Hey everybody! I'm new here, but not new to Massey ownership. I'll admit, my family and my boyfriend are into a different shade of red, but I won't hold that against them. 

As usual, I came across something I wanted on craigslist and loaded up the trailer to go get it, only to find out that it was completely frozen up, engine, tranny, and had 4 flat tires. After an hour of winching and pushing, we finally started our journey home. After draining several gallons of water out of the rear end, we got it unloaded and running within an hour. 

I recently acquired a Massey Harris 44 special, but there's something strange about it... I've never owned a Massey with 13x30 rims or live PTO or wheatland style fenders. Can any of you offer any insight into which variation it is and where I can find parts? As much as I love Steiner, they don't carry new rims, rear tubes, clutch parts, or brakes that look like they'd work.

Thanks in advance!

~Amanda

 Amanda,

Welcome to the MCA! Always like to see someone new on here!! Even better that you are fighting for the correct color of red.

Your new toy appears to be a MH 44 Special Standard. Parts shouldn't be too hard to find, don't know if anyone is making rear rims but I would be very surprised someone out there didn't stock them in one form or another. As far as the live power this was an option on this tractor. Clutch parts should be the same as normal 44 and I would be amazed if someone out there didn't have brake parts for this tractor. Tires and Tubes should be available at most any place that sells tractor tires. If not there is always ebay..

Glad to hear you already got it to run! keep us posted on your progress. I noticed after looking at the pictures of yours the front cast centers look a bit different than mine. Also your fenders come down farther in the back. Could be a bit older than mine? Do you know the serial number?

I looked in the book and it says rear tires are 13-30 or 14-30 my tractor has the 14-30s
Here is a picture of my 44 Special Standard SN 60390 taken a couple years back.

Hope to see your progress,

Joe

The serial number comes out to be a 1954. We're wondering if it's a Riceland instead of a standard because of the fender length. The guy we bought it from said it originally came with "big lug" tires and then he replaced them with a set off of another tractor. 

We managed to find tubes from the guy that delivers all of our semi tires and ag tubes, only $70 a piece. I was just thankful to find some. 

I'm waiting for my "de-coder" books to come from the library to learn a little more. My 44 standard and 44-6 were a little easier to find information on, but I do love a challenge! All 3 of them will be at the Thresheree show this year. The featured tractor is Massey-Harris so I can finally be first in the parade instead of waiting an hour in line. 

Amanda,

I believe what you have is a 44 Special Standard, not a Riceland.  I have a 44 Special standard that looks like your tractor.  I also have a 44 Riceland.  It has very different rear wheels, and a wider front axle.  It also has larger front wheels.   Unfortunately I don't have very good photos of either one showing the difference...

Do you have the full serial number of your tractor, including the Apha-Numeric in front of the serial number?  My 44 Special Standard is serial number G1SF 51796.  That means Gas, Standard altitude, Standard, Foot Clutch.  My Riceland serial number is K1WH 46904, meaning Kerosene, Standard Altitude, Wide Axle, Hand Clutch. 

Do you have your full serial number, includeing the letters which would help identify the configuration? 

My K1WH has been converted to an LP, but I am planning to put it back to a K.  I don't have any great photos, but here's a shot of my 44 Special Standard and my 44 K1WH.

Cheers, 
 
JB

Unfortunately, the tag looks like it's been through the war and is mostly gone, last digits are 51788. Time hasn't been kind to this tractor. After over a decade of sitting in the field, the owner's nephew forced him to sell or scrap if they weren't gone in a month. 

It does have a foot clutch and there's nothing on the engine that would designate high altitude, just plain old 277, and it's definitely gas. 

Do either of you know why they changed from 38 inch rims to the 30 inch or why this one has a flat front axle instead of the adjustable length higher arch axle that most Masseys have?

Rear tubes delivered and the first box of parts from Steiner has arrived. 

Look on transmission /  frame at drivers left foot area - you will find model / serial numbers steel stamped into top surface - most frequently covered by grime and / or paint, but look for two lines - top may be model such as 44 K1WH and bottom 5 digit serial number - see photo of riceland tractor ident. I added a couple of more picts of one of my I244s to clarify location

Amanda,

Going back to your question:  "Do either of you know why they changed from 38 inch rims to the 30 inch or why this one has a flat front axle instead of the adjustable length higher arch axle that most Masseys have?"

Massey made both "Row Crop" and "Standard" versions of most of their tractor models.  In the case of the Model 44, the Row Crop had the 38" rears and either single, v-twin narrow, or wide front ends.  The wide fronts were called "high arch", and were adjustable for width, as were the rear wheels.  The Standard tractors had a fixed tread, and 30" rear wheels instead of the 38".  They were mostly intended for use in the plans states where they raised a lot of wheat and other small grains, and were never intended for use in cultivating "row crops".

Hope this helps!

JB

Thanks for the information! Learn something new every day. I'm shocked that a standard would have been used in the area I bought this one. It's been all corn and soy rows for 60+ years. The second owner, which is the man that I bought it from, only used it on a mill to grind silage. 

Today we got a new clutch and pressure plate order and patched one of the rims before putting a new tube in and then patching the tire because we can't afford new ones. This one is going to be one heck of a project. I'm hoping I didn't bite off more than I can chew. 

Amanda,

Best of luck with your project.  Please keep us all posted with some photos along the way.  And, don't hesitate to ask questions as you run into issues.  There is a lot of Massey experience in MCA members on this site, and hopefully there will be somebody who has already run into your specific issue, and has figured out how to manage it.

It is also good to see a young woman interested in the hobby!! 

Good luck, and keep posting!

JB