snap coupler history

[Daniell68]

I have a 1948 WD (serial # 230)that has a snap coupler, don't know if it is original or added on? What year did Allis Chalmers come out with the snap coupler ? What models did it come on?

 

[Mark]

this will be an interesting read when some knowledgeable person chimes in. I"d like to know myself. I will say I don"t think it appeared until the mid 50"s. Everybody has their opinion...but I think the snap coupler was a fine invention.

 

[Dardan]

I'm not too knoledgable, so---
My '53WD has pin hook up not snap coupler.
I was of the impression the snap couplers were opional equipment in the begining.

 

[JMS MN]

The WD did not come from the factory with a Snap-Coupler in 1948, but the WD45, which came out in 1953, did have it. Luckily, it could be added to earlier tractors to replace the pin hitch. I think, but do not know for sure, that the SC was standard on the first WD45 models, ie, after SN 146,607.

 

[Jack a]

It came out as optional for the WD45 and then made standard equipment that same year. Allis offered it to retrofit earlier WD models and it is very easy to add to any WD.

 

[J.C.in AZ.]

Here I go again,trying to be a know it all about AC Tractors but given that I farmed for many years with all AC's I know a little about them. I had a 1950 WD with Snap Coupler Hitch which I think was a Conversion from the original Quick Hitch,A 1956 WD45 with the same Snap Coupler Hitch and several other WD's and WD45's which for one reason or the other I never kept long which were snap Coupler equipped also. The ones mentioned were on my Sale Bill when I stopped Farming the place my self.My main Tractors were two D17's and a 190 Gas.My info is that in 1948 the WD was introduced with Traction Booster,a Three Point Hydraulic Hitch called a "Quick Hitch" and a Hand Clutch to stop forward movement along with Power Adjustable Rear Wheels. The WD was available with Single Front wheel,Two wheel Front end and a Standard or Wide Front Axle.In 1953 AC introduced Snap Coupler System,More powerful Engine and Factory Power Steering and called this Tractor the WD45 and in 1955 AC introduced the WD45 with a Buda Diesel Engine. I had one for a short time. It was a hard to start Tractor and did not fit well with my operation but the Straw that broke the Camels back was the day the Wife and Babies[ we had Twins] filled the Cars Gas tank to go to Town shopping but instead of putting Gas in it she filled it with Diesel. So, it found a new Home quick.The WD45D that is.JC

 

[Sid]

"My info is that in 1948 the WD was introduced with Traction Booster,a Three Point Hydraulic Hitch called a "Quick Hitch" and..." What is your source of info? Having been around a few Allis tractors myself, I suspect the validity of your source of info, that states the WD came out with a three point hitch. I would like to know more about The so called "Quick Hitch" that Allis made before the snap coupler.

 

[J.C.in AZ.]

Some of my info aquired from,The American Farm Tractor by Randy Leffingwell and some from Allis -Chalmers Tractors by C.H. Wendel.My own WD as stated was aquired already converted to Snap Coupler Hitch.I do not say I ever saw a Quick Hitch as it was obsoleted before it ever got a chance to become acceptable in the area that I am from in Northern ILL.Never said I was an authority only I knew a lot about AC Tractors.

 

[Jack a]

It's the pin hitch.

 

[Obsesion]

Most WD45s had the snap coupler and most WD's did not. They inter-change. I put one on my 49 WD from a 45. The drawbar is different too.

 

[Obsession]

Most WD45s had the snap coupler and most WD"s did not. They inter-change. I put one on my 49 WD from a 45. The drawbar is different too.

 

[JMS MN]

Since someone already corrected you on the "quick/3 point" hitch, I"ll just add that factory power steering was first available on the WD45 in 1956. And regarding adding the Snap-Coupler hitch to the WD- it"s simply a matter of finding the bell housing, chain, and lever, and installing. Pin hitch pin comes out, attach the bell, etc. Nothing to modify- just switch and add parts. Good design. And way simpler to attach a plow or other mounted implement, compared to any 3ph. Can sometimes do the job without leaving the tractor seat. Well, ok- if you have monkey long arms! But your feet do not have to hit the ground.

 

[JMS MN]

Your "53 is somewhat of a morphodite- not quite a WD45, but almost. Late in "52, AC came out with the 45 transmission, with the curved shift lever. Then the WD45 came with the different engine. I believe another poster is right about the WD45 coming out originally with the pin hitch, and that same year, made the Snap-Coupler a standard item.

 

[Dardan]

One thing about tractors of this vintage, if we don't KNOW the history, or even if we think we do, we cant be sure if our individual one has had some "tweaking" in the past out of neccesesity or preference.
Particularly with these '30s to '50s ACs there are so many parts that can be swapped over years and models.

 

[Brian Jasper co. Ia]

Norm Swinford is known to be just about the most accurate authority on A-C. The following info comes from his book: First WD through 127006 in '52 had the straight lever trans. First curved lever trans started at 127007. In '53 at serial 136318 the WD traded its magneto in on distributor ignition. The last WD is serial 146606. The first WD-45 is 146607. In '54 at serial 151381 the Snap Coupler was made standard equipment. Older WD, CA, even B's could be retrofitted with snap coupler conversions. The previous hitching system is referred to as "Single Point Hitching" or AKA "Pin Hitch".
There you have it. If you don't have a copy of "Allis Chalmers Farm Equipment 1914-1985" by Norm Swinford, I recommend getting one. Very interesting reading. Answers a lot of questions.

 

[Pat and Mickey]

Thank you for your good advise Brian. Could you possible give us the place a person could buye a copy of the Allis Chalmers Farm Equipment by Swinford.