Hand-Built Oliver Super 55 Model Tractors
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Don Turner’s classic pedal tractors are collector keepsakes across the country and have been well documented in FARM SHOW (Vol. 42, No. 2) and other publications. His latest creations are true-to-scale detailed reproductions of Oliver Super 55 gas and diesel tractors.
Turner’s Super 55’s have a replica engine with a chrome exhaust pipe and a working electrical system. Delicate wiring connects a small starter, generator, coil and distributor to a switch at the operator station, which actually controls headlights. There’s even a belt-operated fan powered by a thumb-size motor. On the dashboard, small gauges show engine rpm’s, oil pressure and voltage output behind the hard-rubber steering wheel with the Oliver emblem. A rectangular decal provides the shifting pattern for the 2-speed transmission on the left top side of the console. Always working for authentic design and scale, Turner even created a working 3-pt. hitch system with adjustable length lift arms.
Turner is a welder by trade with a natural gift for identifying part and design sizes by sight without the aid of a tape measure. “I was born with that ability, and it sure makes building or rebuilding a whole lot easier than measuring everything,” Turner says. For years he’s crafted his prototype tractors from pictures and by looking at 1/16-scale toy models. Most are 38 to 41 in. long. After assembling and disassembling the prototype, he builds reproductions in quantity.
Like the previous 150 or so tractors he’s made, Turner formed the Oliver 55 frames, hood, fenders and engines from cold-rolled steel. He used a custom die 2 1/2 in. thick to form the grilles and laser-cut the metal for the screen openings. The Oliver name is centered on the narrow strip of solid green separating the gold sides. Turner says creating the front axles and steering system was a tough task, but eventually he succeeded, and the finished product looks authentic and steers easily.
The diesel and gas versions of the 55’s are almost identical, distinguished only by Oliver green wheels on the gas model and red wheels plus a diesel decal on the other. He has produced and sold a limited production of the gas model, 10 with red wheels and 10 with green. His wife Diane has staked her claim on the only diesel model that he’s built.
Turner says he loves producing the tractors, and even some accompanying implements, and is very fortunate that his wife is supportive of the projects.
Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Don Turner, 7200 Valley View St., Hokes Bluff, Ala. 35903 (dmturner36@gmail.com).
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Hand-Built Oliver Super 55 Model Tractors FARM HOME Toys/Games Don Turner’s classic pedal tractors are collector keepsakes across the country and have been well documented in FARM SHOW Vol 42 No 2 and other publications His latest creations are true-to-scale detailed reproductions of Oliver Super 55 gas and diesel tractors Turner’s Super 55’s have a replica engine with a chrome exhaust pipe and a working electrical system Delicate wiring connects a small starter generator coil and distributor to a switch at the operator station which actually controls headlights There’s even a belt-operated fan powered by a thumb-size motor On the dashboard small gauges show engine rpm’s oil pressure and voltage output behind the hard-rubber steering wheel with the Oliver emblem A rectangular decal provides the shifting pattern for the 2-speed transmission on the left top side of the console Always working for authentic design and scale Turner even created a working 3-pt hitch system with adjustable length lift arms Turner is a welder by trade with a natural gift for identifying part and design sizes by sight without the aid of a tape measure “I was born with that ability and it sure makes building or rebuilding a whole lot easier than measuring everything ” Turner says For years he’s crafted his prototype tractors from pictures and by looking at 1/16-scale toy models Most are 38 to 41 in long After assembling and disassembling the prototype he builds reproductions in quantity Like the previous 150 or so tractors he’s made Turner formed the Oliver 55 frames hood fenders and engines from cold-rolled steel He used a custom die 2 1/2 in thick to form the grilles and laser-cut the metal for the screen openings The Oliver name is centered on the narrow strip of solid green separating the gold sides Turner says creating the front axles and steering system was a tough task but eventually he succeeded and the finished product looks authentic and steers easily The diesel and gas versions of the 55’s are almost identical distinguished only by Oliver green wheels on the gas model and red wheels plus a diesel decal on the other He has produced and sold a limited production of the gas model 10 with red wheels and 10 with green His wife Diane has staked her claim on the only diesel model that he’s built Turner says he loves producing the tractors and even some accompanying implements and is very fortunate that his wife is supportive of the projects Contact: FARM SHOW Followup Don Turner 7200 Valley View St Hokes Bluff Ala 35903 dmturner36@gmail com
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