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RE:MH 744D history

John:

There is a nice looking 744D just a bit south of you for sale or at least that is the way it looks on the map. Maybe it is farther than it looks but the price is not too bad here is a link if it works.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItemnext&item=190704009788.html

RE:MH 744D history

Joe,

I have just had a look at that tractor.  It's actually right down in the south east of Wales - quite a treck from us.

My impression is that it's a bit odd and possibly not a 744 but a 745.  At least that is what I surmise from the not too clear photo.  It has a lower drag link steering where as on 744s the steering shaft goes to a steering box underneath the rad,  Also the accelerator lever is more 745 style rather than the small quadrant as on the744s.  The front wheels are also later style which suggests a 745.

Those are my preliminary thoughts for what they are worth! 

John

RE:MH 744D history

Well to give this excellent UK 744 thread another dimension I am sure all you Massey Collectors are familiar with the toy M-H 744 tractor made by Dinky and bought in a yellow box, I am sure many of you have them in your toy collections.
Back in 2009 the Newby Hall Rally in North Yorkshire created a full size version to display, together with the orange Field Marshall tractor which Dinky also produced.
It was agreat display for the visiting public who enjoyed talking to the "men with their toys".

Malcolm.
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RE:MH 744D history

Malcolm:

That is a really cool looking display!! Great Idea!! I just got to thinking maybe this is the answer to getting around government regulations on building sheds on your property?? Or maybe this is what the man is already doing? If it would work you could really get creative and even make a bow on the top to make it look like a birthday present.

Joe

RE:MH 744D history

Pleased you like it Joe,  great thinking for a vintage storage system in your yard.

Here is a nice close up photo of a Perkins P6 cylinder diesel engine in a nice 744 at a recent Lincolnshire event.

Malcolm.
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RE:MH 744D history

I've just had another e mail in from Bryon as follows

"""
Hi John
 
I looked at the photos on  Ebay of the link that Joe had posted. The steering is the same as what I have on my 303 old style work bull without the power steering. Which is also the same steering box used on the 55, 555 as well. The Accelerator lever is the same as what is on my  744 tractors. The 745 uses a wire cable that is stamped steel on mine. But as we all know massey built with the parts they had in inventory so you can never say they did not build it that way.
 
One other thing that I have notice is that a 745 hood is about 1 inch longer then a 44 hood.
"""""
So thanks Bryon - more Massey mysteries to ponder!

John

RE:MH 744D history

There was another point that I wanted to arise about the 744s.  The standard tractors came in a long and short wheelbase form.  Was this the same for the N American 44s?  Over here the long wheelbases are very much in the minority.

John

RE:MH 744D history

John:

Here is two pictures of another 744D I believe the man who owns it is from the UK but the tractor is in India. Looks a bit different when you don't have the right tin work on it also much different wheels on back than normal??
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RE:MH 744D history

Joe,

That's a real odd ball you have found.  Seems to be a transplanted bonnet (hood!) and grill from maybe an International?????? - perhaps made in India.

The steering arrangment is odd again like that last one you showed on here, and the battery box is non-standard.

How did you come across two with the odd steering arrangmenT?????!!!!!!!

John

RE:MH 744D history

There has been great interest in the recent British M-H 745 wheelbase discussion so thought I would bring this M-H 744 thread back to life, whilst looking through my Massey Harris "Growth" magazines recently for the one which John's Grandfather is pictured, I came across this article which some of you may find interesting.


Here in England we see several M-H advertising pictures of the M-H 744 fiited with the Roadless DG4 Halftrack conversion, so far I have never located a surviving example in preservation, we see many of the Fordson E27N Major tractors surviving with this conversion.


Attached is the "News From The Dealers" page and details the 744D demonstration held on the Estate of Lord Walpole at Wolverton Park, Norfolk, reading the page it sounds like the M-H Roadless Halftrack was so well recieved it stayed on the farm after the demo and never returned to the dealer who was Messrs Randalls of North Walsham. 

You can see it in the top and centre photograph, I wonder where it went to after it finished it's working life? Alan this is not far from you, maybe you could do some research? you never know it could still be lurking in the back of the barn.


Malcolm. 
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