Rebuilt Massey Has "Speeds To Spare"

Rebuilt Massey Has "Speeds To Spare" TRACTORS Modifications 28-6-18 When George Boe's old Massey Harris 55 gave up the ghost, he replaced the worn-out engine with a Ford truck V-8 that gave it more power than ever. Adding a truck transmission while keeping the old tractor trannie quadrupled his speeds and gave him a super creeper gear, too. "I had four speeds in the old Massey and four in the truck transmission," explains Boe. "By hooking them together, I ended up with four ranges that have four gears in each range." Boe installed the engine and transmission from an overhauled 1960 Ford truck that had seen little use. To fit the larger engine, he added a 24-in. frame and hood extension to support the radiator and grill. He also added a heavy grill guard to protect the new nose on the tractor. "I took the bell housing and clutch out of the Massey and used the Ford clutch and bell housing with the transmission," says Boe. "I took the universal out of the truck and made a short connection on the shaft of the Massey to connect to the truck transmission shaft." Boe found he had to shave the bell housing a little to fit the frame of the Massey. An experienced welder, he made new motor mounts for the V-8. When he was finished with the mechanical work, he painted it Massey colors. "I always felt the Massey transmission was a little fast for doing field work," he explains. "Adding the Ford transmission gives it more power at slower speeds. It has untold pulling power, and I can zip on the highway or really creep." Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, George Boe, 7602 State 200 NE, Remer, Minn. 56672-4528 (ph218 566-2623).

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