was the first tractor he learned to drive on the family farm It was an all-around workhorse for tillage planting harvesting baling hay and tending livestock Today a 77 a slightly more powerful ‘Super 77’ a 550 and an 1800 all in original condition are the favorites in his collection Also in his current lineup are 60 70 and 80 models along with 660 770 880 and 990’s The 880 with just over 3 100 original hours joined his collection this year He uses his 550 1755 and an 1800 around the farm where he and his wife Susie live He also drives several of the tractors in nearby parades and enjoys attending auctions and sales where other Oliver models go to the highest bidder These days he’s looking hard for a model 1950 with a Detroit Diesel engine a rare tractor that’s usually not at auctions He’s hoping to locate one in the near future His collection also includes an Oliver planter corn picker manure spreader dealership signage advertising materials and other memorabilia including an Oliver gas pump “I grew up with the brand and drove many Olivers like these at the equipment dealership our family had so it’s a nice trip down memory lane to collect them ” Rabas says “As a 13 or 14-year-old I painted my first Oliver and used to paint them for nearly 35 years at our dealership ” Most of those he purchases these days are in good running condition though he hopes to restore a few more “Even though the Oliver brand was purchased by White Equipment in 1960 they still built wonderful tractors and implements until 1974 when the name disappeared and everything was branded White ” says Rabas “The fact they’re not made anymore makes them all the more valuable not just to me but many others who remember them working on farms across the country ” Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Wayne Rabas 6264 Pine Grove Road Luxemburg Wis 54217 ph 920 863-6074
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