I know there's some folks who aren't on facebook like the rest of us are....so these are for you...just some pictures I took whilst playing around with the 55 and 44 Special over the last few months...enjoy


ALSO....still on the hunt for a western/hillside 55

Dakota,
There's a nice one on Facebook for $5,000.00 in Burlington Wisconsin.
Joe

Appreciate it but I've talked to that feller already....yes it is nice but its got a BIG hole in the bell housing and was told the clutch is froze to pressure plate...still trying to figure out (I.) how he determined that and (II.) what happened for it to grenade and cause a big hole like that. Plus its been sitting a while so who knows what else is wrong with it...and think he's way too high. If it was running and driving, I'd have no problem with giving what he's asking. 

Oh well....the hunt continues...

Just one question how would you know it is a hill side?

I believe that is how they are listed in the book. Notice the wider arched front axle and also has the Hand clutch with wider rear tires.
Joe

Well for one it would say in the serial number with a "W" (where the wide axle designation comes from) and like Joe said....they are also called that in the book. I've also heard them referred to as wide axle/western/hillside. The one I have is a standard...big giveaway for a western is the arched front axle, bigger back rubber and yes, often a hand clutch...although I have seen one or two with a foot clutch, but think most were ordered with a hand clutch. Your riceland 55s had the same characteristics, just had more aggressive back rubber. 

Pictured below is my gas standard 55 and Roger Otermat's 55 western

Dakota,
What's up with this one? I believe this was owned by Dale Lawrence. It has the arched front axle and looks wider with the hand clutch. Was this an LP conversion? It should have a "B" in the serial tag if it were truely an LP right?
Joe

Dakota,

Not a 55 but here is another one you can salivate over as you are looking for a 55 Western. 
Joe

If I'm reading the serial number right, yes it should have a "B" in it for butane if it was a true factory LP....what I find really interesting is it says "GSH" which means gas standard hand clutch....it it was a true western or wide axle...it should read, 55GWH or gas western hand clutch. Wonder if somebody done some other swapping around whilst converting it to LP. 

I wouldn't mind having a 44 with a hand clutch...but I think those are going to be a bit harder to find...if I remember right Massey called those 44s wide axles. 

I believe that you will find that the early production 55 tractors did not have as many Letters involved with the serial numbers.  For example, my 55 diesel western is truly a Western/wide axle with the arched front axle and 23.1-26 rear tires/wheels, but its serial number is simply 55 DSH 1309.  Up until sometime during 1952 model year, each of the vaious configurations had their own set of serial numbers.  During 1952 Model year build, Massey switched over to serial numbers starting with 10,001, and from then forward all the different configurations used that serial number series.  At that time they also added the additional letter/number designations, including fuel type, standard or high altitude, chassis configuration, and clutch type. 

This is based on a combination of what I have observed and what is listed in Keith Oltrogge's Massey Tractor Data Book.  If any of you have concrete data and/or examples that prove this wrong, we would all love to see it!

I am also hopeful that somebody out there has a 1953 M-H 55 Western that will share their full serial number with us, so that we can see what letters were included used.

Thanks,

JB