Massey Harris 40
Series: Other models
The Massey Harris 40 is a small tractor from the loosely grouped series of historic Massey‑Harris tractors. It was built by Massey Harris, a company formed from the merger of Canadian agricultural machine manufacturers. The model does not belong to a clearly defined family but is part of the early and post‑war models that also include the Big Bull, Pony and Pacer.
The 40 is equipped with a 4‑cylinder engine with a displacement of 11 403 cm³ and a rated power of 20.3 hp (14.9 kW) at 680 rpm. Water cooling provides stable operating temperatures, while the dry weight of 5 352 kg and dimensions of 4 394 mm length by 2 075 mm width result in moderate ground pressure. Rear‑wheel drive and a 2‑forward‑gear/2‑reverse‑gear transmission give sufficient gearing for field work, with a top speed of 5 km/h.
Since no direct sibling comparison is provided, the Massey Harris 40 is typically used for light field tasks, horticultural work and small transport duties. Its compact size and low top speed make it suitable for operations in confined areas, and the robust construction combined with relatively low weight makes it appropriate for use on soft ground.
Massey Harris – other models: collective page of tractors outside the named ranges, from the Big Bull to the Pony and Pacer, 8.2 to 34 kW, kerosene, petrol and diesel engines
This page gathers the Massey Harris tractors the register could not assign to a named range – from early large tractors such as the Big Bull to the compact post-war Pony and Pacer models. Massey Harris was formed in 1891 from the merger of the Canadian farm-equipment makers Massey and Harris in Toronto, before the company merged in 1953 with Harry Ferguson's tractor firm to form Massey-Ferguson. TWIN POWER-CHALLENGER and TWIN POWER-PACEMAKER refer to the engageable two-speed PTO reduction. The entry TE-A-20 belongs to the licence-built Ferguson TE-20, briefly sold under the Massey name too in the transitional years after the merger.
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The register lists here 29 versions with 8.2 to 34 kW from two- to six-cylinder engines of 1,021 to 11,403 cm³, unladen weights of 857 to 5,352 kg, lengths of 2,520 to 4,394 mm, widths of 1,422 to 2,075 mm and heights of 1,346 to 2,080 mm; rated speeds range from 750 to 1,800 rpm. Engines came from Massey Harris itself, from Continental and Perkins, and from Chrysler; many early models were started on petrol and switched to cheaper kerosene once warm.
Between the world wars and through the 1940s Massey Harris was among the leading tractor makers of North America and Britain; the sturdy Pony and Pacer tractors served as affordable entry models and were exported to Europe too. The merger into Massey-Ferguson in 1953 ended independent model development.
When buying used, the condition of the cooling system and head gasket, rust on the mudguards and toolbox, and the function of the mechanical PTO and belt pulley matter most. Parts for Massey Harris engines often overlap with early Massey-Ferguson and Ferguson stock; wiring and the carburettor are the most common weak points on the older petrol and kerosene models.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Massey Harris (weitere Modelle)
Technical data
Engine
| Power | 20.3 hp (14.9 kW)correct |
|---|---|
| Rated speed | 680 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 4correct |
| Displacement | 11,403 cm³correct |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 4,394 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,075 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 5,352 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel driveWDcorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 2 V/2 Rcorrect |
| Forward gears | 2correct |
| Reverse gears | 2correct |
| Top speed | 5 km/hcorrect |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 2.8 kW/t (15 kW / 5.4 t)
Power class: Compact (< 40 hp)
Stronger than 7% of the tractors in the register — out of 15,663 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the Massey Harris 40 have?
The Massey Harris 40 delivers 20.3 hp.
How much does the Massey Harris 40 weigh?
The unladen weight is 5,352 kg.
What engine does the Massey Harris 40 have?
4 cylinders, 11,403 cm³ displacement.
How fast does the Massey Harris 40 go?
Top speed is 5 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the Massey Harris 40?
4,394 mm × 2,075 mm.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Shift the gearbox cold and warm — jumps only show up at temperature.
- Load the hydraulics and watch for sag.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
We do not sell machines. We ask the dealers who carry this model and come back with price and lead time.
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This page carries 15 individual figures for this model. They come from 2 recorded sources; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
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Other models in this series
30
744
745
745/745 S
BIG BULL
CHALLENGER (CH)
COLT-21
GENERAL PURPOSE (GP)
MH-25
MODELL-GG
MUSTANG-23
PACEMAKER (PA)
Sources: Tractor & Construction Plant Wiki (retrieved August 2026) · Wikibooks Traktorenlexikon (CC BY-SA 4.0) (retrieved September 2026) · How we check the data
Tractor in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.
