massey harris 44

[olivermasseyman]

i can"t find the tag for the serial number anywhere, trying to tell if its a reg 44 or a special
 

[rustred]

so many differences you can tell before you even get to the #. special has the heavy cast hubs vs the light car rims on the 44. also has a step up platform , while the 44 only has just the flat platform. special is also longer wheelbase. this is a few things that jump out at you before your even at the tractor.
 

[Dick H in NY]

The 44"s serisl number should be stamped on top of transmission case, right behind PTO/Belt pulley shifter handle.
 

[the haulin harris]

i also think the specail had throttle on steering colum in stead of between your legs
 

[mark49]

There have been so many mix and matches of Massey 30s, 33s, 44s, and 444s it may be hard to tell. Look at the block on the right side below the air intake hose- H260 means it"s a 44 engine, H277 means it's out of a Special or a 444 (scratch the block in an inconspicuous place- if it"s gold underneath it"s from a 444). Dick is right about the serial number location. 44 Specials were numbered from 50001 to 58067 (TractorData.com). Look at the bottom of the frame where it bolts to the transmission- there should be a date cast into it. Specials were built from '53 to '55.
 

[english]

My goodness,the stupid replies show these are not Massey people replying.Dick H has the correct answer.Forget all the engine and rearend numbers.Check the trans cover.
 

[mark49]

Mr. English, I highly doubt that you have as much time working on the larger Masseys as I do. Working in a field may be another matter. The numbers stamped into the transmission CASTING only tell you the what the transmission originally belonged to. If you have not seen a 44 with a 277 or a 30 with a 260, I would suggest it is you who is not a Massey person. The 49 in my sig refers to my 44GR, serial no. 7958, frame cast on 4/19/49.
 

[missouri massey man]

You can go by the recommendation by DickH only if you can be guaranteed it is a totally uncompromised unit with nothing having been changed from the factory from date of manufacture. However,Mark49 is absolutely correct about so many mix/matched engines to rear ends all with subtle differences of which he points to several very well.

It may take just a little more time and experience with the old Masseys before you can absorb enough with a quick look to tell on your own. Hang in there and be patient, the knowledge will come very easy.
 

[rustred]

2nd that, i have been around the 44 and specials since 5yrs. old and sure can tell the diff. at a distance without looking at the tag! also he was saying he cant find the tag!
 

[english]

I would suggest I probably have twice as many Masseys as you have and have been around,on and used them for nearly 70 yrs.Serial numbers are always stamped on the top of the transmission cover!!!
 

[missouri massey man]

....but how revelant would that number that is stamped on the top of the case be if that housing had been swapped out with a donor tractor? Are we saying here that the serial number of the tractor goes with the rear end and not the engine and front half of the frame even though a regular 44 rear end could have been installed on a 44 Special front half?? I am now totally confused and need enlightenment. Do not read anything into this other than a simple request for input.
 

[BIG RUH]

There was a resent auction that had a Massey Harris.Serial # and # on transmission read 44GR. Engine was a 382, Hood & grill were from a 555 and the wheels were from a 44 special. just curious what model was this?
 

[missouri massey man]

[rrlund]

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[BIG RUH]

Hecker