I recently discovered one of my new favorite farm equipment YouTube channels: J and L Videos. They’ve uploaded a lengthy archive of Allis-Chalmers farmer and dealer videos, including tours of the West Allis, Wis., factory that’s 10 minutes east of the Lessiter Media office.

In researching the West Allis factory for a recent in-office watch party of one of J&L's videos, I learned the Allis-Chalmers brand had one last go at the market only a decade ago. 

Simplicity apparently acquired the licensing to the Allis-Chalmers logo at some point in the 2000s and announced plans in 2008 to bring it back … as a lawn tractor, according to Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki.

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The last Allis-Chalmers tractor, the AC130
Source: Tractor & Construction Wiki

Founded in 1901, Allis-Chalmers was at one time one of the largest tractor manufacturers. According to the American Business History Center, in the early 1950s, Allis-Chalmers’ 30,000+ employees generated more annual revenue than IBM. The company was as big as the two largest pharmaceutical makers combined (American Home Products and Johnson & Johnson). But by the late 1980s, Allis-Chalmers had sold off its major business components, and in 1999 closed completely.

I reached out to the folks at Briggs & Stratton, who told me they made this lawn tractor — the AC130 — for about 2 years. It was built using the Simplicity Regent frame but with a different deck (not the free floating mower deck Simplicity uses). Production stopped around 2010.

Research to see how consumers reacted to the AC130 was mostly positive. A 2019 forum post from someone who had direct experience with it and wrote this “Unofficial Allis”:

They were a limited-time sell for Simplicity. I think 2 years, just to bring back the AC name temporarily to boost sales. A bit of nostalgia. 

My dad bought one the first year and my son the next year. Both have been good machines. Just put front wheel bearings in Dad’s, and my son has had no issues. My son also bought the rear grass catcher and mulching blades. It is a low-end mower but they have held up well.

What do you think, should Briggs bring AC lawn tractors back again? Or should they let the legendary brand rest in peace? Let me know in the comments.