Fondness For Oliver Tractors Puts This Restoration Expert In Calendar ANDY ANDREWS Lancaster Farming Staff HARBESON, Del. Robert Tollman affectionately refers to the tractor as "Old Number 1." Tollman admits it was his "first true love." He’ll never forget the day he won it over an Allis Chal mers WC. To Tollman, Old Number 1 refers to an Oliver 70 tractor. It was a beauty when his dad bought it in 1939. It was fitted with an electric starter and lights, rubber tires, and was powered by what he calls an "industry first"; a six-cylinder, valve-in-head, high compression engine rated at 28 horsepower. The Oliver 70 is the tractor that Tallman believes "put Oliver on its feet to make them a full-line company." Tallman collects the old Oliver tractors. He has 20 of them in a recently constructed 48-foot by 75-foot storage building, many waiting to be restored. The Series 70 was chosen over his brother’s preference, an Allis Chalmers WC. Robert was happy with his dad’s decision—and still keeps Old Number 1 in storage. Unhappily, Old Number 1 is worn out It had its day and is ripe for restoration. Now, only time will tell when Tallman can complete a painstak ing, precise restoration. He prefers to take his time and, as he admit ted, doing it right In the meantime, an Oliver Clet rac HO 68 tractor, of which Tall man has restored, is featured in the 1996 Classic Tractor Calendar from Classic Tractor Calendars, Wilmington, Del. It was selected from hundreds of entries to appear in the seventh edition of the calendar. Tallman recently spoke about HI-MAG ! AG LIME I HI-CAL Cash Discount Savings on Delivery For your convenience calls received Mon.-Sat. until 9:00 pm 1-800-724-3277 Serving PA, MO, Delmarva, NJ, NY & (LI) Multi Fuel Furnaces & Boilers Wood, Coal & Oil t e Also Outdoor Boilers wood & coal models PENN MFC. CO. 393 W. Lexington Rd., Lltltz, PA 17543 Call (717) 626-1397 or 627-2303 his efforts to restore the old Oliver tractors which he has collected. Tallman is secretary of the National Hart-Parr/Oliver Collec tors Association, based at the old Oliver manufacturing site of Char les City, lowa. He admitted that he’s looidng for an "Oliver pal” that could help him in the restora tion process. Tallman remains in close con tact with the 3,000-member (and growing) organization that serves as an information source and clear inghouse for the Oliver tractors. Popular before and after World War 11, the Oliver tractor boasted the world’s first continuous run ning power takeoff for tractors. The takeoffs were installed on the Oliver Fleet Line—Series 66,77, and 88 in 1948. The Fleet Line allowed Oliver to "lead the indus try by a country mile," said Tallman. However, after he purchased the tractor, he was frustrated with the lack of nearby dealer support and service centers for Olivers. The tractor impressed him early on, because Nebraska engineering tests certified that the tractor could Correct NORCROSS, Ga. Tools are made for specific purposes. Use them right and they are great aids. Use them wrong and who knows what the result may be. A screw driver used as a pry-bar may only cost you the price of a new screw driver, but misusing a soil test could cost you yield... and profit! Soil testing is an important tool and should certainly be used to its full advantage. It is, none the less, only one of. the many important management tools and considera tions that are used in developing fertilizer plans for high yield pro- pull 84 percent of its weight It was a good, sturdy, long-lasting machine. But Tallman couldn’t resist. Together with his brother George, Robert went into business. On Jan. 2, 1946, the brothers formed a partnership in Tower City, Pa. to sell Oliva tractors, new and used. The brothers oper ated the dealership together until 1969. The business continues as the Tallman Supply Company. Robert then went into the industrial supply business and decided to continue to collect and restore the Oliver tractors on the side. But as Oliver dealers, they were also fanners. As the Tallman Brothers, George and Robert farmed about SOO acres near Tow er City, about 350 acres of which they owned. George still grows potatoes near Tower City and Robert lives in the Rehobeth Beach, Del. area. But Tallman still affectionately 'recalls the Oliver 70. During World War 11, it was dif ficult to purchase a complete trac- Soil Testing grams. Other factors include: • Total crop nutrient uptake at a given yield goal. This needs care ful attention. Yield potential is dif ficult to accurately predict. It is subject to many variables, some controllable, some not. A good approach is to average yields over the past five years and add S or 10 percent in accordance with plans to achieve that additional yield. • Crop quality. Are there spe cific market requirements that must be met to obtain a premium? Additional nutrients or in-season management strategies may be necessary to achieve a certain pro tein level, fruit size, or other mar ket standard. • Local climatic conditions. Are there special conditions limiting or enhancing yield potential that should be considered? Cold grow- we extend our sincere thanks to all of those who have made our Lancaster Farming, Saturday, December 30, 1995-A2l tor because of the war materials rationing. His father purchased Old Number 1 in 1939 at a cost of $1,250, said Robert His brother purchased another Oliver 70, which, because of the war, was tough to do. Robert said you had to "apply to the government agen cies to get certification to apply for one, if you could find one." Gporgc purchased the tractor in 1943, without the rubber tires, the starter, or the generator. Cost was about $9OO. In 1950, they sold the Cletrac HG 68, featured in the calendar. The tractor was originally sold to a customer in 1950 and bought back in 1985, when Robert got serious about restoring farm tractors. According to the calendar com pany, the tractor was “perfect for potato growers. The 68-inch track width was ideal for the 34-inch rows they planted. The model offered a choice of four different track widths: 31-, 42-, 60-, and 68 inches.” The tractor had a four cylinder flathead Hercules engine (1,700 rpm) that developed 22 horsepower on the drawbar and 27 Is Excellent Tool ing conditions in the spring could mean that starter fertilizer should be applied regardless of soil test levels. A short growing season requires that the crop get off to a quick start for maximum yield... another reason for using starter fertilizer. On the other hand, a par ticular field may benefit from a south facing exposure or from favorable air drainage that enhances its yield potential. ■ Specific soil characteristics. Are there plow pans, shallow bed rock or other restrictions that limit yield potential in any part of the field? Or is the soil in excellent physical condition...deep, well l drained and capable of producing a bumper crop? Deep sandy soils require special care in managing nitrogen to pievent leaching below the root zone. A uniform field can be precisely managed in ADC Is the Place To Be A high net return and a strong board of directors - the outstanding benefits that Richard and Janet Knebel refer to - are among the strengths of the premier dairy cooperative in the region. Atlantic Dairy Cooperative has a 78-year history of excellent service to its members. Financially strong, ADC guarantees a market for all member milk and excels in maximizing returns. ADC is a leader in providing equity payments, quality bonuses and over-order premiums to members. Nearly 4,000 dairy farmers agree that "ADC is the Place to Be." For free information on how you can secure future of your dairy farm operation, write or call: Atlantic Dairy Cooperative ■ ”lr\ 1225 Industrial Highway Southampton, PA 18966 JJgifPVjj 1-800-645-MILK MPNRPBI horsepower on the belt. It had three forward speeds and an operating weight of 3,513 pounds. The tractor will be featured in a video and on a 20- by 30-inch post er with 14 other restored tractors on the calendar. With headquarters in Chicago. 111., Oliver constructed the wheel tractors in Charles City, lowa and the crawler tractors at the plant in Cleveland, Ohio (after purchasing the Cleveland Tractor Company in 1944). Of the 20 tractors in storage, Tallman has restored only about a quarter of them. It’s a matter of finding time and an “Oliver ally to work with me,” he said. The Oliver Company was even tually sold to the White Motor Company in November 1960. A succession of acquisitions fol lowed until White was acquired by A geo a few years ago. Tallman said the national Oliver assocadon was founded in Decem ber 1989 and numbers 3,000 strong. He hopes to someday find a friend to help him bring Old Num ber 1 back to its original condition. addressed with site-specific man agement and new variable rate technology. • Grower level of management intensity. Are your committed to higher yields? Are you capable of producing higher yields? Let the track record do the talking. The importance of management can not be overemphasized. It is the very foundation of yield potential. Every decisior from planting through harvest can significantly impact final yield ... positively or negatively. •Soil testing offers basic infor mation about selected chemical and physical properties of a field. Used regularly it tracks nutrient trends, suggesting the adequacy of past fertilizer practices and indi cating future direction. It is a use ful management tool in develop ing fertilizer plans for high yield programs. And remember, continued use of soil testing is a foundation to sound nutrient management deci sions, higher yields, and higher profits. 'A strong, prudent board of directors challenges management and staff to seek the greatest return on our investment in ADC, creating the highest net return to its members back on the farm. ” —Richard & Janet Kriebel Benton, PA
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