<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>4</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2004-12-22</periodOfReport>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000003982</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ALLIS CHALMERS CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ALY</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001167769</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>ENERGY SPECTRUM PARTNERS L P</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>5956 SHERRY LANE, SUITE 900</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>DALLAS, TX</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState></rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>75225</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>0</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>1</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <nonDerivativeTable>
        <nonDerivativeTransaction>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <transactionDate>
                <value>2004-12-22</value>
            </transactionDate>
            <transactionCoding>
                <transactionFormType>4</transactionFormType>
                <transactionCode>S</transactionCode>
                <equitySwapInvolved>0</equitySwapInvolved>
            </transactionCoding>
            <transactionAmounts>
                <transactionShares>
                    <value>60000</value>
                </transactionShares>
                <transactionPricePerShare>
                    <value>3.00</value>
                </transactionPricePerShare>
                <transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
                    <value>D</value>
                </transactionAcquiredDisposedCode>
            </transactionAmounts>
            <postTransactionAmounts>
                <sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
                    <value>2391062</value>
                </sharesOwnedFollowingTransaction>
            </postTransactionAmounts>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
                <natureOfOwnership>
                    <value></value>
                </natureOfOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </nonDerivativeTransaction>
    </nonDerivativeTable>

    <footnotes></footnotes>

    <remarks>(1) Energy Spectrum Capital LP is the general partner of Energy Spectrum Partners LP.  Energy Spectrum LLC is the general partner of Energy Spectrum Capital LP.  Each entity listed in the signature block below shall be deemed to be a reporting person for purposes of this Form 4, and the signature of Thomas O. Whitener below shall be deemed to be the signature of all such reporting persons for purposes of this Form 4.</remarks>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Thomas O. Whitener</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>Energy Spectrum Partners LP, By: Energy Spectrum Capital, LP, General Partner, Energy Spectrum LLC, General Partner</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2004-12-27</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>

