44 Row Crop and 44 Special

Is there anything different between these two besides the engine??

The Special seems to have a higher cubic inch displacement and higher compression ratio than the 44 Row Crop.

Am I correct here?

Don't really know. We had a 44 special diesel. It had live hydraulics.Pretty sure 44's didn't.

Most 44's had steel rear rim centers. the special had cast centers.

There are differences:

277 cu engine
Cast wheels and disk brakes standard.
I think the hydraulic pump had higher output and cultivator lift had positioner.

Dad has a 44 Special Diesel, cast wheel centers front and back, friction hand throttle are the most noted updates. Most had three point hitch too with a heavier cylinder, follow up valve linkage. Could have the right diff disconnect clutch for live PTO as an option like other 44s had.

Disc brakes were only used on the tractors with live PTO option, dad's still has the drum/shoe brakes.

Thanks,

I have a RC with them, thought they were standard on special.

I have one of each, they are almost completely different tractors. 277 engine vs 260 in a 44 and a little more compression, rated HP at 1500 vs 1350 on the 44. The special will out pull the 44 by a bunch!! On the engine, same manifold and carb, different cyl. head, same clutch etc. front frame I believe was thicker and heavier, same drum brakes as the 44 and hand clutch was an option and came with disc brakes. The hydraulic pump on the 44 was 7.25 gpm vs 10 gpm on the special, the hydraulic tank filler neck on the special stuck up through the grill and was exposed, on the 44 it was under with a cap in the hole, the hyd. lines were different on the special and the relief valve was in a casting under the dash, the under seat cylinder for the special was way heavier than the 44, same as the 444. The steering wheel stand was different and the seat stand was completely different on the special. The platform with fenders was wider and adjustable on the special, the fenders had tubes to run the wires through to the lights on the special, the fuel filler was on the rear of the tank on the special, the shifter has a different bend in it,and had a metal protecter over the boot with a shift patterm stamped into it, and when on the seat and driving they sit a little higher and have a whole different feel. I think the cast wheels were standard equip. both front and rear, I believe all 44's and specials from 53 on had the friction throttle back up on the steering wheel. When you get the two side by side they are a completely different horse, I like using the special better.

Mike,

Where in MN? If you're not too far away, I'd like to stop by and see yours close up if it's OK with you.

my email is open here.

Is the cam different on the special?

I can't answer that, would have to get in a parts book and look it up. I have interchanged the heads and that works fine, my guess would be that they are the same. The heads are a little shorter on the 277 and so are the push rods, but they will interchange. the sleeves will not interchange from a 277 to a 260 even though the cubic inch is the same,(260 overbore kit to 277) and the main bearings are different, the thrust on the 277 is on the center main, the rod bearings are the same.

Using the special today and noticed a couple of more things different from a 44, the cover over the rear end is cast and has a vent cap that screws off and is also the filler, the 44 has a steel plate cover and the vent is up through the tube that holds the steering wheel shaft, completely hidden but works fine. The special also has a hydraulic filter behind the grill in the return line. Very late 52 and both 44's and specials had an oval hyd. tank with a larger capacity than the earlier Massey's, they were a round can, just a couple more items.