Massey Harris 44 Special First Start Plus a Surprise 

Hahahaha....I don't know about the second one Bob, but the one REAL Special is really gonna be nice to have for heavier pulling !! She sounds pretty darn good so far.

I didn't expect EITHER of those things to happen. I WAS a happy camper to find it an easy start though !! The whole assembly has to come off and be disassembled to make the repair. I might have a spare down in the woods though.

Hahahahaha....Jeff, the only thing better than a working old tractor is TWO working old tractors!! LOL Thanks for the kudos my friend.

Like I said, a surprise on TWO points !! Yes, I have been 'lubed up' quite a number of times. The most with the old backhoe hoses.

Well, at least I delivered on the 'surprise' !! Thanks Jan for having a laugh with me on the oil leak.

Hahahahaha...I was quite surprised at the shower of oil. I still have to get into it to see if its a blown pump gasket or a split case. There IS some old brazing showing at the bottom of the cylinder assembly though. Thanks Ozzie for the visit today.

Hahahahaha....it sure WAS Mike, but it really wasn't a wanted one that time....LOL

Good morning young man !! Long time no talk to. I'm sure all is well with you and your Massey and mill, though I have to admit I've not stopped in too often for a while. Yes, the pump puts out pretty good on this old 44 !! I hope to get it under control soon.

I think the styling of the 44 was perfect Curtis. The combination of the Massey red and the straw yellow of the wheels was striking indeed. Of course fans of the 'other red' tractors may disagree. LOL This is my all time favorite tractor and the reason for the '44' in Tractorman44 !!

First I was quite shocked to find it fire up so easily MIke, and the second surprise was however, bigger than the first !! I only expected a drip, drip, drip leak. Not a rooster tail of oil flying at me like that !! Mostly missed the camera luckily.

I usually only move that quick when there's red wasps involved Nelson, or bumble bees !! LOL Yes, it was a double your pleasure double your fun moment there for sure !! I guess its a good thing these wheels won't fit the Ford.....smile, wink, wink.... Hahahahaha. Thanks for hanging around for the fun today my friend.

@@tractorman4461 Man yeah, I know that feeling...mine or yellow jackets for sure, 🤣🤣🤣🤣 Yes sir good thing that they won't fit😉😉😉 Yes sir always, enjoy it alot!!

@@Pennies_on_the_dollar Well, now that you mention it I'm not too fond of snakes either. LOL Take care down in the Carolina's this week.

@@tractorman4461 🤦🤦 I heard that!!! Thank you sir, gonna be miserable 100 Tuesday 😢😢

Yes, a surprise for sure !! First order of business will be to drag that assembly out from under the seat. The hydraulic pump and control valve on the Special is entirely different from the plain jane 44's. I think I have a spare on a parts Special down in the woods. I can't wait to get this thing out and doing something !!

Good Morning Martin....yes the old gal seems to enjoy throwing oil all over me !! But fool me once......LOL But it DID fire up pretty easily for sure.

There's is one positive about prescription glasses....I have a reasonable level of eye protection all day long Mark... But oily residue is difficult to clear from eyeglass lens and camera lens as well. And that day, I had to do BOTH !!

One more 'SURPRISE' and I was gonna ask if you was Gomer Pyle reincarnated....LOL Btw, you never did tell me if you were making a trip back this summer or not....McDonalds has a coffee waiting on me to buy for you.

You are more than welcome Glen. And thank YOU once again for hanging in there for another go round with some old machinery.

Yes mon ami, the 44 IS the most venerable and well received Massey of all the models. The 55 had a lot more power, but not nearly as nimble as the 44. Now its on to making the repairs so this old gal can do some good around here !! I hope the engine turns out to be as good as it sounds right now Dave.

@@tractorman4461 I'm pretty sure that engine as a lot do give around you Sir Cheers !!!

I'm hoping Don, that this will become another reliable daily driver. I needed a little more horsepower than the little 30's and not as cumbersome as the big old Ollie 88 with the wide front end.

Yes Reg, you can expect this old gal to be in the background of a lot of upcoming videos.....I hope at least. I couldn't run it too long with the pump shooting out all the oil so quick. Don't want to run the pumps too low or empty and this one got real close real quick !!

@@tractorman4461 It sure did 'blast' out, I even ducked here. :)

@@regsparkes6507 Like I told Nelson above...I usually only move that fast if wasps or bumble bees are involved !! LOL

You better believe it. Loads of torque. I'd love to find a 44 Standard with Wheatland fenders or maybe a 44 D.

I didn’t know they had diesels ? Were the continentals…….ours was gas till the rod popped out of the block

@@b.p.650 Yes, they were essentially the same engine, except diesel burners.I think the 444 diesels were a bigger bore and the 745 in Europe ran Perkins diesels. I've only seen one 745 here in America at a show that was featuring Massey's. The 44 Specials had the same 260 cube Continental, but it also had other amenities over the standard 44, like cast wheel centers, roller drawbars and oversized hydraulics. The 444's sported the 277 cubic in block when running gas, so I have to assume its the same 277 for diesel as well. I just cannot remember for sure.

Hahahaha....yep, I got 'hosed' all right !! Good one. LOL I did buy it right though, so I've got nothing to complain about. I can either fix this or replace it with a spare assemble off of a parts tractor down in the woods. Yes, now I know what it will look like with a 'clear coat' covering !!

@@tractorman4461 😁

Yes its gonna be staying here a while for sure Terry. I just hope nothing internal shows up in the engine. On the surface though she sounds real good for sure.

David, there isn't much that irritates me about RU-vid more than a clickbait title or picture !! I was hoping for an easy first start because the young man I got it from said he had it running last year. And he DID tell be I'd have to fix the leak under the seat. Understatement....LOL

Hahahahaha....methinks you are correct David !! Thanks for the chuckle this morning. Thanks for watching yet another silly adventure my friend.

Just like the title said....proving it wasn't just a 'clickbait' title. LOL Most everyone that's been around old iron knows the feeling of wearing oil soaked clothes all day long from an early morning soaking. LOL

@@tractorman4461 My JD B wasn't turning over one time so I took out the plugs and turned the flywheel by hand. Surprise! Cylinder was full of gas. Yeah, they hold a lot of gas! Thankfully, the magneto didn't fire and spark the plug wire closest to me. Oil soaked all day is kinda ok but gas, that's another story. 😂😂😂

@@1lilfarm Hahahahaha....nowadays that'd be about fifty bucks a cylinder with jugs like the B has !! Reminds me of the gas cap on one of the chainsaws failing to stay in place...it falls off the tank and soaks one leg to the ankle in two seconds !! And there's almost ALWAYS a fire going to burn the brush at the edge of the field. Jus' sayin' LOL I can relate... (-;

Hahahaha...didn't have any mosquitoes land on me for the afternoon either Tom !! LOL. I had to clean the lens and the screen on the camera, but it could've been a lot worse with a direct hit. Got lucky on that one. LOL You two too, have a great day guys.

Yeah Doc, I've been oil soaked a time or two myself. At least my clothes didn't get it this time !! The Missus might've banished me to the creek with a bottle of Dawn detergent !!

@@tractorman4461 creek isn't bad. I live right next to the Missouri river. It's pretty fast for bathing. Lol

@@martinbenton742 Better have a grab hook stuck in the seat of your pants then....LOL I'm five miles by the crow's flight from the Big Muddy Mississipi !!

Aw heck Bobby, I don't mind it at all if you got a good chuckle our of the minor 'set back'. LOL I am just glad the fancy Nikon was just off to the side a bit of the main direction of the oil spray.

Depending on the soil and depth setting, the 44 Special should be capable of pulling 4-14's...especially in really good soil. I think the most comfortable fit would be a set of 3-14's for most all soils but clay. We ran 3-12's on our old plain 44's day in and day out pulling in 3rd gear. Back then they were drag plows, we had no three point set ups at all. But yes, this old gal sounds surprisingly good so far.

So far, so good Doug. Just got to get the time to get on the little dribble under the seat.....

A fella just can't have too many tractors my friend !! I have a buddy that has a router for every bit in his wood shop so it stands to reason to have a tractor for each implement. Good thinking....LOL.

@@tractorman4461 didn't end up getting it, made a sensible offer, but he wasn't budging. Will keep looking.

@@oilyragsgarage7200 One thing about it my friend, there is always another one around the corner !! LOL

Me dijeron que estaba funcionando el verano pasado. Estaba deseando un comienzo fácil.

Hahahahaha....good one Steve. It almost looks like a clear coat job now !! Of course a few days of rain will make a big difference on the oily film.

They are a very good tractor. I'll help with whatever I can as I see your replies....If you get gas, but it still doesn't fire, you'll have to carefully remove the distributor CAP, rotor and dust plate if it has one....and gently run a piece of sand paper through the points. They draw a bit of oxidation when sitting and inhibit the spark. Make sure to pay attention to the orientation of the cap, rotor and dust plate during disassembly. Don't force the old bakelite parts, they may crack easily. Sand paper isn't the best, but you won't have an actual 'points file' which is the proper tool to use. Of course if it fires after you get gas to it, you don't have to worry about cleaning the points.

@@tractorman4461 ok...its Monday and I took off the fuel line and removed the whole fuel gizmo (sediment cup, filter and housing) and even after I re.oved the whole thing, not a drop of fuel leaked out and there is 1/8th of a tank in there so there should be leakage. Then there is a wing nut screw to the left of the fuel housing and I unscrewed it as far as it would go but it didn't come ot all the way. So then I examined the filter housing that I unbolted from the bottom of the fuel tank and I don't see a hole or means of fuel delivery, so I'm thinking it's right plugged. I've got a video and took pictures and I'm hoping that You Tube will allow me to post a picture here.

Dang, no pictures allowed. Ok, well I have the fuel housing from under the gas tank in my hand and I'm gonna gently scrap around and clean and see if it's just plugged solid and I may take a screwdriver and try to push it into the gas tank where the fuel housing sat. Maybe that's just plugged solid?

@@tractorman4461I made a video to show what I'm.looking at here and trying to describe. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gFvjsxzd-PM.html

@@wescragg5129 I found your video and left a good start on a comment.

Hahahaha....I give a jab ever now and then towards the 'green' crowd. All in good fun though. My Much Older Brother likes to poke 'em too, even though he has a good 301 and an old 70 that was given to him. Both good runners. He was poking fun at one JD fan about only being able to get the 301 run on THREE cylinders. Poor guy was giving all sorts of things to check to get it running right.....my brother just grinned and let 'im talk.

Knowing Massey fairly well and, being a Collector along with the other Red line, You’re doing very well with Your Vids.

I should say that He has a 444 not had. It’s a keeper for Him.

@@Corvacar Hahaha...I search for and use the wrong word sometimes myself !! I'd say the 444 is probably a late model, near to the time they bought Harry Ferguson and combined to become Massey Ferguson. They are very good long stroke engines, high torque as well. I'm sure the intention is to keep it in the family for a long long time. I still have my dad's favorite Massey...I can never remember if its a '39 or a '41 101 Super. Six banger and smooth running, short stroke and higher rpm and around 50 cubic inches smaller than the 444.

We had two plain 44's and one of them had the trip bucket for loading the manure pile annually. I think my older brother still has the old loader over at his place. With the narrow front, it got 'interesting' by the time the pile was exhausted. Tires would ball up and the ground slick as snot. Steering was mostly by the brakes then.

@@tractorman4461 we had a set of chains . It was used for manure and moving snow. The narrow fronts are a different beast with a bucket on them.

@@backachershomestead No words ever spoken carried more truth my friend. With a loaded bucket, they could be a real bear without power steering even on good solid gound !! Of course I'm not telling you anything you don't already know....(-;

I'm thinking the gasket between the surfaces of the control valve/pump assembly blew out. I noticed the accessory hydrauling set of lines were hanging disconnected. I think the way this one is piped, they should have been connected in a loop. I think the pump deadheaded and blew the weakest point and the gasket went before one of the hoses.

Hahahaha...that was an unexpected oil bath for sure. I really hate getting soaked like that. But yes, new hoses are always a good idea. Most of these old things have the original hoses still...and even if its a '56 model they are 65 years old. Good luck with your Special. Great tractors. I'm looking at another one as soon as the weather breaks, if for nothing else, just for the good rubber !!

You're right about it being a cold spray Bruce, and luckily it was only my arms and not my clothes !! That might've made the Missus unhappy. LOL

It really became obvious really quick Pat !! LOL Even a bad mechanic can troubleshoot this one......

@@tractorman4461 so which one of the three stooges did you feel like!😂😅😂😅😂

The straight 44 has a 260 cu in whereas the Specials have the 277 cu in engine. Both Continental engines. The tire sizes were the same, usually 13.6 or 14.9-38's. The Specials also had the cast centers on all four wheels whereas the 44 usually came stock with the stamped steel. The Specials had an oversized hydraulic cylinder because many of them were fitted with Massey Harris's version of the category 2 Three point lift. The regular 44's usually had a lighter duty cylinder because they were fitted with a 'rock shaft' for cultivators, a loader or maybe a mounted cornpicker. Some 44's had three point, but most I think were drawbar fitted for drag equipment. So many of the parts have been switched and interchanged over the years though, that you will see all combinations. I hope that helped you with the 44 vs 44 Special information Keith !! Thanks for the question. The 22 was a neat little stamp framed tractor with the F140 Continental. The exact engine that was in the mid-age 101 Junior. The 22's were fitted many times with a category 1 Three point lift. Neat little tractors.

Thanks so much for taking the time to give me a detailed response I love Those tractors and I love information but anyway keep that old iron running Sir!

Yessir, an old rock and roll song comes to mind. Slip Slidin' Away....!! Unfortunately its not the first hydraulic shower. Several shower surprises at the hands of the old back hoe too. DaveyJO, I gotta be slicker than that to slip through the capable hands of the Missus !! Yessir, enjoying my hot black coffee right along with you this morning my friend. Stay cool this week....calling for three days over 100 down here.

@@tractorman4461 Wow! May be you’d better get sprayed again so you’ll tan nice and pretty like, eh? Yep, I’m Tippin & Sippin your way again! Godda catch up for noJO last night! I also sent you a pic of Jenny and I on email. We watched you old tools in your shop video so she had to display my Boy Scout hatchet and me my CuppaJO! A Fine Sunday my Friend and a Nice Sunday Squeeze for the Missus Please! DaveyJO

@@daveyjoweaver6282 Thank you DaveyJO for the pic....I'll go check my email soon as I get done with all the fine comments from everyone !!

The factory loader was not difficult to mount at all, but they were not a good loader for function. Cumbersome and not good for much.....now bear in mind that is only my opinion. I added power steering to one of my other 44's and it wasn't too difficult. Not having any hydraulic implements, I've never had to add remotes Bryce, but I wouldn't thing its too difficult.

That's cool. Pass the tradition down to another generation !! I love it. Thanks for the added input.

Well Eric, the young fella did tell me he had it running last year and that I would have to find out where that oil was coming from under the seat.....he just didn't tell me it would be so MUCH oil ! That's why I just serviced the sediment bowl and tried it. Yeah, nothing like busting a back hoe line right on the boom cylinder in front of your face !! BTDT.

Hahahahaha....!! You're killin' me here. Good one....I love it !!

In a word Matt: NO. Hahahahaha...seriously it wasn't too bad. I was so happy to see it fire up with so little effort that a little milky oil was quite acceptable !!

Yes Blake, it WAS a tad of a leak.....plus some !! LOL

I think the Missus might've sent me to the creek with some Dawn detergent if I'd have soaked my clothes down again !! Yes, I am glad the oil was ambient temperature too. It could have been worse, but we don't want to think about that. No matter though, I've been oil soaked before and probably will again !!

@@tractorman4461 more than likely. We have a 54 Ferguson Massey. Rebuilt it, starts right up. Love it

@@deniseluckenbach3856 That's cool. If its a '54, that was right after Massey Harris bought out Harry Ferguson...so it may be one of the first ones built. If so it may be a MHF or Massey Harris Ferguson as they were known for the first couple years. All good tractors for sure. I'm glad you have it and glad that you are enjoying owning it !!

Yessir, the triple 4's and diesels would be welcome to live here !! I've never owned either of them. We had straight 44 row crops on the farm and not even a special like this one. Power spread rims are awesome too. Its hard to see in the video, but the alternator is wrapped in rubber so it kinda looks at a glance like the Autolite generator. But it really is an actual Delco one wire alternator. I have the original 12v generator that came on the tractor. The previous owner gave it to me with the tractor. Thanks for adding your own 44 experiences my friend !!

Hahahahaha.....now see, THAT's funny !! I like to look on the good side of things myself. LOL. On a side note, my Dad sprayed WD-40 on his aching knees. Swore it helped them feel better.

Sure, try whpete44@gmail.com. I'll keep an eye out for it because I don't usually check email daily unless I'm really expecting one. When I do check, there's usually about 300/day that are there. I don't know if I can help you, but if I can I sure will.

Hot dang Jason, she sure was trying to change her own oil !!

Mess with old stuff and ya gotta expect some failures.....That's just the way it goes Conrad. LOL At least the motor sounds pretty good and I hope it stays that way too !!