Tractor Talk: Call Dave! 1967 David Brown 780 Selectamatic

David Brown is not a well known name in the United States tractor scene, but our neighbors north of the border are very familiar with it. This English built tractor line had a long history of innovation going back to 1936, when the David Brown & Sons Ltd. gear company (established in 1860) partnered with the legendary but irascible Harry Ferguson to build tractors.

“David Brown was a respected manufacturer of machinery casting and gears, so building a tractor was well within its capabilities.”

David Brown was a respected manufacturer of machinery casting and gears’, so building a tractor was well within their capabilities. Ferguson supplied the design impetus. Before long, Ferguson’s industry-changing 3-point hydraulic lift system saw its first iteration in the DB tractor line, after which it was seen nearly everywhere. David Brown eventually became Britain’s third largest tractor manufacturer.

Fast forward to 1967 and the introduction of the 780 Selectamatic. In many ways, DB was at the height of its stature in the 1960s and the 780 was strong evidence of that. David Brown made its first impact on the American market in 1960…. but in disguise. Needing a particular size tractor to fill out its lineup, Oliver contracted with DB to rebadge its 850 gas model as the Oliver 500. These were sold from 1960 thru 1963. In 1962, they added a 600 Oliver to the line, which was none other than a David Brown 990. In 1964, an unexpected business opportunity allowed David Brown to begin distributing tractors in the U.S. and they did so with varying degrees of success until 1972, when they were purchased by Tenneco, who had recently bought Case.

“The 780 Selectamatic debuted for 1967 and it was a mid-sized tractor in the English market and a compact tractor here. It was on par with the Ford 3000 and 5000 tractors, which were also Brit-built tractors.”

Before long, the David Brown factory was producing Case badged tractors and a homogenized line of tractors was sold under both nameplates. The last tractor built at the DB Meltham Hills factory rolled off the line in 1988, wearing Case IH livery and the factory was soon closed and the David Brown name died with it.

The 780 Selectamatic debuted for 1967 and it was a mid-sized tractor in the English market and a compact tractor here. It was on par with the Ford 3000 and 5000 tractors, which were also Brit-built tractors. The 780 Selectamatic was powered by a 3-cylinder, 164.4 ci diesel that made 46 flywheel horsepower at 2200 rpm and 120 lbs-ft of torque at 1400 rpm. DB rated them for 38.9 drawbar hp and 42.9 PTO.

The diesel was backed up by a 12-speed gearbox, which was comprised of a three-speed main box, a two-speed range box and a splitter that has a low (super low) and a normal position. This final device could be shifted on the fly, unlike most American tractors of the era, the 780 had a diff lock. It also had a two speed PTO, that switched between 540 and 1000 rpm and this was a very unusual feature in the era, especially in a small tractor. The Selectamatic moniker referred to the variable draft control on the three point hitch. Livedrive referred to the live hydraulics and PTO.

The 780 was produced thru 1971, with approximately 10,000 built. The 780 did not have a direct replacement in the lineup, but a new 885 model replace it and the 880 in the lineup in 1971. The numbers of tractors sold in the USA isn’t readily available but it is a small amount. They are very well liked by those that use them, though the parts situation is a bit dicey at times. This 1967 780 belongs to Gavin Knisley who uses it as a utility tractor on his south central Ohio farm. It was showing a mere 1312 hours when photographed. DW

Typical Specifications: 1967 Davis Brown Selectamatic

Engine-                                                3-cylinder diesel, SD 3/55

Displacement:                                     164.4 ci

Bore & Stroke:                                    3.94 x 4.5 in.

*Rated Flywheel Power:                    46hp @ 2200

*Rated Torque:                                   122 lbs-ft @ 1400

Compression Ratio:                             17:1

Transmission:                                      12-speed (3×3)

Weight:                                               3,710 lbs

Front Tires-                                           6.00-16

Rear Tires-                                             12.4-28

*Fuel Consumption:                            5.25 GPH @ full power

*Drawbar Pull:                                    5,700 lbs

*Top Speed:                                        14.7 mph

*As rated by manufacturer