Granddad of David Brown Tractors

By Josephine Roberts
Published on October 19, 2011
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The imposing cast iron barred-style grille and those fantastic sweeping curves make this David Brown VAK 1 an eye-catching and beautifully styled tractor.
The imposing cast iron barred-style grille and those fantastic sweeping curves make this David Brown VAK 1 an eye-catching and beautifully styled tractor.
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It’s evident that this aircraft tug was built with towing and winching in mind.
It’s evident that this aircraft tug was built with towing and winching in mind.
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An offset steering wheel was typical of early David Brown tractors.
An offset steering wheel was typical of early David Brown tractors.
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Aled Rees with his David Brown VAK 1, possibly the earliest surviving David Brown tractor. David Brown tractor serial numbers start at 1000; Aled’s is serial no. 1277.
Aled Rees with his David Brown VAK 1, possibly the earliest surviving David Brown tractor. David Brown tractor serial numbers start at 1000; Aled’s is serial no. 1277.
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This Ferguson Brown really is a tiny little tractor. It was innovative in its way but it’s fair to say it never really caught on.
This Ferguson Brown really is a tiny little tractor. It was innovative in its way but it’s fair to say it never really caught on.
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With a fast top speed and huge towing capabilities, these fantastic looking machines, like so many other military vehicles, were built to last.
With a fast top speed and huge towing capabilities, these fantastic looking machines, like so many other military vehicles, were built to last.
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A David Brown Cropmaster dating to the late 1940s. This model, in lovely original condition, belongs to Gwynfor Parry, North Wales.
A David Brown Cropmaster dating to the late 1940s. This model, in lovely original condition, belongs to Gwynfor Parry, North Wales.
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As a true David Brown fan, Aled had to have the early relative of the David Brown, so he bought this 1938 Ferguson Brown, as it was where it all began. This tractor was the product of a joint project between David Brown, famous for designing and engineering gearing systems, and Harry Ferguson.
As a true David Brown fan, Aled had to have the early relative of the David Brown, so he bought this 1938 Ferguson Brown, as it was where it all began. This tractor was the product of a joint project between David Brown, famous for designing and engineering gearing systems, and Harry Ferguson.
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During World War II David Brown made aircraft tugs for the Royal Air Force. The tugs were used to maneuver, tow and recover crashed aircraft.
During World War II David Brown made aircraft tugs for the Royal Air Force. The tugs were used to maneuver, tow and recover crashed aircraft.

David Brown Engineering Ltd. has been at the forefront of the engineering industry for some 150 years, but tractor manufacturing has been but a small part of that history. David Brown tractors may no longer be in production, but the company remains famous for manufacturing gearing systems in Huddersfield, England.

Unique+pricey=rare

David Brown’s first foray into tractor production was a joint project with Harry Ferguson in 1936, resulting in the Ferguson Brown tractor. The little Ferguson Brown tractor had some innovative features. For instance, many components were made from cast alloy, which meant that they were lightweight but somewhat fragile. New, the Ferguson Brown tractor cost around £224 ($1,113, or $18,095 today), whereas a Fordson tractor from the same period was priced at about £140. In the rather depressed economic climate of the time, it was no wonder that Ferguson Browns failed to sell well.

Only 1,350 Ferguson Brown tractors were built, making them rare little tractors today. At the time, though, the poor sales record led to a disagreement between David Brown and Harry Ferguson about how to increase sales. David Brown began to see that there might be a future in going solo into tractor production, and in secret the company began to build its own tractor, the VAK 1. The first true David Brown tractor was launched at the Royal Show in 1939. It was a bold move, and it paid off, as the VAK 1 was widely acclaimed.

The new VAK 1 looked absolutely nothing like the Ferguson Brown. David Brown had certainly gone its own way: The VAK 1’s unmistakable shape continued fairly unaltered in the improved Cropmaster or the VAK 1C, which was introduced in 1947. The new Cropmaster would only run on petrol or TVO (Tractor Vaporising Oil) but a diesel version was added in 1949.

Some tractor manufacturers have to define themselves with colour, as there is nothing outstandingly unique in their styling. Early David Brown tractors, however, are like no other tractor. They have imposing grilles and a grand presence for what is, after all, a small tractor. Best of all though is their shape. Those sweeping curves and rounded edges are so very easy on the eye. The cowling around the dashboard sweeps right down to the footplates and really finishes the tractor off with a flourish. This cowling must have been designed with the idea of keeping the driver’s hands and feet out of the driving wind and rain, but it also served to make the tractor stand out from all of the rest.

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