Oliver WHITE Corporate tractor

In the late 1960's White Motor Corporation, who was the owner of both Oliver and Minneapolis-Moline, had the research and engineering staff working on prototypes for a new series of tractors.  This new series of tractors was known as the "Corporate Tractor" or sometimes referred to as the White 2200 series. The plan was for the new Corporate Tractor series to be a replacement for both brands.   According to former engineers with the company, there was an original "Corporate Tractor" project that was terminated followed by a second "Hybrid Corporate Tractor" project that was also eventually terminated sometime in 1972. Today, only 1 Corporate Tractor is known to have survived.  It is believed to be a later "Hybrid Corporate Tractor" and is currently receiving a restoration along with fabrication of missing parts. It is on display at the Floyd County Museum in Charles City, Iowa and shown below.

The survivor! The only known Corporate Tractor to exist is on display now at the Floyd County Museum in Charles City, Iowa.

Design
The general design of the Corporate tractor series was brand new, but it did borrow some features from both the Oliver and Minneapolis-Moline tractor lines. The powerplant was a brand new line of White engines developed by White's Advanced Products Division (APD) located in Torrance, California.  Oliver dealers and sales personnel previewed these engines at APD in November 1969. APD also developed a new hydro-mechanical transmission (CVT) and final drive assemblies. These new designs were so innovative that White Motor received a patent on their CVT design in 1969. The engine options included both 4 and 6 cylinder versions with and without turbos making a a full range of horsepower offerings. A brand new cab design (both Crenlo and Hinson presented cab designs for the tractors) was an option on some models while others used an open station design. Front axle options would include both a mechanical front wheel drive and a standard non-driven axle that featured a newly designed shorter turning radius.

A concept drawing of the Corporate Tractor White Oliver 2200 series. Photo Credit: Floyd County Museum

A mockup of the White 2200 Corporate tractor which closely models the concept drawing shown above. Photo Credit: Image contributed by Chris Losey.

A mockup of the Corporate tractor chassis with a temporary wooden platform. Notice the concept drawing hanging in the background. Photo Credit: Image contributed by Chris Losey.

Prototype Tractors
The Charles City tractor plant was tasked with the assembly of these prototype tractors using some components from APD and the remaining manufactured at the plant by the Experimental Department. During 1969 and 1970, the Corporate Tractor prototypes were field tested. Some models had a 4 cylinder engine and others a 6 cylinder engine.  At least 5 prototype corporate tractors were built for testing as 5 machines can be seen lined up all in the same photo. Some former Oliver engineers believe that 11 total prototype machines were built, but exact numbers and models are unknown at this time. Multiple variations of the Corporate tractor were built over about a three year span of research, design, and testing.  These changes in sheet metal design, grill, decals, and numbering can be seen in various pictures shown below. The final design is believed to never have been officially decided before the project was finally terminated in 1972.​

This Corporate Tractor was one of the 4 cylinder engine models.

Another view of Corporate tractors lined up.

This front wheel drive Corporate tractor is shown in the bullpen at the Charles City tractor plant. Notice a spare APD engine to the right of the tractor. Photo Credit: Image contributed by Chris Losey.

Another view of the FWD Corporate Tractor in the bullpen at Charles City. Photo Credit: Image contributed by Chris Losey.

---

More Corporate Tractor Variations

These 2 variations of the Corporate tractor include a narrow front tractor with the model number 1203 and a FWD tractor with model number 200. Both feature a "White Oliver" badge and unique grill design.

A mockup tractor similar in design to machines picture above, except a more "Oliver" style grill and the model number 2255 is used. Notice the front axle is just sitting in place on stands. Photo Credit: Image contributed by Chris Losey.

A mockup or an actual functioning prototype? The answer is probably lost to time, but this version has a different front frame, a more traditional Oliver grill design and a whole different rear fender! Photo Credit: Image contributed by Chris Losey.

These drawings for the "203 Diesel Tractor" appear to be very similar to the tractor shown in the picture above featuring a more traditional Oliver grill design. Photo Credit: Blueprint images contributed by Wayne Wiltse.

---

See the Corporate Tractor in Action!

The only known video footage of the Corporate Tractor shows it being field tested. The first machine shown is a FWD model of the Corporate Tractor. The second machine is badged as an Oliver 1850 and is outfitted with a hydraulic pump driven off the crankshaft and controlled by a single level - likely a prototype of the CVT. The third machine shown has no badges, but looks similar to an Oliver 2150 but with a longer hood and front frame. It is also outfitted with prototype equipment and what appears to be the CVT "hydro mechanical transmission" White received a patent on in 1969.