David Brown

The story of David Brown began in 1860 in Huddersfield, England, with a skilled patternmaker establishing his own enterprise. Initially, the company focused on the meticulous crafting of gears. A collaborative venture with Harry Ferguson in 1936 led to the production of 1350 Ferguson-Brown tractors. This alliance proved short-lived, as Ferguson subsequently relocated to the United States and forged a new partnership with Ford. The inaugural David Brown tractor, designated the VAK1, debuted in 1939, attracting initial orders for 3000 units. Unfortunately, the outbreak of World War II curtailed production, limiting the total built to just 1000. Following the war's conclusion, tractor manufacturing was fully revitalized. In 1972, David Brown Tractors transitioned into a subsidiary of Tenneco, functioning as a division within JI Case. By 1983, the David Brown name was retired from tractor production, replaced by the Case branding. The Meltham facility, the long-standing birthplace of all David Brown tractors, ceased operations in 1988.