615 loader serial number question

I bought a 615 on a Minnesota State auction a couple months ago and I am trying to find how to make the serial number mesh with Norm's construction book. The serial number stamped on it is clear 615 5193.  I got the original purchase paperwork that it was purchased on 11/17/69 for $5,694 from Frank Knapp Sales, 145 West 78th Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota.  The book says 1969 serial numbers started at 1501 and went to 1702, and by 1973 they were only up to 1280.  Was Allis Chalmers ever in the habit of transposing numbers when stamping so mine should be 615 1593?

Our tractor is 6155489. We did have another tractor with loader that I sold in Iowa with a lower serial number, (5xxx). I was told that Allis used this series for municipal machine identification. Both 615's that I have owned came out of Kansas and were municipal machines.

Thanks, Then it looks like Norm's book needs an addendum on the 615 serial numbers.  Good to know that others have the same number series.

Now was this loader tractor only serial numbers or for all 615 tractor type industrials? My friend just picked up a 615 and it’s number is 615 506

   Ages Cat;     I live in Belleville Ks. & own a 615 that was sold new to a township in Clay Center Ks.   With a  6' Tiger Hyd.  side mount mower mounted on it!   It was traded to Martin Cat Dealership in the mid 1990's in Concordia Ks. for a new Ford Industrial Tractor  also with a Tiger Side mount mower.  I am the second owner of it.    The Serial # on it has always puzzled me as it is 615 5710.   I don't own Norms book and need to get one as I am told I bleed orange, & A/C is the only brand the family has owned since Grandfather purchased a 1938 WC in 1939.    However I do own many A/C publications to refer to.   One being C. H. Wendel's the Allis Chalmers Story  which I've found very accurate so far.   His Serial # reference shows the 615 made Until 1973 with a beginning Serial # of 2745 (in 1973).   Mine is the latest # that I've been able to find (not saying it's the last, just haven't found any higher numbers in the 20+ years I've owned it)    That  being said, if his beginning # is right then they would have made  nearly 3000 615 units in 1973!!!   More units in the last year of production, than in the first 4 years production.   I suspect that the 615 was built until the late 70's.   Mine has the deep dish Steering Wheel, Seat, Hyd. Console controls on the right hand side,  and other cosmetic stuff that resembles a 175 or 185 tractor.   Has the heavy Industrial square nose that resembles the 650 or the 716B but still has the D Series Hood, Fuel tank, & Fenders.   Heavy front axle with 8" wide X 16" front rubber mounted on a 16" rim that has a 1/4" flat plate center  with a 6 bolt pattern that is the same as my D-17 IV, D-19, & 185.   Rear wheels are solid 26"(not power adj.) with a Industrial R-4 Lug & 4 of the 258887-02-WA  Rear Wheel Weights (the ones used on 175,185,6060,& 6080 Tractors).    It sure feels like this 615 was built later than 1973 but who knows.  Just Sayin,      Housemover

I do not believe there were mistakes made in the serializing of the tractors to this extent.  

Ages Cat wrote: Our 615 had a mower installed on it as well. It had been taken off by the time we bought it, however it had a high output radiator fan on it and did have the left rear wheel weighted for ditch mowing. I have never seen the serial number range in print which includes the 5xxx serial numbers. When we purchased the tractor, I contacted our local AC industrial dealer, which is Herc U Lift in Maple Plain, MN. Their parts departemnt had the data and advised that our tractor was a 1973. It is 615-5489.  Norms' book does not show this range. The key may be that the serial numbers listed in the Wendell book are tractor/loader/backhoes, as are the tractors in Norm's book. The actual industrial tractors produced were either mower tractors or simply loader tractors with 3 point and PTO. We owned a 615 for a short time with a loader. it had 3 point and PTO also and was in the 5XXX serial number range.

Sorry to bring back up an old forum, but I couldn't help but notice that your 615s serial # is very close to mine. Mine is 615-5400