David Brown Tractor, Hydraulics Part 1

This is the first video of four about the David Brown tractor 770,780,870,880,980,970,990,...... 1200 , covering the hydraulics, the functions, modes, elements and use.

[curtrn]

I have been a nurse for over 30 years and by the grace of God saved a few lives. Truth be told, I have not always felt right about many of them as their state was a future of medical interventions. Now, saving a tractor ? I have felt pure joy in every single one of them ! I just purchased a $500 1966 David Brown 770 from a couple at church. Their grandfather passed away years ago. It was sitting in his field for 5 years. The old junker fired up after a few electric wires we twisted and fuel poured everywhere along with two batteries. The hydraulics don't work, the rear wheel wobbles, the other rim is rotted at the valve stem, every oil and filter needs a change. I was thinking of scrapping it. Then I started watching videos like yours and realized I am not the only guy out there that spends $5000 in the value of my time and another $1500 in parts and supplies to restore a $1500 tractor when it's all said and done. Are we fools ? Why do we do this ? I have done this at least 20 times ! Why I ask, Seriously why ???

[benjaminbruce]

Excellent series. Such information is hard to come by with older tractors. Well done.

[marklloyd]

Thank you, a great set of videos.
I've just got a DB885, your videos are going to be invaluable.

[radharcanna]

I’m not a farmer but I’m fascinated by tractor hydraulics and tractors in general. A great video with clear explanations.

[franciscoarroyo]

As an owner of 3, 990's this is great information, thanks for your time putting this together.

[javorekbg]

Brillantly made videos and highly valuable content, thank You indeed, Steve!
I wish You and Your projects the best luck!

[emma.jacobs]

I don’t need to know how the hydraulics work on a tractor, but it’s an interesting video and clearly explained

[rustybass]

your videos are the best I have seen . I recently purchased a 1977 David Brown 1212 very low hours and everything works. very happy with the machine . please keep your videos coming .. Canada

[rogerwendymiller]

Thank you very much from Dayton, Texas. This was the help I was looking for.

[ChileExpatFamily]

I wish that the new tractors were this easy and simple. Jim in Chile.

[homesteadfromscratch]

A most excellent video with just the detail and explanation to help before reading of the manual. I just purchased a 990 and as this is my first utility tractor of this size and class it is a most impressive machine for it's era.

[blindfrog]

Excelent, to the point - this is how all DIY should be - kudos

[_LandBursche_]

Thank you very much, explained in an absolutely understandable way 👌🏼
best wishes from Germany 🇩🇪

[ckie]

Excellent information - looking forward to part two. I wish the hydraulics on my Ferguson TE20 were as flexible as the DB990! Just love your channel Steve - great variety of projects, don't change a thing.

[serenaandme]

Thanks for the video. I have the manual for my 885 but seeing the video has made it much easier to understand. I am trying to add the hydraulic take-off which was not fitted to mine but is listed in the manual as an optional extra. As well as the hoses, it seems I will need to add the valves as well. Fortunately, there is a tractor wrecker about an hour's drive from here (Victoria, Australia) and they have several 885s in various states of dismemberment. I've been planning a visit for a few weeks and if I'm lucky, one of them will have the hydraulic parts I need. I love my DB. I had an 880 before this when I lived in a different state but shipping it was too expensive so I sold it and bought the 885 when I got here. I've had it ten years now and it works fairly hard but has never let me down.

[geoffluck]

Thank you for this extensive explanation.

[Nudnik]

On three way auxiliary you always need a third case drain line besides the two pressure and return lines for certain axial piston Hydraulic motors.
Excellent instructions Thanks

[rogera]

Thank you for taking the time to produce this instructional video. After watching all four of the videos in your series, I have much better handle on how a David Brown hydraulic system operates. I've owned a 1970 David Brown 990A for 23 years and have been constantly baffled by the "out of control" three point hitch on it. I've also seen others online who are mystified by the same issue. I hope to take what I've learned from your instruction, along with the shop manual I have for the this tractor, and finally come to an understanding of how to stabilize the three point hitch in a set position. Best wishes from Tidewater Virginia

[brendendyson]

Good video mate, I inherited a 990 off my father in-law which was used in the sugarcane fields of Queensland, Australia

[johncollins]

Hi I have 990, 880 imp and 1212. Well done on your videos