David Brown 1290 (A)
Built: 1980–1984 · Series: 90 er-Baureihe
More machines from model year 1980
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David Brown 90 series 1190 to 1690 – the last tractors from Meltham under their own name before the Case takeover: A for a later upgrade, three to six cylinders, 35 to 76 kW, 2.1 to 3.9 t
David Brown of Meltham near Huddersfield in Yorkshire had built its own farm tractors since the 1930s, until the American conglomerate Tenneco took over the firm in 1972 through its Case subsidiary. The 90 series from 1190 to 1690 is among the last tractors still carrying the David Brown name before the marque gave way to Case International in the early 1980s. The type logic orders the four-digit numbers by size: the 1190 is the smallest, the 1690 the largest model of the range, the letter A marking a later, revised version of the given size. The engines range from a three-cylinder in the 1190 to a six-cylinder in the 1690, still built with David Brown's own engineering, which continued for a while after the Case takeover.
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The register lists 5 versions with 35.3 to 75.8 kW from engines of 2,695 to 5,392 cm³, torque from 157 to 271 Nm and a rated speed of around 2,200 rpm throughout; operating weights range from 2,096 to 3,855 kg at lengths from 3,320 to 4,250 mm and widths from 1,850 to 2,010 mm.
The 90 series marks the end of the independent British tractor marque and the transition to the Case line-up; on the used market the tractors are regarded as sturdy, easily serviced all-rounders for smaller and medium farms.
On used tractors, the condition of gearbox and clutch, rust on panels and mudguards, leak-free hydraulics, the condition of the rear axle and tyres and parts supply, which today mostly runs through the Case IH network, are what count.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: David Brown 90er-Baureihe
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | dieselcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 58 hp (42.7 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 2,200 rpmcorrect |
| Torque | 197 Nmcorrect |
| Speed at max. torque | 1,300 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 4correct |
| Displacement | 3,198 cm³correct |
| Bore | 100.1 mmcorrect |
| Stroke | 101.6 mmcorrect |
| Compression ratio | 17correct |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 3,630 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,970 mmcorrect |
| Height | 2,490 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 2,108 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 533 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 2,630 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 12/4-Getriebecorrect |
| Front tyres | 7.50-16 ASF (A: 9.5-24 AS)correct |
| Rear tyres | 16.9-30 AScorrect |
Origin and approval
| Construction | semi-frame constructioncorrect |
|---|
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 16.2 kW/t (43 kW / 2.6 t)
Power class: Universal (40–100 hp)
Stronger than 40% of the tractors in the register — out of 15,663 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the David Brown 1290 (A) have?
The David Brown 1290 (A) delivers 58 hp.
How much does the David Brown 1290 (A) weigh?
The unladen weight is 2,630 kg.
What engine does the David Brown 1290 (A) have?
4 cylinders, 3,198 cm³ displacement, Diesel.
What are the dimensions of the David Brown 1290 (A)?
3,630 mm × 1,970 mm × 2,490 mm.
When was the David Brown 1290 (A) built?
Production years: 1980–1984.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Check front and rear tyre sizes: mismatched pairs strain the drivetrain.
- Shift the gearbox cold and warm — jumps only show up at temperature.
- Load the hydraulics and watch for sag.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 23 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
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Other models in this series
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