Allis Chalmers Brand Comes Back

Allis Chalmers Brand Comes Back TRACTORS New Tractors 33-2-3 This past fall Briggs & Stratton brought the Allis Chalmers brand back to life at the big lawn and garden expo in Louisville, Ky. The new AC130 lawn tractor, complete with the old logo and color, is available as a 23 hp with a 42-in. mower deck or a 24 hp with a 46-in. deck. "We've had a very strong and positive reaction to the reintroduction of the brand," says Troy Blewett, Briggs & Stratton. "People remember it fondly, and the Allis Brand still has a significant following." Briggs & Stratton only claims rights to the brand in the lawn and garden market. The company's Simplicity division was once a division of Allis Chalmers until sold in 1983. "It's very possible that we may expand the hp range, but we aren't coming out with an ag tractor," assures Blewett. The new AC models are also not going to replace any Simplicity models, nor will they feature the Simplicity free-floating mower decks with their manicured cut. "Simplicity has the premiere mower deck in the industry," says Blewett. "With the new Allis brand models, Simplicity dealers can offer a tractor that gives a nice cut at an economically attractive entry level price." Both tractors feature a Briggs & Stratton Extended Life Series V-Twin engine. They both have a hydrostatic transmission, cruise control, a cast iron front axle, and a tight turning radius. The 23 hp will retail for approximately $1,700 and the 24 hp for $1,999 (www.allischalmerslawn.com).

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