Did the Allis-Chalmers 220 Measure Up to the D21?

When a promising young athlete has a father who was also a standout player, the pressure to live up to those expectations can be immense. Peyton and Eli Manning both had better careers than their father, Archie, and they’ll go down in history as all-time great passers.

On the other hand, sometimes the expectation can be crushing. Walter Payton’s son Jarrett, despite his best efforts, was never able to do what his dad did as a running back. He just didn’t have it.

Well, the AC 220 was sort of in the same boat. It wasn’t just another big rowcrop tractor. It was the firstborn son of the OG muscle tractor, the legendary D21. There were expectations, and big shoes to fill. So, did the son outshine the father, or stay in his shadow?

Let’s talk about that for a bit. Along the way, we might also get into shared passions and how unique it is to find a husband and wife collecting and restoring tractors together!

AC 220 listings on Tractor Zoom

D21: The Barnyard Bully

The D21 was Allis-Chalmers’ (AC) moonshot. In 1963, it became the first 2WD row crop tractor to break the 100-hp barrier at the PTO, and it did it with a naturally-aspirated 426ci inline six that meant business. AC made a statement with the D21. However, when the smaller, lighter 190XT started outperforming it in the field — thanks to a hot little 301 engine that punched way above its weight class — that just wasn’t going to work. Just like General Motors, where the unwritten rule is that the Corvette is king, they didn’t want a mid-weight machine like the 190XT outshining their big horse. They twisted the D21’s tail a little harder with a turbocharged 426 for the Series II tractors (up to almost 128 PTO hp), and all was right in the world again.

Still, even with more power and better performance, the D21 wasn’t perfect. By late 1967, the engineers in West Allis were working on a more refined, powerful machine that matched the Hundred Series styling, and was better suited for the purpose.

But would it sell?

The 220: The Genetics for Success?

The D21 may have had muscle, but it came with baggage. For starters, its styling didn’t match the newer Hundred Series tractors. Stylistically, it was kind of an orphan — which Allis felt was bad for the brand. More critically, though, it had mechanical weak points — particularly in the pinion and bull gear — especially when farmers turned up the pumps. Many also felt it lacked the weight needed for real fieldwork.

So, with clear marching orders, the engineers got to work on a solution. What they came up with was the 220: a redesigned, rebalanced tractor that delivered on all fronts.

When the 220 began production on March 17, 1969, Allis made sure it was beefed up where it mattered — especially in the rear end. They strengthened it with a bigger final drive gearset and a stout 3⅝-inch rear axle, adding over 1,100 pounds to the back of the tractor. Up front, the cast grill surround brought extra heft too — nearly 400 pounds on its own. The turbocharged 426 also got a slight power bump, making around 136 PTO hp. That combo — more weight, power, and a stronger driveline — made for a tractor that would thoroughly trounce the D21 in the field.

Did the AC 220 Fill the D21’s Shoes?

Was the 220 a success? It’s a tough question, and depends on how you measure it.

If you’re judging by capability, then yes. Allis set out to build a better tractor, and by most accounts, they did. The 220 was stronger, more refined, and got the job done. That’s a win.

But if you’re looking at sales? Not quite. On average, the D21 outsold it by about 110 tractors per year. So in theory, Allis made more money on the D21.

Then, in 1970, came the 210. Mechanically, it was nearly identical to the 220 — just a smaller radiator and a detuned pump — and it cost a couple grand less. It took all of about five minutes tweaking the injection pump to get that horsepower back. For a lot of farmers, that was the smarter buy. I’m sure the 210 cannibalized some sales.

And finally, there’s the intangible: the cool factor. The D21 just had “it.” That larger-than-life-presence. People still love them. The 220 just never quite captured hearts the same way.

All that having been said, AC 220s are still pretty darn cool in my book. Furthermore, there’s a beautifully restored example out in Nebraska that needs an owner who’ll be able to make new memories with it. Maybe you’re that person!

The 220 in Nebraska

This 220 is part of a beautifully restored collection selling later this month in Juniata, Nebraska, just west of Hastings. Kurt Aumann and his team at Aumann Vintage Power are handling the sale, which features a lot of sharp orange iron. Nearly all the tractors run and drive, quite a few have been very nicely restored, and every one of them was cared for with pride.

The collection belonged to Bill and Dottie Ground. After Bill passed last November, Dottie made the call to let these tractors go — to let them make memories with new owners. The other night, I had a chance to sit down and talk with her for a bit, and something became immediately clear. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, as these tractors were part of both of them. This wasn’t a Bill thing, this was a Bill and Dottie thing, right from the get-go.

They were together nearly 30 years, and from the start, they farmed side by side — mostly corn and soybeans, always with Allis and Gleaner equipment. From field cultivating under the stars on their first date (until Bill ran the tractor out of fuel), to deciphering each other’s hand signals during harvest, they were a team through and through. That spilled over into restoring tractors together, too.

Team Restorations

Bill was already restoring Allis tractors before Dottie came along, but when they got together, she was all-in. Each winter, they’d pick one to bring back to life — tearing it down, fixing what needed fixing, and putting it back together as close to factory-original as they could. Bill usually handled the paint, right up until recently, when passing trains made the shop too dusty to get the finish he wanted.

They didn’t just restore them — they used them, too. Big or small, those tractors worked fields, rode in parades, and ran in plow days. Bill loved his D21 and 220. Dottie? She was partial to the 210. Together, they were fixtures on the All Nebraska Tractor Drive, which raises money for veterans, 4-H, FFA, and the American Legion. Since Bill’s passing, Dottie’s taken his place as vice president, and keeping the wheels turning, just like he would’ve wanted.

Details on the 220

From what I gather, this tractor got a full restoration about 15 years back — cosmetic and mechanical — and it’s been kept in great shape ever since. It’s got just the right look for a muscle tractor, too: Firestone 20.8s on the back, 4-ribs up front, and a fender radio that adds just the right touch of nostalgia. It’s a good runner, too, no leaks or gremlins. Dottie told me that Bill enjoyed this one a lot — I’m about positive that I saw a photo of him driving it on last year’s All Nebraska Tractor Drive.

At the end of the day, all it really needs is somebody who’ll appreciate and enjoy the care that went into its restoration. Somebody who’ll top off the tank, hitch it to a six-bottom plow, and put its nose in the wind so it can do what it was built to do!

Wrapping Up

It’s not every day you find a husband and wife restoring tractors side by side. Sure, they may enjoy the rides, the parades, and shows together, but the late nights in the shop? That’s usually one person’s project. Bill and Dottie Ground were unique in that sense. They were a team in every part of it, together in the shop, just like they were in the field.

That kind of shared passion is rare, and it’s worth celebrating.

Go take a look at what they built. Even if orange isn’t your color, I think you’ll walk away impressed.

The Bill and Dottie Ground collection

Hi! I’m Ryan, and I love tractors. It doesn’t matter if it’s a showpiece, an oddball, or seen its share of life. If it’s unique and it’s listed by one of our auctioneer partners at Tractor Zoom, I’m going to show it off a little bit! This equipment is all up for auction RIGHT NOW, so you can bid on it. I think it’s cool, and I hope you will too! This is Interesting Iron! Read the original article on Tractor Zoom.