The David Brown 885 was the Synchromesh-series tractor that took the place of the 880 when David Brown changed its range in 1971. It was built at Meltham until 1979, in the same years as the 990, 995, 996, 1210 and 1212.
David Brown 885 at a glance
| Maker | David Brown Tractors, Meltham, Yorkshire |
|---|---|
| Production | 1971–1979 |
| Series | Synchromesh |
| Range-mates | 990, 995, 996, 1210 and 1212 |
| Predecessor | 880 Selectamatic, 1965–1971 |
| Turbocharged models | 1410 and 1412 from 1974 |
| Works | Meltham, West Riding of Yorkshire |
| Company | David Brown, founded 1860; tractors from 1936 |
| Exports | at one stage 80% of tractor production |
| Company sold | to Tenneco (J.I. Case) in 1972 |
No Wikipedia page exists for the 885 itself. This article is based on the maker’s page, David Brown Ltd., which lists the model and its production years; it is based on one source.
History of the David Brown 885
Tractors from Meltham
David Brown, a Huddersfield gear maker founded in 1860, moved into an old silk mill at Meltham in 1934 and began building tractors with Harry Ferguson in 1936. The Ferguson-Brown was powered by a Coventry Climax engine for its first 350 units, after which David Brown’s own engine was used; 1,350 were built, plus one from parts in 1940. Brown then designed his own tractor in secret, the VAK1, launched at the 1939 Royal Show, of which more than 7,700 were sold.
The Synchromesh range
By 1965 the range was the Selectamatic series, with the 770, 780, 880, 990 and 1200. In 1971 David Brown replaced it with the Synchromesh tractors: the 885, the 990, 995 and 996, and the 1210 with a manual gearbox and 1212 with Hydra-Shift. The 885 therefore succeeded the 880 Selectamatic and stayed in production until 1979, the last year listed for the Synchromesh models. From 1974 the range also included the 1410 and 1412, the first turbocharged David Browns.
Exports and the sale to Case
David Brown’s tractor division had ten subsidiaries around the world, exported up to 80% of production at one stage and sold through 2,508 agents in 100 countries. Falling sales in a worldwide recession led to the sale of the tractor operations to Tenneco of America, which owned J.I. Case, in 1972, while the 885 was still in production. Case used the David Brown name on its own British-market tractors until the early 1980s.
Design and features
- Synchromesh series: the 885 belonged to the generation introduced in 1971.
- Successor to the 880: it took over from the 880 Selectamatic in the range.
- Long production: it was built from 1971 to 1979, into the Case era.
- Broad family: it was sold with the 990, 995, 996, 1210 and 1212.
David Brown 885 versions
- 885 Synchromesh (1971–1979): the standard model.
- 880 Selectamatic (1965–1971): the model it replaced.
- 990, 995 and 996 Synchromesh (1971–1979): the larger stablemates.
- 1410 and 1412 (1974–1979): the first turbocharged David Browns, added to the range.
The 885 replaced the 880 and was sold with the 990; the smaller 850 belonged to the earlier generation. More machines are in the David Brown collection.
Video: Cleaning out chicken sheds with David Brown 885 and 990
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- David Brown Ltd., English Wikipedia: tractor range and production years, company history, sale to Case
