Dr. Allis D17 XT Plowing

The throttle was one of the easier things I did. Still used the original throttle linkage from the steering wheel to under the fuel tank, but replaced the link rod that went from there to the gas engine with a new 1/4" rod about 4 ft long and made several kinks and bends and one guide bracket close to the injection pump. All things considered, it was easy and turned out well, as the stroke of the hand lever is 100% the same as the gas engine was.  The foot clutch area seemed to take the most time and then the steering. I had the engine in and out a dozen times before I was happy with the clutch. The gas chassis clutch shaft is too long for the diesel engine, so I figured out a way around that problem. I cut off the clutch shaft nose (for the pilot bearing) and found a new pilot bearing that would slide on the new larger clutch shaft diameter and then machined the flywheel hole deeper and larger diameter to accept the new pilot brg. Then, the clutch disc had to come from a maroon model 7000, as it has an offset clutch hub in it, offset towards the engine, which I needed. The rest of the time was spent machining the flywheel to fit .100" farther forward on the crankshaft, moving the starter ring gear .100" back on the flywheel to locate it correctly, and machine the flywheel wear surface .100" to get the clutch disc to fit on the clutch shaft splines and not bind. The shorter throwout bearing sleeve had to come from a D-17 diesel to get it to locate properly to the 180/190 pressure plate.  Some grinding had to be done to the inside of the bell housing to get it all in there, but after you grind enough away in the right spots, it fits.  I am fortunate to have a lathe at work to be able to do many of these things, instead of hiring it done. It was important for me to get the engine to sit as far rearward as possible, because I had to design a way to be able to steer the tractor with a narrow front end and needed the engine to be as far out of the way as possible. As it turned out, the steering turned out just fine and it had its engineering problems too, but all worked out. Hydrostatic power steering that didn't change the looks or length of the tractor was the goal and I was lucky it came true after lots of thinking. I always felt if the narrow front didn't work, I'd just switch to a wide front and mount a steer cylinder crossways on it. Didn't need to and as it is now, it could be switched to a wide front with an OEM steering arm. One can always have a "plan" before he starts a project like this. Funny how the "plan" has to be changed up a bit as you go along !!

Yes, Dr. you are correct.  The shipping stands were solid on the bottom and I believe a little taller than your step.  I just thought maybe someone modified it by making it shorter and drilled some holes for drainage.  But, you're probably right; it isn't what I thought it might be.

The triangular "helper" step mounted on the left side looks familiar.  It reminds me of the "stands" that were mounted on the back of AC cornheads when they were shipped upright (standing on their backs).  We used to pick them up from LaPorte and used many of those "stands" as steps for several different models of AC tractors.  It was just something we did at the dealership; not an AC approved modification.  Just curious if that's where your step came from.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/asormkrGTppYUWex5Pics from the build, including the 3-point hitch removal to be able to use the snap-coupler plow.

I have a 45D carcass around here I thought would make a good candidate for a 433T....just too many other things take precedent.

The D-2200 engine wasn't enough HP, as it was naturally aspirated and only 200 cubes. I think they were 50 flywheel HP, while a One-Seventy needed 65 to 67 flywheel HP @ 1800 RPM to deliver 54 at the PTO.  So, that means more cubes (230 to 250) or a TURBO !! Even if the D-2200 with a turbo (D-2400) cost more than a Perkins, it would have been worth it in my opinion.  Imagine, the only diesel turbo farm tractor in the 55 HP class  !!!!!

The 200 cid 4 cylinder was used in the HD4 crawler as the 2200 series, sad the tractor division was able to outsource engines from perkins for less than their own sister division of the same company. 

The history of the 4-cylinder version of the 301 began in 1965 from all I can find, within a year of the intro of the 301.  The 301 turbo was in 1965. It just looks to me like the original One-Seventy should have had this engine in it at 2,000 RPM. A little smaller turbo would have been fine for 54 HP. But instead a Perkins ???

I do.  The goal on this project was to try and make it appear as if it maybe could have been an OEM turbo-diesel installation. There were several hurdles, but in the end, we now have a powerful, economical and modern D-17. Hydrostatic power steering, live hydraulics with "float" position on the remote valves, a rugged Cat #2  3-point hitch that can easily be removed to still use the snap-coupler system, and the old high-pressure hydraulic system still intact. All original S3 D-17 features were retained with the addition of the newer more modern features. It was a lot of work, but all great fun usually is.

Loved the video! See that the good doc is a little camera shy himself though. Have to see what this Allis genius looks like some time! LOL! Keep up the good work, Dr. Darrel

Yes, it is 14 to 1 compression ratio. I have the manifold heater on it. 30 to 60 seconds and it starts pretty well. Has a block heater too.

That soil really rolls nice off the 14's... looks like it cuts and rolls same in 2-low as 2-high, which means you've got all the geometry dead-on-perfect, and ample force on-tap at the drawbar.  Great video, excellent sound!!!

Doc, shes looking good. That must be some heavy dirt.    Before I bought a decent disk and field cultivator I would plow corn ground in 2nd high side with a 3x16 slat bottom plow. I'd throw the dirt clear outta the furrow. I thought it was cool for a few rounds. Then I realized I'd have to level the dang field back up. Looks like fun, glad you got her all figured out. I really wish AC had put a diff lock starting with the series 4 D17 and later tractors.

I love the weights Doc.