Massey Discussion Forums > Massey Talk > MH 55 Ricelands etc
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RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

John,

I have found several different combinations on how the fuel filtration system is laid out on 55 Diesel tractors.  Just for grins and comments, posted here togther are photos of yours, the current condition of mine (sans oil filter...), and what I have labeled "exhibit B" which appears to have the closest to same layout as the fuel filters on mine.  

With today's filtration media, I doubt that it will make a lot of difference in how it gets hooked up.  Primary concern is a pre-filter/fuel-water separator before the transfer pump, and then at least one good filter on the pressure side of the transfer pump feeding the high pressure pump.

The problem I need to deal with is the routing of the governor/hand throttle linkage and getting that past the oil filter.  I am starting to think that the oil filter canister I have might not be the right one...  Larger diameter than those in the photos, making the throttle rod routing more of a problem...

Other thoughts, anyone?

Cheers,

JB
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RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

John,

Conundrums indeed.  Just what you need for retirement to pass the time!

If you need any close ups of the linkages let me know.  They look to be original but I am no expert on this.

John

RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

Okay there all you Massey-Harris 55 pundits.  I have a new puzzle for your consideration.

Just ran across photo of a tractor listed as a "1947 Massey Harris 55 Gas".  The photo is straight from the side.  It pretty clearly has the 26" rear rims, and looks like old, original continuous rib tires.  So, I suspected it was one of the wide axle models.  I called the guy to ask some questions.  Sure enough, it is a wide axle 55 with the arched front axle and 26" rear tires/rims.  He reports the serial number as:  55 GSH 1491.  The person who originally had it pegged it as a 1947 from the Model 55 Gas Standard s/n listing.  

Now then, what year is this tractor, really?  It is apparently from the time period before Massey started putting the "W" designation in the serial number.  I don't believe it is a 1947 from my past research of the Buyer's Guides.  It also has the raised bosses on the equipment mounting holes near the front of the frame.  I believe those were all smooth on the 1947 models.  But, per his description it does have the cast throttle assembly with cast notches mounted on the steering column...

Recall that my wide axle Diesel is 55 DSH 1309.  From all the different serial number listings, and the throttle down between the legs, it is most likely a 1951.

So, back to the 55 gas wide axle 55 GSH 1491.

If I look at the older compilation done by Keith Oltrogge, long before he put together his data book, there is a grouping of serial numbers under the heading:

"Model 55 (GSH & G1WH)"
"Riceland and Hillside"

In that listing, s/n 1491 would make it a 1951.  Is it possible it still had the cast throttle on the steering column in 1951?

In the Data Book, that same serial number grouping is listed under:

"Model 55G"    
"(Riceland and Hillside)"
No listing of the designation GSH as in the older listing...

So, what do you all think?  I would like to have more opinions than just my own before I try to explain to this guy that he doesn't have a 1947, and that the engine shouldn't be painted black like it is...  (Not trying to be "correct police", just want to let him know what he has so that he can correctly identify it since he is wanting to sell it.)

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

JB


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RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

John,

Don't know much about the 55s but is there a date cast into the left side of the transmission just ahead of the clutch pivit? Here is a couple pictures of mine.

Joe
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RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

Hey Joe,

Thanks for chiming in.

Hmmm...  No "Reply" button on our latest posta, so I scrolled down to where there was one.  We'll see where it winds up.

Yes, those casting dates can give some clues.  You know for sure the tractor wasn't built any earlier than the casting dates, but you can't tell how much later than the casting dates the tractor was actually built.  It is pretty common to find 1951 dated castings on a 1952 built tractor, for example.  But not likely in most cases to be much more than a year later, I agree.

Earlier today I actually took a quick look at my 55 wide axle to see if I could find any casting dates.  None were easily located, and I didn't feel like getting on the creeper and fighting the cobwebs before heading out to the field.  :-)   I will check on those later.

Cheers,

JB



RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

John F,

It's been a while since we talked about Ricelands. I may have some interesting news for you.. I just got an email from a guy in Holland and if I am reading it right he  claims to have a 55 Riceland with the same exact serial number as yours...

I copied his email and will try to paste it on here.


First Name: han

Last Name: holters

Address: munsterdijk 16a

City: haaksbergen

State: holland

Zip/Postal Code: 7481 sh

Country: Netherlands

Email: han@holters.nl

Comments: hello the massey harris 55 western special that i have.is the same. 55d1wh1117. number!

When I was at your place I got a picture of your Serial number It would be interesting if we could get a picture of his.  This could happen, I know there are two MH GPs with the same serial number so why not a 55 Riceland...

I don't think this guy is a member but you could try to email him to get a picture of his tractor and serial number. It would be interesting if there is really two 55 Ricelands with the same number.

Joe

 
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RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

Joe,
My tractor is 11117 whilst his is 1117
Any comments?
John

RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

John,

still no Reply buttons!!!

It was late at night and my eyes were playing tricks on me.... I finally got to the bottom of it and his tractor is Serial number 11177 so it is 60 tractors newer than yours. I could see how he was confused as if you look at it quickly mistakes can be made.

Her is a couple pictures of his tractor and serial number plate also a nice looking 102 senior in the picture..

Joe
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RE:MH 55 Ricelands etc

I know this is an old thread but I came across it today while searching for something else. I wanted to pass on this information for what it's worth. I have multiple Western Specials and one Rice Special along with other Standard 55/555's.

Through my research, my understanding was that the Western and Rice models were basically the same short of the R-2 Rice tread tires on the Rice version. The printed promotional documents support that the main differences from a Standard 55/555 and a Western/Rice version is the 18-26(23.1x26) rear rubber, high arch front axle, the rear step plate, and if a diesel model, it would have the Bosch APE inline injector pump instead of the regular Bosch PSB pump. I would also tend to agree that the Hillside was an early version of the Western and that the name was changed to Western on later versions.

From what I can tell from my tractors, they did not call out the W on the early tractors even though they have the 18-26 rubber, the high arch front axle and the Western style rear floor board or step.

Then to really throw a wrench in the mix, I have a 1950 55 Riceland Special, model number 55 GSH, serial number 1106. This is a gas, hand clutch tractor. It does have the 18-26 R-2 Rice tread rear rubber and a high arch front axle even though the model number does not call out the W for Wide axle. The tractor came out of Alvin, TX not far from the gulf. True rice country. 

The real oddity on my Riceland Special is the fact it does not have brakes of any kind and never has had. I know everyone will call BS but it was how the tractor was built. There are no pedals, brake pedal cross shaft, brake housings or brake pinions. Simply block off plates on the rear differential housing similar to those on tractors with no PTO. No pedal wear marks on the floor boards either. I will attach pictures of the right floor board and also the brake pinion block off plates. 

I have spoken with a gentleman in Pascagoula, MS that farmed rice. He claimed that Case made many 500 and 600 model Rice tractors the same way, with no brakes due to the fact that those standard tread tractors had brake housings that were mounted very low on the rear differential housing and in the mud and water, the brakes would freeze up so the manufacturer eliminated them to keep rust and water in the rear differential from being a problem.

I hope this helps outline what the Rice Specials were.

Thanks, JMB 
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