44d1wh Wide axle 44?

[Kyle Ladowski]

I ran into a strange looking 44 diesel today. I am currently wondering if it is worth going after. It appears to be a wide axle/western 44 with a hand clutch. I am not talking live power take off hand clutch. This clutch is on the left side of the drivers seat, the tractor also has the foot clutch present. The rear rims and cast centers look like those on a 444 standard, it has the two tier platform on the rear simialr to my 55/555. The tractor has the large wheatland fenders. The belly pan is short along with the short fuel tank. The front and rear tread width appears wider than the normal 44 standard. The serial number shows to be 1953 model. It has a hd260 engine. Some parts look to be normal 44 standard and others look 44 special/444. The front rims have cast centers. Rear rubber is 18.4x30.

Could this be a late production 44 diesel wide axle? The top of the transmission is stamped the same as the id tag. 44d1wh

Thanks
Kyle

 

[MHEd]

44D1WH is 44 Diesel Low Altitude Wheatland Hand Clutch

Should have 18 inch fronts on cast centers and bigger than normal standard rears - i don't remember exact size, but yes I would go after it - not a lot of 44 diesels and not a lot of 44 Wheatlands

 

[ACEd]

Found a different reference in diesel parts book - W = Wide Axle Rice - either way I'd go for it - if you are not interested send me the info - best, Ed

 

[MMEd]

see attached

 

[doubletough]

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE LAST 44 SERIAL NUMBERS WOULD
BE BUT THE SPECIAL SERIAL NUMBERS STARTED AT
50001.
THE 44 SPECIAL GAS TRACTOR HAD THE LARGER 277 CI
ENGINE BUT THE SPECIAL DIESEL WAS STILL THE 260 CI
LIKE A 44. IT SHOULD HAVE A DOOR IN THE HOOD JUST
FORWARD OF THE GAS TANK FOR ACCESS TO THE SECOND
BATTERY THEY USED ON A DIESEL TRACTOR. ON THE ROW
CROPS THE SPECIAL ALSO HAD AN IMPROVED HYD
CYLINDER AND VALVE. I WOULD LOVE TO HAVE A HAND
CLUTCH ON MY 44 ROW CROP LIKE THOSE USED ON
WESTERN VERSIONS.

 

[Kyle Ladowski]

This 44 doesn't have the battery in front of the fuel tank. The engine is almost up to the front of the fuel tank. Should this tractor have the batteries mounted on the outside of the frame like 55 diesels do? It does have 7.50-18 front tires.

Thanks
Kyle

 

[DWF]

The 44D standard tread tractors had the batteries mounted to the left frame in the fuel tank area.
DWF

 

[Kyle Ladowski]

some pictures. I did buy it and have it home.

 

[DWF]

The W in the SN stands for Wide Axle Rice and the H stands for Hand clutch.
In the parts book it shows the battery box for standards on the side. It doesn't show anything for the rice, so I imagine it to be the same as a standard.
In any event, a good find!
DWF

 

[Kyle Ladowski]

I have grown up around Masseys, my dad had Masseys, My grandfather had Masseys. I have been to a few shows and lots of tractor junk yards, I have never seen or heard of anyone having a wide axle 44. 55 and 555 i have seen in wide, but never a 44. I am glad I saved it from the scrapper.


Dwf,

Do you have a part number on that parts manual you referenced? I found several on ebay and would like to find the right one before I buy. Also does anyone know if the there was a different version of the operators manual for the 44 wide? I have a 55 rice and hillside manual that is different from the normal 55 operators manual, was just wondering if anyone knows if the same was done for the 44?

Thanks,
Kyle

 

[DWF]

The parts book I have says it's for 44 Diesel Tractors. The part number is 690 071 M5 (Issue 1) dated 8-54.
I doubt there would be a separate book for a 44W as evidently few of them were made.
Good luck with your project and keep us posted.
DWF