Buying Advice purchase AC 160?

[Kinze]

Hi-

new to this forum and trying to figure it all out. Hope this is posted to the right place. I have a couple questions regarding an Allis Chalmers 160.

I am looking for a 30-40 hp tractor, preferably diesel, for my 10 acres. mostly rototilling and pasture mowing for usage at this juncture. I have the opportunity to pick up an AC 160 from a friend. I think hours are 2800. I've driven and tilled with the tractor and everything seems great. the main seal has a very minor leak but otherwise everything works, including all lights and it is all original. but am I crazy to buy this thing? Non-American build, few imported, and I've heard that parts are difficult to near-impossible (depending on part) to come by. Also, in my perfect world I'd have a loader and this tractor does not. is there a recommendation out there for an appropriate loader if this is a reasonable tractor in the first place?

My plan was to maybe use this tractor for the next couple years, barring breakdowns, while I sock away $ to be able to afford a more recent model with 4WD and loader/increased utility on the homestead - will have more animals by then, orchard, etc.

thanks for your time and expertise.

 

[trac]

Loaders are next to impossible to find for a 160. We still have a few tractors in my area, but people won't remove the loader from them. You are right. Parts are getting tough to find for them. I would have to pick it up cheap to buy it. Clutches are still available, last time I looked. trac

 

[sweettractors]

Hi-

new to this forum and trying to figure it all out. Hope this is posted to the right place. I have a couple questions regarding an Allis Chalmers 160.

I am looking for a 30-40 hp tractor, preferably diesel, for my 10 acres. mostly rototilling and pasture mowing for usage at this juncture. I have the opportunity to pick up an AC 160 from a friend. I think hours are 2800. I've driven and tilled with the tractor and everything seems great. the main seal has a very minor leak but otherwise everything works, including all lights and it is all original. but am I crazy to buy this thing? Non-American build, few imported, and I've heard that parts are difficult to near-impossible (depending on part) to come by. Also, in my perfect world I'd have a loader and this tractor does not. is there a recommendation out there for an appropriate loader if this is a reasonable tractor in the first place?

My plan was to maybe use this tractor for the next couple years, barring breakdowns, while I sock away $ to be able to afford a more recent model with 4WD and loader/increased utility on the homestead - will have more animals by then, orchard, etc.

thanks for your time and expertise.

Is that tractor made by the Romanian (Long/Universal) tractor people? Ken Sweet

 

[trac]

The Chalmers 160 came out about 1970. They wanted a 40 pto hp tractor to market to compete with Ford, MF, and JD. It had a 3 cylinder Perkins diesel motor with live pto. The cat 2, 3 pt hitch could really lift. Parts were slill available for the motor, but the rear power train are more difficult to locate. It was all Allis from the clutch back, like the 170, 175, 180, 185 in design. Really a nice tractor for their day. We were going to buy one for the farm back in 1975, but were worried that not many had been sold, so we didn't.

 

[Kinze]

thanks for the response and additional info Trac. the price was right so we went ahead with the purchase. if we can get it to last a couple years we'll be happy enough I guess.