Allis-Chalmers Files Chap. 11

MILWAUKEE — Allis-Chalmers Corp., once one of the nation’s leading farm equipment and heavy machinery producers, announced today that it had filed for protection from its creditors under federal bankruptcy laws.

The Chapter 11 petition was filed in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. Allis-Chalmers, which has been trying to trim its operations to become more competitive, currently makes equipment for fluids handling, such as pumps and valves; for solids processing, such as mining; and for air quality control. The company has about 9,400 employees worldwide.