Massey-Harris was founded in Newcastle, Ontario, Canada, as a blacksmithery in the mid-1800s. As it evolved into an agricultural equipment manufacturer, just one product was missing from its repertoire: a tractor. The company tried to acquire tractor makers, and it tried making tractors, but its efforts coincided with tough financial conditions either at Massey itself, or in the economy generally. The company was selling Wallis tractors as a dealer when it bought JJ Case Plow Works in 1928; Case owned Wallis, and just like that, Massey finally had its tractor. As the market matured, the support system around horses dissipated, raising costs for smaller farmers. Manufacturers stepped into the breach, including Farmall with its Cub, John Deere with its Model L – and Massey-Harris with its “four horsemen”: the Pony, the Pacer, the Colt, and the Mustang. Here on eBay is an example of the smallest of these, a 1950 Pony, equipped with a sickle bar mower. It’s located in Colonial Heights, Virginia, and it’s priced at $3750.
Massey eventually merged with Ferguson, but during the duration of Pony production, it was sold as a Massey-Harris, except for a very few examples painted grey and branded as Fergusons. The Pony weighs less than 1900 lbs in operating trim and sits on a 66″ wheelbase. It’s powered by a 10 hp one-liter Continental four-cylinder paired with a three-speed manual gearbox. Top speed is about 11 mph. The pedal-actuated band brakes operate on the rear drums. Ponys are two-wheel drive, as were all the “horsemen”. This example has new tires and a new battery.
A bare metal seat is centered at the rear of the tractor, with an easy sight line past the engine cover. If a buyer stepped up to the Pacer, that seat was padded. That sickle bar mower might cut a little hay, but the Pony will be hard-pressed to haul a baler! More than 28,000 Pony tractors were made; shop manuals and some parts are available.
The headlights and the single tail lamp are about the only modern items on this vintage Pony other than its tires. If you are inclined toward tractor collecting, the Pony is a great starter machine, and this one might even be useful around a small farm. What about you – have you ever been tempted to add a tractor to your garage?
Headlites for that extra long shift in the field. MF was a respected name up here in the day 🍁 🚜