Here is a nice picture of the rear of a Challenger pulling a mower. Don't know what model it is, looks like a No.6 but is the earlier tin cover over the back and much different wheel mounts, possibly a No. 5? or 4?  if they made one?? not sure don't know much about mowers. Don't know what he is cutting but it is very tall. Must have had a cultivator on the tractor at one time as I see a bracket on the hitch for it. No muffler on this one...
Joe

Here is a nice close up picture of some gears. I believe it is of a MH ground driven binder, there are some numbers in a circle with an arrow possibly from a parts book? Whats up with the color? it appears to be grey? 
Joe

Here is another great photo of a Massey Harris No 8 horse drawn hay rake. I don't believe i've ever saw a No 8 but there are alot of No 11s around yet. 
Joe

These excellent photos were taken very professionally with a very good camera back in their day Joe.

The "M-H ground driven binder" looks identical to my M-H No 7 binder (Maize here in England or Corn across your side of the Atlantic) 

This photograph with the way the numbers are circled and arrows pointing to the parts reminded me of a conversation I had many years ago here in England at a show, I met a gentleman who had been involved with M-H and later M-H-F, his role was to write the instruction and parts books, he told me a machine or tractor had to be partly dismantled before it could be photographed and then his work begun in writing how to repair it and he was specific in mentioning the numbering of the diagrams etc. I just wish some of these guys were still around to discuss these topics further.

So what I personally believe is your photo of the No 7 binder is in this process and possibly not been finished painted until it would be finally assembled, hence why you see it in primer.

Anyone else heard of how the instruction books were compiled? 

 

Malcolm,
I would say you are 100% right on the explaination of the repair manual or possibly parts book or operator's manual theory and it being in primer yet. I just love looking these old photos over and analyzing them for learning more about what we don't already know...
Joe

Here is another great photo of a N0 27 plow being pulled by a 101 Jr? 101 Sr? or 101 Super? 
Joe

He needs to get that plow in the ground!!

John,
Here is a really cool picture of a Challenger plowing. Is it deep enough for you with the furrow lift? Has anyone out there ever seen a Challenger with the front mount cultivator beam holder on an angle like this? Also notice the radiator cap, it is the earlier flip top. Never seen this on a Challenger, also love the knobby tires.
Joe

You continue to post quality original photo's Joe.

I am struggling to keep up with you, but want to point out on the last photo of the very early Green Challenger it shows the "Massey-Harris" lettering on the side of the hood rather than the later and more familiar "Challenger", this is sometimes seen in early advertising. Also interesting to note the earlier drawbar and driver platform plus the magneto is NOT a U4, but a base mount Bosch.

Going back even further and the thread discussion regarding the rear semi mounted mower on the Challenger and your question on the Models No 4 and 5 and the more familar No 6 which here in England was a 706.
I checked all my brochures this weekend and they definately manufactured a No 5 Semi Mounted Mower, so far no mention of a No 4. 
Attached copies of the brochure and note the tyre pattern, identical to your photo.

Keep them rolling Joe.

Malcolm,

I'm glad you are enjoying this thread! Your not the only one, I even heard from Alan Harris as he is watching it and enjoying it also. After you mentioned about the No 5 mower brochure, I looked through some of my brochures in my Massey Harris rack and had a big suprise when I looked at the No 8 delivery rake tedder brochure. The same exact picture I posted about 4 posts back with the man on horses pulling the No 8 hay rake was in this brochure! Yes, it is the very same exact picture! Massey must have given some of these photos to the dealers early on to help promote their products. Or possibly this Herda dealership was working with Massey at the time and took some of the pictures there and used them in the Massey brochures. Either way this thread is stirring up alot of thoughts..
Joe