Massey Harris 44-6 in Branson
The month of August has been a busy one. We left Oklee on July 31st enroute to a couple family reunions on my wife’s side of the family. It is an August tradition for us. Their is lots of visiting, good food, and being several of Patty’s relatives are or were farmers-I always get in on some tractor talk!
This year at the conclusion of the reunions Patty’s immediate family headed for Branson, Missouri, to celebrate her parent’s 70th Anniversary, yes 70th! When I tell people this story they often say, “How old are they!?” Well, it is really noone’s business, the answer is 92 and 90! They spent 20 years in Arkansas when Leonard first retired and were only a few hours from Branson. It became a favorite spot for them. When we made it down to Arkansas to visit we often went to Branson with them to take in some shows. Their 60th anniversary and 65th anniversary were also celebrated in Branson. So, what does this have to do with tractor trivia you ask? I am getting there!
We spent time at the swimming pool, checked out many fun Branson restaurants for breakfast and supper, and of course, went to a few great show’s-including a ride on the Branson Belle. But, one of the excursions I took was a trip to the Branson Auto and Farm Museum. It was formerly called the The Branson Auto and Tractor Museum……maybe I have been there before!
They have slightly rearranged since my last visit and have some different exhibits, but it was very similar to last time. For a tractor guy it was once again fun.
In the museum there were some John Deeres, Farmalls, Allis Chalmers, Coops, Minneapolis Molines, but the one that happened to catch my eye was a Massey Harris 44-6. Now I used to own a 44 Massey Harris and have seen many I am not as familiar with a 44-6. My only experience was reading a ‘magazine’ my dad had from Swenson Equipment in Oklee, MN, advertising the Massey line-up of the day. In the magazine was a 44-6! Basically the main difference in the 2 tractors was the model 44 had a 4 cylinder engine and the 44-6 had, you guessed it a 6-cylinder engine. One reason I found was that Massey was trying capitalize on the smooth running power from the 6 cylinder engine. The 44-6 had a shorter production run than the straight 44 but it sure seems to be a tractor I would like to have! It was fun to see one in Branson and learn a little more about a fun Massey model!
How about a little tractor trivia.
1.Where were the 44 and 44-6 manufactured?
A) Minneapolis, MN B) Chicago, Illinois C) Racine, WIsconsin D) Milwaukee, WI
2.Both the 44 and 44-6 went in to production in 1947. What was the last year of production for the 44-6?
A) 1950 B) 1951 C) 1952 D) 1953
3. What kind of engine was used in both the 44 and 44-6 gas tractors?
A)Hercules B) Continental C) Massey Harris D) WIsconsin
4. Over 84,000 44 tractors were produced. How many 44-6s were made?
A)6657 B) 7500 C) 8500 D) 10,001
5.Besides the smoothness of the 6 cylinder engine mentioned above, what was another reason Massey made the 44-6?
Answers: 1. C. Racine 2. B. 1951 3. B. Continental 4. A. 6657 5. They had left over parts and engine from the 101 Senior model that used the 6 cylinder engine and stopped production in 1946.
Eric Mickelson
Green Magazine
RIchard's Publishing
Oklee, MN 56742
218-791-9157