We of Allis-Chalmers - Vol. III, No. 4, July 1943, Pg 2. How would you like to help sink a Nazi sub? The greatest obstacle today to American victory in the war is the deadly Nazi sub fleet. These murderous underwater craft travel the sea lanes in wolf packs. They torpedo merchant ships without warning. They machine gun… Continue reading “A-C Workers Help Sink Subs”
Tag: West Allis Works
Highlights: Allis-Chalmers West Allis Works
Allis-Chalmers held factory tours over the years. The company had a number of promotional tour booklets published that visitors could take as a keepsake. This booklet, Highlights: Allis-Chalmers West Allis Works, I figure this was the company tour booklet circa 1955. Have you been on a tour of the West Allis Works or other AC factories? Did… Continue reading Highlights: Allis-Chalmers West Allis Works
Allis-Chalmers Farm Commando
In 1942-43 Allis-Chalmers Mfg Co. launched its Farm Commando program. Two-day mechanical training courses were conducted by local A-C dealerships. The classes were meant to help farmers and mechanics learn the basics of caring for tractors, All-Crop combines, and implements. The classes were a war-effort plan to boost food production and help the Allies win the war.… Continue reading Allis-Chalmers Farm Commando
Allis-Chalmers Equipment Literature
Antique Farming's website has some great history on farm equipment manufacturers. They also have a selection of old literature, and here is what they have on Allis-Chalmers.
“Years of Expansion”
This article published in a 1947 issue of WE of Allis-Chalmers commemorates the expansion of the company from 1847-1947. With its new name, Allis-Chalmers Co., our company entered the twentieth century strengthened by the 1901 merger of the E. P. Allis Co. with three other leading industrial concerns. Annual business had reached the $10,000,000 mark, and… Continue reading “Years of Expansion”
The Forgotten Allis-Chalmers Lift Latch
In an earlier blog post I explored the history of the Snap-Coupler hitching mechanism equipped on Allis-Chalmers tractors. While conducting that research I discovered that two Allis-Chalmers engineers designed implement latching systems for tractors. The chief engineer at the La Crosse Works, Willard Tanke, submitted the design trademarked Snap-Coupler. However, another design was patented but… Continue reading The Forgotten Allis-Chalmers Lift Latch
Allis-Chalmers Patent Archive
-New Page - I am starting a BIG project that involves researching, sorting, and cataloging Allis-Chalmers patents. Most of these documents are already online, but it takes some intense searching to find them. It is not as easy as typing in "Roto-Baler" and having all of those patents appear. There are a lot of great… Continue reading Allis-Chalmers Patent Archive
Snap-Coupler Hitch System
In the 1940s and 1950s farm equipment manufacturers began designing brand specific hitching systems that allowed implements to be mounted directly to the tractor for transporting. Allis-Chalmers developed a hitching mechanism it trademarked Snap-Coupler. The system was as simple as backing the tractor up to the tongue of the implement until the large hook mounted… Continue reading Snap-Coupler Hitch System
Roto-Baler Serial Numbers & Production
For those of you who own a Roto-Baler, do you want to know what year your machine was made? First, you need to locate the serial number on your baler. If you have a manual for the machine, it tells you where to find the number. For those of you who don't have the manual,… Continue reading Roto-Baler Serial Numbers & Production
Roto-Baler Safety
The Allis-Chalmers Roto-Baler is arguably one of the most complex farm machines ever devised. The machine was ahead of its time, and the company advertised it as the "turning point in hay history." Although the Roto-Baler was a revolutionary farm machine in its day, there were and still are dangers in operating this baler. I… Continue reading Roto-Baler Safety
The Weekend Historian 