Did David Brown And Harry Ferguson Ever Build Tractors Together?

Yes, they did. The pair, who would later go on to become rivals, did, in fact, work in partnership manufacturing tractors in the mid 1930s.

But their partnership was short-lived lasting barely four years before they parted company in 1939. The reason for their breaking up was disagreement over the future direction of the company. Brown wanted to increase power while Ferguson wanted to cut costs.

After going their separate ways, both remained in tractor manufacturing.

Brown started work on a new model, the VAK-1 and featured a hydraulic lift. During the Second World War, David Brown switched to producing airfield tractors, returning after the war years with a modified version of the VAK-1 until the Cropmaster could be launced in 1947.

The Cropmasters were a big hit, especially the diesel engined version which was introduced to the line up in 1949. Styling of David Brown tractors remained close to the VAK-1 until 1956 when the new 900 tractor was introduced.

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