The Massey-Harris 55 was the most powerful of the four tractors in the final pre-merger generation, rated at 55 horsepower. Introduced immediately after the Second World War, it was replaced in 1956 by the restyled 555 as part of the triple series that remained in production until 1958.
Massey-Harris 55 at a glance
| Maker | Massey-Harris Limited, Canada |
|---|---|
| Type | farm tractor |
| Series | final Massey-Harris generation, introduced immediately after World War II |
| Power | 55 hp |
| Siblings | M-H 22 (25 hp), M-H 33 (35 hp), M-H 44 (45 hp) |
| Position in the range | the most powerful of the four models |
| Replaced | 1956, by the M-H 555 |
| Successor series | the triple series 333, 444 and 555 |
| Successor equipment | power steering, live power take-off and hydraulics |
| Successor styling | new hood, chrome trim on grille and hood, different colour scheme |
| Triple series production | until 1958 |
There is no Wikipedia page for the M-H 55 itself; the model is described in the Massey-Harris company history on English and German Wikipedia.
History of the Massey-Harris 55
Top of the post-war range
The last generation of Massey-Harris tractors was introduced immediately after the Second World War in four power steps: the 25 hp M-H 22, the 35 hp M-H 33, the 45 hp M-H 44 and the 55 hp M-H 55. The 55 was the largest and most powerful of them, the model for farms that needed the most pulling power the company could offer at the time.
A company at its height
The 55 was launched in the years when Massey-Harris was one of the strongest names in harvesting machinery: after the Harvest Brigade of 1944–45, combine manufacture had become its main business, and in the 1950s it was the market leader in self-propelled combines, with 51% of the US market in 1951. The tractor range was the other half of that business, and the 55 stood at its top.
The 555 and the triple series
In 1953 Massey-Harris merged with Harry Ferguson Limited. In 1956 the 33, 44 and 55 were replaced by the 333, 444 and 555, commonly called the triple series. The new tractors were mechanically similar to their predecessors but carried new styling: a slightly different hood design, chrome trim on the grille and hood, and a different colour scheme. They were also available with power steering, live power take-off and hydraulics. The triple series remained in production until 1958.
Design and features
- 55 hp: the most powerful engine in the post-war Massey-Harris range.
- Top of four: the largest of the 22, 33, 44 and 55 generation.
- Harvesting-era company: built when Massey-Harris led the market in self-propelled combines.
- 555 successor: replaced in 1956 by a restyled, mechanically similar tractor.
- Triple-series equipment: the successor could be ordered with power steering, live power take-off and hydraulics.
Massey-Harris 55 versions
- M-H 55 (55 hp): the standard model of the post-war generation.
- M-H 555 (1956): the successor in the triple series, with new hood and chrome trim.
- M-H 22, 33 and 44: the smaller tractors of the same generation, of 25, 35 and 45 hp.
- M-H 50 (1955): the 30 hp model based on the Ferguson TO-35, also sold as the F-40.
The smaller tractors of the same generation are the M-H 44 and the M-H 22. The early range included the Pony, and the combines of the period are described with the No. 21. More machines are in the Massey-Harris collection.
Video: Massey harris 55 with a 390 V8 Pulling tractor
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Massey Ferguson, English Wikipedia: post-war series, triple series, market share
- Massey-Harris, German Wikipedia: Harvest Brigade, merger of 1953
