David Brown 990

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David Brown joined the family-owned gear manufacturing business as an apprentice in the early 1920s.

Promoted to the board in 1931, he shortly after entered into an arrangement with Harry Ferguson to help manufacture his latest design of tractor. The Ferguson-Brown was soon rolling out of a new David Brown-owned factory located in Meltham, just south of Huddersfield.

Following a disagreement about how the original design should develop, Brown started to design his own tractor in secret. The VAK1 was unveiled in mid-1939, just in time to capitalise on the drive for wartime food production.

Post-war production continued with few significant developments until the 770 model arrived in 1965 with an all-new ‘Selectamatic’ system. At the turn of a knob, whatever implement was being used could be controlled by the depth lever – a very simple system to use once the operator had taken the trouble to read the handbook.

In 1967 the range was given a make-over, replacing the old red colour scheme with a distinctive white and brown livery which was to remain until the firm was absorbed by Case in the 1980s.

Dating from 1970, this fine-looking 990 was at the top of the David Brown line-up and used a powerful 3,045cc four-cylinder diesel engine which developed a useful 48 PTO horsepower. The excellent all-synchro gearbox covered a wide range of ratios, with top-gear giving the tractor a useful turn of speed on the road. A feature common to all David Brown tractors is the two-speed power takeoff, which makes the operation of certain PTO driven machinery less tiring and more efficient as the tractor is using fewer revs.

Purchased by the vendor and given his customary thorough restoration, it has had the tinwork replaced as necessary and a coat of two-pack paint professionally applied. A new set of tyres front and rear, fresh decals, a replacement seat and new brakes were then fitted along with new injectors and a compression test which suggested that the engine was in good condition and should be left well alone.

Looking much as it did when it left the Huddersfield factory, this useful and beautifully presented machine is ready to show, or be put to work around the farm.