Massey-Harris 44 Special
The Massey-Harris 44 Special is a tractor produced by Massey Harris. It is equipped with a 259.4 ci 4.3 L engine. The listed engine power is Diesel (listed): 40 hp / 29.8 kW. Transmission: 5 forward and 1 reverse.
Engine Power
Diesel (listed): 40 hp / 29.8 kW
Fuel & Capacities
23 gal (gas)
87.1 L
Transmission
5 forward and 1 reverse
Overview
 | 1953 - 1955
Row-Crop tractor |
|---|
Production | |
|---|---|
Manufacturer | Massey-Harris |
Row-Crop tractor | |
Built in Racine, Wisconsin, USA | |
The Massey Harris 44 Special offered a bored-out gasoline engine, increasing displacement over the 44. The diesel, distillate, and LP-gas engines remained the same. The 44 Special was available in row-crop, standard, cane (high-crop), and rice configurations. | |
Variants | |
|---|---|
44 Special | row-crop |
44 Special Cane | high-crop |
44 Special Rice | standard |
Massey-Harris 44 Special Transmission | |
|---|---|
5-speed unsynchronized gear | |
Transmission details ...  |
Massey-Harris 44 Special Power | |
|---|---|
Engine | 40 hp
29.8 kW |
Plows | 3-4 |
Drawbar (tested) | 43.58 hp
32.5 kW |
Belt (tested) | 48.95 hp
36.5 kW |
Performance test details ...  | |
Mechanical | |
|---|---|
Steering | manual worm-and-sector |
Differential mechanical drum brakes | |
Open operator station. | |
Capacity | |
|---|---|
Fuel | 23 gal (gas)
87.1 L |
19 gal (diesel)
71.9 L | |
27.2 gal (LP-gas)
103.0 L | |
Hydraulic system | 1.75 gal
6.6 L |
Hydraulics | |
|---|---|
Capacity | 1.75 gal
6.6 L |
Pressure | 1050 psi
72.4 bar |
Total flow | 7.5 gpm
28.4 lpm |
Tractor hitch | |
|---|---|
Type | Massey Hitch-All |
Power Take-off (PTO) | |
|---|---|
Rear PTO | live |
Rear PTO Type | 534 |
Engine RPM | 534@1350 |
Dimensions & Tires | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 88 inches
223 cm |
Front tire | 6.50x16 |
Rear tire | 11-38 |
Full dimensions and tires ...  | |
Belt Pulley | |
|---|---|
Diameter | 13.5 inches
34 cm |
Width | 6 inches
15 cm |
RPM | 863 |
Speed | 3050 ft/min
929.64 meters/min |
References | |
|---|---|
 | |
Power For Your Farm published in 1953, by Massey-Harris | |
Massey-Harris Tractors published in 1954 | |
Massey-Harris Tractors published in 1955 |
Engine
Engine options | |
|---|---|
Massey-Harris 4.5L 4-cyl gasoline | |
Continental 4.3L 4-cyl diesel | |
Massey-Harris 4.3L 4-cyl tractor fuel | |
Massey-Harris 4.3L 4-cyl LP gas |
Engine Detail — 277 ci / 4.5 L Gasoline
Manufacturer | Massey-Harris |
Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Configuration | 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled vertical I-head |
Displacement | 277 ci
4.5 L |
Bore/Stroke | 4.00x5.50 inches
102 x 140 mm |
Fuel system | Zenith 1.25" carburetor |
Air cleaner | oil bath |
Compression | 6.25:1 |
Rated RPM | 1350 |
Oil capacity | 8 qts
7.6 L |
Coolant capacity | 22 qts
20.8 L |
Engine Detail — 259.4 ci / 4.3 L Diesel
Manufacturer | Continental |
Fuel Type | Diesel |
Configuration | 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled vertical I-head |
Displacement | 259.4 ci
4.3 L |
Bore/Stroke | 3.875x5.50 inches
98 x 140 mm |
Power | 40 hp
29.8 kW |
Air cleaner | oil bath |
Compression | 15.0:1 |
Rated RPM | 1500 |
Engine Detail — 259.4 ci / 4.3 L
Manufacturer | Massey-Harris |
Configuration | 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled vertical I-head |
tractor fuel | |
Displacement | 259.4 ci
4.3 L |
Bore/Stroke | 3.875x5.50 inches
98 x 140 mm |
Air cleaner | oil bath |
Compression | 4.68:1 |
Rated RPM | 1350 |
Engine Detail — 259.4 ci / 4.3 L LP Gas
Manufacturer | Massey-Harris |
Fuel Type | LP gas |
Configuration | 4-cylinder, liquid-cooled vertical I-head |
Displacement | 259.4 ci
4.3 L |
Bore/Stroke | 3.875x5.50 inches
98 x 140 mm |
Air cleaner | oil bath |
Rated RPM | 1350 |
Transmission
Transmission — 5 forward and 1 reverse unsynchronized gear
Type | unsynchronized gear |
Gears | 5 forward and 1 reverse |
Clutch | 11-inch dry disc |
With 12-38 rear tires. | |
 | |
Dimensions
Massey-Harris 44 Special Tires | |
|---|---|
Ag front | 6.50x16 |
9.00x10 | |
Ag rear | 11-38 |
12-38 | |
13-38 | |
Dimensions | |
|---|---|
Wheelbase | 88 inches
223 cm |
Length | 135.3 inches
343 cm |
Width | 79 inches
200 cm |
Height | 80 inches
203 cm |
Tests
Nebraska Tractor Test 510 | |
|---|---|
Gasoline 5-speed 2WD
October 10 - 24, 1953
Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 510 file | |
Belt power (max) | 48.95 hp
36.5 kW |
Belt fuel use (max) | 4.3 gal/hour
16.3 l/hour |
Drawbar performance | |
Max power | 43.58 hp
32.5 kW |
Gear 3 used for power test. | |
Max pull | 5,341 lbs
2422 kg |
Gear 1 used for pull test. | |
Photos
Massey-Harris 44 Special
Recommended Implements & Sizing Guide
Engineering recommendations for Massey Harris Massey-Harris 44 Special based on its 40 HP power envelope and ASAE agricultural standards.
| Implement & Operation | Recommended Size | Workload Rating | Engineering Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Moldboard PlowPrimary Tillage | 2 to 3 Bottom (14-16")2 - 3 铧 (35-40 cm) | Medium Duty | Standard utility farm tillage. |
Rotary Cutter / MowerMowing & Clearing | 6 ft (72 in)1.8 m | Medium Duty | Medium pasture clearing; rear slip-clutch recommended. |
Rotary TillerSeedbed Prep | 66 to 72 in165 - 180 cm | Medium Duty | Standard utility tiller; slip clutch protection required. |
Disc HarrowSecondary Tillage | 7 to 8 ft Tandem Disc2.1 - 2.4 m 对开双排耙 | Medium Duty | Field leveling and clod breaking behind plows. |
Hay BalerHay & Forage | Small Square Baler (14x18")小方捆打捆机 (36x46 cm) | Medium Duty | Classic 2-string baler for horse and small livestock hay. |
Sizing & Soil Condition NoteActual implement sizing varies depending on local soil conditions (heavy clay vs sandy loam), field slope, and operating speed. Heavy tillage implements may require front ballast weights and wheel weights.
Fluids, Capacities & Working Autonomy
Standard fluid requirements, service intervals, and continuous runtime estimates for Massey Harris Massey-Harris 44 Special.
Estimated Continuous Field Runtime: 11.1 hrs
Approximately 11.1 hours of continuous field operation at ~75% rated power on a full tank (23 gal / 87.1 L).
Estimated 75% Load Fuel Burn~2.1 gal/hr (7.9 L/hr)
Engine Crankcase Oil
SAE 15W-40 (Heavy Duty Diesel)
Standard Spec: API CK-4 / CJ-4 Heavy Duty
Service Interval: 150 – 250 Hours
Transmission & Hydraulic System
UTTO (Universal Tractor Transmission Oil)
Standard Spec: ISO VG 46 / 68 (Wet Brake & Trans Compatible)
Service Interval: 600 – 1000 Hours
Engine Cooling System
50/50 Ethylene Glycol Pre-mix
Standard Spec: ASTM D6210 / Heavy-Duty OAT Antifreeze
Service Interval: 2 Years / 1500 Hours
Massey Harris Massey-Harris 44 Special Specification Unit Converter
Convert power, fluid capacities, and operating weights between metric and imperial standards for Massey Harris Massey-Harris 44 Special.
Converted Equivalents:
Horsepower (HP)40 hp
Kilowatts (kW)29.8 kW
Metric Horsepower (PS / CV)40.6 PS
Direct Competitor Comparison
Compare Massey-Harris 44 Special against same-era industry alternatives in the same horsepower class.
Current Model
Massey Harris
Massey-Harris 44 Special
Engine Power:Diesel (listed): 40 hp / 29.8 kW
★ Baseline Reference
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