Allis Chalmers Cool Power

[41chevy]

In the late 50's Allis Chalmers experimented with fuel cells to produce electricity and to power tractors. Propane was used for fuel in their fuel cell tractor which came out in 1959. The gas was in several cylinders housed beneath the rear axle and behind the driver’s seat. The gas was fed through to the banks of fuel cells which filled most of the space normally occupied by an engine.

The tractor weighed 5270 pounds, had 1008 individual fuel cells arranged in four main blocks. The current produced by the cells was used to power a 20 h.p. electric motor which drove the tractor. Each fuel cell was about one quarter of an inch thick, 12 inches square, and produced approximately one volt of output to total 15 Kilo Watts.

The speed was controlled by a single lever rheostat which controlled the amount of current fed from the fuel cells to the electric motor. Another lever was used to reverse the polarity of the current so the motor ran backwards.

In a demonstration, the tractor delivered 3000 lb of drawbar pull under test, and pulled a two-furrow plough in dry, hard soil. The tractor ran smooth and quiet, its waste gases were clean, it had no moving parts, and it was twice as efficient as other tractors during that time period.

Using the technology from this tractor Allis Chalmers would develop fuel cell Golf Carts, Fork Lifts and a Submersible for the Navy.

On display at the Smithsonian

[Gmerrill0516]

I wonder what the 400 Hp version would look like. Yikes.

[j_martell]

Years ago I read a book on Allis-Chalmers, and there was a brief bit about that electric version, thank you for posting more info .

Cutting edge for the day

[mrsmackpaul]

I have never heard of such a thing before just goes to show that we just keep on reinventing the wheel thanks for sharing

Paul

[85snowdog]

Very interesting ! Thanks for sharing

[41chevy]

I have never heard of such a thing before just goes to show that we just keep on reinventing the wheel thanks for sharing

Paul

Allis Chalmers used 1930's fuel cell technology pioneered by France Thomas Bacon but used Potassium Hydroxide as the the fuel cells. Propane was used originally as a catylist, but it was found the high carbon content destroyed the cell. Pure Hydrogen and pure Oxygen was used by NASA. The cells that Allis Chalmers designed were used in the Gemini and Apollo Space craft for power and drinking water.

[eddeere]

Allis Chalmers was ahead of their time in a lot of ways. Too bad what upper management and the union did to the to cause their down fall.

[bullhusk]

They made one hell of a bulldozer in ther day!! HD-20 & 21 come to mind, the 20 had a 6-110 Detroit

[41chevy]

They made one hell of a bulldozer in ther day!! HD-20 & 21 come to mind, the 20 had a 6-110 Detroit

Quite a lot of their products were excellent. Grandma had a pair of D 19 tractors that would out work most others and do a lot of things they weren't designed for. Had one saved to referebish til some one stole the grill for i assume a rat rod.

[farmer52]

Quite a lot of their products were excellent. Grandma had a pair of D 19 tractors that would out work most others and do a lot of things they weren't designed for. Had one saved to referebish til some one stole the grill for i assume a rat rod.

AC had some great products. AC was the first farm tractor with a turbo. My only complaint with the tractors (WC/CA thru 190/210) was the lack of a "true" live PTO. The transmission disconnect was their answer until later tractors (6000 series IIRC).