The AC Two-Twenty: Big shoes to fill…

AC Two-Twenty listings on Tractor Zoom

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 Two-Twenty 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 D-21. 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!

D-21: The Barnyard Bully

The D-21 was Allis-Chalmers’ moonshot. In 1963, it became the first 2WD row-crop tractor to break the 100-horsepower barrier at the PTO, and it did it with a naturally-aspirated 426ci inline six that meant business. AC made a statement with the D-21. 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 GM, 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. So, they twisted the D-21’s tail a little harder with a turbocharged 426 for the Series II tractors (up to almost 128 PTO horse), and all was right in the world again.

Still, even with more power and better performance, the D-21 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 Two-Twenty: The Genetics for Success?

The D-21 may have had muscle, but it came with baggage. For starters, its styling didn’t match the newer Hundred Series tractors. It was kind of an orphan, stylistically—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 Two-Twenty—a redesigned, rebalanced tractor that delivered on all fronts.

When the Two-Twenty 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 1100 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 horsepower. That combo—more weight, power and a stronger driveline—made for a tractor that would thoroughly trounce the D-21 in the field.

Did the AC Two-Twenty fill the D-21’s shoes?

It’s a tough question—was the Two-Twenty a success? That 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 Two-Twenty 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 D-21 outsold it by about 110 tractors per year. So in theory, Allis made more money on the D-21.

Then, in 1970, came the Two-Ten. Mechanically, it was nearly identical to the Two-Twenty—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 Two-Ten cannibalized some sales.

And finally, there’s the intangible: the cool factor. The D-21 just had “it.” That larger-than-life-presence. People still love ’em. The Two-Twenty? It just never quite captured hearts the same way.

But…all that having been said, Two-Twenties 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 Two-Twenty in Nebraska

This Two-Twenty is part of a beautifully restored collection selling later this month in Juniata, NE—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 of 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 & Dottie thing, right from the getgo.

They were together nearly 30 years, and from the start, they farmed side by side—mostly corn and beans, 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 fairly 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 D-21 and Two-Twenty. Dottie? She was partial to the Two-Ten. Together, they were fixtures on the All Nebraska Tractor Ride, which raises money for veterans, 4-H, FFA, and the American Legion. Since Bill’s passing, Dottie’s taken his place as VP—keeping the wheels turning, just like he would’ve wanted.

Details on the Two-Twenty

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 Ride.

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—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 & Dottie Ground collection