Made in Britain

The 300 series heritage dates back to the 100 series of 1964 and further. Seen in this picture is a rare 399 2wd; the 4wd model was more common. Photos: Gordon Nicholson

David Brown moved up in the power game in 1967 with the launch of the DB 1200 Selectamatic, providing competition for such models as the Ford 5000, MF 175 and IH 634. Gordon Nicholson looks at the development of the DB range up to the end of the 70s.

THERE was a growing demand for higher-powered tractors, the 90/100hp bracket proving the most popular. Mergers and takeovers had taken their toll – gone were Marshall (Leyland), Roadless, County, Muir Hill; David Brown was merged into Case then Case IH
Basildon – Ford

By 1990, Ford had launched the Generation 3 range of tractors first seen in 1989. This was the last change before the 40 series.

The two best-selling models were the 7610 and 7810; both produced100 Din hp. The 7610 had a four-cylinder turbocharged engine, the 7810 had a 6.5-litre six-cylinder engine fitted; 2wd or 4wd was an option.

The 7610 could be fitted with optional AP cab which gave you the old 16x4 gearbox as fitted to older Fords of the 1970s; the cab was low profile and very basic.

The other cab and standard on the 7810 was the Super Q cab, which was launched in 1985. This cab was finished to a high standard and also had the air conditioning option. The gearbox on this was the 16x8 synchro‑shift.

These tractors had three-speed pto: economy 540, 540 and 1000rpm; 88hp was produced at the pto. Hydraulic lift was around 4254kg.

The largest tractor to be made at Basildon was the 115hp 8210 using the same engine as the 7810 but was styled on the TW series.

There was a smaller de‑rated version of the 7610 in the 90hp power range; this was a 6810 and gave 90 Din hp, again it had a four-cylinder engine.

This tractor had smaller wheels fitted to 7610, 16.9/34s instead of 16.9/38s. Also it only had one assister ram whereas the 7610 had twins fitted.

Doncaster – Case IH

By the 1990s, Case IH had brought in new models to include the two ranges; the Case 1494 and 1594 and 1694 were replaced by the new 5100 series and in time would replace the IH 956/1056.

Doncaster, the home of IH tractors, was still building the 95 series. The largest model there was the 995, giving 90hp; this range of tractors could trace its origins back to the old IH74 series of the 70s.

The 995 used the turbocharged version engine from D‑268 series, 2 or 4wd options, and used a 16x8 gearbox; lift capacity was around 2800kg. Only the XL cab was an option on this model; the 895 had the low profile cab option called the Stockman.

A Grassland special became an option on the 995 which had a fixed price of £23,000, came standard with two-speed pto, trailer brakes, 16/8 gearbox fitted with torque amplifier 4wd; plus £600 of parts including oil, grease, boilersuit etc; twin assister rams could also be fitted.

Banner Lane, Coventry – Massey

Ferguson MF produced the 300 series at Banner Lane and three models fell into this power band, the MF 390T, 398 and the 399. The first two had four cylinders with turbochargers using the same engine, but the 390T was lighter; the 399 used a six-cylinder, the Perkins 6.354 as fitted to the 3080.

These were basic models compared to the 3000 series, first seen in 1986, the same time as the 3000 launch; the cab was improved at least three times over its 11 years of production, the 390 and 390T being the best seller.

There were three gearbox choices; two 12x4, one with multi power and an 8x2 later model had the option of an 18/6 speed‑shift. Lift capacity on the MF 399 was 3678kg; all models had 4wd option which was fitted with auto‑lock which gave diff locks on both axles. Ground or land drive was an option on the pto, standard fitted with the 540/1000 speeds. The 390 models could have a Duncan cab option fitted which was de‑mountable.

The MF 300 series outlived the other ranges. Ford replaced the 10 series in 1991 with the new 40 series, which was still made at Basildon, a six-model range from the 75hp 5640 to the 125hp 8340. The Case/IH range was replaced by the 4200 in 1994. The 300 was replaced by the 4200 series in 1997.

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