Anyone else own a D272?
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Category: Allis Chalmers
Forum Name: Farm Equipment
Forum Description: everything about Allis-Chalmers farm equipment
URL: https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=154195
Printed Date: 19 Aug 2025 at 6:30am
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Topic: Anyone else own a D272?
Posted By: Mr D272
Subject: Anyone else own a D272?
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2018 at 3:36pm
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Partially kindled by knowing my dad and grandad once owned a high clearance D272 for the use of a slug-pelleter, I was on the lookout for something orange but not a common model B. I stumbled across my purchase online that luckily was for sale only a couple of miles away. Unfortunately when riding her back it suffered an unexpected snap in the water pump shaft that let the fan slice through the new radiator it had. Spilling all the water I'm left with replacing the radiator which happens to be the same as a B, and luckily the seller has a spare old water pump that I should be able to use.
I haven't got a good photo because the tractors 'work in progress' due to the breakdown. So far a front bearing has been tightened and its been de-greased and cleaned of all the oil and grime preserving it. I hope to have it up and running as soon as I get a new radiator.
This D272 was made in 1959 and came fitted with the optional p3 (3 cylinder diesel engine) supplied by the famous diesel engine company Perkins which was conveniently local to the Allis factory. Its got 3 point linkage and an optional hand clutch for the P.T.O. I know a fair portion of production went as exports to europe and commonwealth countries such as Australia and Canada, but were any exported to the USA? Perhaps someone in the states owns a D272? - If your interested I can give a little bit of history about the D272 and Allis-Chalmers production at the time in the U.k. Also if you're interested I'll post a few more photos of the tractor and some of the strange quirks it has. |
Hello everybody, this is my first post on this forum. My names Tom and I'm from across the pond in the United Kingdom. I've recently bought my first Allis tractor which was made locally to where I live. Its an Allis-Chalmers D272!
Replies:
Posted By: grinder220
Date Posted: 22 Sep 2018 at 4:56pm
| Welcome to the forum. I've personally never seen one but I know there are a few over here in collections. I wouldn't mind owning one if one ever came up for sale. They're a cute little tractor. And we always welcome pictures and information so post away. |
Posted By: Unit3
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2018 at 7:51am
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Welcome. Does it have a 3 point? ------------- 2-8070FWA PS/8050PS/7080/7045PS/200/D15-II/2-WD45/WD/3-WC/UC/C |
Posted By: AC7060IL
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2018 at 8:19am
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Welcome to the AC forum. Thanks for sharing about the UK AC 272 & your family's connection. What is a Slug-Pelleter? Here in the US, the first Perkins diesel 4.236 & 4.248 became optional in the 1967-1980 AC One-Seventy-175 tractors. Odly enough, these diesel version 54-62hp tractors were all AC except for the Perkins. Then from 1980-1985, the AC 6000 series tractors had just the opposite (Mostly Fiat with an AC 433 diesel). |
Posted By: Mr D272
Date Posted: 23 Sep 2018 at 2:54pm
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Unit 3 - Yes it does have 3 point linkage including an adjustable cross-bar, I'm just missing a suitable top link. I managed to get a reproduction owners manual. Here's a good illustration of the D272's rear linkage (As I haven't taken a photo of mine yet).
Interestingly the preferred method of setup was to have the top link mounted on the cross-bar as it 'better suited the draft of the tractor'. It does have the usual clamp above the P.T.O as shown, but the real reason was to hide the fact you have to remove the bolted on P.T.O guard every time as it would be in the way of the top link! The owners manual even says this! As for the linkage its an easy setup, the tractor has a basic hydraulic lift and drop, but you must remember to engage the P.T.O to pump the oil first. AC7060IL - A slug-pelleter is like a small fertiliser spreader/salt spreader that throws slug pellet capsules onto a field. Modern day slug pellets are usually blue and look a bit like fish food. They are irresistible to slugs and snails who are poisoned and die after eating them. Here's a modern day example:
As I've said my family once owned a high clearance D272 with one on the back. It too had a p3 Perkins diesel engine in it, however it was very bashed about and the extended front wheels were bent inwards so it had to have some extra metal bars welded on to keep them from snapping off. I'm afraid I don't have any photos but I do have a sales leaflet of the high-crop to show you what it looked like:
Also that's very interesting about the Perkins option on the One-Seventy-175, I would have thought AC would have designed their own diesel engine or contracted a more local US manufacturer. I thought Perkins engines only came with fully imported tractor units. Well you learn something new every day! As for my Perkins engine its the P3/144 but I'm having trouble sourcing a replacement water pump. Sure I can get a P3/144 replacement for say a Massey-Ferguson or Ford but they are all slightly different to what I need. I got an old replacement free from the seller after my breakdown and I spent a good 2 hours shot-blasting all the rust and gunk off it. Then I realised the mounting holes where in the wrong place - the replacement is too small! I've now got to try and fit the shaft from the replacement in the old pump without breaking anything in the process. Failing that I'll have to buy a reproduction that mounts correctly and then bend the hoses to fit. Trust AC to pick the non-standardised engine...
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Posted By: AC7060IL
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2018 at 10:06am
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Mr272, Thanks for the interesting info about Slug-Pelleters. Sorry your P3's water pump venture turned out badly. Here's a link to an internet Perkins page I ran across while searching for specs on your P3. I didn't find anything about the P3, but thought I'd share this interesting link about Perkins history. I did not realize how popular Perkins diesels were in taxi cabs. Maybe there's a taxi cab nearby in London that may have your correct water pump?? LOL! https://www.allpar.com/mopar/perkins.html" rel="nofollow - https://www.allpar.com/mopar/perkins.html |
Posted By: JohnCO
Date Posted: 24 Sep 2018 at 11:27am
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Welcome to the Forum! I have one of at least three D270's in the States, a forum member in Iowa has two. I bought mine about a year ago at a online auction in Littletown, PA. Don't know the history of it but suspect it spent a good deal of it's live in England or somewhere else before immigrating. It also has a mid mount sickle bar mower with an interesting pitman drive which I suspect allows it to run the sickle while it is vertical. It is the gas version with a B/C engine. It runs great but needs some TLC. Debating whether to restore it or leave it in it's work clothes. You might consider taking your water pump to a pump shop and letting them make one good pump out of two and put in a new seal and bearing at the same time. I was surprised how reasonable it was to have a shop rebuild my New Holland Skid Steer Perkins water pump. ------------- "If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer" Allis Express participant |
Posted By: Mr D272
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2018 at 2:53pm
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Firstly sorry for the late reply, woke up at 2.30am yesterday for water bowser duty so we could spray off a lot of potato fields ready for picking, typically the sprayer broke down and I didn't finish any earlier. I'll try to reply as soon as I can when you all post, but yesterday I really lacked the energy. AC 7060IL I didn't know Perkins diesels were used in taxi cabs or in US cars. From my perspective its quite weird to see the distinctive Perkins badge bolted to a car as a marketing ploy, as I'm used to seeing them on agricultural or industrial vehicles. As for taxi cabs in London, you may have a good point, however any that are left would probably be hard to come by in London due to tight modern day diesel emission regulations for the city. JohnCo Well that answers one of my questions, if there are only 3 D270's in the states then it must have never been exported unless one was an exceptional case. Perhaps AC headquarters wanted one for evaluation? More likely a collector got it on the internet! As a matter of fact I was debating whether to fully restore my tractor. The previous owner only oiled the tinwork and never let a drop of water touch it. Now its been degreased I can see all the small problems and previous work people have done to it. I plan to get it running again and maybe do a bit of work on it. Soon I will be very busy on potato harvest, most likely into December this year so I won't have much time. However mid December - January I'll have a couple of weeks off work, so I might take her to bits for a re-spray. I'm starting to think of doing a full restoration now I see the extent of annoying details that are wrong with it! I had thought about taking my pump to a shop, but I think I'll have a go at trying to get the old shaft and bearing out first. If it comes out easily I will try and get the spare pump shaft and bearing out and see if it will fit. That way I'll be saving some of the money I haggled off buying the tractor. Here's a picture of my pump. The original on the left, and my free pump from the seller. I learnt the lesson of always measure before wasting your time! My replacement was very similar but cast slightly too small to mount on the engine studs. If I had checked I wouldn't have shot blasted it. I'm being optimistic and hoping I can still use the shaft and bearing - fingers crossed as I'll find out when I have time at the weekend... Can't get the picture to show for some reason so here's the link: https://imgur.com/HPO1HAk" rel="nofollow -
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Posted By: jollymon68
Date Posted: 26 Sep 2018 at 7:12pm
Nice little tractor! I can relate to the quirkiness of British Allis tractors. I am in the middle of a restoration of an ED40 with a 4cyl Standards and Ricardo 23c diesel engine. Hope you get it going, would be nice to see! Welcome to the forums....
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Posted By: Orange Day Farm
Date Posted: 27 Sep 2018 at 8:01am
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In our collection here in Ontario Canada we have 2 complete D272's. One is fully restored back to 100% original, the second is a good runner and mostly complete. I know we had a third tractor but have taken it down for parts and is on the shelves in pieces and parts. uploads/9251/015_paint_complete_.jpg" rel="nofollow - uploads/9251/015_paint_complete_.jpg
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Posted By: Mr D272
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2018 at 5:29am
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Jollymon68 thanks, the ED40 is a great little tractor too! Its a shame it was never really given the respect and reputation it deserved. As I understand the standard-ricardo engine was seen as an unreliable engine due to first being on Ferguson/Massey-Ferguson 35's that were known to be difficult to start in cold weather. The early version hydraulics were seen as a bit basic and the later 'depthomatic' system was seen as too complicated and unreliable. Its a real shame since the ED40 is a beautiful little tractor, I'd like to have one, in particular the later version with the striking two tone bright white and orange paint design. However I have never seen one.  Hope your restoration goes well too! |
Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2018 at 7:29am
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Good luck with your tractor Mr D272. That last picture is a real head turner! Regards, Chris ------------- D17 1958 (NFE), WD45 1954 (NFE), WD 1952 (NFE), WD 1950 (WFE), Allis F-40 forklift, Allis CA, Allis D14, Ford Jubilee, Many IH Cub Cadets, 32 Ford Dump, 65 Comet. |
Posted By: Mr D272
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2018 at 10:03am
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Thanks Chris! Orange Day Farm - I certainly know some D272's were exported to Canada, I've just bought an old Canadian Allis Chalmers advert print from Canada. I'm still waiting for it in the post but it looks like an A4 page advert taken from a farming magazine. Its also written in French! As I don't have an original tractor log book I am collecting useful bits of maintenance information and adverts from the time. A sort of 'scrap book' to go with my tractor. Your D272 is immaculate! Doesn't have the dents or bodge repairs that mine has, I'm hoping mine will look as good sometime in the future. I have a couple of questions about it, firstly the big one:  - Firstly what's that bracket and chain for? Does it lead to another drop down P.T.O by the drawbar? - Secondly are the front wheel weights the same as can be found on an Allis Chalmers model B? I'm not looking to get any, just wondering if AC made a separate design for the tractor. - Thirdly, did you restore the tractor? Is there anything I should look out for? Also, I'm just interested about your second one. Is it Diesel too or TVO? I'd like to see a picture of it as well- it can't look as bad as the state of my D272! |
Posted By: Orange Day Farm
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2018 at 10:51am
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The D272 was set up with the lower bell for snap coupler attachments as well as the arms for three point hitch, that bell you see the front snap coupler bell and the chain is the release latch mech. All factory. The front wheel weights are factory D272 weights only, they only fit D272's, very hard to find. The rear adjustable spin out rims are also very hard to find, the outter rim is similar to that of a CA, but the center cast is D272 only. My father and I restored this tractor a couple years ago, and I get the second one running for him to bring to a Gathering Of The Orange a few years ago. Both these tractors are the Perkins diesels. We almost have enough parts left over to put together a third, the hardest part of them is the main cast torque tube, trying to find one not cracked or damaged. The tractors were known to be very rough running and vibrate themselves apart, which they do!!! use lots of lock tight lol
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Posted By: Mr D272
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2018 at 1:30pm
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Thanks for posting another pic, there's not many D272 photos out there un-restored. I'd never have guessed the chain was a release for a snap coupler. I think here in the U.K many farmers at the time weren't prepared to pay for fancy expensive extras and snap couplers are a rare sight to see. I always wondered what the point of the lower bell was for on the D272, as my tractor just holds the arms for the three point hitch. I thought those wheel weights looked different, but I'm no Allis Chalmers expert so I had to ask. I have never seen a pair, its unlikely I will ever find some but I will now be on the look out. Luckily my tractors torque tube is in relatively good shape. It does have a crack about 1 inch long at the front rim joining the engine. It has been previously welded, but doesn't look like a major problem. Its interesting to hear you say about the torque tube weakness, as I recently heard a local story when talking about my new tractor. Back in the late 50s/early 60s a local farm had a D272. The farm had converted a horse cart to have a drawbar for a tractor. One day the D272 was pulling the cart with a heavy load of potatoes and the driver took the tractor over a small rut at the end of the field. The D272 dropped down a little and with the weight of the horse cart full of potatoes snapped the torque tube and split the tractor in half!
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Posted By: Gary
Date Posted: 30 Sep 2018 at 4:40pm
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Orange Day What part of Ontario are you from ? I had a D272 about 10 years ago, sold it to a gentleman out near Hamilton. He has completely restored it, I have seen it at shows. Gary ………………………………………………………………………………………………………. found the one I had on the Internet Has a UK plate UKP 359 https://www.google.com/search?q=allis+d272+shipped+to+canada&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=aLHlilEfrvtz3M%253A%252CP0dZuwPgFi1yMM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kS4GB1MJbXU6nQJsql0QSO0kegLbg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiY19rg2uPdAhUM1oMKHRo3CPYQ9QEwA3oECAYQBg#imgrc=T6KO_bwRJQJZTM:" rel="nofollow - https://www.google.com/search?q=allis+d272+shipped+to+canada&tbm=isch&source=iu&ictx=1&fir=aLHlilEfrvtz3M%253A%252CP0dZuwPgFi1yMM%252C_&usg=AI4_-kS4GB1MJbXU6nQJsql0QSO0kegLbg&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiY19rg2uPdAhUM1oMKHRo3CPYQ9QEwA3oECAYQBg#imgrc=T6KO_bwRJQJZTM: |
Posted By: Bill Long
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2018 at 9:55am
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You know I never cease to be amazed by the scope of this forum. Mr D272, Welcome to the Unofficial Allis Chalmers Forum. Thanks for introducing an outstanding thread that truly amazed me. Frankly, I had little or almost no knowledge of the English Allis Chalmers tractors. Afraid I cannot add any information. Keep in touch on your progress. Good Luck! Bill Long
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Posted By: JohnCO
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2018 at 11:10am
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Bill Long, I was wondering if you had ever heard of any D270's or D272"s being imported into the US or Canada. Wonder if AC discouraged doing it. As always, thanks for your input! ------------- "If at first you don't succeed, get a bigger hammer" Allis Express participant |
Posted By: Orange Day Farm
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2018 at 11:28am
| That is my father's D272, this is one of ones he / we own. He put the plate on it to kinda help people out that it was a UK tractor. |
Posted By: Orange Day Farm
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2018 at 11:33am
| As well I am located in Scotland Ontario, and my father is loacted about 15 minutes down the road in Teeterville Ontario. Between the two of us we have 50 or 60 tractors and an endless list implements. |
Posted By: Gary
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2018 at 2:47pm
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Orange Day So is your fathers name Peter ? I have a picture of him and I beside the D272 at Canandaigua NY,GOTO,2013 Gary |
Posted By: Orange Day Farm
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2018 at 2:52pm
| LOL thats my father, Peter Worron, Chris Worron is my mother, and my farm is Orange Day Farm, Clinton and Steph Worron. |
Posted By: Orange Day Farm
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2018 at 3:12pm
| Also my father has done a lot of research on the D272, he has a lot of serial number data and tractor locations etc. He has a large selection of different literature and pictures to go on as well when he was restoring this tractor |
Posted By: Mr D272
Date Posted: 01 Oct 2018 at 11:39pm
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Thanks, after WW2 many US manufacturers started production in Europe to avoid costly shipping and tariff charges. AC was one of them, there was a big post war demand in the UK for tractors of all sizes and the model B was very popular under the 'lend lease' program of supplying Britain in WW2. Shipments stopped in 1943 in favour of war machines, but an arrangement was made to start UK production at Southampton docks in 1947. Basically this evolved shipping all components over to the UK and then assembling the tractors. Full UK production started in about 1950 when AC bought the UK's MM works - yes Minneapolis Moline tractors were for a short time made in England. English model B production was totally home grown with various improvements to the engine. Later versions had a 4 speed gearbox rather than 3 and had the option of 3 point linkage. However having 3 point meant the bench seat had to be changed to a metal pan seat for room. The D-270 came out next which was basically a B with all the extras and a bit more tinwork. Then came the D-272 that was more heavy duty and restyled, but relatively similar underneath. Finally came the ED40 which was a completely new tractor based loosely off the D-14. Tractor production finished in 1968 when AC UK focused on implements such as balers and combines. There was also AC France that made French AC tractors that were completely different to both AC UK and AC USA. But I don't have any information on the French tractors. You learn something new everyday Bill!
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Posted By: Orange Day Farm
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2018 at 10:11am
| We also have two ED40's in our collection which go great with the D272 |
Posted By: Bill Long
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2018 at 10:54am
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For JohnCO, John, good to hear from you. Hope things are well. No I did not hear of any D270 or D272's being imported into the US. The one in the pictures looks to be built on a CA frame with the hook up for a snap coupler. To me a very interesting thread Welcome to all our friends "across the pond" and from north. Always glad to have you aboard. Good Luck! Bill Long
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Posted By: Orange Day Farm
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2018 at 1:06pm
| We have dealership literature and notes that shows that x50 D272's had been brought into Toronto Ontario Canada in 1959 / 1960. These 50 tractors were disbursed around to local dealerships to try and promote and sell them throughout Ontario, the tractors had been sold but did not hold up and the response from customers was bad. the tractors shook themselves apart and did not hold up to the Canadian cold weather. |
Posted By: Gary
Date Posted: 02 Oct 2018 at 6:30pm
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My father was unfortunate enough to get one of those D-272 when he had an Allis Dealership. I remember he sold it to a retired Canadian Military Gent and his 2 sons. They went in to custom farm work and within about 2 years they had about every piece of equipment totally wrecked. Gary |
Posted By: Richardmo
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2019 at 9:33am
| I am working on a D 270 with the Perkins diesel.Just curious about getting oil filter and Fuel filter, do I have to order from the UK?not finding much here in the states. |
Posted By: everett048
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2019 at 1:52pm
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Richard according to my cross and filter book Fuel filter is crosland 456 or 324 or fram c11846pl or c1175pb Lube filter is crosland 487 or fram ch813pl |
Posted By: everett048
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2019 at 1:53pm
| I also have a D272 high crop |
Posted By: R Aiken
Date Posted: 24 Feb 2019 at 7:31pm
| I have a D272 or most of it. It needs a head, hood, 4 tires. or it needs parted. |
Posted By: Richardmo
Date Posted: 26 Feb 2019 at 6:17am
| Thanks for the part #. |
Posted By: Gilly
Date Posted: 12 Mar 2019 at 10:22pm
That was a bit of a shock when looking through a US forum, this was my D272! This tractor certainly didn't like to be sold. When I bought it, on its first run out the fan went straight through the back of the radiator as it had been tack welded onto the end of a newly refurbished waterpump by the previous owner hence the new radiator that had been fitted. Couldn't believe it when the pump shaft sheared clean in half after being sold on again.  hopefully now you will have no further issues the same as me. 
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Posted By: John426
Date Posted: 21 Jun 2023 at 7:01am
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I know this an old topic as said by Orange DAy Farm , The tractor is a little rough and vibrate over 1500rpm. Mr D272 does your's is vibrate too? or did you solve this inconvenience |