Farm Equipment - WD or WD45?

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WD or WD45?

Printed From: Unofficial Allis
Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=211612
Printed Date: 18 Sep 2026 at 10:06am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com

Topic: WD or WD45?

Posted By: Les Kerf
Subject: WD or WD45?
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2026 at 8:01am

I am (easily) confused

I have a derelict tractor which I always believed to be a WD45 since that is what the gentleman who sold it to me 40 years ago said it was. It has the correct WD45 curved shifter and engine block with a distributor ignition.

Grandson and I were perusing it for parts the other day when I noticed that it has a 3-bolt front bolster like a WD. I had never previously bothered to check the serial number which turns out to be:

WD156376

According the serial number chart on this website, this number falls into both the tail end of the 1954 WD category and also the 1953 WD45 range.

There appears to be an overlap of serial numbers between the two models. I am assuming the chart to indicate the last serial number produced in that year (the D-series and onward indicates the first tractor produced that year).

Or, I may be overthinking this Tongue

Replies:

Posted By: Ed (Ont)
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2026 at 8:27am

I have a 1954 WD45. It has the 3 bolt front as well. That was changed later - maybe 55/56??

Posted By: Ed (Ont)
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2026 at 8:33am

The chart you have there is pretty confusing! WD production ended in 1953 at serial #146606. WD45 started in 1953 at serial number #146607.

Posted By: Ed (Ont)
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2026 at 8:36am

So yours is late 1953 WD45! For sure!!! Smile

Posted By: Les Kerf
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2026 at 9:07am

Ed (Ont) wrote:

The chart you have there is pretty confusing! ...

Indeed!

This chart is a screenshot of the chart linked at the top of this page, it is obviously in error.

I'm pretty sure that my tractor was not built in two separate years, I was just unclear as to which interpretation is correct.

Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2026 at 9:26am

The "WD"- series serial numbers all ran continuously pretty much start to finish. At WD 127000? the new curved stick transmission went into affect. At 146607 the G-226 engine began and the chassis model became the "45". The 4-bolt wide front end was late 1954/early 55.

Posted By: Les Kerf
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2026 at 12:17pm

Thank you Dr. That makes sense to me, it's nice to know for sure what I have even though it really makes no difference in the grand scheme of the cosmos Smile

Grandson is already cannibalizing it for parts for his 'new' WD Leroi tractor Tongue

Posted By: SteveM C/IL
Date Posted: 07 Jul 2026 at 2:16pm

I've heard the 4 bolt front came because the diesel was heavier and that's why earlier 45s still used 3 bolt. When did diesel appear? (Not to mention using up old stock?) Seems many 3 bolts got loose and wallowed bolts and holes. That's how my junkyard 3 blt came.