Beginning in 1860 as a company that made milling equipment for flour processing, the firm that would eventually be known as Allis-Chalmers grew into one of America’s largest makers of steam engines by 1900. Most of us know the company for its tractors and other farm equipment. This 1960s/70s Allis-Chalmers Terra Tiger TT-10 can be found here on Facebook Marketplace in New Richmond, Wisconsin, and they’re asking $600. Here is the original listing.
The 1960s and ’70s are my favorite decades for unusual vehicles, like mini bikes, snowmobiles, and ATVs. It seemed like almost every company was jumping into the recreational market, even tractor companies. Finding four more wheels like the one on the right may be a chore, but I’d want to restore this one back to looking like new again. Unfortunately, that’s going to mean sourcing a 10-horsepower engine and a torque-converter automatic transmission.
The Terra Tiger was made from the late 1960s until the early 1970s, and came in a TT-10, as seen here (TT = Terra Tiger and 10 = 10-hp), and also a TT-18 with a bigger engine. They were known to be fairly fast, and I think a 10-hp version would be perfect. This was more of a badge-engineering project for Allis, as this machine was reportedly created by a company called Feldman Engineering and Manufacturing out of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. The 18-horsepower model is said to have been much more popular, maybe for the added speed and power, or possibly for the electric start. Here’s a fun little article on the Terra Tiger. And, here’s a brochure and another one… and an ad.
Unfortunately, this one is sans drivetrain, as they say in Wisconsin… The original 10 horsepower is missing, as is the transmission and possibly other parts. They weigh around 400 pounds, and all six wheels can pull it up a 45-degree hill, not to mention they can float on water. They’re likely more for swampy areas than driving across a lake, but advertising shows both. Here’s a view of the dash layout on another Terra Tiger; this is not the one for sale here. We don’t get to see inside this one, unfortunately.
The unusual drive system involves a series of chains and sprockets driving all six wheels, as seen in the photo above and in this one. We saw another Terra Tiger here on Barn Finds a few years ago, and have seen a few other 6×6 vehicles, but I couldn’t find another Terra Tiger as having been shown here. This one would have been powered by a JLO 252-cc 10-hp two-stroke single and the auto-clutch transmission, which are apparently both missing. The 10-horsepower model was pull-start only. Another drivetrain should be able to be fitted so that this one can get back on the trail or pond again. Have any of you heard of the Terra Tiger?
First thing that popped into my mind on seeing this was The Banana Splits. So I had to look it up… theirs were Amphicats, a different model and manufacturer.
Yeah….me too!
Hyabusa motor, sling some mud!
In my 62 years do have any idea how many of these type vehicles I’ve seen…a Bunch,how many that ran and operated like they should… maybe 3.
“Sans drivetrain”,,,they say that in Wisconsin? Guess I’ve been gone too long, not really, I don’t miss that state a-tall,, but now “Auntie Alice”, now there’s a company that is sorely missed and needs to told. Allis-Chalmers was located in West Allis,(duh) Wis. and a stones throw from the Milwaukee Mile. It covered many city blocks, and employed close to 32,000 people in the 40s, in 8 plants, especially during the war years. The West Allis plant alone employed almost 15,000. It’s safe to assume most people in West Allis worked there. Life was good. With all the industry, everyone could have a job in Milwaukee. By the 80s, stiff competition from “you know who”, reduced that number considerably, and closed in 1987. It’s now a business park and apt. complex. Obviously, they weren’t known for their 6x6s or “Big Al” ( A-Cs attempt at a truck diesel) but it was their tractors that were 2nd to none. My favorite was the D17.
This? Good heavens,,,in the 60s, the floodgates for ATV types were wide open.( think Rokon) Just about every company dabbled in some sort of recreation vehicle. Surprisingly, at the time, this was the best way of slogging through the muck thanks to its 6 wheel drive. Problem was, they were horribly unreliable. The motors were terrible, and the chains constantly coming off the drive sprockets, at the worst time. Let’s just say, we’ve come a long ways in ATV travel. I’d plant flowers in it. :)
Close enough for “Tra La la, La la la la ……!”
Thanks!!!!!! (not)
I really didn’t need that buzzing around in my head all day!!!
A shame it’s missing so many parts because I really like it. On the brochure I see it says that it can go 4 mph on the water. What I don’t understand is if there’s no outboard engine from the factory- what powers it along the water?
The spinning wheels propel it. That’s why it’s slow.
I have a 6 wheel John Deere Gator. I. bought it at an estate sale for $100. After spending $700-800 on tires and battery. I have a nice running, but slightly beat up looking Gator. It works well for the wife with the hydraulic dump bed. Anyway, my point here is as Howard said. Looks to be a cool planter. You would be looking at easily $600-#$800. for tires, and another $1,500 for drive train. For something that can only be used as recreational. Hard to justify.
I imagine running that with all the different tires and wheels must really torque that drivetrain out. If you’re going to run different than stock at least run all the same instead of 19 different sizes
We had one when I was about 10. It was a different brand. It had two sticks to steer, like the old tanks. After we blew up the original 600 cc engine, my dad put a 1600 cc VW engine (YES 1600cc) with a 4 speed transmission. It didn’t float anymore, but it was fast.