David Brown Tractors: Inside Story

University of Nebraska - Lincoln University of Nebraska - Lincoln

DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln DigitalCommons@University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Nebraska Tractor Tests Tractor Test and Power Museum, The Lester F. Larsen

January 1978

David Brown Tractors: Inside Story David Brown Tractors: Inside Story

Nebraska Tractor Test Lab University of Nebraska-Lincoln, [email protected]

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Spring Lane Mill,Holmfirth, Extanf

Bobbin Mill- now DBTEngine Test Section

Bobbin Reel Mill- now DBTEngine Machine Shop

I¥Mellham Gas Works

Demolished 1972

Cotton Spinning Mill (c. 1850)Demolished 1933

Replaced by DBT Machine Shop (1951)

- T-bislithographic print by an unknown

...Jist IS believed to have been produced"""""'7e late 1860's It incorporates in the

I I J 'ound a view of the original, ~hr1lf'Mills (now the headquarters ofDa I ~ ~ TIactors Ltd.) The picture'Iso 1" ' JfJrtextile mills and'I 11('1r](7oS e 01 which ,,"'ere actuallv

1 ' ~Ielal miles away. The'n' purpose was to present i;m

" 1pression of prihcipaltJt,iildings:1

Private reservoir (1805)for cotton thread mills

(now DBT factory)

Royd Edge Dye WorksExtant

1845Clock Mill (1760)Demolished 1959

Cotton thread mills(now DBTfactory) Manor Mill

Extant1822

Site 01 cotton thread mill (1928)Now DBT Manufacturing Engineering- Gearbox Assembly

Background to the illustration

Meltham Mills, headquarters of DavidBrown Tractors Ltd., is approximately8km or 5 miles south-west of Huddersfieldin West Yorkshire.

The name Meltham Mills derives from asmall corn mill built in 1760 by Mr.Nathaniel Dyson, who substantiallyextended the premises in 1786.

In the early part of the 19th centuryJonas Brook and Bros. Ltd., pioneers inthe manufacture of sewing Gatton,established a factory nearby. By 1822this family-owned textile business wasflourishing and had erected additional

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Mellham Mills

Church (1845) and

School (now youth club)

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comparatively large builcli"ngsin thiswooded valley in the foothills of thePennines. .. ~

In 1845 it acquired the originaf cOtn millpremises which were either convwtedto textile use or replaced. The cO"'panycontinued to prosper and expar,": untilthe general trade depression in ~he1930's. In 1931 Jonas Brook a[)d ~ros.amalgamated with'J. andP..coats~oform Unitea Thread Mills ~1d., by whic:--namethe companywas know!)until "

closed down in 1939. Shortly,afterwthe buildings and site wert; purch:-by David Brown Tractors Ltd. arera in the historv of Meltham tv.began.

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to Her Majesty QDee" Ehzabe'h IIMa"ufac'",e" of Agrlcoltural Machl"ery

David Brow" Trac'o" LImited

David Brown 'Firsts'

Few, if any, tractor manufacturers canequal the David Brown r~cord ofpioneeripgachievemenfin tractormanufactu(.e and development. Majorexamples are:

1937 - World's first fanrvtractorequipped with hydraulic lift andconverging 3-point linkage

1948- Two speed power take-off1949- High-speed direct injection dieselengine for farm tractors1953- Traction control (implementweight transfer)1948- Six-speed and 1966- twelve'speed gearboxes1959- All purpose tractor hydraulicsystem with single lever control1964- Dial-controlled tractor hydraulicsystem1968-Introduction of fully approvedsafety cabs for all models1971 - Semi-automatic transmissionproviding on-the-move clutchlesschanges to any of four ratios in eachworking range

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SNSIDESTORY

Honours List

In recent yearstheeor;ppany and itsproducts havebE)en grar)ted anunusuallylargeriUmber of nationalawards and distinctions.

On .fOiC.Ifoccas.ions-1966,1968,1971and 1'978-"the company has beengranted a Queen's Award to Industry forexport achievement.

In 1972 its Hydra-Shift semi-automatictransmission was awarded silvermedals for outstanding design by fournational agricultural institutions - theRoyal Agricultural Society of England,the Royal Association of British DairyFarmers, the Dublin Agricultural Societyand the Royal Ulster AgriculturalSociety.

In 1974the company also gained aQueen's Award to Industry fortechnological achievement (Hydra-Shiftsemi-automatic transmission) - the firstsuch award made to a farm tractormanufacturer.

In 1976 the company received a,DesignCouncil Award for the design of theHydra-Shift semi-automatictransmission.

Since 1955thE).companyhas held aRoyal Warrant of Appointment to QueenElizabeth II as manufacturers ofagricultural machinery.

f'irst ediicr !UJiB'e:: .., ~ ~ 31C SpcAsrL i9""Q"IJ

'"'Setxni a::i:iD'">::::O-OeEi~ ~ ~ 2R: .~ o:a2 ;Lbished"" English: 1917...

Upda1ed am rep<Wlied: "lg,"3,

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a sectionalised DB 1412 Hydra-Shift tractor, is alsoa: wall chart. Smaller drawings on the wal feat

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by David'dra-Sh if!speed

an,.,Hebrew, Italian, PortuguesEi"andI:ca~.,ipEnglish, Danish, Finnish and

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David Brown involvement in farmmachinery began in 1936when thecompany, then a subsidiary of the localfamily firm David Brown and Sons(Huddersfield) Ltd.,collaborated withMr Harry Ferguson in the manufactureof the legendary Ferguson-Browntractor.r--Built initiallyin the corner of the DavidBrown gear factory, the Ferguson-Brown model was the world's firstproduction tractor to be equipped withhydraulic liftand converging 3-point

, linkage; a revolutionary concept whichsoon became a fundamental part offarm tract'b}design the world over.

" ,... --J-'xirni:ttely 1.,350FerguSon-Brown

NfEi'~. w~(;,ebuilt - the last twenty orso _epf.esent Meltham factory-before F.~usQn and Brown parted; theformerto~"5in Henry Ford in the USA;the lafter:ltQ

.? make tractors of his own

design.~

The first David Brown model \l\(asexhibited at the 1939 Royal Show. It waswidely acclaimed but before quantityproduction could begin theSec'6r1dWorld War broke out a.nd the Melthamf2.::tory's resources were directed

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mainly towards gear manufacture, forwhich the name David Brown - then asnow - was renowned.

However, the Meltham plant was able tomaintain and develop its tractormanufacturing expertise by producingsmall quantities of aircraft towing andrecovery vehicles. This facilitated theswitch-over to peacetime production offarm tractors in 1946.

Despite the company's comparativelylate entry into the highly competitivefarm tractor industry. Meltham-builtmachines quicklyearned a world-reputation for quality and ipVermvedesign.

In 1955 the compan;. aCQti~"'edthe oog--established firm of Harrison. :JcGregorand Guest Ltd. of Leigh, Lancashire.whose range of Albion farm machineryproducts (notably mowers and binders)had previously earned them highinternational esteem.

In recent years the Meltham and Leighplants have been extensivelymodernised and extended. InJuly 1971a new tractor assembly complex,- themost modern of its type in Euro~ - was

completed at Meltham, containing manyunique features and productiontechniques with particular emphasis onquality control.

The revitalised Leigh plant became themain supplier of large tractorcomponents for the Meltham plant andalso designs and builds basic tractor-mounted implements: front 10p.dersanda rear-mounted ditcher/digger/loader.

By this time the David Brown companyhad become Britain's third largest farmtractor manufacturer. The companyholds the Royal Warrant and has wonseveral Queen's Awards to Industry forexport achievement (four out of everyfive David Brown tractors are soldoverseas).

In1976the company's unique Hydra-Smsemi-automatic tractor transmission wr;?'a Design Council Award - the first suchaward to be made in respect of farmtractor design.

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The year 1972 marked anothersignificant milestone in the company'sdevelopment. David Brown Tractors Ltd.was acquired in that year by theinternational conglomerate, TennecoInc. of Houston, Texas, and wasaffiliated to another world-famousTenneco subsidiary, the J I CaseCompany, of Racine, Wisconsin, USA.

Under the Tenneco banner, DavidBrown Tractors and Case are activelyand successfully co-ordinating andexpanding their combined production,marketing and distribution facilities.Early visible evidence of this powerfulnew alliance came in 1973with theadoption of a new unified colour

~heme throughout the full range of¥vid Brown and Case farm tractors; a

combination of orchid white, power redand black.

DBT Distributors and Dealers in the UKand in several other parts of Europenow offer selected machines from theCase company's complementary rangeof farm tractors. In other parts of theworld also many joint DBT/Case

franchises are being established. .Additionally, an increasing number ofCase construction equipment productsemploy engines and transmission unitsrnantrtacturec bj Dav;cJ BrOW!' TradarsLtd.

Case/David Brown tractor line-up

The Meltham Company has threesubsidiary companies in Scandinavia;David Brown Traktor A/S, Denmark;David Brown Tractors AB, Sweden; andDavid Brown Tractors Oy, Finland.There are two additional Europeansubsidiary marketing companies, DavidBrown Tractors (France) SA and DavidBrown Tractors GmbH, German FederalRepublic. The Company operates aseries of retail outlets in the East ofEngland and in Northern Ireland and hasa further subsidiary in the Republic ofIreland.

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Former DBT marketing companies inSouth Africa, Canada and Australia havebeen absorbed into the J I Casesubsidiaries in those countries.

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David Brown tractors - past and present

T"he fa,' CV1,f,ng n~tes vt: 8 v ~

r1anufactured by oa .::blesser-known mode's ::;::; ~p.,::;

Ferguson-Brown Tvpe A

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1936 -1939 Ferguson-Brown Type AThis model painted battleship grey wasbuilt by David Brown to the design of thelate Mr. Harry Ferguson at Park GearWorks, Huddersfield, and at the presentMeltham Mills tractor factory. It had a4-cylinder water cooled petrol (gasolene)or petrol/TVO (gasolene/kerosene)engine. The first 500 tractors built had aCoventry Climax type 'E' engine. Theremainder of the 1,350machines builthad a David Brown engine of 2,010cccapacity, developing 20hp (14'9kW) at~J,400rev/min. There were 3 forwardand 1 reverse gears and independentwheel brakes,The ~rguson-Brown was the world'sfirst production tractor with hydraulic liftand'converging three-point linkage.

1939- 1945: David Brown VAK IThe VAK I was the first tractorcompletely designed and built by DavidBrown. Painted a distinctive 'huntingpink' it developed 35hp (26'1kW)at 2,000rev/min from a 4-cylinder water-cooledpetrol or petrol/TVO

(gasolene/kerosene) engine. \here4

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were 4 forward and 1 reverse gears andthe specification available includedindependent hand brakes, power lift and35mm (1~in)diameter PTO shaft. Thetrack was adjustable by dished wheelcentres (a David Brown patentCV)andimplement depth was controlled by apatented depth (gauge) wheel system.

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A "streamlined" bonnet (hood) andwindshield gave the tractor clean andfunctional lines.Number manufactured: 5,350.

1945 -1947 VAK IA

Developed from the proven VAK Imodel, the VAK IA featured animproved engine lubrication system anda more precise governor. An automaticload controlled hot spot for rapid TVO(kerosene) 'engine warm-up wasintroducedCVand the now universally.used turnbuckle top IinkCVwasfitted.Number manufactured: 3,500.

61947 - 1953: CropmasterThe long production run of Cropmastertractors saw many new featurespioneered by the company and didmuch to enhance the reputation forreliability and quality enjoyed by theDavid Brown tractor. With theintroduction of the Cropmaster thecompany introduced the popular policyof including in the standard specificationmany items normally regarded asextras - at this time such items ashydraulic lift, swinging drawbar andelectric lighting. The 2-speed PTO, 6-speed gearbox, coil ignition and thehigh speed direct injection diesel enginewere all introduced by David Brown inthis period. The diesel engine wasintroduced in 1949 and developed 34hp(25'3kW) at 1,800 rev/.min.Number manufactured: 59,800.

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1953- 1959:50DThe 500 was based on the 6-cylinder50hp (37'3kW)power unit developed fora track-laying tractor. A rugged, heavymachine, itwas ideally suited to towingoperations and featured a 4-speed PTOunit Itwas unique amongst DavidBrown tractors in having a sidemounted belt pulley instead of the morefamiliar rear mounted unit The SODwasthe first David Brown tractor to beavailable only with a diesei engi~e.Number manufactured: ~ .26C.

1953 -1958: 30C and 3OD

The 30C petrol (gasolene) and TVO and300 diesel engines had overheadvalves and coil ignition or directinjection with powers of: diesel - 34hp(25'3kW) at 1,800 rev/min; petrol(gasolene) - 41hp (30'6kW) at 2,300rev/min; TVO (kerosene) -37'6hp(27'6kW) at 2,300 rev/min.

In 1954 the new series 30C and 300'odels were equipped with TCU-

ttJe subsequently world famous TractionControl Unit0and the first controlledweight transfer system for tractors. In1955a special hitch0to give theadvantage of TCUin hauling heavytrailers was introduced. TCUis still themost efficient and by far the simplestmethod of obtaining controlled weighttransfer. ' ';

Number manufactured: 16,073.

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1953-1958: 25 and 25DThe diesel version developed 31'3hp(23'1kW)at 1,800rev/min and the petrol(gasolene) model 31'7hp (23'2kW)at2,000 rev/min. These were the firstsmall tractors to have the advantage ofTCU.Also featured were a 2-speed PTOand belt pulley unit and a 6 forward 2reverse speed gearbox.Number manufactured: 24,742.

1956 -1961: 2D

Ideal.] Sl.=ted to precisio:' rrsar'1(e!garden work, the 20 was also used as aspecialist rowcrop machine on largerfarms. It had a lightweight, rearmounted, air cooled 2-cylinder

David Brown 300

diesel engine of 14hp (10'4kW)with4-speed gearbox and was designed foruse with mid-mounted implements.A rear liftand PTO0were available asoptions.Bothliftswere operated bycompressed air and the two front mid-mounted liftcylinders 0could beoperated independently.Number manufactured: 2,008.

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1956 - 1958: 900The 900 was available with fouralternative engines; diesel - 40hp(29'8kW); TVO (kerosene) - 37hp(27'6kW); petrol (gasolene) - 40hp(29'8kW), and high compression petrol(gasolene) - 45hp (33'5kW).The dieselmodel pioneered the use of the nowfamiliar distributor type fuel injectionpump and also featured dual categorylinkage with the David Brown patentedswivelling ball type top link anddetachable bonnet (hood).

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In 1957 the 900 Livedrive wasintroduced, the first David Brown modelwith a dual clutch giving live hydraulicsand a live PTO.Number manufactured: 13,770.

\1958 -1959: 950 (T and U series)

dThe 950 was similar in design to the 900but had increased power - diesel42'5hp (31'3kW); petrol (gasolene) 42hp(31kW). A much improved recirculatingball type steering unit was fitted and theuniversal drawbar was dimensioned tocomply with British Standard 1495: 1958SAE Standard J718.Number manufactured: 5,574.

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1959 -1962: 950 Implematic- .The introduction of the 950 Implematicoffered farmers, for the first time, theopportunity to use depth (gauge) wheelor draught (draft) control with equalfacility. Automatic weight transfer wasavailable through the Implematic 0draught (draft) control or controlledweight transfer through the TCU system.

In 1961 the V and W series wassuperseded by the 950 Implematic Aand B series whiGh had improved frontaxle clearance and multi-speed PTO toprovide both 540 and 1,000 rev/minstandard speecJs-Number manufactured:18, 125.

1960 -1965: 850 ImplematicThe A and B series 850 Implematictractors had a 4-cylinder diesel enginegiving 35hp (26'1kW) at 2,000 rev/min.Petrol (gasolene) versions were alsooffered. The Implematic hydraulicsystem enabled this small tractor to givean outstanding performance withmounted implements. The later C and Dseries had diesel engines only andfeatured the multi-speed PTOandimproved front axle clearance. FromApril 1963height control CVwas includedin the hydraulic system.Number manufactured: 14,242.

1961 -1965: 880 ImplematicA higher speed range than the 950Implematic made the C and D series 880an ideal tractor for the "one-tractor"farm. The same 42'5hp (31-3kW) 4-cylinder power unit was employed, butthe diesel versions were superseded bythe E and F series 880 Implematic with anew 3-cylinder diesel engine. A choiceof 11/49 (high-speed) or 9/50 (Iow-speed) final drives gave speed rangessimilar to those of the old 950 and 880Implematic, but the high torque of thenew engine gave a much improvedlugging power.Number manufactured: 19,207.

1961 -1965: 990 ImplematicWith the introduction of the 990Implematic, David Brown first used theprinciple of the cross-flow cylinder headin conjunction with the two-stage front-mounted air-cleaner. The 990 waspowered by a 52hp (38'8kW) directinjection diesel engine. In 1963heightcontrol was introduced in theImplematic hydraulic system, thewheel-base was increased, the batteryre-Iocated behind the radiator grille, anda 12-speed alternative transmissionintroduced. Number manufactured:40,600.

DB 990 Implematic

2B 95:; Imp/efYIatic

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1965 - 1970: 770 Selectamatic

Powered by a 3-cylinder 33hp (24'6kl/lJ)diesel engine, the 110 was the firsttractor to have the outstanding simpleSelectamatic hydraulic system <Vwhichproved so successful that it wasintroduced on all tractors in the DavidBrown range in October 1965. The 770-also had a 2-lever 12 forward 4 reversespeed gearbox <V. Early versions of the770 were finished in hunting pink. InOctober 1965 the 770 was upgraded to36hp (26'9kW) and at the same time wascompletely restyled and painted in adistinctive new colour combination of

. (~hid white and chocolate brown.~mber manufactured: 12,206.

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1965-1971: 880 Selectamatic

Painted orchid white and chocolate, there-styled 880 incorporated theSelectamatic hydraulic system, multi-speed power take-off and differentiallock. The 3-cylinder engine was re-ratedat 46hp (34'3kW). Available with 12forward 4 reverse speed gearbox andhigh clearance conversion unit. Full flowfiltration of hydraulic oil wasincorporated in 1970.Number manufactured: 33.379.

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1965 - 1971: 990 SelectamaticLike the 880, the 990 was restyled andfinished in white and chocolate. The4-cylinderengine was re-rated at 55hp(41kW) and the specification includedSelectamatic hydraulics, multi-speedPTO and differential lock. Available with12-speed gearbox and high clearanceconversion. A 4-wheel drive versionwas introduced in 1970 and in the sameyear full flow filtration of hydraulic oilwas i'lCOrporated in the specification.

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1967 - 1971: 780 Selectamatic

A lightweight version of the 880,with thesame engine, the 780 was availableonly as a Livedrive tractor with two-..stage clutch. A Narrow version was- introduced In 1969.Number manufactured: 12,198.

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1967 -1971: 1200 Selectamatic

This 67hp (49'9kW) tractor, uprated to72hp (53'7kW) in 1968,was the f[rst DBmodel to have a separate hanCICrutcncontrollmg ihe dnve to the I-'IO. Also thet)ydraullC p~ was directly drivenfromffie 1ront Of the engine and it had three--pomt linkage ot ca~gory 2 only. A

T'tUd' S~~i5~~eat Was fitled assan ard. T 4-w eel drive 1200 wasannounced in 1970.

Number manufactured~ 18,990. ""..,..,

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1968: Safety Cabs and FramesIn anticipation of new UK legislation(applicable from September, 1970)-requiring farm tractors,tD be fitted with

§l~y c?bs or frames (fapa~ ofwithstanding ~overnmel1t-approved .crush and iri:pact tests~,the~vid Brown

~mpany introduced safetyC'aos (initiallyas alternative equipmenti~Q.early t\J\(Ct-years before the legislatio,;<'c'cih:!e iiho

. effect. As a result the firs¥thr~e safety cabapproval certificates granted by the UK

.Ministry of Agriculture were awarded toDavid Brown tractor models.

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1971: 885 SynchromeshThis model superseded both the 780and 880 Selectamatic tractors. It has a3-cylinder direct injection cross-flowdiesel engine of 48 DIN hp (35-8kW)and12-speed gearbox with synchromesh ~ .Standard specification for most marketsincludes live Selectamatic hydraulics,multi-speed PTO, full road and fieldlighting, alternator, trailer socket,hydraulic take-off valve and coupling.An 885 Narrow version is available forspecialist work in orchards, vineyards,market gardens and similar confinedspaces.

Also available in selected markets as885 Highway model.

1971: 990 Synchromesh

This third version of the best-selling 990series has a 4-cylinder engine of 58 DINhp (43'2kW). In other respects thestandard specification is generallysimilar to that of the 885 model.Available in some markets with factory-fitted high clearance conversion unitand as DB 990 Highway model.

An alternative version of the 990 wasintroduced in 1978 featuring a fullyindependent hand-operated PTO clutch.

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1971: 995 and 996 Synchromesh

Both are powered by a 4-cylinderengine of 64 DIN hp (47'7kW), otherwisethe standard specification of both!Jlachines is generally similar to that ofthe 885 model. The 996 model is

add~.i.onally equipped with fullyindependent hand-operated PTO clutch.

Both the 995 and 996 models areavailable in some lJ1ark~ts with high

...clearance conversloru:i'rnt. The 995 isadditionally availabie as a HighwaymOde'\. In certain countries the 996 ismarketed a~ a special version of the 995model. .

Four-wheel drive versions of the 990 and996 models were introduced in 1978.

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- 1971: 1210 SynchromeshPowered by a 72 DIN hp (53'7kW)4-cylinder engine the 1210 incorporatesthe extensive basic specification

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common throughout the David Brownrange. Additionally it has independentPTO and live engine-driven hydraulicpump. A 4-wheel drive version isavailable. This model has on-the-moveengagement of front wheel drive andhydrostatic power steering as standardequipment. A high clearance conversiorunit is available in some markets.

1971: 1212 Hydra-ShiftFitted with the same 72hp (53'7kW)4-cylinder engine as the 1210,the 1212tractor was the first model to beequipped with the patented Hvdra-Shiftsemi-automatic transmission. This -

unique David ~rown developmentprovides on-the-move clutchlesschanges to any of 4 ratios in-each pre-selected working range - Creep, F:'eld,Roao or ~ T1-,esechanges JP ordovII' are erected ';t>ro...g'1a sfrn~ehand lever mourned on tl>e iascia. ~changes are 8I'1ectOOsmootl'.., will1ovt,oss of power and without loss or enginebraking. The Hydra-8hift transmissionearned the Company a Queen's Awardto Industry "for technologicalachievement" in 1974- the first Awardintl;jis category to be granted to an .

agricultural tractor manufacturer. In1976the Hydra-Shift transmission wasgranted a Design Council Award -another rare distinction.

The standard specification of the 1212model also includes hydrostatic steeringand selective top link sensing unit~.

1974: 1410 Synchromesh and 1412Hydra-ShiftThe largest David Brown tractors so farmade these two sturdily built models areboth powered by a 91 DIN hp (67'9kW)4-cylinder engine producing 81 PTO hp(60'4kW). They are the first standard DBtractors. to be turbocharged.In addition to the normal extensive basicspecification these 91hp models have alarge diameter clutch with heavy dutylinings, strengthened rear axle, massivefinal drive units, oil-immersedindependent disc brakes with self-balancing master pedal, high capacityhydraulics, telescopic link ends, andslotted lift rods. Both are also equippedwith a new type of hydrostatic powersteeri ng ~.

The 1410 model has a 12-forward4-reverse gearbox with Synchromesh.

I1e 1412 model is equipped with the

I-tydra-Shift semi-automatic gearbox. &:r> 1976 a 4-wheel drive version of the ~1410 model was introduced. This was thefirst model to be equipped with areversible-shaft PTO unit~. This has 21splines at one end of the shaft to drive4000..r(l')1inimplements and 6 splines at

'. the oth~~?9riv~ at 54~r/min.Reversingthe s~1t,~Whlch I.Sretained by four bolts,

..,.autorQatically engages the appropriatePTO speE;JI.

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1975: DB 'Q' (Quiet) Cab

Introduced at the 1975 Royal SmithfieldShow the DB 'Q' Cab CVcomplied fullywith the safety cab noise regulationsapplicable in the UK from June, 1976.Design features include: noise level wellbelow the legal maximum of 90decibels; totally enclosed Insulated cab;completely new internal layout; rubber-covered spacious floor area; mainmanual controls grouped at driver'sright hand; instruments and steeringcolumn enclosed in single soundproofhousing; armchair seat; easy access torear-mounted implements.

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The basic specification of aI. tractorsfitted with 'Q' Cabs was extended toinclude:J:!ydrostatic PQ.wer steerin...Q; -hydraulically operated balancedbraking.

The DB Quiet Cab went into productionin January 1976and soon afterwardswas a standard fitment on all tractormodels marketed in the UK.

A new version of the DB Q-Cab was.~ II1troduced in December 1977. The major"-'provement was the provision of wider

doors providing easier access. Analternative De-Luxe Cab was introducedinto the UK at the same time. Availableon 91 and 72hp tractors, this cab hadpreviously been restricted to -Scandinavian countries forcLElumber of

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Hignway TractorsSupplied to the UK market only, DBHighway tractors, painted a distinctiveyellow, are based on five of theCompany's range of highly successfulfarm tractors - the lightweightmanoeuvrable 3-cylinder DB 885 of 48hp(35'8kW); the more powerful 4-cylinder990 and 995 models of 58 and 64hp (45'2and 47'7kW) respectively, and also the1210synchromeshand 1212Hydra-Shift(both 72hp; 53.7kW).

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1(1October, 1977 (Silver Jubilee Year otH M. Queen Elizabeth) the Melthamfacto'v ;yoduced its 50C DOC," DavidB c '1" acto ~h s acm a DB 1412H ~ a-S'1 t[ "'7odel, I. as '" eel ,t ar

impmved C)-Cab painted s,/~er ard royalpu 'pie This historic tractor wasaLv C1ec at, ,e 197' Po -a' 5",,11.1'elu::Jhr> anrl the r: 'oceecs ::: r:;:]"" ~cna,ed~ ~ he Cueef1 s S er 'b Pf:! I-\p,..,3a'

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All five Highway tractors can besupplied to full UK Road Traffic Actspecification and are available withstandard metal-clad Weatherframesafety cab or with the improvedDavid Brown 'Q' (Quiet) cab.

A large number of local authoritiesthroughout the UK have purchasedthese purpose-built tractors which canhandle a wide variety of specialisedequipment Apart from municipalauthorities the tractors have beensupplied to the Ministry of Defence,Department of the Environment, theNational Coal Board, the CentralElectricity Authority, General PostOffice, Water Boards, River Boards,Airlines, contractors, builders, andmechanical handling specialists.

In standard form each Highway model isa truly multi-purpose tractor. It canhandle specialised equipment such asflail and gang mowers, loaders, posthole diggers, rotary brushes, vergetrimmers, sprayers, winches, pumps,compressors, hedge cutters, and dozerblades. Each machine is also capable ofcarrying out normal field work withsimplicity of operation, ease ofmaintenance, proven reliability, andgenuine economy.

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_esser known DB tractor products

For the record we list below some of thelesser-known David Brown productswhich were manufactured at Melthamfor specialist applications or for aparticular market.

'~8eled tractors

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Wartime Production: 1939 -1945

When the first tractor of wholly DavidBrown design, the David Brown VAK Imodel, was introduced at the 1939RoyalShow it received an enthusiasticreception and orders poured in.However, war intervened and the majorpart of the Meltham factory's output wasdiverted to production of war material -e.g. gear units for fighter aircraft,hydraulic units for various types ofmilitary aircraft, and transmissions fortanks and other military vehicles.However, the Company was able tocontinue to produce limited quantities oftractors, mostly for the armed services.In this connection the principalcontributions were a heavy-dutywheeled tractor designed for generalairfield towing duties, and a largertracked machine used by armyengineers.

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I II1941 -1944 VIG1/100 and VIG1/462 AirMinistry TractorsFitted with a 37hp (27'6kW) gasolene unitand low-speed gearbox some of thesetractors (painted in RAF blue) had aconventional dry-plate clutch but othersincorporated a fluid-drive torqueconverter. Designed for towing heavyaircraft, bomb carriers, etc. thesetractors were fitted with a heavy-dut}winch and land anchor.

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A considerable number of thesemachines found their way into clvilial)hands after the war, and gave furtheruseful service on recovery and haulagework. Some were fitted with a front-

= mouilted belt pulley and used asthreshing tractQ~s.Number manttra.~tured:2,400.

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1948 -1965 Taskmaster VIG1AR;VID1AR

This model incorporated basic unitsdeveloped for the successfulCropmaster agricultural tractor - i.e.mainframe, engine, gearbox and rearaxle. However, being intended forgeneral haulage work the Taskmasterhad a single foot-pedal operating theoutboard rear wheel brakes (theinboard brakes being used for handbrake purposes), and also had heavyduty steering and mudguards, etc. Firstmodels had afour-cylinder gasoleneengine. The original four-speed gearboxwas later superseded by a six-speedunit and many of them incorporated afluid-drive torque convertor in thetransmission.Number manufactured: 2,752.

1952 ~ 1958VIG/1C(Aircraft towingtractor)8eveloped from the wartime Air

nistry tractors and powered by a 30hpi22-4klr\-' gasolene engine with a fluid-drive torque convertor in thetransmission these tractors, many ofwhich were fitted with a rear-mountedwinch, were a heavier version of theTaskmaster industrial towing tractor.Number manufactured: 330.

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Beet harvester po ered by a DB 880

'skid unit' ~1960 -1953 Oliver 500 and 600

Manufactured for, and sold exclusively

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by the Oliver Corporation in the USAthese tractors were basically DB 850(500) and DB 950 (600) models but witha restyled bonnet and in the green andwhite livery of the Oliver Corporation.Number manufactured: 2,148. I

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1942-1949 OB4Fitted with a 4 cylinder 38'5hp (28'3kW)Dorman diesel engine, five-speedgearbox and clutch-and-brake steering,these tractors were the first dieselmodels produced at Meltham, and wereused by army engineers for generalconstruction work.Number manufactured: 110.

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1952 -1965 Trackmaster Diesel 50;50TO; 501TOFitted with a six-cylinder 5Ohp (37'3kW)diesel engine, six-speed gearbox anddifferential steering these tractors werelater designated 5OTO(agricultural) or50lTO (industrial).Later versions had a larger diameterclutch and redesigned running gear.These were designated 50TO Mark II.

~umber manufactured: 1667.1950 -1965 Trackmaster 30; 30T;30TO; 301TD;and 40TD

These tractors had the same type of4-cylinder engine as the Cropmasterwheeled tractor but embodied a new6-speed transmission incorp'oratingdifferential steering. The nameTrackmaster was dropped when theCropmaster was superseded by the

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DB 50 TO crawler for agricultural applications

DB 25 and DB 30 series, and the crawlerversions were thereafter designated 30T(gasolene or kerosene), 30TD (diesel) or30lTO (industrial diesel). These wereeventually superseded by a 40TOversion with a 40hp (29'8kW) dieselengine, large diameter clutch and re-designed running gear.Number manufactured: 3,080.

Engines and 'Skid' unitsFor many years the Melthamfactory hassupplied David Brown engines and.'skid' units (engine/transmission units invarious stages of assembly) to othermanufacturers in the UK and overseasfor incorporation into a wide range ofproducts.Examples include:

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Engines: for marine applications, andfor operating balers,.combine,",harvesters, electric generating 5"'et5.

'Skid' units: for fork lift trucks, forestryand industrial tractors, loader/backhoeunits, industrial loaders, aircraft towingtractors, and harvesting machineshandling a variety of specialist crops(e.g. blackcurrants, sugar beet, peas).

Case constre~tion equipment: since1972"OBengines have been used toP9wer various.types of Case.construction equipment - crawlers,wheeled loaders, and tl:1eUni Loader.Combinations of DB engines, gearboxesand rear axles are also incorporated insome Case products. 9."

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imp[ement manufacture

The Company's first involvement inimplement manufacture coincided withits production in the late 1930'sof theFerguson-Brown tractor. Implements ingeneral use up to that time were basedon horse-drawn equipment and weremerely towed behind the tractor,

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With its hydraulic lift and 3-point linkage,the revolutionary Ferguson-Browntractor brought an entirely new conceptto implement design. Equipment couldnow be mounted on the tractor andcould be lifted in and out of work.Implements of this type made by thepavid Brown Company specially for the'F'erguson-Brown tractor included: singleand 2-furrow plough; 3-row ridger: rigidtine cultivator; an~ spring tine cultivator.

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When, in 1939, the)~ompany designedand,.built its first David Brown tractor,thiirVAK I model, it also produced~asimilar range of mounted tillageequipment~ ploughs, ridgers andcultivators. As a concession to tradition,a trailed plough was also producedinitially.

When tractor production was increasedafter World War II, the DB implement

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range was extended to include analternating plough, disc ploughs, discharrows, mowers and a potato spinner.During this time a number of detailedchanges were made and variousoptions were offered but the basicimplements underwent very littlechange.

In 1955 the Company acquired the old-established firm of Harrison, McGregorand Guest Ltd., and with it an extensiverange of Albion implements and barnmachinery. The ultimate objective (sinceachieved) was to convert the Leigh plantinto a main supplier of tractorcomponents. In the meantime-selectedAlbion products ere added to ttIe DB;mplemef't range. apc a. '"1p'eP1ertprodudi<Y' was CO'"'CeMra~ at L-eig~.The result was fuaL OoJll'e iale "95(Jstl1e rEMsecl impiemef't range ""Id.uCed:

Mouldboard ploughs from one to sixfurrows plus single and two-furrowalternating ploughs.

Match plough, a fully adjustable2-furrow model which was designedfor competition work and achievedconsiderable success at national andinternational level.

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Disc ploughs0 of two, three or fourfurrows and a special two-furrow modelwith reversible discs0.

Cultivators with either rigid tines, springtines, 'c' spring tines or gang hoes; fullyadjustable and mounted on a tool bar 78or 96in long (198/244cm).

Ridger with three bodies mounted on a78 or 96in (198/244cm) toolbar. Fullyadjustable and suitable for row widths of20 to 36in (51/91cm).

Rotary Tiller for high-speed cultivation.Four freely-revolving axles in diamond£, n

formation and in widths of 90, 106and QI118in (228/269/299cm).

Ripper/Mole Drainer with a 2~in(63'5mm) diameter mole capable ofoperating at depths up to 24in (61cm).

Manure Spreaders of approximately35cwt (1778kg)capacity with groundwheel drive to the spreader mechanism.

Seed Drills (12, 14 or 15 rows) and acombined seed and fertiliser drill (12 or16 rows).

Mowers of different types. Trailedmachines with ground wheel drive andsemi-mounted machines with PTOdrive. It is estimated that more than200,000 Albion mowers (including thehorse-drawn variety) were sold beforeproduction finally ceased in the late'1950's.A later David Brown innovationwas a mid-mounted machine withhydraulic drive0to the cutter bar.

Swath Turners with two reversible"'eads. Two models were offered: a"1O...'11ed'llachine with PTO drive; and airaZ'!edrn.acr;r'}ewithgroundwheeld" -'e. ~Pick-Up Baler with the unusualarrangement of a transverse mountedbale chamber. This was a PTO drivenmachine capable of producing up toeight full size bales per minute.

Forage Harvester (Hurricane Series)Thiswas the first flail type harvester

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manufactured in the UK. PTO driven, itcut, chopped and loaded the crop in oneoperation. The series include in-line andoffset machines, and a special versionfor verge trimming.

Binders of 4ft 6in (137cm) to 10ft (305cm)cut with either PTO or ground wheeldrive. More than 67,000 Albion binders(all types) were built before it wasphased out in 1958.

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Combine Harvesters (both bagger andtanker models). These were PTO drivenmachines with various alternative

9\3-Chments for different crops.During the 1960's the productionemphasis at Leigh was progressivelytransferred from implements to tractorcomponents. Many of the implementslisted above went out of productionalthough some (e.g. Hurricane forageharvester, disc plough, rotary tiller)were taken up by other manufacturersand continued to be made underlicence. Implement manufacture wasconcentrated on a range of basictractor-mounted equipment: ploughs(fixed and reversible); front loaders; andrear-mounted ditcher/digger Iloaders.By the mid-1970's this list had to bereduced still further (by ceasing ploughmanufacture) to enable the renovatedand greatly expanded Leigh factory tomeet the steadily increasing demand fortractor components, including safetycabs. Implement production is currentlyconfined to the following items:

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Front Loaders with a variety ofattachments; dirt buckets, manure forks,root crop buckets, parallel fork lift, grabsetc.

Ditcher/Digger/Loader0 a versatile- '(-r-mounted implement with a widelWection of attachments.

Top: PTO-drivencombine harvester

Centre: 3-furrow reversible plough

Bottom: Ditcherldiggerlloader withai1ernative attachments

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Sporting historyIn 1959an ingenious adaptation of twoDavid Brown agricultural implements-the DB steerage hoe and ripper/moledrainer - made sporting history. Incollaboration with the Turf ResearchInstitute of Bingley, Yorkshir~, DavidBrown engineers designed amachineCVwhich successfully laidunderground heating cable atMurrayfield, headquarters of the ScottishRugby Football Union - the world's firstinstallation of its kind at a sportingarena.

This David Brown machinesubsequently carried out similarinstallations at four soccer grounds-Everton, Arsenal, Leeds United andHamar (Norway); at one rugby leagueground (Leeds); and at severalgreyhound racing tracks at Manchester,London and Bradford.

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Registered Trade Marks,

The following are among a considerable number of trade marks which have beenregistered in the UK and various other countries by David Brown Tractors or itssubsidiaries:

Mark

ALBION

CROPMASTER

DAVID BROWN

HYDRA-SHIFT

HURRICANE

IMPLEMATIC

SELECTAMATIC.

DB EMBLEM

TASKMASTER

TCU

TRACKMASTER

Product Type

Mowers reapers, barn machineryTractors

Tractors and implements

Tractors, power transmissions

Harvesters, manure spreaders

Tractors, hydraulic power lift mechanisms

Tractors, hydraulic power lift mechanisms

Tractors, implements

Tractors

Hydraulic power lift mechanisms

Endless track tractors

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Prototype machine for laying lJ'1de.'g'Ourid reatir>g cable

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PatentsAn extensive list of patents has beengranted to David Brown Tractors Ltd.The major inventions made by theCompany and covered by patents areindicated by the symbol CVin thispublication.

Historical dataIn order to ensure that appropriatearchival material is available tohistorians and to others who may beinterested, David Brown Tractors Ltd.has placed on permanent loan with theMuseum of English Rural Life anextensive collection of earlypI.,oG"cations,photographs and~rnents relating to the company an<l'Y.;::ts products. ~

Restorers of old David Brown tractormodels, students of farm mechanisationhistory and others who may requireinformation of this type are invited toapply to:The Museum of English Rural Life, TheUniversity, Whiteknights, Reading,England RG6 2AG

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Meltham Mills. . .

Leigh Manufacturing Dh(ision . . . today

The headquarters and mainmanufacturing and assembly plants arelocated at Meltham, Huddersfield inWest Yorkshire. This 78 acre (32 ha) sitecomprises well over 1m square feet ofadministration and manufacturing space(over 90,000 m2).

Major components manufactured atMeltham include: engines,transmissions, and hydrauliccomponents. Items purchased fromexternal sources include: castings (mostof which are machined at Meltham),forgings, wheels, tyres, springs, tubes,pipes and sundry proprietarycomponents like batteries, filters,injectors, clutches, seats etc.

Completedin 1971the main tractorassembly complex at Meltham containsover 2500ft (760m) of conveyor and acomplete tractor emerges from the end ofthe production line approximately every 4minutes. The line is designed to handletractors weighing up to 4 tonnes and isdivided into three main areas - thepreliminary building line, the paintingsection and finishing department.

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The upper floor of the 2-storey assemblycomplex is on the same level as theadjoining main machine shop. Thisfacilitates the flow of machinedcomponents to appropriate stations onthe assembly line. Sub-assemblies fromother parts of the factory and bought-incomponents are similarly fed to theprimary line. All of these havepreviously undergone thoroughinspection procedures. For example, allDavid Brown engines undergo some163checks covering component alignmentand tolerances during manufacture.Moreover, all engines are run for onehour b~fore being passed to the tractorassembly line. Qn the assembly lineitself there are three inspection stations..Installation of engin~s is checked at thefirst; reduCtions~~Q~E}rs.et~

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'n: t thesecond; and anOitja~aaipment at thethird.

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Approved assemblies are thentransferred from the building line viaoverhead conveyor for painting in thetotally enclosed, dust-proof section ofthe line. Paint is applied in four stages;prime painting, stoving, application offinishing coat, and final stoving. Thecomplete painting process takes aboutfour hours.

Still attached to the overhead conveyorthe partially assembled tractors aredelivered to the finishing line whereadditional equipment (instrumentpanels, electrical equipment and wiring,mudguards, bonnets, wheels etc.) isfitted. Additional quality control checksare carried out before the tractor ishanded over for rigorous road testingprior to despatch.

The Leigh Manufacturing Division(formerly Harrison, McGregor andGuest Ltd.) occupies approximately 20acres (8ha) near the centre of Leigh inLancashire. The Harrison, McGregorCompany was founded here in 1872specialising in the manufacture ofhorse-drawn mowers. Production waslater extended and diversified toinclude: barn machinery for thepreparation of feeding stuffs forlivestock - oat crushers, root and chaffcutters, plate mills; reapers and binders;rakes, swath turners and corn drills. Thename 'Albion' by which these productswere identified in the Company's earlyyears is still remembered with affectionand respect in many countries.

Following its acquisition in 1955byDavid Brown Tractors the companydeveloped a range of ~ers,mowers, ploughs" cufWators, haJers,and manure spr-eadefs.. In the late1960's these wer-ewa<i.Jc:h:Jphased outjr preparc.OOr' ~(Ythe f2dor) 's ~ew. rUe.

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Today the LeighManufacturingDivision,which has been completely modernisedand greatly expanded, acts as the mainsupplier to the Meltham factory of a .wide range of tractor components. Atthe same time it has retained some ofits links with the past by continuing todesign and manufacture a number oftractor-mounted implements - frontloaders and rear-mountedditcher /digger /Ioaders.

In the tractor component field thesuperbly equipped Leigh factoryspecialises in fabrication, machinery,and sheet metal work. ~In 1978a new metal treatment and paintplant was installed. In addition toproviding increased capacity, this ultra-modern installation incorporatesseveral advanced technologies new tothe agricultural machinery industry.

Among an impressive and increasingrange of production items are hydraulicrams, power take-off units, front axles,radiator guards, bonnets, andmudwings. In addition the factorymanufactures and assembles completesafety cabs which are transported toMeltham for fitment to appropriateDavid Brown tractors.

Assembly of safety cabs wastransferred to a new building erected forthis purpose in 1978.

Parts SupplyIn 1978a centralised Parts Supplycentre was established at Batley, WestYorkshire. Designed to expand andstreaJ1lline the worldwide distribution ofrep.lGrement parts, the 121,000sq. ft.'~-24C m2I plant is equipped with"'Odern mechanical handling,packaging and processing facilities,

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Symbol of co-operation

Many people ask about the origin of theDavid Brown emblem and particularlyabout the significance of the two roses,one white and the 'other red, which are.incorporated in the design. To trace theorigin and significance of the White andRed roses, it is necessary to go backsome five hundred years or more, to thetime when civil war raged in England, astruggle known to historians as theWars of the Roses. Two of the Englishnoblemen involved in that conflict - theDuke of York and the Earl of Lancaster-adopted respectively a white rose and ared rose as their battle emblems.

Today the white rose is the officialemblem of the county historically knownas Yorkshire and the red rose is thesymbol adopted by neighbouringLancashire. Rivalry, except in the fieldof sport, is forgotten and these tworegions together playa vital role in theindustrial and agricultural prosperity ofBritain.

Thus the coupling of a red and whiterose in the David Brown emblemsymbolises the integration and co-operation of two famous names in theagriculturalworld- the Yorkshire-basedCOf11pa11y at Dm-;d ~ Tractors Ud.aOC:isLa.~e ~~~"!adL"'":g ?1a."1'~~.i ~ '."cGrsgor a..'1G

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