New to AC

What are dos/don'ts about using the hand crank. Good idea/bad idea. I've heard, that with cars, that how you do it is everything. Do it wrong, you can get hurt...do it right, just good exercise. Is this the same for tractors?

I know a lot of guys with 6-volt cars, switch to 8 volt batteries. I've heard this is not too big a differnce to create problems, such as bulbs burning out from getting too hot. Is this the same with tractors? The one I bought, needs a new battery/perhaps starter, or perhaps just some resetting the grounds. It pull starts very nicely, but either the battery is dead, or the starter, or ??? I figure if I have to get a new battery, before I do, thought I'd get ideas as to if the 8-volt substitution is/isn't a good idea.

The hydraulics work ok, but there is a leak somewere as the bar will slowly drop under weight. Where might the problem be? Is whatever might be the problem, repairable/rebuildable?

What is the availablility of parts (new, used, repops) for the WD-45s? Only thing I noticed missing, is the battery box (tray is there), some type of protection to prevent rain from entering the exhaust stack.

What is the purpose of the pulley on the right side (doesn't seem to be a driven pulley, but rather an idler pulley...what would it have been used for.

Ok, that's enough for now...donchathink.
Thanks,

Rob

• Hobby farm

Is this what is referred to as a 3-wire alternator? What about the 12-volt coil...are all 12-volt coils pretty much the same, or do I need to get a specific one? Same for the alternator...is there a specific part number that is correct for the WD45, ie. that won't require different pulleys, or special brackets, etc.

Finally, now that I got the tractor home today, I've had a chance to look it over better. I found the serial number and it is a 1953 model. 146497. I'd like to attach a picture of the 3 point hitch to find out what anyone can tell me about it...is it original, better than original, pros/cons, etc. It appears you can add photos, but can someone tell me briefly how to do that. Thanks to all who've replied. I'm really stoked about having the tractor home...now ready to git 'r done!! I see that I can provide a link URL to a picture...but what about actually inserting a picture? Thanks to all,

Rob
http://www.ytmag.com/cgi-bin/viewit.cgi?bd=nboard&th=554728

• Hobby farm

He says "Changed my WD45 to a 12 volt sys. When I picked up the alternator, they had a voltage reduser 12 down to 6. That way I kept every thing else 6 and I could run a electric to hydrolic snow plow on the front. All told about $100 to convert".

I can understand putting a voltage drop to the coil, but if all output from the alternator is reduced, won"t that create problems with recharging the 12 volt battery? Other than the lights and coil, what else is affected during a 12-volt conversion? I know the starter will LOVE the 12 volts and just spin better/faster, but what about other items...what else besides the generator being swapped out for a 12 volt alternator is at play? Is the conversion covered in some detail somewhere someone can point me? Thanks,

Rob

• Hobby farm

Don"t buy a new battery until you know the condition of your charging system. If you end up needing a new generator, you may want to swich to an alternator and therefore a 12 volt system. If your generator is ok, then you can use a 6 or 8 volt battery if you would like. You can get by with the same starter for 6-8-12 volt system. You will need new light bulbs for a 12 volt system if you use the lights.

You need to get a manual to trouble shoot your hydraulic system. There are lots of places that sell operator manuals and shop manuals for WD45s.

The belt pully has 2 positions. Pulled out slighlty it does not opperate. Loosen a set screw and push it in a little bit and it will turn. I doubt you will have a use for that pully and you can take it off and put a plug in its place if you want.

Battery boxes can be found on a number of sites also. You might want to do a google search of Allis Chalmers, there are other greats sights and forums.

1) If using the hand crank always pull up from the bottom. There was a recent thread on this site regarding just that so read it since many of those people know much more than I do. Yes done wrong you can end up with a broken hand/wrist/arm etc.

2) Personally have never heard of an 8-volt upgrade, but I'm sure there are kits out there to upgrade the entire system to 12 volts from the stock 6 volt system.

3) I assume you are talking about the belt pulley. In the "old" days many implements like corn shellers, feed grinders, buzz saws etc. were powered by a long flat belt running from the tractor pulley to the implement. My memory is that the WD 45 has a separate engagment mechanism which is probably why you don't see the pulley turning. If you engage it, the pulley will turn when the tractor is running, unless the foot clutch is depressed.

If the tractor fires and runs as well as you indicate when you pull start, then chances are you have a pretty solid tractor. And the WD 45 is a real workhorse with after market and used parts plentiful because there were a ton of them sold in their day. It can be tough to find implements to fit the proprietary Allis hitch system, but many of them have been converted to standard 3 point hitch systems.

Enjoy your tractor, in my opinion it's one of the hallmark models produced in that era.

Larry