Are some years model B's better than others?
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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=30237
Printed Date: 06 Mar 2025 at 4:35am
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Topic: Are some years model B's better than others?
Posted By: Protrucker
Subject: Are some years model B's better than others?
Date Posted: 04 May 2011 at 7:41pm
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I accidentally posted this in the wrong place, so I'm re-posting it here to get more response.....I hope.
I have become interested in getting an A-C B. I've been looking at a lot of info & it has become apparent that the 1939 B is more desireable (at least around here) for some reason. Is a 1939 really the best production year to look for? What's that reason?
Al
Is there really much difference between the different years? What should I look for in an A-C B, possible problems to look out for, etc when looking at a prospective purchase? Lot's of questions, but I appreciate any help. Thanks, |
Replies:
Posted By: Tedin NE-OH
Date Posted: 04 May 2011 at 7:58pm
| I prefer the later years with a PTO, HYD, foot brakes, and electric start. Hand cranking is a pain. 1940 and later. Most rare and desireable is SN 1-97 |
Posted By: Tedin NE-OH
Date Posted: 04 May 2011 at 8:03pm
| Look out for worn splines (rear axel) and rear wheels. Expensive to fix. |
Posted By: morton(pa)
Date Posted: 04 May 2011 at 8:12pm
| Depends on your preference. I prefer a B with a CE engine. It's got a bit more horses under the hood and the ones with the CE engines usually have electric start and sometimes lights, which are more useful then you think. |
Posted By: CTuckerNWIL
Date Posted: 04 May 2011 at 8:22pm
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1939 was the year for the highest production of the B with almost 22,000 built. The most desirable collector B, I would say would be the 1937 Waukesha because of the low numbers produced.
------------- http://www.ae-ta.com" rel="nofollow - http://www.ae-ta.com Lena 1935 WC12xxx, Willie 1951 CA6xx Dad bought new, 1954WD45 PS, 1960 D17 NF |
Posted By: R.W
Date Posted: 04 May 2011 at 8:24pm
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I would rather have a later one with hydrolics, PTO, electric start, and foot brakes like said above I dont see a reason to want a early one without those options "unless it was just for show" but thats just my opinion. ------------- In Search Of: 1958 Allis Chalmers D17 Diesel serial #9643D |
Posted By: Protrucker
Date Posted: 04 May 2011 at 8:25pm
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Here's one that's for sale, not too far from me. I haven't called about it yet. Any Idea what year it may be & what it might be worth?
allis-chalmer B tractor in excellent condition, everything on this tractor works great(lights,gauges, pto, hydro. lift and remote). Two new back tires.
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Posted By: Bill Long
Date Posted: 04 May 2011 at 8:34pm
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I agree with those above. Really the only difference in the B tractors was (1) the early ones with the waukesha engine (very rare) (2) the later ones after 1942 - I think - that had foot brakes and electric, Other than that they are basically all the same. Even the older ones with the smaller engines have usually been rebuilt with the larger sleeves. Also, Hydrallics can be attached to just about any B.
Good tractor. My favorate.
Good Luck!
Bill Long
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Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 04 May 2011 at 8:40pm
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the one in the photo above appears to have an adjustable front axle. MOst had the wishbone front end. The adjustable would be worth a few bucks more. Also appears to be painted. THat might mean the motor / rear were rebuilt... maybe. If rebuilt, the price is about $2000. If just paint covering an old tractor, then $1000. if the tires are good and it runs decent. ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: Thad in AR.
Date Posted: 04 May 2011 at 8:49pm
| Does that B in the pic have 5 bolt rear hubs? It looks like it but I can't see it that well. |
Posted By: Tedin NE-OH
Date Posted: 04 May 2011 at 8:55pm
| Looks like 5 bolt rear hubs to me. That is desireable and makes it a late model. |
Posted By: Brian Jasper co. Ia
Date Posted: 04 May 2011 at 9:21pm
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Having good rear tires is a big plus. Tires just keep getting higher and higher priced. ------------- "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: Thad in AR.
Date Posted: 04 May 2011 at 9:28pm
| I don't think it's a late B because the starter switch is still on the bottom. They did have some 5 bolt adapter hubs that fit over the splines. I have a late '39 with an adjustable wide front and it has a 5 bolt adapter on one side. I'd like to find another one and a 5 bolt center to fit it. The centers are more like a regular B center than a dished C center. |
Posted By: Tedin NE-OH
Date Posted: 04 May 2011 at 10:25pm
| bump |
Posted By: Protrucker
Date Posted: 05 May 2011 at 5:33pm
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Well......I missed this one!
I called today & it was already sold. He got $1400 for it. I asked if he just did a cosmetic restoration or full resto. He said that he just painted it & put on new guages, etc. but it ran & functioned great.
Oh well, I'm still in the learning process & still trying to make up my mind exactly what model tractor I want. I don't want to spend a ton of money getting started. I'm planning to use the tractor to plow, plant, cultivate & harvest produce on a sort of small scale for now until I see how it goes marketing what I grow. So far, I've been just using my old Ford & Case/Ingersoll garden tractors, but they arent really big enough to pull my potato digger easily.
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Posted By: Tedin NE-OH
Date Posted: 05 May 2011 at 5:56pm
| The reason that you see so many 1939 tractors is that was the biggest year 20,000+ Bs made that year. |
Posted By: Steve in NJ
Date Posted: 06 May 2011 at 6:52am
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I prefer the later B's over the real early ones myself. PTO, electric start, etc. like Ted mentioned. My B is a 48', and the IB is a 49'. Although there is a 39' that's in pretty nice shape sitting under the big Pine tree to the side of the barn that I know of....
mailto:Steve@B&B - Steve@B&B
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Posted By: B26240
Date Posted: 06 May 2011 at 7:02am
| The one in the pic was a good buy I think, what can you get for 1400 ? Like others said electric start is great. |
Posted By: GlenninPA
Date Posted: 06 May 2011 at 7:04am
........ Not much longer..... better move fast! ------------- Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment. From listening comes wisdom and from speaking comes repentance. Wise men learn more from fools than fools from the wise. |
Steve in NJ wrote:Posted By: Lonn
Date Posted: 06 May 2011 at 8:06am
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I'm pretty sure the later B had a better steering gear box that made it easier to steer. I don't remember which box was which but one was a Ross and the other I think started with a G. ------------- -- --- .... .- -- -- .- -.. / .-- .- ... / .- / -- ..- .-. -.. . .-. .. -. --. / -.-. .... .. .-.. -.. / .-. .- .--. .. ... - Wink I am a Russian Bot |
Posted By: 1946WP
Date Posted: 06 May 2011 at 8:15am
you snooze you loose' I think that was a good buy, i wouldn't sell mine for $1400. & it's basically the same thing.
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