tips on buying adavid brown 995 needed

granpa · 01-08-2012 1:40pm #1

hi , i have been looking at a d/b 995 , dont know any thing about db , the guy is looking 1600 , is this reasonable , the gauges on dash are shot as is cab ,
so cant tell if good oil pressue , it starts and runs albeit whith abit of winding
breaks seem good is there any thing eles i should be checking , the tyres are baldy but hold air , thanking you in advance, granpa

piston · 01-08-2012 1:52pm

More than anything else, check the hydraulics function as they should and that the back end oil looks clean. They can be really problematical if poorly maintained.

Listen for big end knocks and get it well warmed up and check for a blow pass and oil smoke.

granpa · 01-08-2012 3:46pm

thanks for your reply piston, how do i check the hydrulics and what am i looking for
they did go up when he pull on a lever but we had to stand on them both of us to get them to go down , is that what you mean or is there another test,that can be done with out anoying the seller, granpa

stock> · 01-08-2012 5:57pm

Hydraulics and their control linkages. is it a white/ brown or white orange in color.
has it power steering? front wheel bearings are worth a look as it it had a loader on it the kingposts and spindles may need some work. Have someone press the clutch and check the crank shaft float. (watch the crankshaft pulley to see if it moves forward and back as the clutch is pressed )
Check the clutch adjustment.
Look in the radiator for air bubbles and oil may suggest issues with the head.
Make sure you start it cold. If the engine is warm before you start it maybe difficult to start cold, a signal compression issues or injector pump issues.
Just some things to look at, most browns had a lot of transmission noise so don't be to worried about that .
Check the brakes . depending on the cab can either be hydraulic or manual.(linkages)

jimmyw · 01-08-2012 8:27pm

You need to have the engine running, thats for sure.If it is going check to see is it blowing much vapour from the breather.If it is, the engine might be too worn.

As others have said too, check the hydraulics work.
Three may be a control knob in the cab to control the speed of the hydraulics while dropping.Alot of these DBs have this although never had one of those particular models myself.

Most DBs tend to be overpriced IMO for tractors with bad bodywork and alot of things not working.DBs in general have a reputation for rusting badly.

Wet brakes tend to be generally good and hardly ever need adjusting but I dont know what these have.(check to see if there is a drum near the wheel-not wet).The price you pay will reflect on these issues.

Is there an ad for it online?

http://www.donedeal.ie/find/tractors/for-sale/Ireland/david%20brown%20995?source=all

EDIT sorry you said it was running.What do you mean winding?

Pottler · 01-08-2012 10:12pm

The most important thing when looking at any David Brown is to remember to just look, then go off and buy an International. Mainly.

stock> · 01-08-2012 10:31pm

Pottler wrote: »

The most important thing when looking at any David Brown is to remember to just look, then go off and buy an International. Mainly.

Technically they are the same breed..........
JI Case bought DB, who then became Case David Brown, then purchased IH to become Case IH and that became Case which was eaten up by New holland (FORD & FIAT)..............

Pottler · 01-08-2012 10:33pm

stock> wrote: »

Technically they are the same breed..........
JI Case bought DB, who then became Case David Brown, then purchased IH to become Case IH and that became Case which was eaten up by New holland (FORD & FIAT)..............

Yup, and got a bit less crap with each step. Hence, International:) My favorite tractors actually as it happens. I bought a 100hp John Deere, '01 and a '94 100hp International this year, both 4wd, and say it quietly, but the International handles a load better and is a smoother machine to operate... I tried posting a pic, but generational difficulties intervened. I will find a child to do it for me tomorrow.

stock> · 01-08-2012 10:37pm

Would be a IH fan myself owned a few in my career great machines but did get a tat grumpy with the wrong oil in the tail end. Some of the more modern Cases are trouble some enough...............

granpa · 02-08-2012 6:40pm

great info, this should help me make up my mind , thanks alot to all of you,
one of you asked what i ment by winding it over ,just another way of saying
tunning engine over with the key, thanks again granpa

jimmyw · 02-08-2012 7:41pm

Pottler wrote: »

The most important thing when looking at any David Brown is to remember to just look, then go off and buy an International. Mainly.

Pottler wrote: »

International:) My favorite tractors actually as it happens.

So no bias view then

granpa wrote: »

one of you asked what i ment by winding it over ,just another way of saying
tunning engine over with the key, granpa

That was me, thanks for the clarification.

granpa · 04-08-2012 4:56pm

there is a picture of the tractor on donedeal ithink its running in the pic
price is 1600, its in donegal

Pottler · 04-08-2012 7:01pm

granpa wrote: »

there is a picture of the tractor on donedeal ithink its running in the pic
price is 1600, its in donegal

Which is probably a very good place for it. Why disturb it. I've no idea why people like these, they're clunky, awkward, temperamental and impractical. It's almost impossible to name a worse yoke, I'd rather a Zetor tbh.

jimmyw · 04-08-2012 8:26pm

Pottler wrote: »

Which is probably a very good place for it. Why disturb it. I've no idea why people like these, they're clunky, awkward, temperamental and impractical. It's almost impossible to name a worse yoke, I'd rather a Zetor tbh.

You really have a hatred for them dont you:p, have you ever owned one?.Whos to say Internationals are any better which they may be.All makes of tractors have their faults (including the DB entire range) and good points too.You would want to know if parts are easy to come by too.

Granpa, I would say try a few different makes of tractor and decide for yourself which feels better because everyone have different tastes.

The ad you mention doesn't seem to be there but here is one, but its a bit dear and probably too far away from you but its in good nick.

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3716180

Pottler · 04-08-2012 11:03pm

I live in the Bogs, I'm surrounded by DB piles of scrap used to draw turf. I've had the misfortune to spend time on them baling and drawing in bales. They are better than pulling the trailer yourself, but not by much. That's just my opinion, ill informed as that might be, but I've owned a lot of tractors, I still have 3, Deere,Ferguson 165 and Ih and I'd hate to have a DB as my yoke to have to work or drive. I've a neighbour who loves Leylands and has a few, so each to their own, I understand. DB are just so clumsy, clunky and wrong-engineered that I can't find anything good about them. I even dislike the colour. On the plus side, they're simple, but that's not always a good thing.

jimmyw · 04-08-2012 11:54pm

So your not a DB fan

.

Yes but there might have been some maintenance needed on the ones you had.
Most farmers dont give a flying F about maintenance and would drive a chassis on wheels:D so long as the jobs get done.But alot of sellers have them overpriced for what are complete rust buckets which is the case I think from the OPs first post.

Yes they can rust to just spit on them and they are not the fastest either but dont dismiss all of them just because of one experience.Personally I think the leyland synchro tractors have a lovely sweet box for instance.If the first poster just trys different makes of tractors, they will get some idea of what they like and might even come to like a particular make such as Internationals or Masseys or JDs or leyland or marshall or DBs:p

( I better step away from the screen)

101sean · 05-08-2012 8:27am

Definitely DB country around here, neighbour still uses one and over half the tractors on our recent road run were DBs, rest were mostly MFs. Modern stuff is all JDs and Renault/Claas

jimmyw · 05-08-2012 11:03am

101sean wrote: »

Definitely DB country around here, neighbour still uses one and over half the tractors on our recent road run were DBs, rest were mostly MFs. Modern stuff is all JDs and Renault/Claas

Well its not surprising really because you have the Rohans of Mullinahone for instance keeping them all in parts, excellent guys.

piston · 06-08-2012 9:59am

They definitely have some plus points. Hydraulics are very accurate if they work properly, a great selection of gears compared to the equivalent MF and Ford of the time (even if you do need a degree in engineering to figure out the gear sequence), very easy on diesel. They also have fantastic traction for lightish 2wd. My biggest issue with the 995 is appalling driver access, rust, rust and oh, did I mention rust.

Every tractor has their fans and people buy thing for different reasons. I own an MF 165 even though I rate the IH 574 and the Ford 4000/4600 of the same era as superior in most respects, especially hydraulics, steering and brakes. The reason - I learned to drive in one and wanted to relive my youth! I like it but am not blind to it's faults.

granpa · 06-08-2012 12:04pm

if you go into done deal and up at the top of tractors there is abox saying ireland
put donegal in there and scroll down you should come to the illustroius tractor, i think its still there, its good to get all your coments thanks guys , granpa

jimmyw · 06-08-2012 12:37pm

granpa wrote: »

hi , i have been looking at a d/b 995 , dont know any thing about db , the guy is looking 1600 , is this reasonable , the gauges on dash are shot as is cab ,
so cant tell if good oil pressue , it starts and runs albeit whith abit of winding
breaks seem good is there any thing eles i should be checking , the tyres are baldy but hold air , thanking you in advance, granpa

So she does have an oil pressure gauge? If it has and its mechanical then you don't need to have electrics for it to work.Does it have any warning lights, battery, oil pressure etc and does the oil light go off? The starting issue may be to do with a faulty thermostart if its starting from cold or fuel filter, leaky pipes etc maybe.You have checked the hydraulics?You probably didnt notice but were they much vapour coming out the breather pipe on the rocker cover?

Seen as all this little things are not working, I would say its overpriced a bit yeah.If its the one that I have linked below, considering its not the worst I have seen but I have found that pics can deceive you.It would be nice to see exactly how much oil pressure there is though.

The description on the ad is very comprehensive:p:rolleyes:

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3684467

granpa · 06-08-2012 7:51pm

yes you have the right add ok ,i dont know about the breather, the gauges are broken so cant tell about oil pressure, the hyds lift ok and pto is working, he has a new battery in it which may mean starting probs, there is no tow bar but the hitch is there and no log book what would be a resonable price

jimmyw · 06-08-2012 8:23pm

stock> · 06-08-2012 8:44pm

jimmyw wrote: »

Might be best to look elsewhere, no logbook would put me off.Compare to those below it is cheap but the logbook and the potential state of the engine might be a bargaining point.Have you looked at others, DBs or others? Have a look at them and maybe come back to this one.

http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3716180
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3695725
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3645424
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3215322
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3672095
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3638093
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3609238
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3590428
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3582189
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3474568
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3465637
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3415005

Probably the only ones worth looking at. the majority of the ones listed don't have power assisted steering.
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3590428
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3582189

jimmyw · 06-08-2012 9:04pm

Well if the advert that the OP is referring to had a better description, people would know :rolleyes:.More of them have PS but they are dearer.

case956tom · 06-08-2012 10:33pm

stock> wrote: »

Probably the only ones worth looking at. the majority of the ones listed don't have power assisted steering.
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3590428
http://www.donedeal.ie/for-sale/tractors/3582189

the one in the first link would be my choice better cab better brakes as well its one of the last of the 995s,

case956tom · 06-08-2012 10:37pm

granpa wrote: »

yes you have the right add ok ,i dont know about the breather, the gauges are broken so cant tell about oil pressure, the hyds lift ok and pto is working, he has a new battery in it which may mean starting probs, there is no tow bar but the hitch is there and no log book what would be a resonable price

it should have an electrical oil press switch the green light on the dash is eng oil press,depending on the aeg of the tractor the oil press switch will either be just above the oil filter or on the later ones it will be between the oil filter and the injector pump.

agriking101 · 15-11-2012 12:59am

piston wrote: »

They definitely have some plus points. Hydraulics are very accurate if they work properly, a great selection of gears compared to the equivalent MF and Ford of the time (even if you do need a degree in engineering to figure out the gear sequence), very easy on diesel. They also have fantastic traction for lightish 2wd. My biggest issue with the 995 is appalling driver access, rust, rust and oh, did I mention rust.

Every tractor has their fans and people buy thing for different reasons. I own an MF 165 even though I rate the IH 574 and the Ford 4000/4600 of the same era as superior in most respects, especially hydraulics, steering and brakes. The reason - I learned to drive in one and wanted to relive my youth! I like it but am not blind to it's faults.

there's a good point that no-one ever mentions, is it like elephants and roms etc- why did DB have such odd doors, i used always go in through the back, but I'm getting old for that now

tips on buying adavid brown 995 needed

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