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SnoJetter 
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Joined: 19 Oct 2010
Location: Alexandria, MN
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 Topic: Allis Model B & foot brakes
Posted: 19 Oct 2010 at 7:45pm |
Hello folks - I'm new to this forum, and thought I'd start out with a question (go figure). My family owns a remote log cabin on a lake in northern MN. A neighbor of ours on that same lake had a Model B that we were storing in our "garage" to keep out of the weather in exchange for the ability to use it on occasion. The owner recently decided to give the tractor to us (me) as he doesn't feel qualified to operate or maintain it anymore. Score one for me!
I don't know the serial number or the year, but it does have hand brakes. I'm wondering if it is possible to retrofit a set of foot brakes on this tractor? The terrain is such that I feel it would add a touch of safety if I can keep two hands on the wheel, and use one or two feet to operate the brakes.
If it is possible to install foot brakes, can anyone point me towards information on how to do it, and where I might find the necessary components?
Thank you,
Kyle Sands <>< Alexandria, MN
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ChuckLuedtkeSEWI
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Joined: 11 Sep 2009
Location: Jackson, WI
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Posted: 19 Oct 2010 at 7:59pm |
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Yes, it is possible and not that hard. What you need is all of the components from a B tractor that has foot brakes, which includes the two pedals, the two rods that connect to the brakes, the brake lock cams, and the hardware that changes the brake pad from hand brakes to foot brakes. The foot pedals pivot on two collars that are welded to the bottom of the rails that the fenders are bolted onto. I'm sure someone on here that is parting out a B could probably hook you up with all the parts you need. I bought everything I needed to covert mine from a fellow forum member for 50 bucks plus shipping. Might be able to get it cheaper, but I thought it was nice to get it all in one swoop. Other then attaching the two collars, the rest all just bolts in place easy.
Edited by ChuckLuedtkeSEWI - 19 Oct 2010 at 8:00pm
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Dick L
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Joined: 12 Sep 2009
Location: Edon Ohio
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Posted: 19 Oct 2010 at 8:04pm |
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I have changed several and have always used the side rails and all from a C. I never had any luck finding a B with foot brakes when I was looking but was the C foot brakes and they are the same.
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Murph-NC
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Location: Western NC
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Posted: 19 Oct 2010 at 8:14pm |
Welcome Kyle to a great family and forum. Here's a link to someone parting a B in NC that might could help... link
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doubledwrenching
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Joined: 16 Oct 2010
Location: iron river, Wi
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Posted: 19 Oct 2010 at 8:46pm |
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I'm new to the whole tractor thing myself. I just got a tractor from my grandfather. It's a 53 b and it has the foot brakes. What is the more common?
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steve(ill)
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Location: illinois
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Posted: 19 Oct 2010 at 9:02pm |
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double, the hand brakes were standard in 38-39, probalby gone shortly thereafter. They made the B untill the late 50s and they all had the foot brakes after about 1940.
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Like them all, but love the "B"s.
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GlenninPA
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Posted: 19 Oct 2010 at 9:18pm |
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Foot brakes appeared in the middle of 1941.
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Bee
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Location: NC
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Posted: 20 Oct 2010 at 3:15pm |
Pic of what you will need.  
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Bob, North Carolina
1949 B
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Bill Long
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Location: Bel Air, MD
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Posted: 20 Oct 2010 at 3:23pm |
Kyle, Welcome to the Allis Chalmers form. You are fortunate to have my favorate AC tractor the B.
Listen closely to what is said above. Hope you will be able to find what you need so you will feel safer.
If you need any further help do not hesitate to ask.
Take good care of my favorate.
Good Luck!
Bill Long
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RyanTN
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Location: Stewart Co, TN
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Posted: 20 Oct 2010 at 5:18pm |
A package set was just listed on Ebay with a buy it now price of $45 plus $20 shipping. Pretty fair price if you ask me.
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SnoJetter
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Location: Alexandria, MN
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Posted: 23 Oct 2010 at 10:45am |
Thanks guys for the input. I think I'm think I've got a clear picture now of what all is needed.
Dick L: when you say you use the side rails from a C, are you talking about those angle brackets that the fenders bolt to? They are identical from a C to a B? Welding would be difficult up at The Cabin as we have no electricity (well, a small generator...) so having parts that just bolt on would be ideal.
Bee: when they say a picture (or two) is worth a thousand words, "they" weren't kidding. Thanks so much for posting the photos - now it all makes sense!
Bill Long: A little history on this B. My grandfather owned some additional land adjacent to where he built The Cabin. On that land was this little B. When he sold the land to a friend, the buyer insisted that the tractor be included on the sale. Gramps decided to give it to him rather than hurt the friendship. The tractor was used a lot over the years, but always sat outside. It's typically been a very easy starter and a good runner, though. In the past few years, we recognized a need to have something to use to haul in some logs for firewood or other chores but didn't really want to spend a lot of money on an ATV. We approached the neighbor (now the son of Gramps' friend) about being able to use his tractor on occasion. In return, we offered to store it in our "garage" to keep it out of the weather. He agreed. Now after a few years he decided just to give it to us since he really doesn't need it (he has an ATV) and plus he's not really comfortable using the old machine. Our gain!
RyanTN: thank you for the ebay link. With my limited knowledge, it would appear that the only thing missing is that curved linkage that fastens between the brake rod and the brake mechanism itself. Is that a fair evaluation? Anybody else see anything that's missing from this lot? Another thing, there's a component that appears to be tied (with a wire) to the main rounded cross shaft (the part the brake pedal is welded to) - what is that piece for? I can't identify it from the pictures that Bee posted.
Thanks again everybody!
Kyle
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Dick L
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Posted: 23 Oct 2010 at 11:00am |
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They are identical as far as fit. The C side rails are taller height. I have just clamped the old B side rail to the C side rail, scribe/mark it and cut it down/off. If I am at the factory I use a torch but at home I use the band saw. I break the edges with an angle grinder and then they are exact. They would work just as well with the taller sides though.
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john2189
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Posted: 23 Oct 2010 at 11:05am |
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The wire has the two covers and the two brakelocks all together. I think you will still need the two fender angle mounts.
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'41 Allis B
'45 Allis B
'49 Farmall Cub
'72 IH Cub
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WC7610
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Posted: 28 Oct 2010 at 9:07pm |
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I have a set of foot brakes off a B for sale. Send me a PM if interested.
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Thanks
Most Bad Government has grown out of Too Much Government- Thomas Jefferson
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SnoJetter
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Joined: 19 Oct 2010
Location: Alexandria, MN
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Posted: 28 Oct 2010 at 9:08pm |
Bill - I got your message and tried replying to it, but it says your mailbox is full. So I'll just post the reply here...thank you for the note. I have to agree with you that the ol' B certainly seems to be a reliable tractor. Considering that it spent the better part of the past 40 years out in the open with nothing but an occasional tarp to protect it from sun, rain, and northern MN winters, I'm astonished that it starts, runs, and drives at all.
There is a lot of vehicular history involved with The Cabin that Gramps built back in the 60's. Along with the Allis B, there also was a Willys Jeep that was the main mode of transportation along 10 miles of old logging road. A John Deere model A was the workhorse used to skid logs and power a sawmill to build the place, and was also the best way to navigate when the trail turned REALLY soggy. Another neighbor up there had a John Deere B and that was also used to power the sawmill and haul logs. 20 years ago, my grandfather gave me the old Jeep on my 13th birthday. About 8 years ago, I was able to acquire the John Deere B from the neighboring property. A few weeks ago, I got my hands on the Allis...and not just today I got an e-mail from my gramma that Gramps bought a "new" John Deere that he plans to use with a snowblower this winter. As a result, the JD A is now for sale and there's no way I can let that tractor leave the family. So it looks like I'm about to purchase the final piece of machinery from the early Cabin days. I never woulda thought I'd actually own all this stuff...
By the way, I have an old website (hasn't been updated in years) with more history of these vehicles if you'd like to check it out:
http://mywillysjeep.homestead.com/home.html http://oldtractors.homestead.com/home.html
Kyle Sands <>< Alexandria, MN
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Bee
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Posted: 29 Oct 2010 at 8:54am |
Kyle- the left and right brake act independently as you probably know. The right brake pedal is welded to a sleeve which rides on the cross rod. There is a washer and cotter pin to keep the sleeve located. on each side rail there is an ear with a hole that the brake rod floats in, the ear is welded to the side rail. 
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Bob, North Carolina
1949 B
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SnoJetter
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Posted: 29 Oct 2010 at 3:00pm |
Bee - I kinda figured that was the case. But I like your illustration - very well done! Thank you,
Kyle
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Dave Richards (WV)
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Posted: 29 Oct 2010 at 3:45pm |
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I don't see anyone mentioning that the seat frame is bolted higher on the fenders when using foot brakes. I guess it is not required but the fit to the brakes seems better.
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pumpkin man
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Posted: 29 Oct 2010 at 10:10pm |
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you can go to the Le Sueur County Swap Meet i in April its around the 25 th or the GOTO -Orange Spectacular Show in Hutchinson in July also around the 25 th or you could call this man CERVENKA,S ALLIS-CHALMERS Parts & Equip Sales in Askov Mn ph.320-838-3481
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SnoJetter
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Posted: 30 Oct 2010 at 9:18am |
Dave - The only gripe I have about the B is the way a guy has to contort himself to get around the steering wheel just to get seated. Once seated, the steering wheel is just about right. If the seat is raised, the wheel will be right in my lap...is that typical?
Pumpkin Man - I attend LeSueur every year, but have only made it to Hutch once. I certainly can't do anything with the tractor this winter, so it won't hurt to wait until spring to find the parts. Thanks for listing those other sources, though.
Kyle
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