I stumbled across this article that was published two years ago. I know my fair share about AC, but I learned a few more facts from this article! Our business history articles often focus on the consumer products and services industries with which we all interact – from auto companies to department stores. Yet… Continue reading Forgotten Industrial Giant: The Allis-Chalmers Story – The American Business History Center
Category: Allis-Chalmers
Week 3: Favorite Photo
We're on week 3 of 52 for the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks writing challenge, and tonight's post is about my favorite photo. My family has a long tradition of farming. My Great-Great-Grandpa Johann Frederick came to America from Prussia in 1869 and settled on 80 acres of land in Sugar Island, Wisconsin. He farmed… Continue reading Week 3: Favorite Photo
Urban spelunking: Crew unexpectedly rediscovers an old Allis-Chalmers tunnel
Urban spelunking: Crew unexpectedly rediscovers an old Allis-Chalmers #tunnel Source: Urban spelunking: Crew unexpectedly rediscovers an old Allis-Chalmers tunnel
Allis-Chalmers B-210 project
Grandpa’s Tractors
Grandpa and his BF Avery A tractor I remember visiting Grandma and Grandpa Frederick's house as a kid and Grandpa would dig out the photo albums. We would go through and he would tell a story about certain pictures--I wish I could remember them all! There was one album with pictures of tractors, equipment and… Continue reading Grandpa’s Tractors
AC Proving Grounds Tow Tractor
I bet many of you have one of those, “ahhhh I wish I hadn’t missed out on that,” moments. That’s exactly how I feel about not getting the chance to see this tow tractor that Allis-Chalmers had at the proving grounds. These units were towed, several at a time, behind behind tractors to… Continue reading AC Proving Grounds Tow Tractor
Bring on the Snow!
Okay, so it's officially winter in Wisconsin with our first significant snowfall of the year. Yeah, we got a little snow last weekend, but it was barely enough to cover the ground and melted the next day. We are getting a good dose of snow this weekend--6 to 8 inches by the time it's all… Continue reading Bring on the Snow!
Allis-Chalmers Betatron Lab
Every now and then I learn something new about Allis-Chalmers. One of those new tidbits I have recently discovered is the betatron lab the company had at the West Allis Works. Last year I had the opportunity to step inside this old testing lab and see some of the equipment left behind. The machine was essentially… Continue reading Allis-Chalmers Betatron Lab
Last Off Line
There are certain objects you can own that give you bragging rights in a community of enthusiasts. Maybe you have a rare painting signed by the artist or a campaign poster signed by a beloved U.S. president. In the Allis-Chalmers tractor community there are a few tractors that come with bragging rights: A prototype tractor, a… Continue reading Last Off Line
Allis-Chalmers Greendale Research Facility
In 1958, Allis-Chalmers announced that it would build a research laboratory for development and testing of nuclear technology. The 30-acre site chosen was a few miles south of West Allis in the village of Greendale, Wisconsin, a planned community built during the Great Depression. The facility consisted of 2 main structures totaling 27,000 square feet* of space for labs, office areas,… Continue reading Allis-Chalmers Greendale Research Facility
The Weekend Historian 