Saving Another AC Tractor/Picker

In the process of saving another AC from the scrap yard. Tractor/picker are located about 3 miles from my place. Tractor/picker sets on a cement pad located behind a barn. I can remember as a middle school student (10+ years ago), riding by on the school bus seeing just the elevator sticking up from the brush. I received permission last fall to walk back behind the barn and take a look at it. Been asking the old gentleman ever sense about selling it. The gentleman finally informed me this week he was ready to sell it. Here are a few pictures. Will upload more when I finally get it home. May need help identifying if the picker is a model 33 or older.

That looks like the WC/picker I looked at in PA only better! I think they are neat as heck. Hope it works out for you.

I paid $650.00 for mine in 1990. It was stuck. Had to find the fans for it. They are a neat item. Not many around any more. Good luck with the restoration.

 Looks to be a 33 picker, I would not go much more than 500 or 600 on it, probably stuck, will need tires  I has one on a WD and paid 1800 for it but was ready to go.  I sold it after several years because it just took up too much space in my shed and did not use it but once a year at most.  See if he has the front snout also

Thanks guys! Looking forward to tackling the project. I was able to get both the front rims/tires off and get spares installed. I was happy to notice that the foot clutch was locked into the disengage position so once I jacked up the rear both tires spun freely. So plan tomorrow is to install a couple replacement tires on the rear tomorrow and pull her home. I did not see any side shields he did say the front cone is around there however he's had some theives go threw and metal items missing so my guess it's gone but i will look again tomorrow. I did find 2 metal pieces that in one online picture i found they mount on the front just like the cone but not near as big? I will post pictures of it later. I was told there used to be a can over the exhaust, how long ago that was I have no idea. Did not see if motor was loose yet. I was very very shocked when he said scrap price was all he wanted so $250 would do.

Awesome that your saving it. Good story

I'll pay twice what you paid if you get it running and bring it out to Colorado?  LOL
Seriously, I think you got a great deal and maybe the engine won't be too bad and you will find the rest of the tin.  Not much weight in tin work, hopefully the parts are laying around somewhere.
When you put the rear tires on, you might have them point the correct direction...


Edited by JohnCO - 28 Dec 2017 at 10:47pm

Nice find!

Edited by JimIA - 29 Dec 2017 at 8:45am

To get tires pointed in the right direction--you simply roll them to the opposite side when changing the width, had to do the same thing when mounting a cultivator.

Careful the Police don't see you bringing it home..........Could be felony theft.
You're on the right track and I'll up the bid from JohnCO,,,I'll give you double plus $50 for hauling it here to WI...

Haha thanks for the offers gentlemen but for now I'm planning on keeping it. Getting married in 7 months so things may change... but I think she understands and exempts my love for ACs I was able to get tractor/picker home. Had to take tires of my other wc to install on this wc. I did find a couple metal pieces that I believe are for the front divider that JimIA mentioned however the large front cone is gone. from the pictures I see they're on both sides and the large cone is what is connected to them? I may try to post pictures of them

People have used coils on mag when the internal coil went bad.

Very nice project! Your passion for this old machine is obvious! Great pictures of as found condition.

Thanks "sugarmaker"! Being in my 20s I feel I am somewhat of a young'n to all the Allis Chalmers equipment and the history that goes along with it. Both my mom and dad grew up on farms that primary used Allis Chalmers equipment so one could say that I was somewhat "born" with orange blood. I get the biggest thrill when I meet people at shows that tell me stories of the equipment and tractors they used or owned. Seeing that smile on their face as they tell their children, grandchildren that; yes we used to pick corn with one of these, or bale acres and acres of straw with a roto-baler, or we'd harvest 15 acres a day with a 5ft head and we were doing good, makes it worth my time and effort to keep all the old equipment alive I like to keep posting pictures on this project as I think pictures can say "a thousand words" and you experts may see stuff that I'm unaware of.

Getting ready to tow her to her new home



Pulled tractor into neighbors shop. Motor was stuck so though we'd better pull the head and see what mess we were getting into. Did not look very promising




Then we found a hole. Not sure if this was why the tractor was parked?



Also noticed what I believe is a transmission 'cut-out'? Believe from what I read this will allow you to cut power to rear axle on the fly and allow pto, belt pulling to continue turning, however you need to push the clutch in to reengage power to rear wheels if I am correct.



Currently I am weight for a manual so I know how to remove at least part of the picker. I've nover rebuilt a motor before and currently its hard to justify the cost of a rebuild when I have a motor setting. Plans are to drop a WD motor in as I have a good running one at home in a parts tractor. I need to make sure transmission/clutch are in workable condition before pulling motor. I will continue to update this thread as progress continues. Happy New Year to All!!!

Someone else will correct me if I am wrong, but I believe that you should have a hand clutch as well as a foot clutch... hand clutch would cut power to wheels but nothing else, foot clutch cuts out power to everything.