Question on Allis Chalmers Snap Coupler
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=187113
Printed Date: 07 May 2025 at 12:33pm
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Topic: Question on Allis Chalmers Snap Coupler
Posted By: cgraffeo
Subject: Question on Allis Chalmers Snap Coupler
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2022 at 2:05pm
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Hello all - I'm new to Allis Chalmers, and their Snap Coupler system. I just got a D12 and a 2 bottom plow, the plow is missing the (drawbar?) on the front for the snap coupler. Online all I can find are flat ones that are used for hitching a trailer. The one I need looks like the eye is turned 90 degrees from the implement. I've attached photos of a plow with it, then the plow I have without it on. Where do I find this? What is it called? Any help is welcome!
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Replies:
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2022 at 2:11pm
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Someone HAS to have one 'laying around' for you... Meanwhile, pour a lot of oil on the 'beaming screw' and pivoty areas to loosen it up ! If it's nice out, get a small angle grinder with '60 grit flap wheel' and shine up the frog and moldboards. A shiny plow is a happy plow....!!! ------------- 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: cgraffeo
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2022 at 2:14pm
| All great points thanks so much for that! I will be sure to do that, and it will receive some rust proofing and everything else once it is under cover and I can actually move the thing haha! |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2022 at 2:15pm
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so, you don't have an Allis-Chalmers forklift yet ???? ------------- 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: cgraffeo
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2022 at 2:31pm
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Hahaha no, no I do not! Just the D12 at the moment, the forklift in the picture is just one I found online for reference to the part I need. The D12 came with the plow and a brush hog. I'm sure a forklift would be very useful in the near future as I grow the farm! |
Posted By: jvin248
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2022 at 4:00pm
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. I didn't hit any gold on a quick search, other than ebay service parts manuals that will have all the information. "lift plows" seem to have these model numbers: WD-52, WD-53 ... pictures had WD and WD45 tractors on their covers, "1950s" WD-62, WD-63 ... pictures had the D-14/15 tractors from the '1960s' search for ".pdf" when you look and you may uncover a scanned copy out there for free. .
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Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2022 at 6:13pm
We always called it a snap coupler eye. Worst case scenario you can take some re-bar, and heat and bend to a u shape, weld to a flat plate of steel, same size as the plow's tongue. Tricky part is getting the length right. Back up to the plow, make sure that the lift arms are flipped once over, and are straight vertical, and make your measurements... ------------- Source: Babylon Bee. Sponsored by BRAWNDO, its got what you need! |
Posted By: 1963D17
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2022 at 10:48pm
| They come up on eBay now and then. This is what I found works good on those Allis fine thread turnbuckles. Buy some wax. My wife buys it in square blocks for her crafting. Heat the turnbuckle up and touch the hot threads with the wax. The wax will work its way down the threads and doesn't burn off like pen oil. |
Posted By: HudCo
Date Posted: 18 Mar 2022 at 11:03pm
| make sure you get a safety till you know that snap coupler is working proper when using a plow |
Posted By: powerpatrol1
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2022 at 5:31am
| Not sure if this is the same part you need but check Facebook marketplace put Allison Chalmers parts that might be it for |
Posted By: Lon(MN)
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2022 at 7:07am
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I have one of those "hitch eye" if you still need one. Dave the Plowman is a very good contact. ------------- http://lonsallischalmers.com |
Posted By: Pat the Plumber CIL
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2022 at 7:57am
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Seen several laying around on trailers for sale at the swap meet . Try L&L Parts . Bet Lad has one laying around ------------- You only need to know 3 things to be a plumber;Crap rolls down hill,Hot is on the left and Don't bite your fingernails 1964 D-17 SIV 3 Pt.WF,1964 D-15 Ser II 3pt.WF ,1960 D-17 SI NF,1956 WD 45 WF. |
Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2022 at 9:10am
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Just a note; The eye that is circled in the picture is actually too long for that plow, not sure what it came off of originally but not that plow. Upshot, there are precious few like that out there. Piles of the correct ones, Lon or Dave the plowman can fix you up for sure. I'll post a couple of pics of what you're looking for. One is a modified one I did for my No. 4 Sub-soiler. The other is on a 52 plow. Guess there is one on a 53 plow in that shot too.   |
Posted By: cgraffeo
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2022 at 10:10am
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Perfect thanks so much for all the help, I do still need one for sure, proper size would be great! I guess I didn't realize they came in different sizes. What would you suggest for a "Safety"? I've seen a few different techniques but is there one that is preferred to make sure that coupler holds on? |
Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2022 at 10:42am
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As to the safety aspect a few things to look at; you're plow has the correct 'lift links' on it. A lot of problems came about when pin-coupler plows were 'converted' to snap-coupler. I.E. they bolted the eye on and went to the field. The original links couldn't release from the lift arms, if an obstruction was struck the plow would spin up and strike the operator, bad deal. Sadly I know a gentleman, (who should know better) that plows with a set-up like this. I just cringe when I see this at a plow day. Other things to look at; Spring in the 'bell', and just overall slop. When you step on the drawbar, how much does it move? Less is better. I've hit some pretty good rocks plowing, good enough to kick the hand-clutch out and snagged a couple of tree roots while sub-soiling that stopped the tractor dead. Never had anything uncouple. Welcome to the forum.
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Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2022 at 10:46am
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Here's a link to a thread I did some years ago about fixing the one on my NF WD-45. https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/snapcoupler-rehab_topic129881_post1069393.html?KW=snap#1069393" rel="nofollow - https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/snapcoupler-rehab_topic129881_post1069393.html?KW=snap#1069393
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Posted By: TramwayGuy
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2022 at 12:20pm
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“.. The original links couldn't release from the lift arms, if an obstruction was struck the plow would spin up and strike the operator, bad deal..” If one installed a safety chain to keep it from doing that, it might be a solution. |
Posted By: jvin248
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2022 at 7:08pm
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. There's another old thread about the number of accidents where the plow spun up and injured or killed farmers, in grisly details. My '52 WD has a pin hitch that I was thinking of converting to snap coupler but after seeing that thread, I decided that was not the thing to do. The conversion it's getting is a three point setup -- since I have other three point accessories to use on it. .
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Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 19 Mar 2022 at 8:18pm
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If one installed a safety chain to keep it from doing that, it might be a solution.[/QUOTE] I guess if saving a nickle is that important, yes that might work. The right components are readily available and not that expensive. I'm not willing to take the chance.
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Posted By: Ted J
Date Posted: 20 Mar 2022 at 12:59am
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If the snap coupler bell has the correct NEW spring, the bell itself is not worn and the lift latches open correctly, with no binding, there shouldn't be a problem. The object of the lift latches is that when there is an upward and backward pressure, they flip open and release the piece of equipment. A great design and it works well when kept in good shape. The problem is that you need to do a really good examination of all the parts to see if they are wore or the springs are bad. If you're checking or worried, I'd just go ahead and change out all the springs. BUT,,,,,,GET the CORRECT springs. There are some cheapie ones out there and some of them are TOO strong and won't allow the lift latch to open. Also the ends that go INTO the lift latches MUST be in the correct position. I have seen someone put them on backwards and then they won't open the latches or pop out. There is a thread on here somewhere about which way they go. ------------- "Allis-Express" 19?? WC / 1941 C / 1952 CA / 1956 WD45 / 1957 WD45 / 1958 D-17 |
Posted By: cgraffeo
Date Posted: 28 Mar 2022 at 9:46am
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Just an update here for anyone looking for the same information! The part I was looking for is called a "Snap Coupler eye". They come in different sizes depending on the plow (14 and 21 inch). I was able to contact Dave the plowman, who is a wealth of information and was able to get me the part required to get me up and running. Thanks so much for all the help from everyone!
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Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 29 Mar 2022 at 9:32am
My question is; When was that 21" eye used? What was the circumstance where it was needed, tractor, plow combo?
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cgraffeo wrote:Posted By: cgraffeo
Date Posted: 30 Mar 2022 at 1:14pm
| That is info I don't have, Mike. I barely know that there are different sizes, it was just mentioned in another thread I asked for help from haha, so take it with a grain of salt. I imagine it's possible that it is from different tractors or implement combinations, not necessarily from this combo |
Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2022 at 10:18am
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C, that question wasn't directed specifically at you. If anyone has info on where and why the long 'eye' was used, I would like to know. The Snap-Coupler system is a big part of my Allis addiction. Edit; Here's a thread I did some years ago. https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/snapcoupler-obsession_topic151195_post1255986.html?KW=snap#1255986" rel="nofollow - https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/snapcoupler-obsession_topic151195_post1255986.html?KW=snap#1255986
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Posted By: Allis dave
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2022 at 11:21am
| That first picture I think is from one of the older plow that has the cultor attached to the tongue. That plow is missing the cultors. I'm guessing the longer 21 eye is longer to get the coultor away from the bell??? Id that bracket was too close it would hit |
Posted By: Allis dave
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2022 at 11:35am
| Never mind about that theory, I just ran out in the rain to look at an older plow that I got last summer but never used. It has the colture attached to the tongue and the standard eye. |
Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 31 Mar 2022 at 12:56pm
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Thanks Dave. I have another oddball snap-coupler eye at the farm that I'm curious about. Thought there was picture on here somewhere. Could not find it. I'll get a pic sometime. It's offset a couple of inches, no idea why. Picked it up at the swap in Mo. some years back. it might be handy if one wanted to fit the plow to the tractor vs. the tractor to the plow. |
Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2022 at 2:33pm
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Here's a pic of the oddball one I have, it's offset 1&1/2". I would really like to know what it's original purpose was. It's about four inches longer than a regular plow eye and the bolt pattern is slightly different.  |
Posted By: Allis dave
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2022 at 3:14pm
| That's interesting! I've seen ones offset up or down but never to the side! I have a couple with a small up or down curve to them. I've often wondered if they got bent or were made that way. |
Posted By: cgraffeo
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2022 at 3:16pm
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I also would love to know why that is like that! I thought I had one on the brush hog, but its a short eye in-between two supports |
Posted By: jvin248
Date Posted: 05 Apr 2022 at 6:17pm
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. Possible someone did a re-design project on that hitch. Heated it up and stretched the eye. Heated it up and bent the offset. Maybe the plow it was on wasn't tracking straight and they 'fixed it real good'. A good scrub and splash of paint made it look like factory equipment again. .
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Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 06 Apr 2022 at 7:58am
I really don't think it is farmer modified. There is almost no wear on the coupling point. Looks factory to me.
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