Enthusiast’s 1970 David Brown 1294 tractor is simply superb!

David Brown enthusiast Neil Reid has made a superb job of restoring his 1970 David Brown 1294, as Bob Weir discovers.

The 94 Series was the last model range of David Brown tractors to roll off the assembly line and Neil Reid, from Angus, in Tayside, is a fan. An engineer by profession, Neil has lived in this area of Scotland for his entire life and the superb DB 1294 he owns is a testament to both his enthusiasm for the make and his restoration skills.

“I served my time at a local David Brown dealership during the early 1980s,” he explained. “Then I worked on trucks for a few years, followed by Volkswagen/Audi vehicles, before deciding to specialise in hydraulics. I started my own family engineering business – Reid Hydraulic Services Ltd (RHS) in 1994, and haven’t looked back since.”

Working under pressure
RHS is the authorised distributor for Europower in the North-East of Scotland, and the company offers a 24-hour, onsite service for all its customers’ hydraulic needs. “Our team of engineers provides a breakdown service for hose and hydraulic ram repair, and the latest in high-pressure testing services,” Neil told me. “We can fabricate, fault-find, design and build hydraulic systems, or do simpler jobs like replacing a burst hose. Our depot boasts a large range of hydraulic components, adapters and hoses. We can even handle specialist items like car transporter hydraulics.”

Despite the daily pressures of running his own business, Neil has found time to start his own tractor collection. Although this includes several makes, he retains a real soft spot for David Brown machinery. “I suppose this dates back to my younger days, when I was serving my apprenticeship,” he explained. “I learned all about tractors working on David Browns, and I still use those skills when I’m carrying out restorations. The company certainly made a great range of tractors, and those models are still very popular with a good number of Scottish enthusiasts.”

Ironically, though, the first tractor that Neil bought wasn’t built at Meltham Mills, in West Yorkshire, and, instead, wore a Massey Ferguson red and grey livery. “The first machine I got was an MF 148,” he said. “I needed a tractor to do a spot of ploughing. I gave the Massey a good make-over but, because I’d bought it to do some work, I stopped short of restoring it to concours condition.”

First David Brown
“The first David Brown I bought was OGS 174H, one of my pair of 880 Selectamatics. This 1970 tractor was supplied by the dealers Grassicks of Blairgowrie in 2003, although the company is no longer trading. The machine was in poor condition, but Selectamatics aren’t very common, so I came to an arrangement with the seller.”

As it turned out, the condition of the machine was academic, because Neil usually gives his tractors a full, bottom-up restoration. “I’ve done this for all my tractors, with the exception of the Massey Ferguson 148,” he added. “I like each of my machines to be in the same condition as they were the day they left the factory. I replace every part where necessary, even if this means getting hold of larger items, like a new engine.”

Neil is also no slouch when it comes to completing a refurbishment, particularly if it’s a David Brown. “Once I’ve acquired a new project, I like to get on with it,” he said. “I try to complete each restoration as soon as possible, regardless of time and money. His first 880 Selectamatic (Serial No: 880A557504) is a perfect case in point. “I was so pleased to have acquired the tractor,” he recalled, “that I had it refurbished in a matter of months. This was despite my work commitments and the considerable restoration work that was involved in that project.”

That feat is made all the more remarkable given the fact that, at the time it was all going on, Neil was still working extremely hard to grow and develop his hydraulics business. What’s more, he was also involved in the process of putting together his state-of-the-art workshop. “We had a small amount of free space undercover, but that was about it,” he told me. “There was nothing like the facilities we now have at our disposal. For example, over the years I’ve managed to put together a comprehensive David Brown toolkit. This includes items that are now hard to find, such as the specialist tools needed for setting up the valves correctly.”

No.2 arrives
Neil’s second Selectamatic (reg: GGS 277E, Serial No: 880A539667), is another local machine, which he bought in 2014. “About a decade ago, we used to sell tractors as part of our business,” he recalls. “I was up at a farm doing a job, when I spotted this David Brown tractor at the back of an old shed. Much to my delight I recognised it as a Selectamatic. It turned out that the customer’s father used to show prize-winning, pedigree sheep, and even hired his own shepherd to look after the animals. The story goes that he’d bought GGS 277E to help out.

“I was told that the 880 was originally new to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where it was used to help maintain the hospital grounds. The tractor is an early Selectamatic, because it isn’t equipped with a fuel gauge. These dials weren’t fitted to the early examples.

“When I first laid eyes on the machine, it was covered in pigeon droppings. This certainly didn’t add to the tractor’s appearance but, in a perverse sort of way, I think that the dirt was protecting the metalwork. I checked the body, and most of the tinwork appeared to be in surprisingly good condition. I couldn’t believe my luck, so came to an arrangement and brought the tractor home. It was then given a full make-over the same as my other David Browns. I decided to give the tractor to my second son, Lindsay, on the condition he helped with the restoration. That certainly turned out to be a good experience for him!”

By this stage, Neil had got the David Brown bit firmly between his teeth, and had already acquired the increasingly rare 1294. “I’ve had the 1294 (Serial No: 11491297) for about 10 years now,” he said. “It was also a local tractor, from St Cyrus, near Montrose. It’s a small world, because I found out later that this machine used to belong to my next door neighbour’s brother-in-law. Apparently, he had recently died, which is the reason why the tractor had been put up for sale.”

“Mechanically, the tractor was as sound as a bell, as it had only run for 2,000 hours,” Neil continued. “The tinwork was a different matter, though, and needed a lot of cosmetic work. The Sekura cab, in particular, was in a terrible state. The unit had to be completely stripped down, and all the cladding replaced. Fortunately, the right cladding was still available a decade ago although, these days, I would certainly struggle to find the correct material.”

Although Neil’s three David Brown tractors have been restored to a high standard, he’s yet to take them to any Scottish shows. “As always, it’s finding the time,” he explained. “That said, I always go down to Newark each year, because things on the job front are a lot quieter in November. I take a tractor down on my lorry and stay the whole weekend. Newark is a great show, and I always have a good time there.”

Although most Scottish fans have yet to clap eyes on Neil’s David Brown 1294, he might get around to taking the tractor to a few local events in the near future. Bravehearts, everywhere, should keep their fingers crossed!

This feature comes from a recent issue of Tractor & Machinery, and you can get a money-saving subscription to this magazine simply by clicking HERE