A few weeks ago, I picked up an Allis Chalmers W Speed Patrol grader. It’s built on a WC platform, but I’m told it’s officially a ‘W’. It had been sitting outside and unused through several Idaho mountain winters (4-6 feet of snow). After a few hours spent changing the oil, cleaning the carb, draining the fuel tank, replacing battery, etc., the old girl fired up (on 2 cylinders anyway). There was about a pint of water in the PTO sump. Serial number indicates that it was born in 1948.
I’m planning to use this little beauty to do some light touch up grading on about 3 miles of gravel. We have a fellow come in once a year in the spring to do the hard work.
I’m looking for help and advice in a couple of areas.
First, does an operator’s manual exist for this tractor? I have a WC manual that I’ve been using for maintenance, but cannot find a manual for a W. It’s a ‘nice to have’ item, I admit.
Second, as I continue to bring the maintenance up to spec, I would like to use parts and paint that are close to original. For example, it needs new tires all around; should I use triple ribs on the front? It has Firestone Road Builder drive tires; what’s a suitable modern replacement? What color were the original rims? It is missing the left hand-brake lever; I assume that it originally came with both left and right hand brakes?
Not planning a full restoration. For example it has an alternator, which I like. The grader blade has been converted to hydraulic operation, and I understand that original parts to undo that are hard to find. It does have the original Fairbanks-Morse magneto.
Anyone have any information on this machine?
Mitch
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I’m planning to use this little beauty to do some light touch up grading on about 3 miles of gravel. We have a fellow come in once a year in the spring to do the hard work.
I’m looking for help and advice in a couple of areas.
First, does an operator’s manual exist for this tractor? I have a WC manual that I’ve been using for maintenance, but cannot find a manual for a W. It’s a ‘nice to have’ item, I admit.
Second, as I continue to bring the maintenance up to spec, I would like to use parts and paint that are close to original. For example, it needs new tires all around; should I use triple ribs on the front? It has Firestone Road Builder drive tires; what’s a suitable modern replacement? What color were the original rims? It is missing the left hand-brake lever; I assume that it originally came with both left and right hand brakes?
Not planning a full restoration. For example it has an alternator, which I like. The grader blade has been converted to hydraulic operation, and I understand that original parts to undo that are hard to find. It does have the original Fairbanks-Morse magneto.
Anyone have any information on this machine?
Mitch
