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David Brown Cropmaster VAK1C

David Brown Cropmaster VAK1CDavid Brown Cropmaster VAK1CDavid Brown Cropmaster VAK1CDavid Brown Cropmaster VAK1CDavid Brown Cropmaster VAK1C
David Brown Cropmaster VAK1C
Lot number 109
Hammer value £5,500
Description David Brown Cropmaster VAK1C
Registration 156 YUE
Year 1948
Colour Red
Engine size 2,400 cc
Chassis No. P13074
Engine No. 15548

David Brown Ltd. were best known for manufacturing gears, but in 1936 decided to branch out into tractor manufacture. Joining forces with Harry Ferguson, they built the Ferguson Brown, a machine highly prized today.

The genius of the new tractor came from Ferguson’s patent 3-point hydraulic lift, a system which transferred the weight and drag of the implement directly into downward force on the rear wheels. This gave the lightweight machine tremendous grip when ploughing, out-performing very much larger machines and catching the eye of none other than Henry Ford.

The Ferguson Brown partnership broke up shortly before war broke out when Ferguson went into partnership with Ford, while David Brown got stuck into war work, developing their own twin-seat tractor tug which commonly saw active service towing aircraft.

After the war, they turned the tug into an agricultural tractor and the Cropmaster, as it was called, remained in production until 1953, building the company the excellent reputation that carried it through until the Case takeover in 1972.

One of the main selling features of the Cropmaster was the two-seat arrangement, as it allowed a driver and ploughman to travel together, much equipment at that time requiring two people to operate it. These days, when classic tractors are used more for show and tractor runs than paying work, these two-seat Cropmasters have become very fashionable.

In 1948 David Brown introduced the useful two-speed power take-off, a real boon when operating powered machinery, the engine running at half speed, increasing economy whilst reducing noise and wear and tear.

This fine 1948 Cropmaster has been fully refurbished and is 'on the button' and ready to go. Being offered here at just a fraction of the costs lavished on it to date, it is sure to draw many plaudits on the parade ground.

 

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