1938 A-C Power Horse
Printed From: Unofficial Allis
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=160367
Printed Date: 29 Sep 2025 at 6:19am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: 1938 A-C Power Horse
Posted By: HoughMade
Subject: 1938 A-C Power Horse
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2019 at 7:12am
I did not know these existed until yesterday. Now, I have decided that my life will not be complete until I have one. http://www.mecum.com/lots/CJ0717-301533/1938-allis-chalmers-power-horse/" rel="nofollow - 1938 Power Horse at Mecum ------------- 1951 B |
Replies:
Posted By: savedallis1953
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2019 at 7:15am
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You could pull a big three story house with that. Nice! ------------- 1953 WD, 1953 WD, WD engine with WD-45 crankshaft. |
Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2019 at 7:49am
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That is a neat Allis piece. Probably not many around?? Good luck! 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: Fred in Pa
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2019 at 8:26am
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If you Really Really want one ,just be ready when one comes up for sale ,then BUY IT . That's all it takes . That's how I got all the stuff I have n had . Good Luck . ------------- He who dies with the most toys is, nonetheless ,still dead. If all else fails ,Read all that is PRINTED. |
Posted By: TramwayGuy
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2019 at 9:52am
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To be accurate, only the ‘B’ engine was made by Allis Chalmers. The rest was by the Harris Power Horse Company. Here’s an article on it; from “Farm Collector”: https://www.farmcollector.com/tractors/eimcos-power-horse-tractor" rel="nofollow - https://www.farmcollector.com/tractors/eimcos-power-horse-tractor |
Posted By: Alberta Phil
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2019 at 9:53am
Here's one I restored for a customer a few years ago. This one was in the original Power Horse colors. |
Posted By: HoughMade
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2019 at 10:04am
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Still super cool! ------------- 1951 B |
Posted By: chaskaduo
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2019 at 10:06am
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The Farm Collector article says it weighs in at 2,500 pounds, Tractor Data says the B weighs 2,060 to 4,193. Must be some heavy duty construction going on there. ------------- 1938 B, 79 Dynamark 11/36 6spd, 95 Weed-Eater 16hp, 2010 Bolens 14hp |
Posted By: Pat the Plumber CIL
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2019 at 12:36pm
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As I understand it they operate like a skid steer where you apply power to one side or the other to steer . Is this thinking correct ? Also were these the predecessor to the original bobcat ? Did Melroe buy the rights to produce ? ------------- You only need to know 3 things to be a plumber;Crap rolls down hill,Hot is on the left and Don't bite your fingernails 1964 D-17 SIV 3 Pt.WF,1964 D-15 Ser II 3pt.WF ,1960 D-17 SI NF,1956 WD 45 WF. |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 25 Apr 2019 at 12:42pm
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this was posted on this site a few years ago.......Don't know who.  ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: Pferdestärke23
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2025 at 1:27pm
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RECENTLY FOUND IN THE WILD ! The Albert & Bond Bonham Patent led to the creation of the Prototype (Trigger). This Prototype led to the Eimco Power Horse (Miss Mavis). The Eimco Power Horse led to the Allis Chalmers model which is focus of this Topic. Following the end of WWII, AC sold the design back to the Bonhams. The Bonhams built a few more tractors before they sold the design to Harris Manufacturing Co.  Search Terms: 0 Bonham (Albert and Bond) 1 Utah Constr Co (Ogden) 2 Eimco 3 Allis Chalmers 4 Harris Man Co (Calif) https://youtu.be/xLGdtx4nEAg?si=-pMv2TXLrzfrzAY2" rel="nofollow - 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝟐𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝑬𝒊𝒎𝒄𝒐 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝙴𝚍 𝙼𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚐 ( . . . ) https://youtu.be/Ohc-dUgyUrc?si=64bsLVKm7vRfX4nS" rel="nofollow - 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒏 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝙵𝚊𝚛𝚖𝙰𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚜 ( . . . ) https://youtu.be/AkehKd1ySnk?si=etBFJcjT0fdw1yxr" rel="nofollow - 𝑬𝒊𝒎𝒄𝒐 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 (Leaving the Stables), 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝙲𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚆𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚗 ( Dana's Daughter is at the Reins . . . ) https://youtu.be/RmJfrUmHhCo?si=qxG8YWbROn7jOZAO" rel="nofollow - 𝑬𝒊𝒎𝒄𝒐 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 (Reversing Practice), 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝙲𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚆𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚗 ( . . . ) https://youtu.be/upahhHEzvOQ?si=MKrXllM1S-6AMYEj" rel="nofollow - 𝑬𝒊𝒎𝒄𝒐 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 (Return to Stables), 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝙲𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚆𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚗 ( . . . ) https://youtu.be/PIG8g8Mzq3A?si=WQxKwBXolpQAaWMa" rel="nofollow - 𝑬𝒊𝒎𝒄𝒐 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒚𝒑𝒆 (Out for a brisk trot), 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝙲𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚆𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚗 ( . . . ) https://youtu.be/gupMo30DYdo?si=pE8jz6N_Da8-h8kj" rel="nofollow - 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝑷𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆 ( Sat, 10 am, Stagg's Entry ), 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝙲𝚘𝚍𝚢 𝚆𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚗 ( . . . ) https://youtu.be/GKU1MTJ2JwM?si=hZuaM-AIbdQw_Qyv" rel="nofollow - 𝑴𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝑶𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒅𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒈𝒆. 𝑪𝒉𝒆𝒄𝒌 𝒅𝒆𝒔𝒄𝒓𝒊𝒑𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆. , 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝙱𝚛𝚢𝚌𝚎 𝚆𝚒𝚋𝚘𝚛𝚐 ( Twelve Seconds in are seen the Power Horses . . . ) Historic, Not Orange Spectacular Video: https://youtu.be/57FdSCkKlMw?si=Wi1U0cXxZPJOBoUj" rel="nofollow - 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒐𝒕𝒚𝒑𝒆, 𝟐𝟎𝟏𝟔, 𝙳𝚊𝚗 𝙺𝚒𝚍𝚖𝚊𝚗 ( Dana bought 𝘛𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘳 from the Kidman Family . . . ) |
Posted By: Pferdestärke23
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2025 at 2:54pm
https://www.gasenginemagazine.com/tractors/eimco-tower-horse/" rel="nofollow - Just snap the reins, like with a horse, and it closes the two control clutches and you’re off; pull on the reins and you stop. Pull extra hard and the tractor will back up; release the reins and go back to neutral. Then back to snapping the reins and you’re off again. Pull left line back and the tractor will start a left turn. Pull one rein back to reverse and the other in forward and the tractor will spin a turn in its own length. uploads/24913/powerhorse-patent_2025-07-31_17-47-57.gif" rel="nofollow - 𝕻𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖓𝖙: April 16, 1940 A. W. BONHAM, JR., ET AL 𝖘𝖍𝖊𝖊𝖙 𝟸 𝖔𝖋 𝟻 uploads/24913/powerhorse-patent-5_2025-07-29_15-05-20.gif" rel="nofollow - 𝕻𝖆𝖙𝖊𝖓𝖙: April 16, 1940 A. W. BONHAM, JR., ET AL 𝖘𝖍𝖊𝖊𝖙 𝟻 𝖔𝖋 𝟻  http://www.douglas-self.com/MUSEUM/TRANSPORT/reinstractor/reinstractor.htm" rel="nofollow - ( According to one Power Horse restorer, the hardest part was cleaning the 23 clutches in the transmission. He said that the Power-Horse tractor has 11 clutches on each side, plus a master clutch behind the engine. ) INVENTORS: Albert Wagner Bonham, Jr. Alvin Bond Bonham Reprinted text from Mr. Bonham’s patent application for the Power Horse. _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Patented April 16,1940 2,197,248 United States Patent Office 2,197,248 Tractor Albert W. Bonham, Jr., and Alvin B. Bonham, Clinton, Utah, assignors to Bonham Manufacturing Company, Montello, Nevada, a corporation of Nevada. Application June 26, 1937, Serial No. 150,470 26 Claims (CL 180-17) This invention relates to a tractor, and more particularly a general utility tractor, that is to say, one which may be used for substantially all purposes for which horses, mules or other draft animals have heretofore been used. For example, the machine may be used with equal facility for plowing, harrowing, cultivating, scraping and many other purposes on farms, and for widely diversified haulage of modern contractors’ machinery, and the building of roads and in other engineering and industrial works. The principal objects of the invention are: First. To provide a tractor which may be completely controlled from a point remote from the tractor, by means of a pair of lines or reins in the hands of a driver although control of the machine may also be accomplished by an operator riding on the machine and handling the control device directly. Second. To provide a machine which is positive and reliable in its action, but whose control mechanism is extremely sensitive and responsive. Third. To be capable of making turns practically within its own length so as to economize space in turning at the ends of the furrows in plowing, or at the ends of the rows in cultivating farm crops, as well as in innumerable maneuvers in connection with industrial operations. Fourth. To be capable of going straight ahead at a uniform speed, turning to either the right or the left, standing still for short periods or for periods of indefinite length, and backing either straight or to the right or left. Fifth. To provide a tractor capable of being hitched to ordinary horse-drawn implements with only minor changes in implement hitch, such, for example, as replacing the ordinary long tongue with a short tongue. Sixth. To be so compact and maneuverable as to facilitate operation in close quarters where ordinarily movement is difficult or even impossible. Seventh. To be relatively simple in construction and operation, durable in use, and reasonable in cost. Eighth. To be so conveniently handled by means of the reins or lines that the implement to which the tractor is attached can be manipulated even more effectively than if draft animals were used instead of the tractor, only one person being required for the entire performance. Ninth. To provide clutch means, preferably in twin units, through which the power flow from a suitable source is routed direct from a forward driving member or a reverse driving member to a driven member, which is to say that at no time does the energy from the forward driving member have to flow through any element of the reverse driving member, or vice versa. Patent drawing of A. W. Bonham, Jr. et al filed June 23, 1937 Tenth. To secure the maximum strength, compactness, and maneuverability through the novel disposition of four traction wheels, two wheels, preferably in tandem, being disposed on each side of a body frame, all the wheels being rotatably journaled on rigid axles, and having their tire circumferences spaced apart from each other only so far as is necessary to provide adequate working clearance between the two. https://www.gasenginemagazine.com/tractors/the-very-first-and-one-of-the-last/" rel="nofollow - Patent Application SOURCE |
Pat the Plumber CIL wrote:Posted By: Kip-Utah
Date Posted: 29 Jul 2025 at 5:13pm
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I was just with the Staggs at Hutchison this weekend, where we discussed the need to write a proper correct history of this special tractor. I spent about a half day talking to Albert Bonham's son, Stanley a few weeks before he died. According to Stanley; Bert & Uncle Bond made two prototypes with Hercules engines in about 1938. They then entered some type of joint venture with Eimco to produce the first Power Horses using A-C 125 engines and transmission gears common to the AC-B. They also used A-C hoods, gas tanks, & radiators. Their tractors were painted many different colors, but none were Persian Orange. Then right before WWll they sold the rights to the Power Horse to A-C. At this time A-C moved Bert & his family to West Allis where they employed Bert as a consultant to the project. According to Stanley, A-C produced two prototypes before abandoning the project & giving the rights back to the Bonhams at the end of the war. Bert moved his family back to Utah & commenced building more tractors for a short period of time before selling the design and rights to the Harris Company out of Stockton California. I'm really sorry that I didn't have the foresight to record this meeting with Stanley.
------------- HANSEN'S OLD ORANGE IRON. Showing, Pulling, & Going!! |
Posted By: IBWD MIke
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2025 at 7:28am
| A short video I shot of them on parade; https://youtube.com/shorts/Ohc-dUgyUrc?si=ofiiK6c3AHJh-mHC" rel="nofollow - https://youtube.com/shorts/Ohc-dUgyUrc?si=ofiiK6c3AHJh-mHC |
Posted By: HudCo
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2025 at 4:30pm
| kip what does shorty probasco from up to pinveiw have to do with the power horse beginings i thought he had somthing to do with the creation of the power horse or getting it pataned |
Posted By: Kip-Utah
Date Posted: 30 Jul 2025 at 9:42pm
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That copper colored Powerhorse that Probascos had was either a preproduction or one of the very first Eimco Powerhorses built. ------------- HANSEN'S OLD ORANGE IRON. Showing, Pulling, & Going!! |
Posted By: Pferdestärke23
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2025 at 5:16pm
1 uploads/24913/Rawhide_!_.jpg" rel="nofollow - MEME made from one ScreenShot of Mike's Video 2 uploads/24913/___Rawhide_!___FarmAllis_.jpg" rel="nofollow - Another MEME made from another ScreenShot of Mike's Video ⇓ 
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Posted By: Pferdestärke23
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2025 at 9:00pm
 Now, wouldn't a normal horse just be encouraged to leap from the trailer ? ( the staggs: day one at the 2025 orange spectacular ) |
Posted By: Pferdestärke23
Date Posted: 31 Jul 2025 at 11:27pm
    
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Posted By: Pferdestärke23
Date Posted: 01 Aug 2025 at 2:26am
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Allis CHALMERS ( Just an example using the "COLOR" tag, the "SIZE" tag, and the "FONT" tag. ) (( This does not activate an URL ! ))  ( This is by far the most dysfunctional implementation of BBC that I've ever encountered ! ) |
Posted By: Pferdestärke23
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2025 at 1:43pm
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Aug 2, 2025, cards still avaiable on Ebay. ( Two sold, eight available . . . ) Vintage Eimco Power Horse 20A Rein-Driven Farm Tractor Trading Card  
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Posted By: Pferdestärke23
Date Posted: 02 Aug 2025 at 7:46pm
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https://youtu.be/xLGdtx4nEAg?si=-pMv2TXLrzfrzAY2" rel="nofollow - 𝑱𝒖𝒍𝒚 𝟐𝟔, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓 𝒐𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝒔𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝑬𝒊𝒎𝒄𝒐 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝟏𝟎𝟎 𝒃𝒖𝒊𝒍𝒕, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓, 𝙴𝚍 𝙼𝚊𝚜𝚜𝚘𝚗𝚐 MEME made from one ScreenShot of Ed's Video 
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Posted By: Pferdestärke23
Date Posted: 05 Aug 2025 at 6:53pm
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I have placed the bulk of my new 𝑷𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝑯𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 posts here, but they equally belong to 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑶𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆 𝑺𝒑𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒂𝒄𝒖𝒍𝒂𝒓 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟓. Forum: 𝗨𝗻𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝘀 Topic: 𝙾𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚂𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚊𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚊𝚛 𝙷𝚞𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝙼𝙽 Redirect to https://www.allischalmers.com/forum/topic207485_post1777049.html#1777049" rel="nofollow - 𝙾𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎 𝚂𝚙𝚎𝚌𝚝𝚊𝚌𝚞𝚕𝚊𝚛 𝙷𝚞𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚜𝚘𝚗 𝙼𝙽 |
Posted By: Pferdestärke23
Date Posted: 09 Aug 2025 at 11:13am
 https://youtu.be/8BNuWXKzVG0?si=E0EQDkejNXzRqsKe" rel="nofollow - 𝑬𝒊𝒎𝒄𝒐 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕 𝒔𝒍𝒆𝒅, 𝑯𝒖𝒏𝒕𝒍𝒆𝒚 𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒏𝒂, 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑, 𝙰𝚗𝚍𝚢 𝚃𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚝𝚠𝚒𝚗𝚎 with Andy ( in the yellow jacket ) at the reins . . . |
Posted By: ecosse23
Date Posted: 10 Aug 2025 at 9:43am
Still, if you had a chance you could write down everything you still recall from your conversation, then maybe write an article for one of the A-C magazines or newsletters? Oral history is so valuable in cases like this. On a related topic, Eimco was a really interesting company. They mainly manufactured loaders and shovels to work underground in mines, and their "rocker shovel" is a cool piece of engineering. I think I have some photos of a small Eimco shovel sitting forgotten quarter of a mile underground in Scotland's only gold mine!
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Posted By: Pferdestärke23
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2025 at 2:20am
 I suppose this really belongs in a new topic . . . https://youtube.com/shorts/SoYT2FR24lQ?si=QqEqkHe54gIwIvJ5" rel="nofollow - "Mine Eimco Rock Shovel #shorts #mines #mining #history #artifacts #explore #adventure #machine #uk", 2023, Overground Underground ( This one is in Wales. ) |
Posted By: Pferdestärke23
Date Posted: 15 Aug 2025 at 11:35am
https://www.deseret.com/1996/3/24/19232601/a-tractor-menagerie-couples-driving-interest-in-farm-machinery-has-led-to-monster-collection/%5d" rel="nofollow - "A TRACTOR MENAGERIE: COUPLES' DRIVING INTEREST IN FARM MACHINERY HAS LED TO MONSTER COLLECTION." Published: March 24, 1996, 12:00 a.m. MST By Deseret News, Jerry Johnston, Staff Writer  ( Veda [Kidman] opts for the "Power Horse," a small, putt-putt that was invented in Clinton, Utah. There were 12 original prototypes of the tractor. The LDS Church purchased them for its farms. The Eimco Company bought the patent after the tractor was featured in National Geographic.)  https://youtu.be/rQS42vyK2LE?si=6biQwDzf5v7f_bKJ" rel="nofollow - "1940-41 Eimco Power Horse with cart", 2021, Vintage Diesel Equipment Service ( This tractor was purchased from Garth and Veda Kidman of Utah in 1994 by Tom and Dorene Yearian and restored by Tom in 1994. Sold to Larry Voris in January of 2020. ) |