Allis Chalmers Company

The Allis Chalmers Company was formed when four midwestern machinery companies merged in 1901. These four, Edward P. Allis and Company, Fraser and Chalmers, Gates Irom Works, and the Dickson Manufacturing Company, were soon supplemented by the purchase of the Bullock Electrical Manufacturing Company. The Allis Chalmers tractor line was introduced in 1914. Several smaller manufacturers were eventually bought out, including Monarch, Advance Rumely and later Gleaner. Allis Chalmers made history in 1929 by introducing its Model U equipped with pneumatic tires. Scorned at first, the rubber tire became the industry norm. Allis again in 1933 made history with its Model WC. This versatile row crop unit was the first tractor to use the square engine design. The WC was extremely popular, with over 178,000 units sold. Allis continued to show its design expertise when it produced the WD and WD45. Both were very popular, and touted as super versions of the WC. In 1985, Allis Chalmers was purchased by Deutz Fahr and, in 1992, a newly formed company called AGCO took over production.