Sold on Allis: Indiana Man Builds His Life Around Allis-Chalmers Line

(Page 3 of 3)

Don Voelker
December 2009

Article Tools
Print
Comments
RSS

Even a Model 9815 pedal tractor got the Dubach treatment. Harry originally planned to install a gas motor in the pedal tractor, but then hit on the idea of using the engine, charger and 24-volt battery pack out of an electric scooter. At a local bicycle shop he purchased a jack shaft, sprockets and chain. Back at his shop, he stood the pedal tractor on its back end and made a reduction jack shaft and a double reduction up in the rear end under the seat. It has a forward and reverse control made by a friend. A battery pack is housed in the pedal tractor’s trailer. Harry covered the pack with corn and tells onlookers, “That’s my ethanol power plant.”

RELATED CONTENT

Governor made difference

No matter what size, Allis-Chalmers equipment spells quality to Harry. “Allis-Chalmers engine governors were noted far and wide,” he says. “They had an excellent system that worked well when the tractor was belted to a threshing machine. They were always way ahead of the competition because of that snappy governor. Anybody could have horsepower but that governor allowed Allis-Chalmers to outperform any other brand of tractor.”

Once a salesman, always a salesman. “A guy could buy a WC and an Allis pull-type combine and go out and harvest all summer long for half the crop and he could pay for his own 80-acre farm on custom work and clover seed,” Harry muses. “The WC was a $700 tractor and it pulled a $500 combine. In its day, Allis-Chalmers had more than half of the harvesting market with that old pull-type combine.” FC

For more information: Harry Dubach, 5800 S. 200 W., Berne, IN 46711; (260) 589-8222.
 
Don Voelker is a freelance photographer and writer in Fort Wayne, Ind., specializing in tractors, farm equipment, historic sites, museums, barns and covered bridges. View his work at www.voelkerphotography.com.
 
Page: << Previous 1 | 2 | 3 |


RSS | Comments | E-mail | Print


Archived Comments

2147485342
MY COMMUNITY
MOST POPULAR


SUBSCRIBE TO FARM COLLECTOR TODAY!
First Name: *
 Last Name: *
Address: *
 City: *
State/Province: *
 Zip/Postal Code:*
Country:
 Email:*


(* indicates a required item)
Canadian subs: 1 year, (includes postage & GST). Foreign subs: 1 year, . U.S. funds.
Canadian Subscribers - Click Here
Non US and Canadian Subscribers - Click Here

Farm Collector is a monthly magazine focusing on antique tractors and all kinds of antique farm equipment. If it's old and from the farm, we're interested in it!

Every month Farm Collector brings you:

  • Windmills to cream separators
  • Hog oilers to horse-drawn equipment
  • Implements to engines to farm toys

If it's old and from the farm, we're interested in it!

Save Even More Money with our SQUARE-DEAL Plan!

Pay now with a credit card and take advantage of our SQUARE-DEAL automatic renewal savings plan. You'll get 12 issues of Farm Collector for only $24.95 (USA only).

Or, Bill Me Later and send me one year of Farm Collector for just $29.95.