While you might know Allis-Chalmers for their tractors, that’s not all the company made. In addition to a full line of tractors and associated equipment, the highly diversified company made all sorts of things. Here are six you might not know about:
- Radiation equipment. Allis-Chalmers made the radiation-producing equipment (called a betatron) used in early research of radiation as a cancer treatment. (1952, other years too)
- Beach Sanitizer. Sorted trash from sand, and could clean up to 3.75 acres per hour. Designed to be pulled by the Beachmaster tractor, a version of the 190. Produced 1964-1970.
- Spacecraft equipment. Allis-Chalmers was awarded some early contacts from NASA, using fuel cell technology to produce power and oxygen systems for spacecraft. The success of these systems helped prove that manned spaceflight was possible. Sadly, AC equipment never made it on a manned flight – the company discontinued their research in fuel cell technology in 1970.
- Superchargers for jet engines. During World War 2, Allis-Chalmers became one of the world’s largest producers of aircraft superchargers – allowing Allied planes to fly higher and more safely. A-C made loads of other components for the war effort – including factory machinery for other companies. Here’s a picture of President Roosevelt touring an A-C plant.
- Mining equipment. Check out this huge stone crusher (called a gyratory breaker) that A-C produced for the Utah Copper Company.
- Terra Tiger. A six-wheeled, 10-horsepower ATV with a watertight fiberglass body. It was marketed as a “go-anywhere” vehicle. I couldn’t find records on how many were produced – I assume it was very few.
How about you – had you heard about all these A-C products? Do you have a favorite (non-tractor/equipment) product that I didn’t mention? Share in the comments below.
john says
they also made a snowmobile only made 3 only 1 still in Wisconsin some where up north 1 WAS JUNKED THE OTHER NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW
James Moore says
Looking hard for manuals for the Terra tiger, have a 1970 110 model in v good shape. Can anyone help me find especially repair manual. jim
Matt Stewart says
I believe they also built a hydroelectric plant for Bonneville Power, and a nuclear reactor.
Gerald Tutor says
How about the Allis Chalmers Buckmaster, made for cutting pole length wood into pulp wood lengths and stack them
Neal says
I have one that my father in law used in his pulpwood business trying to sell it
Gerald Tutor says
Neal ,just saw your comment,do you still have the Buckmaster? Where are you located? I would be interested. My e-mail is ltliowa@aol.com Thank you
Jack Dickens says
In 1977 the City of San Diego converted their beach sanitizer from mechanical to hydraulic drive. The conversion was so successful that in 1978 four more sanitizers were fabricated from scratch in the weld shop. The superstructure for the truck dump, where the hopper dumps into a truck, was included in the sanitizers and added to the original. The four additional sanitizers were pulled by Massey-Ferguson tractors. San Diego had 22 miles of beaches to clean. I have pictures and stories about this.
JERRY TIBBS says
ALLIS CHALMERS MADE TRUCK ENGINES, GENERATORS, BOILERS, MANY OF THESE STILL RUNNING TODAY. SNOWBLOWERS LAWN MOWERS ETC
James Moore says
Have a 1970 Terra Tiger 6×6 amphibious, running. Hard to find parts, repair manual, etc.