Index of Newsletters

Volume 1             Winter 1992                   No. 1

• 1^st meeting of the Allis-Chalmers club was Sunday, November 17, 1991 at 2 p.m. at the Karg’s farm.

 “So on a rainy day in November of 1991, an Allis-Chalmers collectors club of the upper Midwest was formed. Thanks to Edwin and Larry Karg!”

• 21 members signed up to form the club
• Dues were discussed and a fee of $10.00 was approved for postage, paper, printing, etc…
• The second meeting would be held April 5, 1992 at 2 p.m. at the Karg farm.

The first want ad in the first newsletter was:

For Sale

D-10 & D 12 Allis restored to mint condition.

1- 1934 WC Allis restored on steel

2- 12x24 tires

1-13x24 tire

WC Allis parts including a square radiator

Edwin and Larry Karg

Volume 1            Spring 1992                 No. 2

Charter members are as follows:

Scott Overgaard                      Gary Agrimson                       Ronald Gould

Roseville, MN                         Rogers, MN                            Milaca, MN

Brads Jans                               Curtiss Haroldson                   Donald Peterson

Grove City, MN                      Renville, MN                          Blooming Prairie, MN

Keith Miller                             Arland Lepper                         August Benson

Madelia, MN                           Hubbard, Ia                             Canby, MN

Dana Dittbenner                     Dan Bruesehoff                      Will Okeson

Sea Forth, MN                                    Cologne, MN                          Grove City, MN

Joe Nueman                            George Novotny                     Edwin Karg

Eden Valley, MN                    New Prauge, MN                    Hutchinson, MN

Dean Becker                           DuWayne Lenzen                   Larry Karg

Madelia, MN                           Cologne, MN                          Hutchinson, MN

Oswald Haugen                      Dale Hesse                              James Zwasehka

St. James, MN                         Chaska, MN                            Good Thunder, MN

Dan Meyer

Lucan, MN

• The directors listed in Volume 1 Spring of 1992 No. 2 were:

Tom Hayer                        Bill Johnson                Arland Lepper

St. Charles, MN                Brainerd, MN              Hubbard, Ia

Gary Agrimson                 Curtiss Haroldson

Rogers, MN                      Renville, MN

• The second meeting of the Allis-Chalmers Collectors Club was April 5, 1992 at

2 p.m. with 50 people present.

• The first official show was planned to be held July 12, 1992 from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the Edwin and Larry Karg. A catered lunch wagon, a swap meet and sale to be held in conjunction of the summer show. President Karg asked of a list of tractors, equipment or memorabilia that each member was collecting  and wanted to know what each member is planning to bring to the July show
• The official name of the Allis-Chalmers Collectors Club decided on an official name. Three (3) names were brought up and The Upper Midwest A-C Club was decided.

 The first advertisement of the summer show as in Volume 1 Spring 1992 No. 2 written as “Allis-Chalmers Upper Midwest AC Club “Orange Spectacular”

     July 12 11:00 – 5:00 p.m. Edwin and Larry Karg farm 2 miles NW Hutchinson on  

      Highway 22

 Volume 1                      Summer 1992                        No. 3

• The “Orange Spectacular” was spectacular!
• Saturday rain was falling and everyone wondered if the rain would stop by showtime.
• On Sunday morning the clouds broke up and by afternoon the sun was shining brightly on all the Allis-Chalmers tractors. By 11:00 the general on-lookers started coming.
• No combing was done due to rain from night before.
• Were able to chop a little of the windrows with the AC forage harvester
• Made a few rounds with a D-15 and a 3-14 bottom plow
• Baling was done in the yard as they had some dry hay in the shed that was run through the round baler. Many people had never seen a round baler operate.
• The Hutch Leader had a reporter that estimated the crowd as 400+
• People came as far north as Duluth, far south as Iowa, East into Wisconsin, and west to the state line.
• The Allis-Chalmers tractor display was parked on the east side of the driveway between the toy building and the clubhouse. (Larry’s shed).
• Equipment was parked more into the yard behind the clubhouse and the round roof shed.

 Volume 2                                                                      No.1

No reference

Volume 2                      Spring 1993                          No.2

• Spring of 1993 meeting had so far a membership of 75 members of paid dues. Last year there were 35 members and ended the year with 120 paid members.
• The third (3^rd) meeting of the Upper Midwest AC Club meeting minutes that were published in the fourth (4^th) issue of the newsletter discussed a tractor pull demonstration would be held July 18^th at 1:00 p.m. along with a garden tractor pull.
• Volunteers were asked to make signs to help with unloading, parking, filed demonstrations, etc.
• Exhibitors were asked to bring their own tables or pay for exhibit tables.
• The lunch will be run by Cedar Hills Rod & Gun Club.
• A charter member, Oswald Haugen, age 68 of St. James died May 20^th at his home

 Volume 2                      Summer 1993                        No.3

• The Orange Spectacular was held July 17^th and 18^th of 1993
• About 1200 people attended show.
• 86 tractors, 5 combines, and many other pieces of equipment such as choppers, balers, corn pickers, side rakes, and other small pieces of equipment were displayed
• Baling, green chopping, side raking, plowing, disking, tilling, and even some bull dozing was done.
• Many spectators came from as far as Canada, Ohio, Wisconsin, etc. The show nearly doubled in size from last year.

Volume 2                      Winter 1993                          No.4

• Business included discussion of nametags. Discussion of a two day (1^st time for a 2 day show) show to be held July 17 & 18, 1993. Entertainment was by the “Hay Seeds”, John Orvis and Jackie Mills from Hutchinson with country comedy. Names were drawn for door prizes (given by area businesses).
• Pictures of the November 28, 1992 banquet were posted.
• Milford Smith of Darwin, MN wrote an article about “The First on Rubber” An article about the 1^st AC U.
• Marvin Asche of Raymond, MN wrote about toy collecting.

 Volume 3                      Winter 1994                          No.1

• A “B” was purchased by Edwin for the raffle tractor at July 23 & 24, 1994 show. Raffle ticket prices had not been set yet.
• The club plans to run their food stand in 1994. They will try to have their food and ice cream all in one location. Menu will be hamburgers, brats, ham, sandwiches, pickles, rolls, candy bars, ice cream, pop and coffee. Comments on this plan are appreciated.
• Parking will be in an angle this year with a special area for trucks and trailers. It looks like that we will have grass to park on next year.
• A pork chop supper was served on Saturday evening to help defray expenses and gives all a chance to discuss our first day’s show and see if improvements can be made.

 Articles:

• Harvey Zebel wrote about his ¾ scale WC.
• 1994 dues were $10.00 per year
• Spring meeting would be held April 17^th of ’93
• Double National Corn Picking Championships for Allis-Chalmers. A model 170, 2 row corn picker and a Model A Gleaner
• Orange Spectacular 3 ’94 posted Allis-Chalmers production units chart.

 Ads/pictures of a:

• D-17 “series 1” gas and diesel were posted
• Model 60 combine 
• Number 110 front end manure spreader
• Flight-line portable elevator
• WD with a V-plow
• The Allis-Chalmers 10-18 H.P tractor
• D-17 with manure loader attachment

 It was noted that at the Orange Spectacular 2, there was/were:

• Over 85 tractors
• Many implements operated in the field demos
• Dyno testing was done daily
• Over 45 tables of toys
• AC toy displays
• Saturday, all AC garden tractor pull
• This is the first and only all AC show in the U.S.
• The club has acquired a 1948 “B” which needed to be restored and repainted. It may need a gas tank and they were looking for spare parts. The rear tires are ok but the front tires will need to be replaced. Tickets will be two (2) dollars apiece. If each member would sell $10.00 worth of tickets we could come out with a profit for our club. Tickets would be sold at the show, July in which 1200 people attend last year.

Volume 3                      Summer 1994                        No.2

• Short article about the 6-12 (Diamond Jubilee) tractors.
• 1994’s Gathering of the Orange was to be held in LeSueur, MN August 26, 27, 28, 1994.
• Arland Lepper had restored his 1926 Allis-Chalmers 20-35 Special and unveiled it on June 19, 1994.
• An article of Goodrich suggestions on water inflated tires.
• Charlie Widlund discusses his newly purchased ED-40 tractor. Later in the newsletter is noted Charlie had just unloaded his unrestored tractor from Quebec. It was though in working condition.
• An article describing the fuel cell tractor.
• Allis-Chalmers sweet corn pickers were discussed.
• Mary Zielmski wrote about what a volunteer is.

 Volume 3            Fall 1994                     No.3

 Articles:

·         Letters from Members

o       Larry Karg

o       Larry & Linda Booth

o       David Goodell

o       Gary Boldenow

o       Richard Karels

o       Larry & Sharon Swenson

o       Dorothea Paul

o       Larry Gruenberger

o       Ron Kohls

·         Will Okeson Sells WC tractor to Roger Erickson of WCCO Radio

Ads/pictures of a:

·         Pictures of the Orange Spectacular

·         Field demos

·         Steel wheel tractors

·         The first attempt for a club eat stand went very well. Next year will be a beverage and ice cream cone stand

·         The “B” raffle tractor was won by Bill Becker of Foristell, Missouri. Edwin Karg is shaking hands with Bill. A thank you letter was attached, too.

·         AC Sign – Jeff Dobratz, Hutchinson, MN

·         AC video – Karen Orloff, Hutchinson, MN

·         AC toy tractor – Helen Meschke, Mankato, MN

·         Pioneer Power Show National, “Gathering of the Orange” – some of the exhibitors

·         “Gathering of the Orange” banquet

·         Ad for Norm Swimfords, Allis-Chalmers Farm Equipment 1914 – 1985

·         Will Okeson Sells WC tractor to Roger Erickson of WCCO Radio

·         Video highlights of the 11^th Annual Gathering of the Orange – West  (LeSueur, MN)

·         WC with and ad of “First on air tires”