Allis-Chalmers

An Unofficial History of Allis-Chalmers, Deutz-Allis, and Agco-Allis Garden Tractors

Disclaimer: This history is unofficial and is provided to help owners identify and preserve their tractors. We are not responsible for the accuracy of this information. Instead we welcome any clarifications, corrections, and expansions.

Les Kreifels – kreif@theramp.net

Beginning in the early 1960’s, all of the farm tractor makers wanted to expand into the garden tractor business. John Deere and International Harvester designed and built their own machines. All the others elected to buy from a firm with an existing product line to re-label as their own. Allis-Chalmers chose Simplicity Manufacturing for the job. In 1961 the first Allis-Chalmers garden tractor, the 7.25 horsepower B-1, was introduced to the marketplace. Except for paint, decals and minor sheet metal changes, it was identical to the Simplicity 725. In 1963, the B-1 was replaced by the 9 horsepower B-10. In 1965 the B-10 became the Big-10 with a new 10 horsepower engine. In 1966, the Big Ten reverted to the B-10 when the new B-12 was introduced. Up until 1971 all Allis garden tractors were painted yellow and were powered by Briggs engines.

During 1965, Allis-Chalmers purchased Simplicity. The purchase was challenged by the federal government. Due to the fair trade laws in effect at that time, the government claimed that Allis-Chalmers controlled to great a share of the market and thus limited competition. As a result, in 1967, Allis-Chalmers opened a new plant in Lexington, South Carolina to build garden tractors. The first models built there were the B-207, the B-110, and the B-112. The B-208, B-210, B-212, and HB-212 were introduced in 1970.

Simplicity tractors continued to be built in Port Washington, but for the first time there were differences besides paint and decals. In 1971, the 300 series introduced many design changes. The body was painted orange and the hoods painted cream, and Kohler engines were used for the first time. In 1973 the similar 400 series was introduced. These tractors bore little resemblance to the Port Washington built Simplicity models. Also in 1971, the B-207 and B-208 were updated to the new paint scheme, but retaining Briggs power. The new 206, 207, and 208 were continued as the Homesteader series from 1972 to 1974. Also in 1972, Allis-Chalmers introduced the model 616, which was the Simplicity Powermax with orange paint and a different hood. The 616 became the 620 in 1973 with the new 20 horsepower engine. In 1975 the 620 was relabeled as the 720 to match the numbering of the updated smaller tractors. AC later came out with a “616 Special” which was a painted over Simplicity 4216 and had no relation to the earlier 616.

During the Nixon administration, most of the fair trade laws were repealed, so in 1973 Allis-Chalmers closed the Lexington plant and transferred all production back to Port Washington. Once again, AC and Simplicity Garden tractors became identical except for paint and decals, although certain individual models may or may not have had an exact Simplicity counterpart.

In 1974, the new 700 series was introduced in an all orange color scheme and styling to match the big AC farm tractors. This series used Kohler engines but there were some Briggs powered 716’s. The new 600 series introduced at the same time replaced the Homesteader line and the 800 series lawn tractors were added in 1976. The 600 and 800 series tractors used Briggs engines exclusively. The 900 series replaced the 700 series in 1979 using only Kohler engines. During 1983, Simplicity returned to independence but continued to produce the Allis garden tractors.

Deutz-Allis and Agco-Allis

During 1984, the Allis-Chalmers Corporation sold its’ tractor business to The Deutz Corporation of Germany. The 600, 800, and 900 series tractors then became “Deutz-Allis” products and were painted lime green.

From 1985 though 1991, Simplicity produced tractors under the Deutz-Allis name. In 1991, AGCO Corporation(an acronym for Allis-Gleaner) was formed to buy the assets of Deutz-Allis. AGCO changed the color scheme back to orange and began using the “Agco-Allis” trademark. AGCO also purchased the “White” farm tractor line. But the “White” garden tractor business had earlier been sold to MTD Corporation, who also owns the Cub Cadet line. So “White” garden tractors have never been related to Agco-Allis.