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brewvet 
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Location: Blue Ridge, GA
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 Topic: New Guy debating
Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 12:21pm |
Greetings All,
I am debating between several of the smaller tractors available. Looking at something like a Farmall Cub or Allis Chambers B. I want a small tractor for a few reasons, leveling a gravel driveway, possibly plowing a small garden area (1 acre or less) and just general fun (perhaps getting into some of the tractor parades, etc).
I have been looking at a B and Cub on ebay, looks like the prices are all over the place ($1500 to 4000+), also seems like not much for sale near me (North Georgia). Looking for any suggestions,or comments between these two types for my needs. Also if anyone knows of a better place to find one for sale I am all ears. Any gotchas to look out for? I did some research (ask about oil leaks, smoking when running, condition of tires).
Any help/pointers would be most welcome. I do like the looks of the B model better then the cub.
Thanks
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Dusty MI
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 12:40pm |
Horse power wise the IHC Cub and the A.C. G are in the same range. The A.C. B & C are the same engine.
Dusty
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917 H, '48 G, '65 D-10 series III "Allis Express"
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Brian G. NY
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 1:14pm |
I think Dusty means the B and C are both the same HP but more than either the Cub or G. I think most on here would agree the B (or C) is the better choice for the kind of work you want to do. They work really well with a belly mount lawn mower and they pull a 12" (or even 14") single bottom plow with ease. They seem to plow snow well with a little weight and chains. There are several videos on You-Tube showing them doing all this.
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HoughMade
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 1:18pm |
The A.C. B is more comparable to a Farmall A in size and horsepower. The Cub is about half the power. Any of them would do what you seem to want them for. You're going to find B partisans here, I suppose. That's what I have. In that regard, they are solid, simple little tractors where all the parts are available and not too expensive. You'll probably find it easier to find Farmall branded implements, but to me, that's not a make or break.
I like orange....red is way to common, but that's me.
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1951 B
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CrestonM
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Location: Oklahoma
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 1:41pm |
I like both tractors, but think the B would be better for actually using. Culti-vision is nice on the cub, but I've heard a lot of guys say they are under powered. The bench seat on the B is nice, allowing you to sit to one side or the other, making cultivating easier. If you'll be doing plowing, a B is a dream. It's a snorty little devil if you have it running good! They made a mounted 1 bottom plow for it, but I pull an Oliver 2 bottom trip plow with mine. In clay soil it gives a work out, but I never added any weight to the tractor until 2016, after I acquired a set of rear wheel weights. They help some when getting in really tough ground. Always runs out of weight before it runs out of power.
The PTO is also a nice feature. A Cub could have PTO, but without the adapter I believe it turns 1,800 RPM, and runs backwards of most other tractors. If you get to wanting to do more work with modern implements, 3 point hitch kits are available.
If it were me, I'd choose the B. More power, heavier built, and I just like their "center line design" better.
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jaybmiller
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 1:56pm |
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I'd rather have a CA than a B as it has a 4 speed transmission and a tad bit more power. Also I think the PTO is 'standard' 1 3/8, think the B was smaller,though a lot were upgraded ?
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3 D-14s,A-C forklift, B-112
Kubota BX23S lil' TOOT( The Other Orange Tractor)
Never burn your bridges, unless you can walk on water
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brewvet
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 2:14pm |
lots of good information so far, thanks. Wondering if anyone could comment on this one on Ebay I am debating on: https://www.ebay.com/itm/1948-ALLIS-CHARMER-TRACTOR/222762182973?_trkparms=pageci%3A812cef42-180c-11e8-9413-74dbd180c36a%7Cparentrq%3Abf23fc131610aa1a2da29af5fffc6fd8%7Ciid%3A1&_trksid=p2481888.c100678.m3607
Seems pretty nice, from the pictures at least. One question that has me stumped though, what is the box next to the left front wheel? Thought it might be some type of power steering, but in researching this wasn't offered on these.
Any comments good or bad on this one?
Thanks Again...
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sparky
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 2:29pm |
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I think you are referring to the front axle weight.
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It's the color tractor my grandpa had!
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brewvet
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 2:30pm |
Hmm..OK makes sense, haven't seen this on other tractors I have been looking at.
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mdm1
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 2:50pm |
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Another Charmer tractor. My Dad has a cub that he mows with. Cute little tractors but underpowered. I really would not mind having it though as a toy. Around here they seem to be over priced but in demand. I would lean towards a B if you want something to work some. People more knowledgable will chime in. But keep in mind this an Orange forum so we are prejudiced!
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Everything is impossible until someone does it! WD45-trip loader 1947 c w/woods belly mower, 1939 B, #3 sickle mower 1944 B, 2 1948 G's. Misc other equipment that my wife calls JUNK!
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cdon_FL
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 2:59pm |
I had a cub. Sold it soon after trying to use it for real work. Cute little machines but grossly underpowered. Even when new. Unusably underpowered in my opinion.
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Chris in NE Florida
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cdon_FL
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 3:05pm |
Farmall WAY WAY more popular in the southeast than Allis Chalmers. That may be a factor for you at some point when you are looking for parts or accessories to fit on the tractor you have. My 92 year old father in law has a Farmall Super C in Cairo GA. He would sell it I am sure. Is now too tall for him to climb up on easily. Well loved, if you know what I mean, but still a worker. Plenty of power. Unlike the Cubs.
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Chris in NE Florida
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Bob D. (La)
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 3:11pm |
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If you are talking about the box actually mounted on the front axle, it is front weights. Hard to say condition without hearing it run and driving it. Paint looks good as well as sheet metal but again needs to be looked at close up. New tires as well as the front weights might make it an OK value but at 2500 seems somewhat high. Would be good to show up to look at it without being announced to verify over all condition and see how it starts and runs without being started ahead of time. Sometimes new paint is used to cover a multitude of sins.
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When you find yourself in a hole,PUT DOWN THE SHOVEL!!!
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CrestonM
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 3:13pm |
 Bob D. (La) wrote:
Sometimes new paint is used to cover a multitude of sins. |
Very true...
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dt1050
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 3:31pm |
I believe the pto on the cub runs the opposite direction for most equipment
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Just cause it's orange don't make it a tractor, there's only one..Allis Chalmers
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BEK
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 4:05pm |
The B or C is a good tractor.
Search craigslist throughout North and South Carolina. The B's and C's were wildly popular in this region on the family tobacco farms. They turn up for sale quite often. Along with the little Farmall's that were also popular.
I'd sell you mine, but I have more money and effort into it than it's worth.  Good luck with the hunt. Brad
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brewvet
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 4:08pm |
BEK wrote:
The B or C is a good tractor.
Search craigslist throughout North and South Carolina. The B's and C's were wildly popular in this region on the family tobacco farms. They turn up for sale quite often. Along with the little Farmall's that were also popular.
I'd sell you mine, but I have more money and effort into it than it's worth. Good luck with the hunt. Brad
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Thanks, I have been digging through Craigslist but with little luck. Man that's a beautiful tractor you got there. 
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davh
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 4:27pm |
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Lots of great info on this forum for the Little Allis tractors. The one main thing I look for is the condition of the rubber. Can get into your pocketbook if they have to be replaced soon. No doubt more tractor for the money than the little cubs.
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LeonR2013
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 5:19pm |
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If I had my druthers I'd get the CA. But looking at the two of them, the B with the new tires all the way around would have a powerful attraction to me. Anyone who would put that much rubber on the tractor has to have a good base to start with and usually tires are the last thing to put on and he didn't spare the coin. So while I might prefer the CA the B could be the better buy. They did build a 16" plow for the B and other implements are available too. They also just sip the gas, much less that the Farmall. The B with a Woods belly mower will mow with anything. But, it's your green stamps so it's ultimately your decision.
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BEK
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 5:54pm |
Allis B in Canton GA, Atlanta craigslist. Not mine. They're out there.
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brewvet
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 5:59pm |
BEK wrote:
Allis B in Canton GA, Atlanta craigslist. Not mine. They're out there.
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Thanks I saw that one and called him, it was already sold.
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Hubnut
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 6:06pm |
I agree with BEK. There are WAY more Bs and Cs in the North GA, SC, NC region
than here in FL. Indeed, the snap coupler Bs were very popular in this
region. I've been watching several Bs near Charlotte and that one that
BEK showed is very nice and fairly priced in my opinion. Costs me 3-4
grand (including tractor purchase price) to properly restore a B and it'll never be worth more than $2500
on it's best day. Sad, but true. I've owned cubs too (lowboys). Twice. Both times I found
working on them a pain in the rear. and I sold them. The AC B is easy to work on and
parts are readily available. Here are my Bs and Cs shoehorned into my garage. Get the B. 
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1940 B "Lucy"
1941 B w/ Woods L59 "Flavia"
1942 B w/ finish mower "Dick"
1941 C w/ 3-point "Maggie"
1947 C SFW w/ L306 "Trixie"
1972 314H
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shameless dude
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 6:36pm |
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dt....I think that was just on the cub lo-boy the PTO was like that, I could be wrong tho.
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Tireboy
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 6:52pm |
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Go to Gathering of the Orange April 26-29 in Gray Tennessee there will be plenty of little AC's to look at and probably some for sale.
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drobCA
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 7:17pm |
do you have any mechanical experience? would tinkering with it be part of the fun? seems to me once a B gets running right, they require very little maintenance... but you can fuss around a little if so inclined. and it is unbelievable the support you will get from the guys on this forum!!!
I agree that the all new rubber is a big bonus and probably a good indicator of the general condition. sure looks like a sweetheart B to me.
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3 Ford 8N's I loan to neighbors, but the '52CA, '41B and little B1 I do not.
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mdm1
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 7:37pm |
The tire thing is correct. I bought new rear tires for the B I bought last fall and doubled my cost in the tractor! And I still need tires for the front!
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Everything is impossible until someone does it! WD45-trip loader 1947 c w/woods belly mower, 1939 B, #3 sickle mower 1944 B, 2 1948 G's. Misc other equipment that my wife calls JUNK!
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brewvet
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 7:38pm |
drobCA wrote:
do you have any mechanical experience?would tinkering with it be part of the fun? seems to me once a B gets running right, they require very little maintenance... but you can fuss around a little if so inclined. and it is unbelievable the support you will get from the guys on this forum!!!
I agree that the all new rubber is a big bonus and probably a good indicator of the general condition. sure looks like a sweetheart B to me. |
Yep, I am mechanically inclined. I have gotten greasy more then once, mostly on muscle cars. Looks to me these would be much easier to work on.
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drobCA
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 7:53pm |
ohhhhh, yes they are! my fave story is that I pulled a starter, replaced the brushes and put it back on in 10 minutes without hurrying. also without crawling under or getting road grit falling in my eyes. you're gonna love it!
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3 Ford 8N's I loan to neighbors, but the '52CA, '41B and little B1 I do not.
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JohnCO
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Posted: 22 Feb 2018 at 9:31pm |
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If you are comparing tractors a B or C is much closer to an IHC A. An Allis CA would be similar in many ways to an IHC Super A. I have had both and unless you are using the tractor for cultivating, the AC is better all around. The Cub has around 60 cu in flat head, much like an AC G, both the bigger tractors have overhead valve engines around 125 cu in. The Cub is really just a large garden tractor, where the others will do real work. Usually the AC's bring a bit less money then IHC's but in some parts of the country maybe not much difference. Being this is an AC site and I'm and AC guy, it's pretty obvious which way I lean....
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"If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer"
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dt1050
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Posted: 23 Feb 2018 at 4:15am |
shameless dude wrote:
dt....I think that was just on the cub lo-boy the PTO was like that, I could be wrong tho. |
I went to look at a cub and the fella told me the pto turned ccw? I also could be wrong, I mean ask the old lady, I'm always wrong
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Just cause it's orange don't make it a tractor, there's only one..Allis Chalmers
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