Perfesser_Bear
Oliver Model 440, Allis Chalmers Model B
Extinct and Endangered Species
These two 'wide front' (as opposed to the narrow 'tricycle front' type) tractors are part of a vanishing legacy. Due to mergers, bankruptcies and "Getting back to our core businesses," neither of these companies makes tractors for the small farm consumer. Oliver vanished in the 1970s and Allis Chalmers now supports oilfield operations.
James Oliver began casting chilled iron plows in the 1860s, shortly after the American Civil War. Early in the 20th Century, Oliver began to make plows for Henry Ford's tractors, but as Ford concentrated more on automobile production, Oliver's son John ('J.D.') merged his company with four other agricultural tool manufacturers, notably the Hart-Parr Tractor Works. In 1962, the White Motor Corporation (a separate company that evolved out of R.H. White's invention of a steam 'car') purchased the Oliver Farm Equipment Company. In 1976, Oliver Tractors ceased existence as a separate entity and even White no longer markets farm tractors.
The Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co. of West Allis, WI built their Model B from 1938 to 1957. Designed by Clifford Brooks Stevens, who also designed one of the Studebaker Hawk models, later Harley-Davidson motorcycles and Oscar Mayer's Wienermobile.
Oliver Model 440, Allis Chalmers Model B
Extinct and Endangered Species
These two 'wide front' (as opposed to the narrow 'tricycle front' type) tractors are part of a vanishing legacy. Due to mergers, bankruptcies and "Getting back to our core businesses," neither of these companies makes tractors for the small farm consumer. Oliver vanished in the 1970s and Allis Chalmers now supports oilfield operations.
James Oliver began casting chilled iron plows in the 1860s, shortly after the American Civil War. Early in the 20th Century, Oliver began to make plows for Henry Ford's tractors, but as Ford concentrated more on automobile production, Oliver's son John ('J.D.') merged his company with four other agricultural tool manufacturers, notably the Hart-Parr Tractor Works. In 1962, the White Motor Corporation (a separate company that evolved out of R.H. White's invention of a steam 'car') purchased the Oliver Farm Equipment Company. In 1976, Oliver Tractors ceased existence as a separate entity and even White no longer markets farm tractors.
The Allis-Chalmers Manufacturing Co. of West Allis, WI built their Model B from 1938 to 1957. Designed by Clifford Brooks Stevens, who also designed one of the Studebaker Hawk models, later Harley-Davidson motorcycles and Oscar Mayer's Wienermobile.