New to tractors; CA questions
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=138292
Printed Date: 03 Oct 2025 at 4:41am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: New to tractors; CA questions
Posted By: bramdad
Subject: New to tractors; CA questions
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 7:47am
|
Hello everyone I'm brand new to tractors, but I recently bought some acreage and will be needing a small tractor for various chores around the property (brush hog, driveway maint, pulling logs, etc). I've found an A/C CA for a reasonable price and from what I've researched (mostly through this forum) it should handle any tasks I throw at it. My questions are as follows: 1) The owner said the hydraulics aren't working, but he doesn't use it as he just pulls haying equipment with the tractor. He said it might be the points? Worst case I have to replace the system...how big of a deal would that be; I have general mechanical skills/knowledge? Also, what implements would require the hydraulics (again, I'm new). 2) The CA has the snap coupler...how difficult is it to find implements that will work with this tractor (blade, brush hog, maybe a dirt scoop someday) Thanks for sharing your knowledge Ray
|
Replies:
Posted By: Gary Burnett
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 7:54am
|
Does the owner realize the PTO has to be engaged for the hydraulics to work?And its not the points that keep the hydraulics from working. |
Posted By: dt1050
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 10:07am
|
as far as the snap coupler, it can be converted to 3pt hitch if needed. but I see plows and such for the snap couplers for sale regularly. most equipment don't require a hydro hook up. just a way to lift them if they aren't ground driven. there are a lot of brush hogs for sale out there that have wheels on them so ya don't need a 3pt hitch, back blades not so much, most I see are 3pt hitch. ------------- Just cause it's orange don't make it a tractor, there's only one..Allis Chalmers |
Posted By: Larry in NC
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 10:28am
| If the lift will not work with the pto engaged, you may want to think twice about buying the tractor. The hydraulic pumps are a pain to work on if you do not have some experience with them. Also it is a good idea to check the transmission oil. The dip stick is on the left side at the final drive. If the oil is milky, it would indicate that water is in the oil which can clog up the pump. |
Posted By: Brian Jasper co. Ia
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 11:54am
|
The CA hydraulic pump is very easy and simple to work on. If the pump doesn't work at all with the PTO engaged and full of oil, it probably needs new springs under the plungers. The plungers are pushed by a cam on the PTO shaft but rely on a spring underneath the plunger to push it back out to draw in the oil. ------------- "Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian." Henry Ford |
Posted By: sparky
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 11:59am
One of my CA's hydraulics wouldn't work once and I took the pump off and the pickup tube was clogged with 3 small globs of silicone gasket sealer.
------------- It's the color tractor my grandpa had! |
Posted By: Scott B
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 12:24pm
|
You'll definitely need the hydraulics to do what you described. You also might want to consider converting it to a 3 pt set-up. You'll likely be able to find a blade that will fit the snap coupler; but brush hogging, mowing, etc you'll be confined to pull behind mowers. The snap coupler dirt scoops are seen from time to time. A lot more options with a 3 pt set-up Points have nothing to do with hydraulics. Good luck. ------------- D17 Series 1 Allis B- 1939 Allis B- 1945 |
Posted By: bramdad
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 12:33pm
| Thanks for all the responses. I'll take a look at the tractor soon. |
Posted By: Scott B
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 1:46pm
|
...and you might want to consider posting the asking price of the tractor and condition. A lot on here can give you feedback in terms of underpiced/ overpriced ------------- D17 Series 1 Allis B- 1939 Allis B- 1945 |
Posted By: bramdad
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 1:51pm
| Asking is 1800. New tires. Current owner has used it for 4 years for haying and general use. All pics show good body and paint |
Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 2:06pm
| $1800 is on the high side for a CA. For that price, it should be in excellent condition with everything working. |
Posted By: BenGiBoy
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 2:14pm
|
You could post some pictures on here also, and many would be happy to tell you what they see wrong/right, etc. ------------- '39 Model B Tractors are cheaper than girls, remember that! |
Posted By: bramdad
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 2:37pm
  
|
Posted By: GregLawlerMinn
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 3:34pm
|
Looks like a decent CA for 1800. A good CA is a great tractor that will work all day on 5 gallons of fuel. Remember to turn on the pto to check the hydraulics (the lever thru the floor pan under the seat on the left side). You can purchase a 3 point adaptor from several of the vendors on this site; great folks who will help you out. I have welded ears to the rockshaft for the top link; Just be sure they are up fully when attaching them so they don't hit the seat. ------------- What this country needs is more unemployed politicians-and lawyers. Currently have: 1 D14 and a D15S2. With new owners: 2Bs,9CAs,1WD,2 D12s,5D14s,3D15S2s, 2D17SIVs,D17D,1D19D;1 Unstyled WC |
Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 3:51pm
| The hand clutch lever is missing. |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 5:03pm
|
It looks like a nice CA( yeah, I had one,sniff..) but I don't like the spray paint on the distributor cap,wires and rad. If she starts and runs good ,1800 is kinda high. I'd try $1300, secure seal at say $1500.as no working hydraulics. Rebuilding the pump is easy, just have a CLEAN, well lit workbench ! I spent couple hours looking for one of them itty bitty check balls( ball bearing) that kind fell onto my concrete floor. I do remember needing to clean a 4th ball int he 'front' side of the pump, after that,she worked like new. Cleaning out 50 years of sludge from the sump probably helped too !! ------------- 3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112 Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor) Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water |
Posted By: Dave(inMA)
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 9:04pm
As noted, it's missing the hand clutch lever. Likely means that the hand clutch is inoperative - which means that you can't stop the tractor's motion without pushing in the foot clutch and thus also stopping the pto. Which could be an issue if you are brush hogging with it. Would not be an $1800 tractor for me - maybe half that? But value is in the eye of the buyer.  ------------- WC, CA, D14, WD45 |
Posted By: LeonR2013
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 9:44pm
| Looking around at his other equipment he doesn't spend a lot of money on maintenance but the little tractor could still be basically sound. Oil pressure good, no rattles or knocks,no smoke at start up, doesn't jump out of any gears, steering is tight, brakes good. Just look at as if you were buying and old car for your daughter to drive to school. I did notice the broken lug bolt on the left front, no headlights, and the shutters are missing if originally equipment, both lift latches are missing their springs and the top half is gone on the RH one. Go to an Allis swap meet. The guys there will surprise with what they have. At the meet at Booneville I saw several pumps there for the CA. The condition of rear tires are a big plus. But agree with the others the price is quit a bit too high and if he won't move very much, leave your name and # and move on. There are others out there. They truly are an amazing little tractor. At their size there are none better. |
Posted By: Dakota Dave
Date Posted: 11 May 2017 at 10:16pm
| Looks good in the pictures. A little grim on the engine is good means it's wasn't pressure cleaned just for sale. Has new tires. A $1300 CA wil need $ 1500 in tires to be a good tractor. The hyd pump is very easy to work on and has very little to go wrong. Drain the rear pull 4 bolts an a couple cotter pins and take it to your bench. The hand clutch missing isn't a big loss for me. I rarely use mine and think it was a bad design .three point ad peters are easy to come by but anything heavy will make the front uncomfortably light. My CA only sees morning duty. At one time it did every thing except mow. I still have the loader mounts installed they make a great step for climbing on and off. But the last time the loader was installed was several years ago. I needed two loaders to lift a 16' selfpropelled swather sideways on to my trailer. |
Posted By: Brian Jasper co. Ia
Date Posted: 12 May 2017 at 12:22pm
|
$1800 isn't out of line for a nice CA. There's nearly $1K in new tires on that one. Those definitely are not 11.2's. Looks like 13.6's as tall as they are. ------------- "Any man who thinks he can be happy and prosperous by letting the government take care of him better take a closer look at the American Indian." Henry Ford |
Posted By: Gary Burnett
Date Posted: 12 May 2017 at 2:54pm
|
I like my CA a lot that being said if I were in your position I don't think I'd be buying that CA.Its got some problems and $1800 is at the top of a CA value as far as I'm concerned.Then add the cost of a 3pt adapter that will never work with most 3 pt equipment as good a tractor made to have 3pt you'll be close to $2500.Lots of good 3 pt hitch tractors around for that kind of money that'll be more suitable for what you need than a CA.Of course you have to spend the $$$$ so you need to decide for yourself. |
Posted By: Dick L
Date Posted: 12 May 2017 at 3:23pm
| If it was mine I wouldn't let it go for less that 2500.00. I am old enough that I learned to run a tractor without live power take off and without an over run clutch. The CA's I owned were somewhat weak in the hand clutch anyway. If it has been done away with on this tractor it would be a plus for me. It would save me from putting in a solid axle. |