Help Starting D21
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=196196
Printed Date: 12 Nov 2025 at 11:44am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Help Starting D21
Posted By: Newtotractors
Subject: Help Starting D21
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2023 at 3:32pm
Hi all,
I have an Allis Chalmers D21 that’s been sitting for many years now. My Dad use to use it and I’m taking over stuff since he passed. I don’t know much about tractors and am looking for some
Guidance and help.
I tried connecting a battery to get it to turn over before adding diesel to the tank but it won’t turn over. I used a fully charged 650CCA battery and tried adding my jump pack as well.
The starter clicks and sounds like it engages but the motor doesn’t turn over. I have videos but I guess they’re too big for the site to upload(10 seconds).
Maybe it’s not enough juice?
Any advice or direction would be appreciated.
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Replies:
Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2023 at 3:48pm
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The engine isn't stuck is it ?????? I recently had a model 220 tractor that had sat outside for 20+ years and was never started. I installed one 1,000 CCA battery with big cables + and - and after about 10 times of the clunking sound from the starter, it began to turn over and engine started to boot !! Your battery power isn't any too much with 650 CCA but you'd think a big jump pack would make up the difference. BUT, how cold is it ?? You know you can pull start that tractor as long as the hydraulics prime so you get power steering right away.
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Posted By: injpumpEd
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2023 at 4:08pm
it may not want to turn due to the injection pump being stuck. If it's removed and properly serviced before it get's forced to run, it can be saved. If it by miracle does actually start, and fuel is nasty and old gummy syrup, it can seize the head in the pump and that costs much more to fix. I hate seeing people seize these heads up. Yes I can fix the pump, but the head is an expensive piece, and for D21's it's no longer available, and I'm using up my supply of used ones.
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210 "too hot to farm" puller, part of the "insane pumpkin posse". Owner of Guenther Heritage Diesel, specializing in fuel injection systems on heritage era tractors. stock rebuilds to all out pullers!
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Posted By: 6080fwa
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2023 at 4:45pm
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clean all your electrical connections from the batteries to the starter post to the block and starter where they join. u can use a battery load tester on the starter cables and tractor frame to test your cables where they would go to the starter. it tests starter and battery both. if test gd the starter could come out and then with a pry bar you see if engine is stuck or not. if engine is stuck i would see if there is fuel getting to the injection pump..... and it is not a gummy mess or if engine does turn you risk shearing the inj pump shaft off.....sometimes the starters have a dead spot or armature or brush or solenoid issues..... there can also be stuck valves from sitting so before u fire it up i would try to crank it over to make sure everything is fine. you may also want to check coolant level and no water in the oil pan by loosening drain plug. you will also want to watch for oil pressure too when cranking no pressure in 30-45 seconds after it catches or shut it down. marvel mystery oil can help in the oil and fuel to rejuvinate things. good luck
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d19d d19lp 175d 190d 190gxt 190dxt 200 6080 7000 8010 9150 9190
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Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2023 at 6:10pm
Condition of the fuel is a big factor before proceeding. Was bio diesel used or regular diesel fuel? Hopefully you know what your dad used. If it was bio I wouldn’t even attempt to start it if it has been setting for any length of time. Drain and clean the tank and all fuel lines. Remove the injector pump and have it serviced. Poor Fuel quality can really damage the pump over time. I’m with Ed, pull the pump and have it serviced. It’s best to be on the safe side than cause damage that could have been avoided.
And then check the engine to see if it is free or if it’s a starter issue. Why was the tractor parked? Was your dad experiencing a issue or just stop using it? Maybe it was overheating or just not running quite right? A blown head gasket with coolant in the cylinders could have it locked up? A lot of things to check before firing it up. Take your time and check things out before you hit the starter button again. It will safe you a lot of misery and cash possibly. Just my 2 cents
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1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD
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Posted By: Mikez
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2023 at 10:26pm
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Welcome to the forum. Does your location say Alaska
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Posted By: SteveM C/IL
Date Posted: 17 Jul 2023 at 10:36pm
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If you plan on using it do yourself a favor and pull the pump and injectors and get them rebuilt you will never be sorry. Before the days of biodiesel and fuel still ha plenty of sulfer, a machine could set for years and all you had to do was make sure it was primed and it would crank and fire right up was nothing to worry about. Sadly that's not the case in these modern times.
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Posted By: TramwayGuy
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2023 at 8:14am
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Hydraulic pump could be seized also.
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Posted By: SteveM C/IL
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2023 at 8:51am
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if I couldn't turn it with the fan blade by pushing the belt tight I don't think I'd be trying to roll it with the starter.....beware!
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Posted By: Newtotractors
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2023 at 10:49am
Thanks for all the advice guys.
The fuel tank was bone dry and I’m 99% positive it never had biodiesel in it. They don’t really sell that up here much. Also the exhaust stacks were covered so I don’t think any water got in.
I was using a smaller battery and the jump pack is a mid size Cat one from Costco.
Part of me wants to try with a bigger battery after verifying fluids are all good. Other part of me is scared to mess anything up.
Sounds like the safest approach is to pull the injection pump and injectors for a rebuild? I’d hate to damage the motor. Just have to figure out how to do it. Any diy links?
Any one know if there’s a free pdf version of the books for the D21 out there? I’m new to tractors and haven’t found my Dad’s copies of the books yet. Probably has a walk through for pulling the pump.
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Posted By: DrAllis
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2023 at 11:33am
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Make sure the transmission is in NEUTRAL. Stand on the left side of the engine. Grab a fan blade at the top and pull on it while (with your hand) pushing both fan belts tighter underneath the alternator, while pulling on the fan blade. The engine should TURN. If you cannot make it turn, it may be STUCK.
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Posted By: Newtotractors
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2023 at 11:36am
Thanks! I think I was just reading one of your posts about injection pumps. I’m a few hours away from it so I’ll add that to the list of things to try when I get back out there.
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Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2023 at 2:49pm
I’m curious, what type of crops did your dad harvest?
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1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD
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Posted By: Newtotractors
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2023 at 3:39pm
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We grow trees for landscaping. Blue/white spruce, lodgepole pine The D21 was intended to be used with a brush hog, discing.
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Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2023 at 5:38pm
Cool, thanks for clarifying that. Just couldn’t figure out what crop would survive there. But then again I am not familiar with the climate there.
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1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD
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Posted By: Mikez
Date Posted: 18 Jul 2023 at 10:32pm
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Have any pictures. Can’t be to many D21 up there. Wonder what it’s story is.
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Posted By: Harvey/pa
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2023 at 3:56pm
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Hunted in Alaska with my Dad when I was 18 and we became good friends with my guide. He got a grant to farm around Delta Jct. and cleared land, bought new IH tractors, combine and implements. He grew record yields of wheat and his neighbors grew potatoes. Trouble was it cost so much trucking to get crops to storage or processers. He only did that for a few years till he switched to hay because there were horses in the area that owners used for trail rides in summer and hunting in the fall so there was a market for hay. When he retired he shipped his low houred equiptment to the lower 48 to sell. Remember my Dad saying when he was there one Fall about the mountain of stinking potatoes on the farm next door that there was no market for. Sorry for reminissing hope it was entertaining, Thanks...Harvey
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Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2023 at 8:43pm
Trucking can be a killer for sure. Hay would definitely be easier to sell.
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1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD
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Posted By: Mikez
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2023 at 12:06am
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Interesting. Thanks for sharing
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