JeffNemes Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 News Flash - Simplicity dealers will have available this fall two AC lawn tractors in a model AC130 23HP 42" & a 24HP 46". Web site www.allischalmerslawn.com was mentioned and should be running in mid September.
Kent Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 Yep. I got a press release and a picture of the machine from Troy Blewitt at Simplicity (Briggs Outdoor Power) -- I'll post it tonight. They're orange & white, and NOT Corporate Orange, it appears...
ac.d17iv Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 Great news! I'm excited to see the new picture. I e-mailed Simplicity today asking for more information. I'll let you know what I hear.
Kent Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 News Release ALLIS-CHALMERS HERITAGE REBORN WITH NEW LAWN TRACTOR FROM BRIGGS & STRATTON For Immediate Release Milwaukee, Wis., (August 18, 2008)—The Briggs & Stratton Yard Power Products group is restoring the Allis-Chalmers brand to the lawn & garden industry with two new lawn tractors. Available at Simplicity dealerships beginning this fall, the new tractors harken back to the glory days of the Allis-Chalmers farm tractor. Allis-Chalmers first entered the farm equipment business in 1914 and, over the next 75 years, the company was responsible for many innovations in the farm equipment industry. Its distinctive orange tractors became a mainstay on farms across America and the Allis-Chalmers name is fondly remembered by many generations. The design of the new AC130 lawn tractor is reminiscent of these products, leaning heavily on the familiar orange color and distinctive Allis-Chalmers logo. The AC130 model will be available in two versions: a 23-hp unit with 42” mowing deck and a 24-hp tractor with a 46” mowing deck. Both lawn tractors will feature a Briggs & Stratton Extended Life Series™ V-Twin engine with spin-on oil filter, advanced debris management system and full pressure lubrication. Other product highlights include single pedal foot-controlled hydrostatic transmission, cruise control, a cast-iron front axle, and a tight 14” turning radius. The new 23-hp AC130 retails for approximately $1799.00; the 24-hp unit retails for approximately $1999.00. Sale prices vary by dealer. For more information about this new Allis-Chalmers lawn tractor or to locate the nearest Simplicity lawn & garden dealership, visit www.allischalmerslawn.com. Briggs & Stratton Corporation is the world’s largest producer of gasoline engines for outdoor power equipment. The Briggs & Stratton Yard Power Products Group is a leading designer, manufacturer and marketer of lawn and garden and turf care through its Simplicity®, Snapper®, Ferris® and Allis-Chalmers® brands. Briggs & Stratton products are designed, manufactured, marketed and serviced in over 100 countries on all seven continents. -end- For more information, contact: Troy Blewett 262-957-8206
Guest Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 Looks to me like a Simplicity Regent with different paint and decals. I don't suppose B&S would try to bolster dismal garden tractor sales by capitalizing on the good reputation and nostalgia surrounding Allis-Chalmers tractors, would they????!!!! I was hoping this might be a totally different tractor, along the lines of the old A-C tractors - but sadly it is just more of the same old, same old.
D-17_Dave Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 Well, it comes to no surprise that this is a re-coloured Simplicity. But isn't this where the AC's started from to begin with?? At least it's not a MTD!!!
gregc Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 It looks like to me that it's going to be Snapper built. Looks like the LT200 series with the same Intek engines as the LT100 Series. http://www.snapper.com/products/lawn_garden_tractors/lt200/
JeffNemes Posted August 19, 2008 Author Posted August 19, 2008 Sorry O-P but it is a LAWN tractor. And for a lawn tractor it features some pretty hefty horse power and wider cut and lower pricing! At least it probably still has a metal hood - unlike the competitors!
Kent Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 quote:Originally posted by JeffNemes Sorry O-P but it is a LAWN tractor. And for a lawn tractor it features some pretty hefty horse power and wider cut and lower pricing! At least it probably still has a metal hood - unlike the competitors! It'll be interesting to see how well it does against the entry-level JDs like those sold at HD (and through dealers) -- seems that's what they're targeting, even down to the AC130 model number...
Roy Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 "product highlights include single pedal foot-controlled hydrostatic transmission, cruise control, a cast-iron front axle, and a tight 14” turning radius." I'm so glad it has the new, improved cast iron axle. Never mind that a steel axle is superior. Marketing has triumphed again. :(
stevenj Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 It needs a larger sized decal on the sides of the hood. Too much white is showing.
bigtenboy65 Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 maybe my local simplicity dealer would let me "test" one out....that would be sweet
Willy Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 Gee do you really need 23 or 24 horses to mow a lawn? Well at least it's pretty.And it nice to see the A.C. logo back on a tractor even if it only a glorified lawnmower.
cwm1276 Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 Willy, I was thinking the same thing tonight when I was mowing. I wonder if this is headed to a big box store, as briggs can say they don't have to use a dealer channel and send them to the big boxes instead? The can float a trial ballon easily enough with the simplicity dealers the rebuild the brand and then off to a big box as the best new thing. Will it have the simplicity rollers on the deck as the old AC's did?
Chris727 Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 This is shocking to me, I think its nice to see the name in use again and at least it is a Simplicity product, It seemed the AGCO mowers were the direct descendant of the Allis mowers but all the AGCO dealers around here swithced to Simplicity only.
andrewk Posted August 19, 2008 Posted August 19, 2008 Looks like it's got some Murray in it's blood, especially in the deck. I looks like a Murray/Snapper hybrid to me- Sadly, it looks as if that's where Briggs is taking the Snapper brand. Their new pushmowers are half Snapper, half Murray, unless you spend about 600 bucks for the good Snapper walk mower. It's cool to see the name being used, but I wouldn't expect much in the way of performance from this one.
620Doc Posted August 20, 2008 Posted August 20, 2008 I think that the big issue is that the Allis-Chalmers brand is back. Until now, no one has been able to buy a NEW Allis-Chalmers for the past 23 years. Allis- Chalmers has a tremendous heritage. Think about what would happen if AGCO picked it up for a farm tractor line. Think of this as a new beginning and then about the possibilities of what might be. Do our Minneapolis Moline or Oliver friends have the same thing to dream about today? I, for one, am thrilled to see it back. Long live Allis-Chalmers!
Bret4207 Posted August 20, 2008 Posted August 20, 2008 I just wish the real AC was still around. What a company!
Mike Posted August 20, 2008 Posted August 20, 2008 I don't see any rear rollers on that deck. It's got to have rear rollers to mow right.
PhanDad Posted August 20, 2008 Posted August 20, 2008 Hope the new A/C isn't based on this Simplicity model: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/grd/803295840.html Gotta figure something is missing/hacked for a person to be that unhappy with any kind of Simplicity tractor.
rs07 Posted August 20, 2008 Posted August 20, 2008 Just came back from my local dealer and he was telling me about this. I'm very excited about this. Great news!! I'm interested in buying one myself when they become available. He said he would keep me posted. Maybe it will lead to the larger garden tractors with the A-C logo on it.
ac.d17iv Posted August 20, 2008 Posted August 20, 2008 I e-mailed Simplicity and got a response back quickly. They will only have these two models available in the Spring of 2009. When I asked if there were plans for heavier models like the Conquest or Prestige, they said they are waiting to see how the market receives these first two. As mentioned earlier, these do resemble the LT Snappers sold at Sears, which is a lighter version of the Regents. The specs show it having a hydro gear transmission. My Agco 522 (same as the new Regents) has the tuff torq 46 and a heavier deck with the famous full width rollers. I wish the hood was orange instead of white with more prominent AC logo's....but at least the good name is back. I hope these sell well and the line expands.
AGCO918 Posted August 20, 2008 Posted August 20, 2008 I have waited so long to see the Allis Chalmers name come back.I hope it is not short lived . I think the name needs to be bigger on the decal,have the most quality you can give the product.The name needs to be on all tractors,farm & lawn & garden.I would like to see a line replace the AGCO Branded tractors all together.I would like to see not so much white on them.The white hoods is fine on this trial series so to speak ,& have all orange on the rest.Would be nice to see white rims again on them.Maybe my AGCO 2027 Diesel will get a brother in the futute.Would love to have another Diesel in the garage with the AGCO 2027. I am in shock more than anything.Hope it is the start of more Allis Chalmer in the future.
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