Help Deciding on which tractor
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=181869
Printed Date: 01 Apr 2026 at 6:19pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 11.10 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Help Deciding on which tractor
Posted By: mosstrumpet
Subject: Help Deciding on which tractor
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 11:54am
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I am looking at 2 different AC's, Model B and CA. Both are priced the same. I already have a 3 point brush hog so 1 is obviously more useful out of the gate. initially it will be used for brush hogging, and eventually hobby farming. Model B Wide Front. Needs gas tank cleaned and sealed & needs new brakes( I am capable of these repairs). It is converted to 12 volt with New battery. Has underbelly brush hog and finish mower but are not complete and possibly not all components to mount on tractor. It has brand new rear tires. It is confirmed running on an auxiliary gas tank. Model CA - Tricycle front. Has been shed kept. It was Running when parked 2 years ago. (famous last words) it needs a new carburetor - not rebuilt. has original 6 volt system. may need a new battery but battery was new 2 years ago. New Points, distributor cap, and wires. Has a 3 point hitch. 1 new rear tire, but other tires are servicable. No confirmation that it will start up now, but according to seller should with a new carb. My land is flat with only a few smaller ditches that are not steep but more rolling. I have always heard the warning of tricycles tipping but again user error and ability of machine must be taken into consideration. I would ideally like a 3 point hitch. I know the B would benefit from an overrun clutch. but the kit is 500 and the clutch is around 70. Wanted to get others thoughts on which would be the more useful machine given this above information.
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Replies:
Posted By: Steve in NJ
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 12:02pm
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As much of a B guy that I am, I would think for your usage, the CA would be the better choice just with the accessories the CA has over the B. Just my opinion. If I was in that situation, I'd probably would buy both cause' I wouldn't be able to pass up on the B! LOL! That's just me...... Steve@B&B ------------- 39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife |
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 12:57pm
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We have a CA, heavier, 4 speed trans, 3 point, hand clutch. No brainer for me, the CA. It’s also a 2 plow tractor. ------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |
Posted By: allisbred
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 1:22pm
| What size is your brush hog and what are you mowing with it? Out of the (2) you mention, CA would be the minimum. |
Posted By: mosstrumpet
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 1:32pm
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My brush hog is 5 foot and I have about 8 acres that had been used for hay production years ago and needs to be tamed a bit. |
Posted By: HD6GTOM
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 1:33pm
| I have a B. Get the CA hands down its a far better outfit. |
Posted By: mosstrumpet
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 1:36pm
This is the Model B   This is the CA    |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 1:55pm
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I love the Bs, but the CA has quite a few advantages with its hydraulics, 3 point, and 4 speed........ one question is the hand clutch... Great if it works... Pain in the Ars if it dont and has not been repaired yet.. ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: Michael V (NM)
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 2:32pm
| For what ya gonna do,I say get the CA,what all the others said,AND power adjust rears... |
Posted By: jaybmiller
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 3:26pm
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Ah come on guys, this is EASY... you buy BOTH !!!! Problem solved..well until the missus finds out... ------------- 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 |
Posted By: Gary Burnett
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 3:43pm
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The B will turn over more easily than the CA if that worries you.Anyway I'd take the CA hands down no contest and I'd be looking for a pull type brush hog.
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Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 4:18pm
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those are both Nice, Straight tractors ! ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: 34 Airflow
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 6:19pm
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Reading your situation the CA would be the ideal working tractor, but jaybmiller is right, grab them both as they look good machines. I have a C rowcrop tractor that I have done plenty of work with (admittedly on flat country) and even after a small altercation with a drainage channel I've never come close to being unstable. ------------- 1937 Model A, 1937 Model U, 1929 United, 1945 Model C, 1949 WF, 1948 WC, 1956 D272 and a Roto Baler http://www.australianallischalmersregistry.com/ |
Posted By: AC720Man
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 8:56pm
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The B obviously has a fuel tank issue, hence the side saddle plastic tank. Wrong style seat also. Plus the CA is worth more if they are both in good mechanical condition. The CA is a much more versatile tractor. Again, the CA hands down. ------------- 1968 B-208, 1976 720 (2 of them)Danco brush hog, single bottom plow,52" snow thrower, belly mower,rear tine tiller, rear blade, front blade, 57"sickle bar,1983 917 hydro, 1968 7hp sno-bee, 1968 190XTD |
Posted By: Lonn
Date Posted: 19 Jul 2021 at 9:52pm
I have the perfect solution, buy the B for a fun restore, buy the CA for the same reason and then go find a WD which is a far better choice for running the brush cutter. I say this because buying an old Allis is like eating a potato chip. Do you eat just one chip? Satisfy the fever early.  ------------- -- --- .... .- -- -- .- -.. / .-- .- ... / .- / -- ..- .-. -.. . .-. .. -. --. / -.-. .... .. .-.. -.. / .-. .- .--. .. ... - Wink I am a Russian Bot |
Posted By: Scott B
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2021 at 12:13am
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CA for sure. Spin those rear rims out for added stability. Tge narrow front enables tighter turning. ------------- D17 Series 1 Allis B- 1939 Allis B- 1945 |
Posted By: WF owner
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2021 at 6:46am
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Quote: "My land is flat with only a few smaller ditches that are not steep but more rolling. I have always heard the warning of tricycles tipping but again user error and ability of machine must be taken into consideration." One of the things to remember is that the CA is about a foot wider at the rear to start with. Also, as was pointed out above, you have the option to "spin" the power adjust wheels out for maximum width. With the added width, the CA will be much more stable on sidehills.
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Posted By: Trinity45
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2021 at 7:01am
| Well I own both a B and a CA, as far as putting a 3ph on, the CA is easy, never tried putting one on the B as it is used to cultivate sweet corn. The CA has more power plus the hand clutch. I pull a 6' finish mower on my CA narrow front. |
Posted By: corbinstein
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2021 at 8:01am
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CA hands down. anybody know if the CA 4 speed allows for a slower tractor?
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Posted By: mosstrumpet
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2021 at 9:57am
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Thank you all for the Great Feedback. Obviously I would love to have both but the comment about the wife hits way to close for home! I'm pickup up the CA today, and as mentioned this will likely not be the last tractor purchase. |
Posted By: captaindana
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2021 at 11:47am
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I guess I’m a little bit too late to help with your decision but I couldn’t make my mind up either and that was 18 Tractors Ago with more coming soon🙀😁 ------------- Blue Skies and Tail Winds Dana |
Posted By: steve(ill)
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2021 at 12:15pm
  ------------- Like them all, but love the "B"s. |
Posted By: JSHIVERS
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2021 at 7:37pm
| I just bought my 1st tractor and it's a B. It's just for fun, and with hand brakes, hills make for are a real exciting ride! But I love the old girl. That said...From what it sounds like your work it is destined for, the CA is probably the better bet. |
Posted By: Ted in NE-OH
Date Posted: 20 Jul 2021 at 9:13pm
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Of the two I would go with the CA 4 speed, slightly more HP.. But an even better choice would be a WD. ------------- CA, WD, C, 3 Bs, 2 Gs, WC, I-400, 914 |
Posted By: DiyDave
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2021 at 5:47am
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CA is a better looking tractor, IMHO. That being said, a 3 point hitch and a heavy bush hog might make the front end light. Start looking for FE weights, and a way to mount them... ------------- Source: Babylon Bee. Sponsored by BRAWNDO, its got what you need! |
Posted By: Steve in NJ
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2021 at 6:14am
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With that deal, tell the seller to toss in that 37-38 Chevy coupe in with the deal to! Ahh, again, that's just the hotrodder in me...... Sheesh, I'd be running outta' room if I was me purchasing stuff... LOL! Steve@B&B ------------- 39'RC, 43'WC, 48'B, 49'G, 50'WF, 65 Big 10, 67'B-110, 75'716H, 2-620's, & a Motorhead wife |
Posted By: Gary Burnett
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2021 at 6:18am
CA as a lower 1st gear than a B
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corbinstein wrote:Posted By: Sugarmaker
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2021 at 6:47am
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Buy them both, then sell me the CA! 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, 66 F100. |
Posted By: DaveSB
Date Posted: 21 Jul 2021 at 10:54am
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The CA is much better than the B for what your wanting to do, however the CA is extremely light in the front end with a 3 point added on. You’d be better off finding a WD, probably same price, but much heavier and the hand clutch is so much better. However I do have a CA and like to operate it, but I try to find the original snap coupler implements to use with it. Good luck with your decision, your buying the right color either way. ------------- 1948 C, 1953 CA, 1948 WD, 1961 D-17 Series 2 Diesel, 1939 WC, 1957 D14 |