DB 880

[averageguy54]

My son has a chance to pick up an old David Brown 880 for a very good price. Obviously a little rough but nothing too bad. He believes it is a selectomatic. and it has a front end loader. The lad selling tells him that the hydraulic pump is a little weak.
What else should he be looking for as far as problems and how much work to repair the pump. He is a mechanic.

 

[Mr Happy]

Unfortunately the hyd pump is mainly made from aluminium so will not be repairable, time to buy a new one.

 

[J 1177]

The pumps aren't daft money to replace. Good little tractors those 880s one of david browns best.
They are pretty bomb Proof but the selectamatic valves In the rear end can play up if the oil isn't kept clean.

 

[averageguy54]

Alright, that's good to know. I'll pass that on and he can decide what he wants to do. He can get it for$1000CAD,so it could be a decent deal.

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

Gutsy little tractors that run for days on a tank of fuel. I regret that dad ever sold ours.

The PTO clutch can easily seize if it isn't used for a long time but can often be freed again with a bit of brutal use. It works on the clutch pedal, half way down for transmission clutch and right down for PTO clutch as well.

 

[Exfarmer]

some of the DB’s sold into the american market were low spec, so not necessarily live drive. Also some implematics an earlier version, were sold as selectamatics
Otherwise they wer very good tractors. The Selectamatic hydraulic system can be very trying for somebody who has no previous experience. It is critcal the main lift lever is pulled right back , before attempting to change from draft, hieght or TCU/ trailer tipping.
The pump issue may only require the large gauze filter under the gearbox to be cleaned. Older tractors often have a right melange of gunge here, due to water getting in the boots around the gear levers.
the DBTC website is a very good source of advice on these tractors too.

 

[john1968]

with it having a loader the steering and the clutch could be troublesome we had a 780 that was like that

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

with it having a loader the steering and the clutch could be troublesome we had a 780 that was like that

Interesting how some folk destroy a clutch a year in a loader tractor

We've only replaced a clutch 3 times in 50 years of mixed farming 400 acres including several tractors we've owned for over 10k hours.

 

[john1968]

interesting how some people think they can walk on water and are better than other people but I suppose that's how it goes

 

[holwellcourtfarm]

interesting how some people think they can walk on water and are better than other people but I suppose that's how it goes

Not at all, just not all loader tractors have wrecked clutches.

You are right to suggest they check it though.

 

[averageguy54]

Thanks,I'll let him know, sounding more like it could be a good deal.

 

[Exfarmer]

Onething that will fairly certainly need Attention is the trunnion pin and the front wheel bearings

 

[averageguy54]

Onething that will fairly certainly need Attention is the trunnion pin and the front wheel bearings

That's good to know.