Allis-Chalmers Model B

Allis-Chalmers Model B

Model history
Model introduced	1938
Model discontinued	1957
Model status	Discontinued
No. produced	over 125,000
Engine Specification
Engine make	Allis-Chalmers
Power hp	22
Power kW	16
Cooling system	Water
Transmission Details
Transmission type	Unknown
Drive	2WD
Linkage Category	Unknown
Other info
Factories	USA England
Plow rating	Unknown

The rear of a Allis Chalmers model B showing simple drawbar arrangment

A Hom built conversion of an Allis-Chalmers model B to 4x4 at the GDSF in 2008

The Allis-Chalmers model B was produced by the Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing company from 1938 to 1957 in the USA and England. With over 125,000 units produced, the model B became one of the best selling tractors for Allis-Chalmers and most loved tractors of its time. Known best for its versatility and adaptability, the model B was also had one of the longest production runs of any tractor by Allis-Chalmers. Over the years of production the B came in several different variations including the Asparagus B, Potato Special, as well as an industrial model known as the Allis-Chalmers IB. It was designed by Brooks Stevens. It had a 22 hp (16 kW) engine.

Little Tractor - Huge Success

In the early 1930, Allis-Chalmers tractor division manager Harry Merritt studied the farm census figures and discovered that of the nearly seven million farms in America, some four million were of 100 acres or less. Furthermore, the million or so tractors at work on American farms were nearly all on the larger ones. Merritt concluded that there was a need for four million small, inexpensive tractors to fill the needs of the small farmers still using horses. Merritt set out to build a tractor that would finally put the horse out to pasture.

Allis Chalmers B Replaces the Horse

The combination of an excellent tractor and effective marketing help the B to become a success. Allis marketing department had such challenges as convincing doubting farmer the benefits of pneumatic tire. Early sales literature for the Allis Chalmers B was devoted to convincing the farmer that the new B required less work to maintain than horses. They were also armed with government supplied facts and statistics along with Allis own research proving that the new B cost less to both buy and operate than horses.

Allis-Chalmers Industry Pioneer

Allis-Chalmers had pioneered the use of forgings and high-strength steel components, not only in their tractors, but likewise in A-C steam turbines and other machinery as well. The company's remarkable achievements in the use of high-strength components for tractor manufacturing served the company's interests initially through greatly increased sales. In the greater perspective however, the entire tractor industry benefited since competing manufacturers were forced to follow suit.

Allis-Chalmers also built a smaller tractor in America called the Allis-Chalmers model G, but it was not a great success, as the model B.

EB11619

|+ Serial Numbers and Year of Manufacture data |- ! Year !! Serial run !! Number Built !! Notes (Total built xyz). |- |- | 1937 || 1-97 || 97 || First built |- | 1938 || 98-11,800 || 11,703 || |- | 1939 || 11801-33501 || 21,700 || |- | 1940 || 33,502-49,720 || 16,218 || |- | 1941 || 49,721-56,781 || 7,060 || |- | 1942 || 56,782-64,500 || 7,718 || |- | 1943 || 64,501-65,501 || 1000 || CE Engine introduced |- | 1944 || 65,502-70,209 || 4,707 || |- | 1945 || 70,210-72,264 || 2,054 || |- | 1946 || 72,265-73,369 || 1,104 || |- | 1947 || 73,370-80,555 || 7,185 || |- | 1948 || 80,556-92,294 || 11,738 || |- | 1949 || 92,295-102,392 || 10,097 || |- | 1950 || 102,393-114,526 || 12,133 || |- | 1951 || 114,527-118,673 || 4,146 || |- | 1952 || 118,674-122,309 || 3,635 || |- | 1953 || 122,310-124,200 || 1,890 || Magneto replaced by Distributor at s/n 123,966 |- | 1954 || 124,201-124,710 || 509 || |- | 1955 || 124,711-126,496 || 1,785 || |- | 1956 || 126,497-127,185 || 688 || |- | 1957 || 127,186-127,461 || 275 || Last built No.127,461 |- | year || serial no || Number built || Notes |- |}

Preserved machines

Allis Chalmers Reg no.GDO 569 at the Driffield Steam Rally 2008

Rear view of a Model B as seen at Stoke Goldington Steam Rally 2009

There are quiet a few preserved Allis-Chalmers model B s, with an active owners club fieldng a large number at the Newby Hall Rally in Yorkshire in 2008.

List of Preserved Allis-Chalmers Model B tractors

Make + Model No.	Reg No. (if known)	Serial No.	Build-Date	Engine-Type/Make	Owner (if known)	Photo	Were seen/Featured in	Other info
Please add any tractor with known reg or serial no. with Photo if possible.
Create a page (link) for an individual tractor by linking the reg or serial number using reg number or serial number in the relevant column. Then once saved click the red link to start the new page and add info on that tractor.

See also

• List of Allis-Chalmers tractors
• Agricultural machinery
• Shows and Meets
• Clubs Listing
• Allis-Chalmers Tractor Club

References

• The Allis Chalmers Story C.H Wendel ISBN 08734499271
• Antique Power Magazine July/August 1996

External links

• Antiquefarming.com