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Allis-Chalmers started out as a small burr millstone maker in 1847. By 1979 they had
grown into a $2 billion corporation and were one of the important machinery manufacturers
in the United States. The original company, known as "Edward P. Allis & Company" was
built by E. P. Allis of New York after acquiring a shop called
"The Reliance Works". The Reliance Works' list of products included French burr millstones,
portable mills, water wheels, shafting, hoisting screws and much more.
In 1869 the company expanded into steam power and soon after followed the first
Allis steam engine. The company line-up grew to include steam pumps including the
largest centrifugal pump in America in 1884 and the first triple expansion pumping engine
two years later.
In 1901, the "Allis-Chalmers" company was formed by merging the Edward P. Allis Co.,
Fraser and Chalmers Company and Gates Iron Works. Shortly after, a large chunk of land
was purchased in what became West Allis, Wisconsin. Wanting to diversify, Allis-Chalmers
built its first farm tractor in 1914. The tractor business grew, and in 1928 a line of crawler tractors
was started. The acquistion of several additional companies in the upcoming years, such
as the LaCrosse Plow Company and Advance-Rumely added an extensive line of tillage
implements, threshers and combines to the line-up.
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