David Brown VAK1
Built: 1939-1945 · Series: Other models
More machines from model year 1939
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The David Brown VAK1 is a tractor built in 1939-1945. It runs on a four-cylinder engine.
Power is transmitted through a manual gearbox, drive type: 2-WD.
It runs on Petrol or TVO; the engine is water-cooled. This model followed the Ferguson-Brown, before the David Brown VAK 1A took over. 5,000 units were built.
David Brown – other models: from the VAK1 to the Selectamatic ranges from Meltham, 10.6 to 69.9 kW, two- to six-cylinder engines, diesel, TVO paraffin and petrol
This collective page gathers David Brown tractors outside the named series. From 1936 the company built the Ferguson-Brown Type A jointly with Harry Ferguson, then went it alone from 1939 at Meltham near Huddersfield in England. In 1965 it introduced the Selectamatic range (880, 990, 995) with a new control concept for hydraulics and the power take-off. In 1972 the American group Tenneco took over the marque through Case, and by the 1980s David Brown had been fully absorbed into Case. Alongside diesel, many British models also offered paraffin carburettor engines on the TVO (Tractor Vaporising Oil) principle, or plain petrol.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists 82 versions from 10.6 to 69.9 kW with two- to six-cylinder engines of 1,262 to 5,392 cm³. Unladen weights range from 950 to 3,356 kg, lengths from 2,230 to 4,250 mm, widths from 1,110 to 2,350 mm, and torque from 156 to 329 Nm.
David Brown ranked among the major British tractor makers alongside Ferguson, Fordson and International Harvester, supplying mainly the domestic and Commonwealth markets. The Selectamatic technology of the 1960s was regarded as advanced and influenced later Case ranges.
When buying older paraffin and TVO models, check the carburettor and pre-heating system; on Selectamatic models, check the hydraulic spool valves and PTO clutch. Rust on wings and gearbox housings is common on post-war British tractors, and spares today come mainly through specialists in classic British farm machinery and the Case IH network.
Sources: Kennwerte der Modelle David Brown (weitere Modelle)
Technical data
Engine
| Engine make | David Browncorrect |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Petrol, TVOcorrect |
| Cylinders | 4correct |
| Bore | 3.5 "correct |
| Naturally aspirated | naturally aspiratedcorrect |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | manual gearboxcorrect |
| Gearbox make | David Browncorrect |
| Forward gears | 4correct |
| Reverse gears | 1correct |
Origin and approval
| Plant | Meltham Mills, Yorkshirecorrect |
|---|---|
| Units built | 5,000correct |
Other data
| Linkage category | Cat Icorrect |
|---|---|
| Predecessor | Ferguson-Browncorrect |
| Successor | David Brown VAK 1Acorrect |
Frequently asked questions
What engine does the David Brown VAK1 have?
4 cylinders, Petrol, TVO.
When was the David Brown VAK1 built?
Production years: 1939-1945.
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.
- 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 18 individual figures for this model. They come from 2 recorded sources; 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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