AC 175 vs AC 185 Numbers Built

I noticed that Allis Chalmers built over twice as many AC 185 tractors as they did AC 175 tractors, I assume most farmers wanted more horsepower and maybe already been farming with a AC D-17 tractor and wanted something bigger than an AC 175 . I was looking at the production numbers of the Allis Chalmers 170 and 180 tractors they were almost equal ( few more 180’s built than 170 ). Plus I noticed overlap of four years all those models were built. Allis Chalmers built almost 85000 D-17 tractors in it ten years production span ( I am using Tractordata numbers for references ) and I wonder what Allis Chalmers tractor model a lot of the D-17 owners upgraded to when they needed a new tractor or bigger tractor. I noticed over the years a lot of farms that used Allis Chalmers equipment had a D-17 and 185 tractors and I assume both was brought new by the farmer. I like all those models and I always wonder was there was more of the AC 185 built than the AC 175 tractors.

I would agree with the assessment that if you owned a D-17, you probably didn't replace it with a One-Seventy. Most farmers tended to grow their HP when the time came to replace tractors. Not always, but most of the time.

My grandfather had 2 D17's and traded 1 for a 180. It had issues so within a year he traded it for a 185. In southern IN clay the 185 pulled a 4 bottom plow. They loved the 185!

Grandpa started with WD's and B's, to replace the Belgians and Percherons, then later traded up to D14's and a then traded to a D15.

What did a new 175 and 185 tractors cost to buy say in the mid to late seventiies ?

1969/70 pretty much $100 per PTO HP. Now it varied a bit if there were a lot of options added, but $100 bucks per HP was pretty darn close.

I remember Dad buying a new 180 diesel in 1970 and paying $6800 for it.

I am second owner of a  late 185,  1981 or maybe even 1982 model, got a paper with the tractor, buyer paid $7800  after trading an early 180 and a WF.  If doesn't show price of 185, just the difference.  So try to figure out what the trades were worth makes the 185  guessing in the $15000 range.

My Dad bought a new 180 with hydraulic PTO, radio, ring chains and a new set of mounted AC 4 bottom plows for $7250 in 1968. I think the plows were $1075.

I'm guessing it was probably August when the tractors came in. I think Dad bought in early September. I know we had it for corn chopping that fall. The 180 teamed with the (still pretty new) 780 AC chopper. We were doing pretty well !!!

In those days, most Dealerships new equipment was "floor-planned" with the manufacturer. So, for the greatest percentage of AC dealers, Allis-Chalmers gave you one full year to get that piece of equipment sold, interest free. After 12 months, then you began paying interest per month on that item, or pay for it in full. I have no idea what the terms are now.

It been 2018 since I been involved in the the new equipment sales business, but Massey Ferguson was 12 months and Mahindra tractors I think I correct on this if a dealer order certain number of tractors before certain date ( usually late summer ) I think you could get 18 months terms. I think that was an incentive to place a big order in of tractors at one time. I guess it gave the manufacturer idea how many tractors their dealerships want.

Edited by Tom59 - 17 Dec 2021 at 10:54pm

Dr. Allis, were those prices the price you could buy a new AC 175 or AC 185 tractor for ? Your price seems to be following in line with others prices if you follow the years and the inflation of the seventies. Another question, how did Allis Chalmers tractors prices compare to Massey Ferguson tractors of the similar size and same year model, say a AC 175 to a MF 275 price wise ? Over the years never heard anyone commented on that. Thanks for everyone information, I always been interested in what equipment cost sold for years ago.

My prices listed are factory suggested "LIST" prices, or in the automotive world the "window sticker" price.  Last year of the 175 diesel was $15,894 in 1980 for the base tractor. Last year for the 185 diesel was $18,891 in 1981 for the base tractor. I don't think too many buyers ever paid the full price as dealers were wiling to negotiate down from there. MF 275-diesel standard clearance chassis was 1983 and list price was $20,683.  I can only assume if an MF-275 and an AC 175 were equipped with similar tire sizes and features in the same time frame in history past, the price would be within a few hundred dollars of each other. A product had to be competitive in price or you wouldn't sell very many.