History Of The Allis Chalmer Tractor and its Uses - Research Paper Example

History of Allis Chalmers Tractors and their uses Background of the development of the tractor firm The Allis-Chalmers company was located in West Allis, state of Wisconsin. It is a prosperous American machinery manufacturing company best known for its exemplary past as one of the companies with diversity of interests. One of the most remarkable contributions of the company, which forms the theme of discussion, was the production of farm tractors that became famous for their Persian Orange color. Allis-Chalmers Company made its entry into the business of manufacturing as E.P. Allis in the 1840s in Milwaukee. They were known for making sawmill, grindstones and waterwheel. Although it was at first incorporated in Delaware, Allis-Chalmers soon experienced good growth to become a principal maker of industrial equipment and steam engines in Milwaukee. This was after a successful business merger with Fraser and Chalmers, which were involved in the business of mining and steel retort manufacturing. Owing to the fact that the presence of Allis-Chalmers was very large in Milwaukee, its plants became landmarks in the region, thus its plant located west of Allis may have contributed to coining of the name of the city known as West Allis. The company started making farm equipment in 1914 almost the same period that the First World War broke out. During the period of the war, the company played a very critical role as a manufacturer of building pumps necessary for uranium separation during the Second World War as well as building of electric motors for the American navy submarines. The company was also instrumental in building steam engines for Liberty ships (Buescher 76-91). The company therefore introduced numerous product lines and brands that encompassed Industrial Tractor, Agricultural Tractor, Implements, Industrial Tractor and so many others. The company also went down in history books as one of the fourteen main electrical manufacturers that instituted a lawsuit in 1937 to effect changes in the manner trade unions excluded products and contractors in growing business ventures. The company’s action as well as others resulted in a landmark ruling in 1945 by American Supreme Court that did put to end some unethical union practices that were in breach of Sherman Antitrust Act (SAA). The company, having financial ability went out for a series of acquisitions starting in 1928, thus it acquired Monarch Tractor Company. Come 1931, Allis-Chalmers bought a firm called Advance-Rumely and in 1953 it bought Buda Engine Company located in Harvey, Illinois. In 1955 the company bought stakes in Gleaner Harvester Company and come 1959 it bought Vendeuvre, a French company. Allis-Chalmers also bought a company known as Tractomotive Corporation in 1959 as well as Simplicity that was sold in 1983. When the company made a decision to fully focus on the needs of a small and medium scaled farmer, after a series of research came up with unique tractor designs that emerged as one of the most successful tractor series ever manufactured. The company formed a partnership with Siemens in 1978 which was known as Siemens-Allis. It was only manufacturing electrical control equipment. In 1985, Siemens Company bought the interests of Allis-Chalmers hence necessitating the incorporation of the new company into automation and energy divisions. Due to rapid economic transformations that were being experienced in the 1980s, the company was compelled amidst financial difficulties to sell the division of farm equipment in 1985 to a German firm known as Klöckner-Humboldt-Deutz (K-H-D). The company rebranded to Deutz-Allis. The new firm was also latter sold to the company’s management and became what is referred to as Allis-Gleaner Corporation (AGCO). The company sold tractors under the name of AGCO-Allis although in the latter years the brand name adopted was just AGCO (Allis-Chalmers Tractors, livinghistoryfarm.org). The Company ventured into making steam power in 1869 which was closely followed by the manufacturing of the company’s first steam engine. In the latter years, the company’s product line increased to encompass steam pumps such as the production of the largest centrifugal pump in the history of the US in 1884 as well as the very first model of triple expansion pumping engine. The company’s tractor business witnessed tremendous growth and in 1928 it started a production line of crawler tractors. The successful acquisition of numerous additional firms provided an impetus to the company’s expansion in tillage implements. The Outstanding Models of the Allis Chalmer Tractor and their Uses Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Allis Chalmer Tractor worked to maintain pace in the battle for horsepower dominance and market share. This was a phenomenal phase in the history and existence of the Allis Chalmers. Some of the outstanding models included Model U, Model B, Model G, WD and WD45, among others. The respective models of the tractor represent its numerous uses. As a matter of fact, the tractor models have different functions such as tillage and planting. The history and uses of Allis Chalmer Tractor hinges upon the relevant models. The models represented the ever improving technology of Allis Chalmer Tractor which played a key role in consolidating its market share. The "U" model was Allis Chalmer’s response to Fordson tractor and was initially formed in 1929 in affiliation with the United Tractor Corporation. It was famous enough that it continued in the A-C line up to 1952. Its weight was approximately 4,000 pounds and created up to 30 HP, predominantly later in its assembly run. The "U" in addition had the peculiarity of being the initial farm tractor outfitted by the maker with low-pressure rubber tires. For numerous small planters, the Model "B" was an insurrection and was in construction from 1937-57. It represented the initial contemporary tractor that sold for under $500. It came with rubber tires which at that time possibly increased the selling value by about $150. At that very moment A-C's admired WC model vended for $825. The "B" assisted bring about a conclusion to farming with horses predominantly when analogous models were produced by supplementary manufacturers. By the 50s, the value of a "B" had increased because of price increases, extra horsepower and better alternatives. By 1957, the circulated price was about $1,440. In the process of its manufacture, the "B" merchandised about 120,000 units, in contrast with the more influential "WC" that sold 178,000 elements during the period linking 1933 to 1948. The "B" was not Allis Chalmers’s negligible tractor. In 1948, a unique-looking machine christened the "G" was initiated with merely in excess of nine horsepower. It was unique for the reason that the four-cylinder locomotive was built up in the reverse and a bended tubular edge permitted for implements to mount in frontage of the operator. Since it allowed the machinist to closely observe where the planter or fertilizer was going bestowed the "G" supreme precision for sowing, seeding, and nurturing of vegetables, saplings and berries. Approximately 30,000 entities were merchandised during the era of 1948 to 1955. The completion of creation of "WC" in 1948 ushered in the invention of "WD". The innovative model appeared like its antecedent, but there prevailed countless new attributes and improvements on the "WD" that the transactions force had to discover a whole fresh set of terms for the tractor. Two-clutch capacity control, particular hitch-point parts, traction-inoculation, and power-shift helms were all fresh features. It was referred to as Ganze 4. The two-clutch characteristic allowed the machinist to discontinue the impel wheels at the same time as power sustained to the power take off (PTO) working implements like mingles and balers. The power shift nurture wheels lasted the "WD" to go its rear wheels missing from or faster to the tractor for diverse row widths devoid of jacking the tractor up off the ground. Power shift operated by engaging curved rails on the axel moreover it was a huge hit with cultivators (Antique farming 1-3). The “WD” models with 24 to 30 horsepower permitted the machines to drag three tills. In the period spanning about six years of manufacture, the "WD" vended more than 145,000 units. By 1953, John Deere along with IH was emerging with tractors that had more than 40 horsepower hence Allis-Chalmers had to mount quick response to the competition. So, the company initiated the "WD45" with 30-39 HP on the sketch bar. The augment in power got it into the four-plow category, and the tractor made good sales. The original "Snap-Coupler" hitch scheme allowed the planter to support over an implement awaiting a tongue snapped into the snag, something the three-point hitch may possibly do for more than a few years. The WD45 was as well the initial Allis Chalmer tractor to tender a diesel locomotive and power direction-finding. The period linking 1953 to 1957 Allis vended over 90,000 "WD45s" to 83,500 with gas locomotives and 6,500 with diesel engines. That was partially again in excess compared to John Deere replica "60" that sold 61,000 tractors within the period of 1952 to57. Though, the WD45 was Allis-Chalmers' uppermost-powered tractor at 39 HP by the conclusion of its manufacture. Similarly, IH tendered the "400" with 48 HP with John Deere pinnacled out with the Model "80" at 62 HP. WD45 was inherently innovative and propelled Allis Chalmers to greater height of use. The model was part of the grater scheme of Allis Chalmers in maintaining pace and market share (Allis Chalmers Tractor Information 1-2). Allis Chalmers proceeded to update their tractors all the way through their history. More up-to-date models were created and modernized in the course of Allis Chalmers. Apart form the above models; Allis Chalmers had more revised models. These included the CA, the first D, D 10 and D12, the D 15, D19, D21, the Hundred Series and the Two-Twenty Land handlers. Allis Chalmers’ quest to modernize and update new tractor models throughout its existence throughout the 1950s as well as 1960s was basically motivated by its vision of maintaining the pace with regard to the horsepower battle along with maintaining its market share (Ganzel 1-2). Conclusion The company’s performance was very impressive and by 1979 it had grown into about $2 billion Company and was one of the most significant tractor and machinery manufacturers in the American nation. The company officially called off it business of equipment manufacturing in 1998 and shut its doors at the beginning of 1999 hence transferring the remaining services to the Texas based Allis-Chalmers Energy. Works Cited Antique farming, Allis Chalmers, 2007. Web. 18 Feb. 2012 Allis Chalmers Tractor Information, 2007. Web. 18 Feb. 2012. Buescher, Walter M, Plow Peddler, Macomb, Illinois, USA: Glenbridge Publishing,1991 Ganzel, Bill, Allis-Chalmers Tractors, 2006. Web. 18 Feb. 2012 Read More