Oliver 1850 Diesel vs Case 930 Diesel

I have been looking to buy 80 to 90 HP diesel tractor for the last few years , and i have narrowed my search to the Oliver 1850 diesel with 3 point, or a Case 930 with a 3 point. My question here is, of these two tractors, which is the best overall tractor with respect to reliability, ease of maintenance and repair, and availability of new and used parts?

Post the question about the Oliver on the Oliver site.....you'll get a ton of info there on the 1850 at least.

I have done that, and they are all bias to the 1850 being the best. The case site is all bias to the 930 being the best. So I thought I would do it in a natural site like this one.

In my opinion both a good tractors,to decide between the two the factors would be condition of the tractors and the price on each one.

You have been at this for many months. Everybody is going to have their own biases and that it the way it is. An Oliver guy is not going to endorse a Case over an Oliver if all other things such as condition is equal. You don't seem to be pressed time-wise so you might as well wait for a gem of either make to show up via private sale or auction. The darnedest things have turned up lately in terms of uncovered gems around here. You might find a one owner tractor in very good condition.

Both were good tractors in their day, but both tractors are well over 50 years old and both brands have changed corporate owners several times. Drive them both then look at the condition and features of each one. Then consider which one suits your operation better. I suspect the Case will be priced lower, that could leave you with extra money for repairs.

Traditional Farmer is correct. The condition and hours are the key to the decision. A factor is that the Case name is still on tractors and Oliver is not. That is not a major factor, but may be in your opinion. Look at the operators station and wear points on brakes pedals and controls. Look for loose shifting controls, and worn hitch components. Service history is nice to see if available. Tire condition and remaining tread depth can be 2000 dollars in up front costs. Make sure the PTOs are able to pull loads and brake as intended. Get untested factors in a warrantee to not find out that it has a undetected fault. Jim

Don't you already have an Oliver ? if so then maybe try the Case and then you can come back to us with your findings ?

I have owned both,, the 1850 was a good machine,, mine had the Perkins in it,, very Loud engine,, and I did not like the way the main transmission shifted,, loved the over/under/direct three speed power shift, steering was good,, fuel economy was good,, I own several 930's 6 and 8 speed models,, they have more torque at much lower rpms,, as good or better fuel economy, shift much better, brakes on both was almost the same,, worked well if kept in shape,, steering was better on the 1850 as the 930 has a power assist rather than teh full hydrostatic steering on the 1850, I liked the controls and seating position better on the 930,, I also was not a fan of the electric-over hyd on the 1850,, it worked fine I just like more control than it had as at times I like the feather the hyd,, the 1850 was off or on,, but this alone was not a game changer,, one other thing I did not like on the Olivers and all of this size had it,, was when a cab was on them and all of mine I have cabs on due to my weather conditions, was when using the 3pt the hyd vented at the filler cap under the seat so you got a blast of hyd oil smell every time you dropped the 3pt,, I had cab coolers on both Oliver's we had a 1850 and a 2150 so I just ran the fan and that kept it from being so smelly,, I wills ay I like splitting the Case much better if you need to do a clutch service ect,, the Oliver was a bit more entailed wit the full sub frame cradling the engine,, again not a deal breaker just some things I found,, I would not mind another 1850 to be in my fleet,,

well. I'm a Case and OLiver fan so... It depends on what you're going to use it for since they are both good tractors and if taken care should give lots of service.

For general farming like some row crops and hay i would maybe look at the 1850 Olie as it may handle a bit better. if the oliver has Over/Under hydro drive that would be handy to have as well. The Case 930 can be a chore tractor too.. many are used in that capacity.

for brute force brunt work the Case long stroke engine can pull. The Case is probably a bit heavier than the Oliver too for heavy work.

They made alot of both models so Parts should be "easy" to find new or used but new are probably getting harder to find for both. Case still exists but they've cut back on alot of older parts.

the Perkins in the Oliver maybe be easier to get parts for as well since that engine was used in several applications and may also be available from Perkins too.

like others have said they are both OVER 50 years old now. try to get history, test drive look them over. when I've bought Cases in the past i've cracked the drain pan to look for antifreeze due to leaking sleeves. This is NOT a common problem but i have seen it. of course Not every seller would want you to do that either.

Ideally someone on here that owns both would chime in (i'm SURE there are a couple).

of course $$ is the other factor. so look at condition, tires, price and what you need it for and go from there.

Youve lucked out and recd great feedback from guys that have owned both. Now you can wait for a good one to cross your path as you seem to not be time pressed for a purchase which is a good thing for you. I suppose this could and does vary regionally, but I see more 1850's around than I do 930's for what that is worth, easily 4 or 5 to one (eastern corn belt area).

Well first off, you only asked about a Case 830 verses a Case 930 on the Case forum, with no mention of an Oliver 1850. That being said, and both tractors being in equal condition, I would be looking at how the tractors are equipped. Presuming that the 1850 has an Over/Under trans., that would be an advantage in most situations, other than it is free-wheeling in underdrive. The 930 engine has more low end torque so the ability to shift on the go is minimized. Both tractors were available with both a long and short wheelbase and that could be a factor to compare if one is long and the other short. The short WB tractors are more maneuverable, but ride rougher and have a bit less traction if not properly weighted. The Case 930 has a flat operator platform and sets nice and high, where the 1850's still straddled portions of the trans, and the operator was exposed to a lot more heat in the summer.
You are the guy who is going to be operating it and your priorities may vary from mine. My 931 long wheelbase tractor is still a workhorse and pulls a 5x18" plow on our hilly ground.
--------------Loren

I have owned both and would never buy the Case. That's my experience.

Yep for sure Loren , another nice picture of your Case 930. Oh I also did notice, LOL .Jack . The Old Scovy.

I think the case is a noisy uncomfortable beast to drive compared to and Oliver. Now I must say I have only sat in an Oliver a time or two but I hated all case tractors of that time frame that I have driven. They were all clumsy beasts , but I do mostly loader work.

Buy one of each, and work them both until you have a favorite. Sell the one you don't like, I would take the Case.

That doesn't really do you much good since guys from both forums visit this one. For an all around tractor I favor the 1850. For just straight drawbar plowing I favor the 930.

More parts are available for the oliver and cheaper.

Dad farmed w/Case and I worked on Case tractors since 1975. Opened our repair shop in 1985 after ih bought Case w/Tenneco's money and Case dealership closed. Have since worked on ALL makes (jack of all trades, master of none) My unbiased opinion..... get a Deere 4010/20, plentiful parts available plus engineering so advanced, it took Magnums and Ford Genesis to catch up.

I doubt that you can back up that comment about parts availability.-----------Loren

Pto clutches, hydraulic hoses/lines, that I can remember right now.

Go on ebay and check prices and availability and I'd say some of the more common Olivers like the 1550,1650 have the edge.Almost any part for my 1973 Fiat built Oliver 1365
can be found and at less cost than about any other tractor model.