Classic Oliver still used for farm work

RANTOUL, Ill. — Cliff Schaefer’s Oliver 770 isn’t just used for a static display or antique tractor parades. He still uses it on his farm for planting and light tillage.

Schaefer, Heartland Oliver Collectors Association president, is carrying on his grandfather’s legacy of the Oliver brand.

“I collect all Olivers and I farm with Olivers and Whites. It’s been in my blood. My great-grandfather opened his first Oliver dealership in 1936. He had it from 1936 to 1969. We’re just keeping the brand alive,” Schaefer, of Greenville, said during Historic Farm Days.

Schaefer, who previously served on the National Oliver Collector Association board, has between 11 and 13 classic tractors.

“I do all the restoration myself. I fix everything, do the body work and paint it. We never send anything out to be worked on in our shop. We do it all,” he said.

He’s a strong believer in preserving the past for future generations, but with that are challenges.

“If we don’t get the younger generation in it, our past is just going to die and nobody will be there to take it on,” he said.

“It seems like it sometimes skips a generation. My grandpa collected tractors. My dad didn’t, and then I got the bug even worse than my grandpa did. But when my grandpa passed away, my dad did buy the family tractors and didn’t allow them to be sold. I’m glad for that.”

Historic Farm Days features a large number of Olivers every year, and Schaefer looks forward to when it will host the national show in four years.

He’s also a regular participant in Half Century of Progress.

“I plan on being at Half Century of Progress. The only thing that might keep me away is if I go to the National Oliver Show in South Dakota that same weekend,” Schaefer said.

Pointing to his Oliver 770, he was asked if some passersby stop for a closer look while he’s using it to plant.

“I’ve had a couple people stop and talk to me. I think they’re more surprised that somebody is still using stuff like this,” Schaefer said.