The Massey-Harris Model 81 was a two-plow small-farm tractor built by Massey-Harris (later Massey Ferguson) from 1941-1948.[1] Introduced to replace Massey's General GG,[1] the 81 was paired with the Model 82 (which used kerosene, or tractor vaporizing oil {TVO}, as it was known in Britain)[2] and was very similar to the Model 101 Junior,[1] which first appeared in 1939.[3] It was offered in standard-tread and row-crop versions, as was the Model 20 that followed it. The Model 81 was joined in 1946 by the Model 20,[4] both of which survived in production until 1948.[1][4]
| Massey-Harris Model 81 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | agricultural |
| Manufacturer | Massey-Harris |
| Production | 1941-1948 |
| Length | 119 inches |
| Height | 58 inches |
| Weight | 2,895 lbs. |
| Propulsion | wheels |
Pricing
editWith a base price of around C$800,[5] it was competitive with the C$900 John Deere A.[1] and less than Ford and Ferguson-Brown models of the period.[5]
Weight
editThe bare weight without ballast[4] was 2,600 lb (1,170 kg),[1] some 1,100 lb {580 kg} less than the contemporary Model 30.[4]
Engines
editThe 81 used the same 124 in3 (2,031 cc)[1][6] engine of the 101 Junior, while the 82 used a 140 in3 (2,293 cc) model.[1] The 124 in3 was rated at 21 hp (15.7 kW) at the belt,[1] and was manufactured by Continental, like all Massey-Harris tractors at the time.[4][6]
Use by Royal Canadian Air Force
editThe Royal Canadian Air Force used blue-painted standards as aircraft tugs,[1] out of under 2,600 standard-tread 81s made.[7]
References
editSources
edit- Pripps, Robert N. (2001). The big book of Massey tractors. Vancouver: Raincoast Books. ISBN 1-55192-423-4. OCLC 46991918.
Further reading
edit- Pripps, Robert N. The Big Book of Farm Tractors. Vancouver, BC: Raincoast Books, 2001. ISBN 1-55192-393-9.
- ______. The Field Guide to Vintage Farm Tractors. Stillwater, MN: Voyageur Press, 2001.
- ______. Vintage Ford Tractors. Stillwater, MN: Voyageur Press, 2001.
- Denison, Merrill. Harvest Triumphant: The Story of Massey-Harris. New York: Dodd Mead, 1949.
- Farnsworth, John. The Massey Legacy. Ipswich, Great Britain: Farming Press, 1997.
- Gay, Larry. Farm Tractors 1975-1995. Saint Joseph, MI: American Society of Agricultural Engineers, 1995.
- Wendel, C. H. Massey Tractors. Osceola, WI: Motorbooks International, 1992.
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