Massey Discussion Forums > Massey Talk > MH 55 Ricelands etc
Order posts by: 

MH 55 Ricelands etc

Can anyone clarify to me how many MH Western/Hillside/Riceland 55D tractors were made.  It is not clear from the serial number data in KO's MH data book.  Also was there any significant difference between these three types other than the tyres?

Are there many to be found in N America?

I'm asking because I have just purchased one.

Thanks
John

RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

John,

I think the back axles were wider as well.  The front axle should have a higher arch to it.  I have attached a picture of another 55G1WH and it's the front axle.

There could be more differences, but that is all I know.  I will yeild to the experts....

Drew
Attachments
IMG_9458.jpg

RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

Thanks Drew,

What I am really interested in is the difference between the ricelands, wheatlands and hillsiders.  I bought this 55D because it has the wide rear and high front axles which I like, and are clearly different to the regular 55s.

I just wonder was it the big wide lugs on the rice tyres that differentiated that from the other two, and maybe the westerns and hillsiders were the same.  Some had hand clutches and others didn't but I see from what limited literature I have that hand clutches were an optional extra.  But people have told me that these defined a western??

So --- what is the truth??!!

John

RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

I am a bit surprised that no-one seems to know anything about these tractors so can I ask another question?  Does anyone have a sales brochure specifically for these tractors?  The only note I have of them is that they are mentioned in a small way, almost as an option, in some of the general tractor brochures of the day but with nothing tooo detailed.

I'm ever hopeful of finding something out!!

Thanks
John

RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

I'm still trying to fathom out the differences between ricelands, westerns and hillside 55D tractors.  Referring to Keith Oltrogge's data book I see that at the end of the book he has the codes for the MH post war tractors.

Of relevance to this are only H for hand clutch and W for wide axle.  There are no suffixes for the three types.  This I thing begs the question were they all the same except for the tyre equipment?

Strangely mine has the H but has a foot clutch.  In the specifications details hand clutches are optional so why would the H be on the serial number plate?

HELP please!!!!

John

RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

Well I am absoulutely despairing!!!  Surely there is someone out there who knows about these tractors???????

John

RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

Well I am now more than despairing.  After a 16 day trip through Canada and the US talking to numerous Massey men I am still no further on in getting definitive explanations of what are the difference between the MH 55 diesel western, riceland and hillside tractors.

All that I have after all the talking is a "concensus of opinion" (note - not hard facts) that the only difference between the three was the tyres for the ricelands.  No-one can tell me either of there being any different suffix/prefixes for the three.  All seem to go under the W designation which indicates wide axle and NOT western as some were thinking.

I may have found something in a parts book suggesting that the mudgaurds on the ricelands were different but I have yet to check this out.

Also were they badged western, hillside or riceland on the hood?

Come on folks - I am getting desparate!!!  Someone, somewhere knows...........

John

RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

John, I was told that the hillside 55's tire tread were  wider,  longer axles. I have nothing to back this up. This is just imformation that I was told by a gentleman  from British Columbia, Canada

Steve
Steve

RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

Steve,

Thanks for responding.  According to a parts book I have the tyres of the westerns and the hilsiders were the same.  And again from parts books all three would seem to be simply "W" or wide tractors.

John

RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

I have an original pricelist from Nov. 20, 1950. It has pricing for rubber tires and steel wheel options on the standard 55 and the riceland 55. The hillside 55 is only listed with rubber tires. The riceland 55 is the only one with an 18-26 rice tire option. All 3 were available in gas, distillate and diesel versions. The riceland and hillside models list the hand clutch as standard, the standard 55 does not. The standard 55 gas with 7.50-18 front and14-34 rear tires had a sugested list price of $3151.00. The riceland 55 gas with 7.50-18 front and 18-26 rear rice tires lists for $3414.00. The hillside 55 gas with 7.50-18 front and 18-26 standard tread tires had a list of $3338.00. Not sure if this helps or causes more questions.
Wayne