Allis Chalmers WD45 Reviews
1955 WD45 Diesel - Good Tractor
Model Year: 1955
As I stated in the review of my D14, my great grandfather owned an Allis-Chalmers dealership in the 50s. He bought this WD45 Diesel brand new and it has been on my farm ever since. Overall this is a well-built tractor. Heavy-duty metal panels and a wide front end give the tractor good balance. It has GREAT power and fuel economy. I imagine in its day it was one of the more powerful diesel tractors in its class. I believe there were only around 3,000 of these tractors made so I feel lucky to own one. It was rebuilt a few years ago after putting maybe 2,000 hours on it. As with any diesel tractor in the 50s, it is cold blooded but nothing a little ether won't solve.
Pros: Great power, fuel economy, feels sturdy
Cons: Poor steering ergonomics, no power steering, below average hydraulic system
Model Year: 1955
As I stated in the review of my D14, my great grandfather owned an Allis-Chalmers dealership in the 50s. He bought this WD45 Diesel brand new and it has been on my farm ever since. Overall this is a well-built tractor. Heavy-duty metal panels and a wide front end give the tractor good balance. It has GREAT power and fuel economy. I imagine in its day it was one of the more powerful diesel tractors in its class. I believe there were only around 3,000 of these tractors made so I feel lucky to own one. It was rebuilt a few years ago after putting maybe 2,000 hours on it. As with any diesel tractor in the 50s, it is cold blooded but nothing a little ether won't solve.
Pros: Great power, fuel economy, feels sturdy
Cons: Poor steering ergonomics, no power steering, below average hydraulic system
1954 WD45 With WD9 Loader
Model Year: 1954
This tractor was bought used by my Dad about 1960 and used in his small Iowa farm with a 3 bottom plow and 2 row mounted combine, among other things. I bought it in his estate in 1999 and mainly use it for snow removal (in S. MN) and with a 3 pt. hitch to pull a bush hog type mower for a small amount of CRP. It had a WD9 "trip" bucket loader, still used by me. With new rear tires, old wheel weights and chains, it has plenty of power, but takes time to move deep, wind-drifted snow, bucket by bucket. It was converted to 12 volt system and will start way below zero. I repainted it myself a couple years ago. The biggest problem is that the gearshift disengages (always in reverse); it's been rebuilt 3 times, but still is an occasional problem.
Pros: Power, cheap to buy & use.
Cons: Gearshift disengages.
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Model Year: 1954
This tractor was bought used by my Dad about 1960 and used in his small Iowa farm with a 3 bottom plow and 2 row mounted combine, among other things. I bought it in his estate in 1999 and mainly use it for snow removal (in S. MN) and with a 3 pt. hitch to pull a bush hog type mower for a small amount of CRP. It had a WD9 "trip" bucket loader, still used by me. With new rear tires, old wheel weights and chains, it has plenty of power, but takes time to move deep, wind-drifted snow, bucket by bucket. It was converted to 12 volt system and will start way below zero. I repainted it myself a couple years ago. The biggest problem is that the gearshift disengages (always in reverse); it's been rebuilt 3 times, but still is an occasional problem.
Pros: Power, cheap to buy & use.
Cons: Gearshift disengages.
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1954 WD-45 Second Owner
Model Year: 1954
Not being a farmer and this being my first tractor upon retirement, caused me to get bit by the tractor bug! The reason for the 4 stars for features is for no power steering, although, factory PS was available. I mainly use it for moving a lot of snow. My rear tires aren't the best, but with fluid in the tires (came with it in) and a set of fair chains, it does a big job with the large snow (trip) bucket. It is a fun tractor to own and drive. My friend welded a 1 1/2" pipe under the lead edge of the bucket which helps keeping me from tearing up the lawn. Saw this in Farm Show Magazine.
Pros: Reliable, powerful, looks great.
Cons: No power steering.
Model Year: 1954
Not being a farmer and this being my first tractor upon retirement, caused me to get bit by the tractor bug! The reason for the 4 stars for features is for no power steering, although, factory PS was available. I mainly use it for moving a lot of snow. My rear tires aren't the best, but with fluid in the tires (came with it in) and a set of fair chains, it does a big job with the large snow (trip) bucket. It is a fun tractor to own and drive. My friend welded a 1 1/2" pipe under the lead edge of the bucket which helps keeping me from tearing up the lawn. Saw this in Farm Show Magazine.
Pros: Reliable, powerful, looks great.
Cons: No power steering.
Best Tractor
Model Year: 1956
For ALL tractors built between 1953 and 1957 there is NOTHING to compare with the power and dependability of this tractor. As usual, Allis-Chalmers was WAY ahead of everyone else.
Pros: Dependability, lasting, will be around for another 60 years.
Cons: Parts and the quit being made.
Model Year: 1956
For ALL tractors built between 1953 and 1957 there is NOTHING to compare with the power and dependability of this tractor. As usual, Allis-Chalmers was WAY ahead of everyone else.
Pros: Dependability, lasting, will be around for another 60 years.
Cons: Parts and the quit being made.
Puller
Model Year: 1957
Will run forever can't reach clutch peddle will lug flip not die hell to drive a lot of fun hard to get on cant wait to take it to the vintage tractor pull I hope I am the only one there with a wd45!
Pros: Steers good with a break on.
Cons: Wants to only go straight if you don't hold back a wheel.
Model Year: 1957
Will run forever can't reach clutch peddle will lug flip not die hell to drive a lot of fun hard to get on cant wait to take it to the vintage tractor pull I hope I am the only one there with a wd45!
Pros: Steers good with a break on.
Cons: Wants to only go straight if you don't hold back a wheel.
WD 45 Great Tractor
Model Year: 1956
I have 2 of these one with a wide front and 1 narrow with loader. Purchased them from the original owner. Can't say enough good about them. Can be uncomfortable, but just continues to keep going. They are very reliable tractors.
Pros: Depedability, easy to repair.
Cons: Some what uncomfortable to operate.
Model Year: 1956
I have 2 of these one with a wide front and 1 narrow with loader. Purchased them from the original owner. Can't say enough good about them. Can be uncomfortable, but just continues to keep going. They are very reliable tractors.
Pros: Depedability, easy to repair.
Cons: Some what uncomfortable to operate.
Retirement Has No Days Off
Model Year: 1953
The family has farmed since the 1950s and has always had at least a WD or WD45. Just retired and moved back to the farm. Mom 86 and Dad 87 are still kicking and I'm determined to keep them moving. Been working on getting this one back in 100% working condition. Replaced the drive key in the power steering pump. Wow! Steers like a Lincoln. The hydraulics quit so I swapped it out with one from a salvage running gear my dad had. I've seen at least three units parked around the neighborhood. Going to need a set of wheels someday. This winter I'll get started on the D17. It blew a head gasket 15 years ago and the family parked it in the shed and have used the wheels on the WD45. Then a basket case Case 310G TRACLOADER.
Pros: Reliable, easy to work on.
Cons: Hard seat.
Model Year: 1953
The family has farmed since the 1950s and has always had at least a WD or WD45. Just retired and moved back to the farm. Mom 86 and Dad 87 are still kicking and I'm determined to keep them moving. Been working on getting this one back in 100% working condition. Replaced the drive key in the power steering pump. Wow! Steers like a Lincoln. The hydraulics quit so I swapped it out with one from a salvage running gear my dad had. I've seen at least three units parked around the neighborhood. Going to need a set of wheels someday. This winter I'll get started on the D17. It blew a head gasket 15 years ago and the family parked it in the shed and have used the wheels on the WD45. Then a basket case Case 310G TRACLOADER.
Pros: Reliable, easy to work on.
Cons: Hard seat.
Allis Chalmers WD-45
Model Year: 1954
I bought this tractor (2nd owner) mostly for moving a lot of snow. It is a wide front with a snow trip bucket, fluid in rears, chains, but unfortunately without power steering. It looks real nice, starts great always, runs & drives as it should & has good power. Needless to say, I am very happy with this Orange tractor, having owned it for 20 years now!
Pros: Super dependable, only std. maint required, fun.
Cons: Power steering would be nice.
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Model Year: 1954
I bought this tractor (2nd owner) mostly for moving a lot of snow. It is a wide front with a snow trip bucket, fluid in rears, chains, but unfortunately without power steering. It looks real nice, starts great always, runs & drives as it should & has good power. Needless to say, I am very happy with this Orange tractor, having owned it for 20 years now!
Pros: Super dependable, only std. maint required, fun.
Cons: Power steering would be nice.
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WD-45 Gas
Model Year: 1947
Strong little tractor. Narrow front end, 1 set of hydraulics. 3 point lift arms incomplete. Good draw bar. 540 R.P.M. power take off. Very good haying tractor. Strong enough to pull baler, rake or even New Holland Bale Wagon. Disadvantage is that the tractor is light in weight.
Pros: Strength, small and nimble.
Cons: Too light in weight for plowing without adding copious amount of weights.
Model Year: 1947
Strong little tractor. Narrow front end, 1 set of hydraulics. 3 point lift arms incomplete. Good draw bar. 540 R.P.M. power take off. Very good haying tractor. Strong enough to pull baler, rake or even New Holland Bale Wagon. Disadvantage is that the tractor is light in weight.
Pros: Strength, small and nimble.
Cons: Too light in weight for plowing without adding copious amount of weights.
Allis Chalmers 45
Model Year: 1956
I got this 45 because I wanted one. I have a John Deere 720 for years and I have a farmall A with cultivators on it which never come off. So far for my 45 I have 2 snap coupler plows and a 8 ft. snap coupler disc. Now looking for a 2 row snap coupler planter for the 45.
Pros: Excellent condition tractor.
Cons: None.
Model Year: 1956
I got this 45 because I wanted one. I have a John Deere 720 for years and I have a farmall A with cultivators on it which never come off. So far for my 45 I have 2 snap coupler plows and a 8 ft. snap coupler disc. Now looking for a 2 row snap coupler planter for the 45.
Pros: Excellent condition tractor.
Cons: None.