David Brown 50 D

Built: 01/1953–06/1958 · Series: VA-Baureihe

More machines from model year 1953

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With the 50 D, David Brown offers a model from the VA series. Production: 01/1953–06/1958. The engine delivers 50.7 hp (37.3 kW), has 6 cylinders, with a displacement of 4,061 cm³. Rated speed is 1,800 rpm. The machine is 3,423 mm long, 1,880 mm wide and 2,134 mm high. The unladen weight is 2,616 kg. The wheelbase measures 2,076 mm. Ground clearance is 330 mm. Top speed is 20 km/h. The tank holds 65.9 litres. Transmission: 6 V/2 R. The engine is water-cooled. Tyres: front 7.50-18 ASF, rear 14-30 AS. The fuel is diesel. The bore measures 92.2 mm. The stroke is 101.6 mm. The compression ratio is 16:1. Construction: frame construction. The gearbox offers 6 forward gears. There are also 2 reverse gears. Injection pressure is 175 bar. Around 1.259 units were built. Rated output across the David Brown range ranges from 12.2 to 108 hp; the 50 D sits in the middle of that range with 50.7 hp. Its immediate neighbours are the 885 below it with 48 hp and the 990 IMPLEMATIC above it with 52.7 hp. Rated output across the David Brown range ranges from 25 to 108 hp; here the 50 D sits in the lower part of that range with 50.7 hp. 147 David Brown models across 19 series are on record.

David Brown VA range 50 D and VAD/1 C Cropmaster – tractors from Meltham in the 1940s: four- to six-cylinder diesel engines of 25.7 to 37.3 kW, 1,542 to 2,616 kg

David Brown's VA range was built in the 1940s at the Meltham works near Huddersfield and formed the stage preceding the later Cropmaster; the register lists here the 50 D and VAD/1 C Cropmaster types, whose designation already points to the transition to the Cropmaster naming. The models carry diesel engines with four to six cylinders.

Read on 3 more paragraphs

The register lists here 2 versions with 25.7 to 37.3 kW from engines with four to six cylinders and 2,713 to 4,061 cm³ displacement, weights from 1,542 to 2,616 kg, lengths from 2,981 to 3,423 mm, widths from 1,619 to 1,880 mm, heights from 1,499 to 2,134 mm and a rated speed of 1,800 rpm.

As the predecessor of the Cropmaster, the VA range stood at the transition from pre-war to modern post-war farm machinery in Britain and competed with Fordson and the first Ferguson tractors; with this range David Brown established itself as an independent British tractor maker with growing export business.

Buying one of these early post-war models used, the condition and tightness of the diesel engine, rust on the bodywork and mudguards, and the condition of the clutch and gearbox, heavily strained in the simple mechanical designs of the time, all matter. Spare parts are available through specialist vintage-tractor dealers and clubs for historic David Brown machines.

Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: David Brown VA-Baureihe

Technical data

Engine

Fuel	dieselcorrect
Power	50.7 hp (37.3 kW)correct
Rated speed	1,800 rpmcorrect
Cylinders	6correct
Displacement	4,061 cm³correct
Bore	92.2 mmcorrect
Stroke	101.6 mmcorrect
Compression ratio	16correct
Injection pressure	175 barcorrect
Cooling	water-cooledcorrect

Dimensions and weights

Length	3,423 mmcorrect
Width	1,880 mmcorrect
Height	2,134 mmcorrect
Wheelbase	2,076 mmcorrect
Ground clearance	330 mmcorrect
Unladen weight	2,616 kgcorrect

Drivetrain and chassis

Drive	rear-wheel drivecorrect
Gearbox	6 V/2 Rcorrect
Forward gears	6correct
Reverse gears	2correct
Front tyres	7.50-18 ASFcorrect
Rear tyres	14-30 AScorrect
Top speed	20 km/hcorrect

Working data

Fuel tank capacity	65.9 lcorrect

Origin and approval

Construction	frame constructioncorrect
Units built	1,259correct

Where this model stands

Power-to-weight ratio: 14.3 kW/t (37 kW / 2.6 t)

Power class: Universal (40–100 hp)

Stronger than 35% 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 50 D have?

The David Brown 50 D delivers 50.7 hp.

How much does the David Brown 50 D weigh?

The unladen weight is 2,616 kg.

What engine does the David Brown 50 D have?

6 cylinders, 4,061 cm³ displacement, Diesel.

How fast does the David Brown 50 D go?

Top speed is 20 km/h.

What are the dimensions of the David Brown 50 D?

3,423 mm × 1,880 mm × 2,134 mm.

When was the David Brown 50 D built?

Production years: 01/1953–06/1958.

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 28 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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