Allis Chalmers WD45

A Brief History

Beginning production in 1953, the WD45 had the same general look as the WD tractor which was produced earlier - but was much more powerful. This was due to the new 4-cylinder "Power Crater" gasoline engine with a 4 x 4-1/2 inch bore and stroke. Some people feel this was one of the most significant tractors offered by Allis-Chalmers in those days. Nothing in its weight or power class could match its performance. In 1954 they began offering the WD45 with the new "Snap-Coupler" system for hooking up implements. Basically it had a funnel mounted under the rear of the tractor which guided the implement tongue into the spring-loaded latch. The operator simply backed up to the implement tongue, listened for the "snap" of the coupler, attached the lift links and was off to the field without ever leaving the comfort of his tractor seat.

In 1956, the WD45 became the first in the AC line to have power steering. This feature was well received by both dealers and farmers. This tractor was offered in dual-front, adjustable axle, single front-wheel and cane models. The last WD45 was made in 1957, after making a total of 90,382 tractors (gas and diesel models combined). In 1956 a gas duel-front WD45 had a list price of $2,380.

The WD45 Today

With so many of these being made, they are still very popular and still very much in use on large and small farms alike. Today it can be purchased from anywhere between $1200.00 and $2500.00, depending upon condition and available implements. They are considered more of a working tractor than a collector's tractor although I'm sure there are many out there who can claim to have one in their collection. Replacement parts are readily available.

The Specs

Number and Size Plows: Three 14-inch
Shipping Weight: 4450 pounds
Rear Tread Adj Range: 56-90 inches
Height Overall: 81-1/2 inches
Length Overall: 127.1 inches
Wheelbase: 88 inches
Cultivating Clearance: 29 inches
Hydraulic Power Unit: Std.
Pulley Diameter: 9 inches
Engine: AC, 4-cylinder, displacement 226, rated rpm 1400
Clutch: Two - engine clutch is single plate, spring loaded, dry type. Transmission clutch is multiple disc, over center, wet type.
Speeds: 4 forward, 1 reverse

Nebraska Tractor Test Results

TEST NO. 499

Allis-Chalmers Mfg. Co., Milwaukee, Wis.

DATE TESTED: July 29 to August 10, 1953

With a 226 CID, the WD45 was rated at 1400 rpm and achieved a maximum engine torque of 287.9 foot-pounds at 867 rpm. This tractor was equipped with a four-cylinder I-head engine having a 4x4-1/2 inch bore and stroke. Over 42-1/2 hours of operating time, no repairs or adjustments were noted. Standard tire equipment included 13-28 rear and 5.50-16 inch front rubber. Advertised speeds of 2-1/2, 3-3/4, 5 and 11-1/4 mph were provided - third gear was used for Test H. The bare tractor weighed 3,955 pounds, with 1,900 pounds of weight being added to each rear wheel during Tests F, G and H. Test H produced a fuel economy of 10.64 horsepower hours per gallon of gasoline. This ten-hour run was made with an output of 30.18 drawbar horsepower, a pull of 2,250 pounds at 5.03 mph, and slippage of 4.86%. Test G yielded a low-gear maximum pull of 5,441 pounds at 2.11 mph. Under a Test D rated belt load of 38.61 horsepower the WD45 achieved a fuel economy of 11.94 horsepower hours per gallon of fuel - this figure climbed to 12.34 under a Test C operating maximum load of 40.47 horsepower.

Serial Numbers