1949 Allis Chalmers Model B - New Acquisition

I think I've done enough "yet another tractor" blogs that it would probably get old to do another one. So... look what is going to follow me home in a few days. A 1949 Allis Chalmers Model B. This will be my first Allis.

All these photos (except the two at the bottom) are from the FB Marketplace ad since I haven't yet picked up the tractor. As the title states, it's a 1949 Allis Chalmers B. It has a 116 cu. in. 16 hp (ooh) engine mated to a 3-speed transmission. AC made about 120,000 B's over its 20 year B life span (1938-1957). My tractor falls right in the middle of production.

That seat looks big enough to fit two people. Nice. And notice the arched front axle. That arched axle went away in 1941, so this tractor having one means someone swapped in an early axle at some point. I much prefer the arched axle to a straight axle even though it's not original to the tractor. This tractor also has a PTO, belt pulley, and onboard hydraulics with rudimentary lift system on the back. According to the net, these three items were separately available options, but were also marketed as a "3-way power package", such that many folks bought the package.

The Model B didn't usually have a straight drawbar poking out the back like most other tractors, but it did have the horseshoe-looking thing that works as one (seen below). An interesting note, when the B first came out, it had a hand lever on each side of the seat for individual turning brakes. At some point they went to the more normal two foot-pedal system like most other tractors of the time. Fortunately this one has the foot pedals. You can see in the photo below the belt pulley on the left side of the differential.

This tractor still has a magneto, and it also has an electric starter (seen in the far left of the below photo). The early tractors were crank-start only and there was not even a provision in the casting to add a starter.

It may not be very noticeable but the second from the top photo shows that the oil bath air cleaner and battery cover are missing. I asked the owner if he happened to have those items and fortunately he said he did (not quite sure why they're off the tractor - it always makes me wonder when things like the air cleaner are removed). He also said he had the three point lift arms and a "digger" (shown below). It looks a lot like a cultivator with the tine teeth worn down or cut off. The ad said this tractor was "running as a horse arena groomer when parked 10 years ago." The tractor does not run now but the ad says it does turn over, so it will need some amount tinkering before it comes to life, but that is what I live for.

Up to this point when I wrote the above information I hadn't yet picked up the tractor. Today, however, I did pick it up. The two below photos were taken today. 

Here's a little back story. The tractor was in Arlington, Wa, two ferry trips ($115 each) and a couple hours' drive away from home. I hadn't committed to buying the tractor for several weeks because of the $350 it would cost to go fetch it (ferry and diesel money). I just couldn't justify the expense for a $700 tractor. But..... I happened to have my 1945 Oliver 60 Row Crop for sale when I was looking at this B and several days ago someone north of Arlington asked if I would be willing to deliver the Oliver to him. I said "sure, as long as you pay $450 for gas and ferry." He willingly agreed (!), so I immediately struck up a deal with the Allis Chalmers guy, and lined up to buy this tractor the same day I was to deliver the Oliver (which was today). Everything worked out great. I got rid of an eyesore Oliver, someone paid me to take the ferry and provide diesel money, and I brought home a cute little B.

This photo below shows the "digger", as the guy called it. I think it's a spring tooth harrow. And it has a massive chunk of I-beam to give it some heft to press into the ground. I think I'll remove the I-beam, as I won't be churning up any dirt with this thing. Fortunately it is just held on with two large bolts and wing nuts.

I failed to ask how long these people owned this B, but it has been at least 40 years, as they told me the engine was "gone through" 40 years ago by them. And another little tidbit of information, one of the family members recently tried to get it going because they wanted to use it at some property. They weren't able to get it going so it went up for sale. A third little tidbit, the tractor has a one-year-old six volt battery. Cool! Can't get any better than that.

Stay tuned for a "will it start" blog....