Northrop 4wd

KFD68 · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2012 12:33 am Post subject: Northrop 4wd

In 1966-7 a small construction machinery company designed and built these 4wd tractors based on the Ford 5000 tractors. The front axle was reversed 5000 axle. They were underpowered and a few 6 cylinder versions were made. Sales were poor and the parent company went bust.

The designer David Brown [no relation to David Brown tractors] joined Muir Hill another construction machinery manufacturer, took his ideas and Muir Hill went on to produce a highly successful range of 4wd tractors which had the same basic ideas as the Northrop.

Although Muir Hill ceased building tractors in the 1990's, a company who took over the spares business still build these tractors to order for farming and for off road haulage of goose neck dump trailers.

Brian Allen · Posted: Fri Oct 12, 2012 2:16 pm Post subject: Re: Northrop 4wd

KFD68
I see one that looks similar to this, sitting on a farm near me!
By the look of the weeds around it, it has not been running in a long while!
It is something I am curious about, but I am not sure what I want to do about it yet!
I would like a front assist tractor, but, I am not sure I want to go with something that would be hard to get parts for!
I would also find it very difficult to come up with a price!
Brian

KFD68 · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 1:05 am Post subject: Re: Northrop 4wd

These Northrop are ultra rare, only a handful built.

I guess its more likely to be a County equel sized wheel 4wd. Any chance of a photo?

All the 4wd conversions done on Fordson & Ford tractors were made by small companies who no longer are in business. Some specialist spares are available from specialist companies here; and the bulk of the tractors are Ford so spares are readily available

Brian Allen · Posted: Sat Oct 13, 2012 2:06 pm Post subject: Re: Northrop 4wd

KFD68
I am heading back home on the 24th, I'll try to see if I can get permission to look at it. If that happens, I'll try to get some numbers and pictures then.
Regards
Brian

Tony Jacobs · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 5:26 am Post subject: Re: Northrop 4wd

Hello KFD68 , I think you posted the wrong picture , that is not a Northrop looks more like COUNTY to me . I have photos or Northrops and they sit a lot higher . Thanks Tony

KFD68 · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 7:05 am Post subject: Re: Northrop 4wd

Tony Jacobs · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 5:35 pm Post subject: Re: Northrop 4wd

Hello KFD68 , Unless you have a picture of that tractor and it says Northrop on it it looks like a County 964 . Northrops were built from 1964-1967 and only about 100 were built and were designated as 5004's , the grille and hood were like the County 1004 you have pictured because Ford used it between 1965-1968 the grille and hood on the 964 you have pictured is from 1969-1975 when no Northrops were built . Northrops also had Planetary Hubs in the front axle and about 12 lugnuts per wheel which your picture does not have either . Finally Northrops sat even higher than the Muir-Hills did and if you can find a picture of Duke Potters restored 1964 Northrop 5004 it is not a Northrop . Thanks Tony

NWMO 901 SOS · Posted: Sun Oct 14, 2012 8:25 pm Post subject: Re: Northrop 4wd

Isn't the internet grand Very Happy

video 1

video 2

Chris

Tony Jacobs · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 5:25 am Post subject: Re: Northrop 4wd

Hello Chris , Now THAT'S A NORTHROP 4X4 , Thanks for helping prove my point , my slow Dial-up and out here in the sticks takes forever to load pictures or video so I don't even bother . I may not be an Expert on British Tractors but when it comes to anything 4x4 I have researched it to death and usually know what I am talking about . Once you see a Northrop 4x4 you can't mistake it for anything else and since only about 100 were built there is not many around . Thanks Tony

KFD68 · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 7:38 am Post subject: Re: Northrop 4wd

I admit that I have made a mistake - I believed this particular tractor was a Northrop not a County.

Tony Jacobs · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 8:43 am Post subject: Re: Northrop 4wd

Hello KFD68 , No problem we all make mistakes just so you know why I have so much interest in 4x4 Tractors , I own part of Elwood Engineering Corporation that made Front Wheel Drive Conversions in the USA same as County, Roadless, Schindler, Muir-Hill, Northrop, etc, etc, did over there . Elwood made kits from 1948-1978 for Ford, M-F, Minneapolis-Moline, John Deere, Case, IH, and some lesser know names as well . I bought the Ford and M-F Division 27 years ago and have been making parts since then for the Fords . The Ford 871 Diesel your friend has in shop can be converted to 4x4 similar to a Dexta with Dodge Military Parts . So I have done extensive research on all 4x4 conversions and sent parts out as far as Germany to date . As I have said in another post I have Roadless and Schindler 4x4's here in the USA . Thanks Tony

KFD68 · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 9:51 am Post subject: Re: Northrop 4wd

Tony Jacobs · Posted: Mon Oct 15, 2012 5:27 pm Post subject: Re: Northrop 4wd

Hello KFD68 , There is very little info here in the USA about Schindlers , all that I have found has come from Canada but I do remember Farm Tractor Drives . The Schindler kit came out of a Ford 5000 with the original 4 cylinder engine , I did not know there were installing 6 cylinder engines in them with four wheel drive . I removed it because one side split the steering knuckle where it turns on the bearings , I just recently found another broken kit but have not been able to come to an agreement on the price to purchase it so I can fix one of them and then reinstall it into another Ford 5000 . Thanks Tony

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