About the Allis-Chalmers 185
The Allis-Chalmers 185 was introduced in 1970 as one of the company's Crop Hustler tractors. Its six-cylinder diesel, power steering, continuous PTO, and partial power-shift transmission gave it the size and equipment needed for heavier field work.
The 185 remained in production through 1981 and is identified as a diesel model in the Allis-Chalmers Heritage catalog. Its beginning serial number changed each year, so the tractor serial number helps identify the correct year within the 185 production run.
Serial Number Reference
Serial number locations: The tractor serial number is at the front of the torque housing on the right side. The engine serial number is on the front left side of the cylinder block near the alternator.
The table below shows the beginning tractor serial number for each Model 185 year:
1970-1973
| Model 185 year |
Beginning serial number |
| 1970 |
1,001 |
| 1971 |
1,952 |
| 1972 |
2,935 |
| 1973 |
3,763 |
1974-1977
| Model 185 year |
Beginning serial number |
| 1974 |
4,961 |
| 1975 |
6,542 |
| 1976 |
8,292 |
| 1977 |
10,003 |
1978-1981
| Model 185 year |
Beginning serial number |
| 1978 |
11,631 |
| 1979 |
13,160 |
| 1980 |
14,672 |
| 1981 |
15,648 |
1970-1975
| Model 185 year |
Beginning serial number |
| 1970 |
1,001 |
| 1971 |
1,952 |
| 1972 |
2,935 |
| 1973 |
3,763 |
| 1974 |
4,961 |
| 1975 |
6,542 |
1976-1981
| Model 185 year |
Beginning serial number |
| 1976 |
8,292 |
| 1977 |
10,003 |
| 1978 |
11,631 |
| 1979 |
13,160 |
| 1980 |
14,672 |
| 1981 |
15,648 |
1970-1981
| Model 185 year |
Beginning serial number |
| 1970 |
1,001 |
| 1971 |
1,952 |
| 1972 |
2,935 |
| 1973 |
3,763 |
| 1974 |
4,961 |
| 1975 |
6,542 |
| 1976 |
8,292 |
| 1977 |
10,003 |
| 1978 |
11,631 |
| 1979 |
13,160 |
| 1980 |
14,672 |
| 1981 |
15,648 |
Total production: 14,961 Model 185 tractors (diesel).
Allis-Chalmers 185 Paint Reference
For restoration planning, the Allis-Chalmers 185 is listed in the Allis-Chalmers tractor paint guide with the original paint references below.
Allis-Chalmers 185 paint reference by production period
| Production period |
Metal |
Wheels |
Disc |
Chassis |
Trim |
| 1961 through 1977 |
Persian Orange 2 |
Cream |
Cream, Aluminum |
Persian Orange 2 |
Persian Orange 2 |
Paint placement can vary by production year, series, and equipment configuration.
