In the postwar era of the 1950s, a housing boom was well underway in North America.
Once the homes were mostly finished, the lots needed top soil and grass. So grew the landscaping Industry; and along with it, the equipment manufacturers geared up.
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Pictured here, this Oliver OC-3 crawler tractor was equipped with a hydraulic front blade and rear box blade. A rather awkward setup for the operator with the piping and hydraulic hoses going everywhere, but it worked! It was powered by a Hercules gas engine rated at 18.6 kW (25 hp) on a good day.
The Cleveland Tractor Company began manufacturing in 1911 and by the next decade had changed its name to ‘Cletrac.’ They went on to build large bulldozers that could compete with Caterpillar & Allis Chalmers.
The rival Oliver Company, bought out Cletrac in the mid-1940s and Oliver brand machines were manufactured up until 1965.
HCEA Canada is fortunate to have an Oliver OC-3 in our antique equipment roster. It was part of the late Charles Matthews collection.
HCEA Canada wishes the staff and readership of Equipment Journal a great Christmas season with a happy, prosperous and healthy new year ahead. Stay safe!
Please see updates on our web site: www.hceacanada.org
The Historical Construction Equipment Association (HCEA Canada) 2023 events: ‘Wheels & Tracks in Motion’, held in June and the ‘Last Blast’ in October. Both events are held at the Simcoe County Museum To see more than 60 restored pieces of vintage construction equipment in action be sure to attend. HCEA Canada is a proud Heritage Partner of the Simcoe County Museum.
