Massey Discussion Forums > Massey Talk > MH 744D history
Order posts by: 

RE:MH 744D history

Malcolm,

I was talking to someone two or three years ago who said that there was a 744 Roadless not far from where I live but wouldn't say any more. I don't know if it's true or not. If it is it is a shame it is not brought out to shows etc for everyone to enjoy.

Alan

RE:MH 744D history

Hi there you knowledgable members. I thought I would revitalise the 744 thread.  Last weekend I found 2 x 744' side by side on a local farm.  In pretty good condition for being left out for years. I will pick them up in a week or so.  One runs well and the is just missing the water pump, but would run. I will attach some photos for you.  My question to you is ,  why where there the 2 different bonnets on the 744's.... A large and a small cut out curve.  My restored has a large curve like the 44 and 55's, but the new ones have the smaller curve.  Thanks for your input...regards Buck.
Attachments
image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg

RE:MH 744D history

Great find and save Buck.  Keep the pictures coming!  Always good to see the MHs from down under.

It looks like one of those has the C channel frame as opposed to the cast tub frame.  I have heard those are harder to come by beacuse they were always in need of repairs and extra metal and welds to strengthen them up.

Good luck with them!

Drew

RE:MH 744D history

Well done on your latest find Buck, looks like you will have two good tractors there. The difference in the bonnet / hood I think you are refering to is the "long" and "short" wheelbase tractors,

We have just arrived in Rushville for the Expo, so answers may be a little slow from some of us.

Good to see you back on here.

Malcolm

RE:MH 744D history

Buck,

From memory, and I am not absolutely certain, but I think that the longer curve bonnets were on the earlier tractors and the others on the later ones.  Try reconciling this with your serial numbers.

John

RE:MH 744D history

Hi all, thanks for your suggestions, when I get them home next week, I will check both the wheel bases and the serial numbers.

On another note, it looks like I have a very nice original 745 S coming.  I would like to probably keep it in the original paint work.  What coating do you recommend.  I found an old recipe of boiled linseed oil, mineral turpentine and terebine as a hardener. 

Happy to take on your suggestions.

RE:MH 744D history

Hi John,  I picked up the 2 new additions to the 744 stable today. I have measured and come up with the following.  My restored 744 S/ N 1383  manufactured in 1949 has the large cut out bonnet and a wheel base of 2000 mm, the 2 newer additions have the S/ N 2887 and 12124. Both have the smaller cut out bonnets, but S/N 2887 has an 8" longer wheel base.  So, in conlusion, it appears as though the changed the bonnets style in 1950 regardless of the wheel bases... Interesting!!! I do know for fact that my early restored tractor had the English wheels like the one is just picked up, but the middle tractor has the standard Australian heavy vast wheels.  I will try and add some pics for you. Regards Buck
Attachments
image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg

RE:MH 744D history

Buck,

Thanks for the info and I think that you are starting another MH data base!  I'm relieved that I may have been on the right lines with my thinking!   So much MH history has been lost that  we have to try and rconstruct it from hard ground truths.  I'm not aware of how many long and short wheel base 744s and 745s there were but my observations round the shows here suggest the short ones are the commonest.

Did you have any 744s down in Aus with the MH hydraulic 3 point lift?  These are few and far between but luckily mine has it.

It would be good to sort this matter out and I wonder if the parts books can tell us anything more?  I'll see what I have in the archives when I have chance and see what I can find.

John


RE:MH 744D history

Hi John,  yes I have seen a 744 with the standard bolt on linkage down here.  On these 744 tractors you will also find that the bonnet is longer and has a hole for the fuel tank filler, but the early one seems to be similar to the 44/55 where the bonnet falls short of the fuel tank filler.  I've never seen this on any Masseys before. The plot thickens.

RE:MH 744D history

Buck,

The official three point units for the 744s and 745s were made by Adrolic of Scotland; similar units were fitted on a few Field Marshalls.

Power for the 744 units came from a pump mounted on the front of the crankshaft, but on the 745s a pump was fitted into the rear of the timing gears.

A hole in the bonnet for the fuel tank is a new one on me.  I don't think that I have seen an example of such but I will keep my eyes open and also take a browse of the parts books sometime.

John