Allis Chalmers WD45 on The Belt

This video is my 1953 Allis Chalmers WD45 operating a Prony Brake. The Prony Brake is powdered by the tractors belt pulley. The main function is to load test the tractor to determine the engines horsepower through a calculation of force measured on the scale and RPM of the main shaft. My WD45 produced 45 horsepower with the stock engine configuration, right where it is rated at. This was at the 2023 National Threshers Reunion in Wauseon Ohio.

[@roadrunner3563]

Cool, often tractors that old have been rebuilt with an "overbore" kit. Never checked if that was common with WD45s though.

[@Randys_Relics]

It is common for WD45's, I had one with an M&W kit and one with later style Allis Chalmers 170 pistons. I usually check them with a compression test and bore scope. I have since sold those two and never had a chance to dyno them.

[@Jason1Pa]

Impressive 😮

[@karlelliott9254]

My neighbor used to grind cattle and hog feed on PTO of his WD-45 after work. In the winter it would be getting dark and the muffler would get a beautiful orange pumpkin glow. Those were special times that I miss to this day. What is that you are pulling, a dyno for horsepower? I couldn’t find anything on line.

[@Randys_Relics]

A prony brake, it is a device to measure horsepower. Similar to a dynamometer.

[@MB-dl5lx]

Were you doing carb adjustments on the fly towards the end??

[@Randys_Relics]

I was making sure the throttle was opening all the way.

[@choreboy3906]

When new,the 45's were noted for a " cackle ". I recall that, but despite owning an using several, never heard. And how unfortunate that the 6 cylinder diesel version was never practical. Even the D-19, a perfect size, also had similar difficulty. Our local dealer recommended against these. Sad.

[@RJ1999x]

How was it not practical?