Allis Chalmers WD45

The Allis Chalmers WD45 is a tractor produced by Allis Chalmers. It is equipped with a 230 ci 3.8 L engine. Transmission: 4 forward and 1 reverse. Operating weight: 3995 to 4285 pounds.

Fuel & Capacities

15 gal 56.8 L

Transmission

4 forward and 1 reverse

Operating Weight

3995 to 4285 pounds

Overview

	1953 - 1957 Row-Crop tractor

Production
Manufacturer	Allis Chalmers
Row-Crop tractor
Built in West Allis, Wisconsin, USA
Total built	90,382 (total)
	83,536 (gasoline)
	6,509 (diesel)
Original price was $2,400 in 1956
The WD45 was the first Allis-Chalmers tractor available with power steering. The diesel engine became available after Allis-Chalmers acquired Buda, and put the 6BD-230 engine in the tractor. The WD45 is considered by many to be one of the most important tractors built by Allis-Chalmers. At the time, it was the most powerful tractor for its size.

Allis Chalmers WD45 Transmission
4-speed sliding gear
Transmission details ...

Allis Chalmers WD45 Power
Plows	4
Drawbar (tested)	39.50 hp 29.5 kW
Belt (tested)	44.13 hp 32.9 kW
Performance test details ...

Mechanical
Two-wheel drive
Steering	mechanical
	power *Power steering became available in 1956.
Mechanical band brakes
Open operator station. Optional Allis-Chalmers Half Cab with windshield and vinyl sides.

Capacity
Fuel	15 gal 56.8 L
Hydraulic system	1.5 gal 5.7 L

Hydraulics
Capacity	1.5 gal 5.7 L
Oil type	45oF [7oC]↑ : SAE20W 45oF [7oC]↓ : SAE10W	45oF [7oC]↑	: SAE20W	45oF [7oC]↓	: SAE10W
45oF [7oC]↑	: SAE20W
45oF [7oC]↓	: SAE10W

45oF [7oC]↑	: SAE20W
45oF [7oC]↓	: SAE10W

Tractor hitch
Type	Snap-Coupler

Power Take-off (PTO)
Rear PTO	live
Clutch	254mm dry disc
Rear PTO Type	540 (1.375)
Engine RPM	548@1400

Dimensions & Tires
Wheelbase	88 inches 223 cm
Weight	3995 to 4285 pounds
Front tire	5.50-16
Rear tire	12-28
Full dimensions and tires ...

Belt Pulley
Diameter	9 inches 22 cm
Width	6.5 inches 16 cm
RPM	1458

Electrical
Ground	positive
Gas Batteries	1
Diesel Batteries	2
Battery volts	6
Battery AH	115

References

WD-45 published in 1953, by Allis Chalmers
Dynamic WD-45 Tractor published in 1953, by Allis Chalmers
Operating Instructions WD-45 Diesel (TPL-270C)
Farm Power Facts published in 1954, by Allis Chalmers

Engine

Engine options
Allis-Chalmers 3.7L 4-cyl gasoline
Allis-Chalmers 3.7L 4-cyl tractor fuel
Allis-Chalmers 3.7L 4-cyl LP gas
Allis-Chalmers 3.8L 6-cyl diesel

Engine Detail — 226 ci / 3.7 L Gasoline

Manufacturer	Allis-Chalmers
Fuel Type	Gasoline
Configuration	4-cylinder, liquid-cooled vertical I-head
Displacement	226 ci 3.7 L
Bore/Stroke	4.00x4.50 inches 102 x 114 mm
Compression	6.45:1
Rated RPM	1400
Torque	288 lb-ft 390.5 Nm
Torque RPM	867
Firing order	1-2-4-3
Starter volts	6
Sparkplug gap	0.030 inches 0.762 mm
Point gap	0.020 inches 0.508 mm
Intake valve clearance	0.012 inches*Hot 0.305 mm
Exhaust valve clearance	0.012 inches*Hot 0.305 mm

Allis Chalmers WD45 Engine

Engine Detail — 226 ci / 3.7 L

Manufacturer	Allis-Chalmers
Configuration	4-cylinder, liquid-cooled vertical I-head
tractor fuel
Displacement	226 ci 3.7 L
Bore/Stroke	4.00x4.50 inches 102 x 114 mm
Compression	4.75:1
Rated RPM	1400
Firing order	1-2-4-3
Starter volts	6
Sparkplug gap	0.030 inches 0.762 mm
Point gap	0.020 inches 0.508 mm
Intake valve clearance	0.012 inches*Hot 0.305 mm
Exhaust valve clearance	0.012 inches*Hot 0.305 mm

Engine Detail — 226 ci / 3.7 L LP Gas

Manufacturer	Allis-Chalmers
Fuel Type	LP gas
Configuration	4-cylinder, liquid-cooled vertical I-head
Displacement	226 ci 3.7 L
Bore/Stroke	4.00x4.50 inches 102 x 114 mm
Compression	7.2:1
Rated RPM	1400
Torque	276 lb-ft 374.3 Nm
Torque RPM	1250
Firing order	1-2-4-3
Starter volts	6

Allis Chalmers WD45 Engine

Engine Detail — 230 ci / 3.8 L Diesel

Manufacturer	Allis-Chalmers
Fuel Type	Diesel
Configuration	6-cylinder, liquid-cooled vertical I-head
Available after October of 1954
Displacement	230 ci 3.8 L
Bore/Stroke	3.4375x4.125 inches 87 x 105 mm
Air cleaner	oil bath
Compression	15.5:1
Rated RPM	1625
Torque	259 lb-ft 351.2 Nm
Torque RPM	1169
Firing order	1-5-3-6-2-4
Starter volts	12
Coolant capacity	17 qts 16.1 L
Intake valve clearance	0.010 inches*Hot 0.254 mm
Exhaust valve clearance	0.019 inches*Hot 0.483 mm
Oil capacity	7 qts 6.6 L

Allis Chalmers WD45 Engine

Transmission

Transmission — 4 forward and 1 reverse sliding gear

Type	sliding gear
Gears	4 forward and 1 reverse
Clutch	178mm wet disc
Oil capacity	17 qts 16.1 L
Oil type	SAE 80EP
with 12x28 rear tires.

Dimensions

Allis Chalmers WD45 Tires
Ag front	5.50-16
Ag rear	12-28
	13-28

Dimensions
Wheelbase	88 inches 223 cm
Length	128 inches 325 cm
Height (steering wheel)	68 inches 172 cm
Height (exhaust)	81.5 inches 207 cm
Gas Weight	3995 lbs 1812 kg
Diesel Weight	4285 lbs 1943 kg
Ground clearance	29 inches 73 cm
Rear tread	55.6 to 90.1 inches 141 to 228 cm

Tests

Tractor Tests
NTTL 499: gasoline 4-speed 2WD
NTTL 511: distillate 4-speed 2WD
NTTL 512: LP gas 4-speed 2WD
NTTL 563: diesel 4-speed 2WD

Nebraska Tractor Test 499
Gasoline 4-speed 2WD July 29 - August 10, 1953 Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 499 file
Belt power (max)	43.21 hp 32.2 kW
Belt fuel use (max)	3.8 gal/hour 14.4 l/hour
Drawbar performance
Max power	37.8 hp 28.2 kW
Gear 3 used for power test.
Max pull	5,441 lbs 2468 kg
Gear 1 used for pull test.

Nebraska Tractor Test 511
Distillate 4-speed 2WD October 26 - 31, 1953 Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 511 file
Belt power (max)	33.01 hp 24.6 kW
Belt fuel use (max)	3.3 gal/hour 12.5 l/hour
Drawbar performance
Max power	29.49 hp 22.0 kW
Gear 3 used for power test.
Max pull	4,634 lbs 2101 kg
Gear 1 used for pull test.

Nebraska Tractor Test 512
LP gas 4-speed 2WD October 26 - November 4, 1953 Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 512 file
Belt power (max)	44.13 hp 32.9 kW
Belt fuel use (max)	5.0 gal/hour 18.9 l/hour
Drawbar performance
Max power	38.53 hp 28.7 kW
Gear 3 used for power test.
Max pull	5,421 lbs 2458 kg
Gear 1 used for pull test.

Nebraska Tractor Test 563
Diesel 4-speed 2WD October 4 - 11, 1955 Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 563 file
Belt power (max)	43.29 hp 32.3 kW
Belt fuel use (max)	3.1 gal/hour 11.7 l/hour
Drawbar performance
Max power	39.50 hp 29.5 kW
Gear 3 used for power test.
Max pull	5908 lbs 2679 kg
Gear 1 used for pull test.

Photos

Allis-Chalmers WD45 diesel, right side.

Allis-Chalmers WD45, left side.

Allis-Chalmers WD45 with dual-fuel LP-gas.

Industrial US Navy Allis-Chalmers WD45 with magnetic sweeper.

Fluids, Capacities & Working Autonomy

Standard fluid requirements, service intervals, and continuous runtime estimates for Allis Chalmers WD45.

Engine Crankcase Oil

SAE 15W-40 (Heavy Duty Diesel)

Standard Spec: API CK-4 / CJ-4 Heavy Duty

Service Interval: 150 – 250 Hours

Transmission & Hydraulic System

UTTO (Universal Tractor Transmission Oil)

Standard Spec: ISO VG 46 / 68 (Wet Brake & Trans Compatible)

Service Interval: 600 – 1000 Hours

Engine Cooling System

50/50 Ethylene Glycol Pre-mix

Standard Spec: ASTM D6210 / Heavy-Duty OAT Antifreeze

Service Interval: 2 Years / 1500 Hours