Sources and field evidence
Catalog Archive: Baseline specifications compiled from historical manufacturer archives and equipment registries. Laboratory test report verification in progress.
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Engineering & Capability Benchmark
Specific output, tractive ratio, and segment percentile
Engine and power specifications
- Engine model
- David Brown
- Fuel type
- Diesel
- Rated horsepower
- 46 hp
- Rated PTO Power
- 42.9 hp (David Brown specification)
- Drawbar Power @ Rated Engine Speed
- 38.9 hp (Nebraska OECD Test 2218)
- Cylinders
- 3
- Displacement
- 2.7 L (164.4 ci)
- Bore / stroke
- 3.9375x4.50 inches 100 x 114 mm
- Rated RPM
- 2200 RPM
- Crankcase oil capacity
- 6.5 qts (~6.1 L)
- Coolant capacity
- 10 qts (~9.5 L)
Maintenance picks for the 780
Oil capacity 6.5 qts — match the filter before you drain.
Transmission and chassis specifications
- Transmission type
- N/A
- Gears (forward / reverse)
- 6 forward / 2 reverse
- Drive system
- 2WD
- Wheelbase
- 75.8 in
- Front tire
- 6.00-16
- Rear tire
- 12.4/11-28
- Hydraulic flow
- N/A
- Rear hitch
- I
Implement Draft & Ballast Matcher
Simulate draft resistance, drawbar power transfer, and optimal axle weight distribution for David Brown 780.
Engine demand (83.4 HP) exceeds rated power (46 HP). Reduce working speed by 1.0-1.5 mph or reduce working width.
Catalog archival serial-number ranges
| Production year | Starting serial # | Ending serial # | Assembly plant |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1967 | #600,001 | #600,878 | Factory not specified |
| 1968 | #600,879 | #602,852 | Factory not specified |
| 1969 | #602,853 | #606,108 | Factory not specified |
| 1970 | #606,109 | #609,664 | Factory not specified |
| 1971 | #609,665 | End of run | Factory not specified |
Instant Used Market Valuation Projector
Algorithmic resale estimate for David Brown 780 (1967)
Direct Segment Rivals & Showdowns
Head-to-head match-ups calibrated by horsepower and era
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David Brown
United Kingdom • 31 Models
David Brown was a British engineering company with roots tracing back to 1860 when David Brown, a skilled patternmaker, established a gear manufacturing business in Huddersfield, England. The company's foray into tractors began in 1936 through a partnership with Harry Ferguson, resulting in the production of 1350 Ferguson-Brown tractors. However, the partnership dissolved shortly thereafter, leading Ferguson to pursue ventures in the United States. Undeterred, David Brown launched its first independently designed tractor, the VAK1, in 1939. Despite an initial order of 3000 units, World War II disrupted production, limiting output to just 1000 tractors. Post-war, the company resumed full-scale tractor manufacturing and gained recognition for its robust and reliable machinery. In 1972, David Brown Tractors was acquired by Tenneco and became a division of JI Case, marking a significant shift in its operational structure. The company continued to produce tractors under its own name until 1983, after which the tractors were branded as Case. The iconic Meltham factory, the birthplace of all David Brown tractors, ceased operations in 1988, signaling the end of an era for the brand.
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