Universal tractors

dragonfly · Nov 12, 2015

We had a Universal 445 with a Duncan cab, bought new in 1975.
Fantastic tractor, wish we still had it!
Always started in the cold.
We currently have a Case JX 70, which we like, but I liked the Universal more!

JOHNNY BOY · Nov 12, 2015

Unfortunately most of these tractors weren't big enough and fancy enough for most working lads when they took over farms. They wanted something bigger and lit up like a christmas tree. (Myself included) this led to most of them been exported back to Romania or over to Africa in the latter years. Its only in the last few years when fellas remember how handy the small tractor is and how light on diesel they are that there has been a renewed interest in the likes again. I personally wouldnt mind another 550 super

Wheatonrotty · Nov 12, 2015

Got this tracked one in a shed. Used to do all the rolling with it.

JOHNNY BOY · Nov 12, 2015

What model is she @Wheatonrotty

dragonfly · Nov 12, 2015

Wheatonrotty said:
Got this tracked one in a shed. Used to do all the rolling with it.

A neighbour of mine had one like that, with its creamy/white cab.
Not sure if he's still got it.

pg106 · Nov 12, 2015

We had a 550S (S for sh#t?). Apparently it was awful from new but it was a gutless little thing and difficult to start from word go. It was bought at the same time as a fiat 640, the universal was apparently sold as being essentially the same tractor "made under licence" but the only similarity was the colour! The fiat is lively and has plenty of poke, it will never leave, however the Universal is gone but sadly not forgotten.

Llewellyn93 · Nov 12, 2015

JOHNNY BOY said:
Bet you wouldnt like to sell the old girl @Llewellyn93

I might like to if the price was right [emoji6]. They are a bit different though [emoji106]

JOHNNY BOY · Nov 12, 2015

Llewellyn93 said:
I might like to if the price was right [emoji6]. They are a bit different though [emoji106]

What sort of coin would you be thinking.could you send some pics. Not exactly what i was thinking but anythings possible with me.@Llewellyn93

Wheatonrotty · Nov 13, 2015

JOHNNY BOY said:
What model is she @Wheatonrotty

445 SM

brynseiri · Nov 13, 2015

Llandudno yacht club have one for drawing the boats out of the water, they look after it immaculately, it is in concours condition, no rust, not even at the edges of the cab glass. They've had it since new. A late friend had one with a tanco loader, simple, reliable, start first time in winter, fix it yourself if you need to. Cost the same in today's money as a utv.

Mike6120 · Nov 13, 2015

Llewellyn93 said:
View attachment 234986
Haven't got any pics of the front of the old beast but we've got a 550 DT. Got a quicke power loader on the front and spends most of its time on the log spitter. We are 3rd owners from new was sold by Bryan Jones in bishops castle. They are ok you get what you pay for!

Is that log splitter pto driven, with it's own pump?

fingermouse · Nov 13, 2015

Dad bought a 445 of MK Richmond of Malpas in 1972 and I suppose it was the tractor I learnt my trade on ,He sold it in 1982 the year I left school ,He reckoned only thing he ever spent on it was a set of tyres and a battery got the same price around a £1000 pounds (I think) in a trade in against a JD 2140 that He paid for it new
It did everything We asked of it and was at 45hp our front line tractor ,unbelievable now Apart from needing to Change gear with a screwdriver towards the end it was a super little tractor

Me at a ploughing match late 70,s

Llewellyn93 · Nov 13, 2015

Mike6120 said:
Is that log splitter pto driven, with it's own pump?

Yeah it has its own pump. We found running a splitter off small tractors with low oil flow a bit of a pain in the arse. The pump is a lot quicker and the tractor isn't pumping all day [emoji106]

Llewellyn93 · Nov 13, 2015

JOHNNY BOY said:
What sort of coin would you be thinking.could you send some pics. Not exactly what i was thinking but anythings possible with me.@Llewellyn93

I haven't had chance to get pics today sorry. Would be looking for about 3k

GTB · Nov 13, 2015

My father bought a new 445DT in the 70's from Burgess at Dolgellau. I remember driving it a fair bit as a child. I think I remember him saying it was half the price of a Ford 4000, would that be right?

Kevtherev · Nov 13, 2015

Remember quite a lot of 640dt universals about this area

JOHNNY BOY · Nov 13, 2015

GTB said:
My father bunderestimated new 445DT in the 70's from Burgess at Dolgellau. I remember driving it a fair bit as a child. I think I remember him saying it was half the price of a Ford 4000, would that be right?

Yea they were cheap as chips in there day. Very very underestimated and never really seemed to be as popular as other brands. Think a lot of it had to do with the men who got the dealerships.

Kevtherev · Nov 13, 2015

Local ag engineer near me used to sell them.
Also t m Davies at Newtown sold them

Tarw Coch · Nov 13, 2015

Kevtherev said:
Local ag engineer near me used to sell them.
Also t m Davies at Newtown sold them

Was that Philip Powell? IIRC he started out working for a Universal dealer in Newtown.

Kevtherev · Nov 13, 2015

Tarw Coch said:
Was that Philip Powell? IIRC he started out working for a Universal dealer in Newtown.

Yes Phil is a good friend of mine and worked for Malcolm Davies in Newtown then sold them for himself for a while.
He still has a fair stock of parts for universals there surplus to requirements now.

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