David Brown 900 - thoughts?

[BrianV_]

I have a chance to pick up a working, although rough-looking 990 for $700CAD.

What are people's experience with these?

Is there a serial number cutoff after which all units have the live PTO? Or was it optional through the end of production?

How is parts availability?

 

[RGMartin]

900 or 990?

900?, I have one, paid much more than that for it, pretty rare bird in the US. Mine was advertised as "rebuilt" by the previous owner/mechanic... His parts list for the rebuild was a tube of silicone, and baler wire. It has turned into an absolute quagmire making it usable, virtually no parts available here, even filters are impossible.

Bolts are all whitworth, all replacements I have needed, I single pointed on my lathe.

If it has the 2 stage clutch you will be able to feel it in the pedal. Mine is. DB built non-live PTO through the 70s on a case by case basis.

990 is a different animal entirely, not much bad to say there.

 

[jean claude marleau]

M. Martin , I saw a 900 in a salvage yard not too long ago was there anything on this tractor for parts you might need.
I notice the injector pump and the starter were already gone [email protected]

 

[BrianV_]

I went to go look at the tractor tonight. It's definitely a 900. Here's the sale link for anyone else interested:

https://www.kijiji.ca/v-equipement-agricole/ottawa/tractor-david-brown-900/1372292036?enableSearchNavigationFlag=true

So, on the good side - it runs, shifts and stops.

On the bad side: The whole three point hitch has been removed, and would need to be replaced.

Tires are older and fairly weather checked, though they held air.

For the price, it looks like a good starting point for a restoration for a collector, but that's not what I am in the market for. If it had an operating three point hitch, I think I would have driven it home.

 

[RGMartin]

Another thought that I didn't even consider as mine is a diesel, Gas, kerosene, or diesel?

 

[RGMartin]

OK, looked at pictures, being yellow and lacking 3 point, I'd bet it was built as an industrial and probably only has the single clutch.

still a lot of parts for $700

 

[BrianV_]

Well, the yellow was sprayed over green, which is sprayed over the original red and blue.

I think it had three point at one time as the controls are still there on the right hand fender.