Picked up a David Bradley today!

[ZXT 2,401]

Hey all! At the first local auto swap meet of the year close to me in Decatur, Tx, there is typically a little more than just automotive stuff, which I love! I pulled into my vendor spot this morning to see this DB parked in the spot next to mine. I've never seen one in person, and knew I had to have it. I tried not to buy it, and walked around and shopped for a few hours, but I came back to my truck and it was still there.. so it came home with me!

 

Are there any DB guys on here? I know absolutely nothing about them. It has a non-original briggs on it that runs, but came with what is supposed to be the original Briggs. Not stuck or broken, just missing the sheet metal and a few other parts. It doesn't have a belt on it, so I need to figure out exactly what it is and find one. I believe it is a Suburban, but not sure what year. It's obviously been repainted, and they also painted over the data tag, so I hope I can remove it and still read what it says. 

 

The guy notched the grille to fit the air cleaner which sucks, but oh well. It looks cool and is well built. I'm assuming it is a single speed tractor? Do they even have reverse? I have no attachments and was hoping it had reverse. If it does, it should be a good tractor to move trailers around with!

 

Also saw a couple of WH's for sale. One that was a C series parts tractor, and the other appears to be a 500 special per the white stripe on the hood. The hood was rusted through on top, and had what I assume is a CC K301 on it. Had the shallow pan on it and had spacers under it to mount it. The parts tractor was really a better tractor other than it was a geared tractor. Wanted $325 for the pair. I think I'll pass. I'll offer $50 for the pair late tomorrow. We'll see what happens! 

Edited February 22, 2020 by ZXT

[Stepney 2,325]

They took special belts and are a variable drive CVT system via the lever on the dash. Reverse is a friction disc and planetary arrangement. 

I dont claim to know too much about them but I have driven a few.

They were hardly more than a walk behind tractor with a frame stuck on the front end. Beautifully simplistic. 

[WHNJ701 4,165]

I am a david bradley guy!

[ZXT 2,401]

1 minute ago, Stepney said:

They took special belts and are a variable drive CVT system via the lever on the dash. Reverse is a friction disc and planetary arrangement. 

I dont claim to know too much about them but I have driven a few.

They were hardly more than a walk behind tractor with a frame stuck on the front end. Beautifully simplistic. 

Thanks for the info! I had no clue! Hopefully most of it is there.. I'd hate to have to try and find a bunch of pieces! 

[ebinmaine 67,502]

1 minute ago, jabelman said:

I am a david bradley guy!

I was about to call you in...

 

 

 

@ZXT awesomeness.... 

[ZXT 2,401]

1 minute ago, jabelman said:

I am a david bradley guy!

I remember seeing that on here now! I assume this one is supposed to have that color scheme? Or were there variations? Can you explain to me how the drive system works? I'd love to know! Very nice looking tractor!

[WHNJ701 4,165]

that's the color scheme, they made them for 3 years.  we will get you all set up to get that machine going again.  mine was in worse shape than that one.

  it's going to take some diagrams and explaining to fully understand the drive mechanism.  I am sure your clutch is froze, get some pb blaster ready.   welcome to owning a tractor with no neutral. they don't roll, the one front wheel has a reverse thread bolt fyi.  too bad the original rims are missing. 

[ZXT 2,401]

I got one original front wheel with it, but the P.O said the other was rusted through and was discarded. He also mentioned the bolt on the front left wheel being oddball and difficult to find, but not much else. Figured it was probably just LH thread. 

I'll have to see if I can find any videos on YT of one operating. Maybe that'll help me wrap my mind around it. 

 

Where is the clutch located? Inside the transmission? 

I do appreciate your help!

[WHNJ701 4,165]

on the under side there is plate, and the clutch is in between the double pulley in the back,  you need the instructions how to separate it,  don't take it apart until I send you the manuals this weekend.  parts are getting difficult to find for these. the solid wheel in the back is your reverse.  did you get the belt guard?  with the original engine dis you get the correct air filter offset?  that engine should be a briggs 5 3 / 4hp 143402 

[ZXT 2,401]

I did not get the belt guard or the correct air filter. When I go back to the swap meet tomorrow, I will see if he has either of them! 

 

I won't mess with anything until I know more about them. Thanks in advance for the manuals! 

 

As for the ID tag on the tractor, is the information stamped in or printed on? It was painted over so I'm curious. I'll be far more cautious removing the paint if it is printed on.

 

Thanks!

[oliver2-44 9,752]

Very cool!  I really like the gold and turquoise paint scheme.  As Jableman said that oval front grill model was made for 3 years, I believe 59-61.

I have a 63, that has a white square hood and a blue square grill and body, but the drive system is the same as yours.  My drive clutch is still very stuck after a lot of soaking.   I wish there was a way to get it off and just submerge it in a bucket of diesel!     

Chris Har in Johnson City, about 20 miles from me has a gold one like yours.   They are unique

[WHNJ701 4,165]

the serial tag is brass square rivited on the transaxle, some light steel wool should give you the numbers,

no big deal on the belt guard, I have that all figured out, it's simple enough to make if you access to a break,  I full size plans I can provide to make it.

the airfilter offset is next to impossible to find and the ones used on the walk behinds won't work.  I helped @oldman with dimensions and patterns he made the offset for his.

again treat the parts with care, it's not like a wheelhorse where parts are easily available.  looking again the pictures you have alot to work with and shouldn't be to bad to get that going again

[stevasaurus 22,740]

Here is 2 David Bradleys.  These belong to Ron (not sure of last name), he collects old stuff that is different.  I want to say he is from Wisconsin, but we would see him at the LaSueur show in Minnesota.  Jason might remember his last name...he may have some parts.  

 

 

 

 

 

[Pullstart 62,883]

31 minutes ago, stevasaurus said:

Here is 2 David Bradleys.  These belong to Ron (not sure of last name), he collects old stuff that is different.  I want to say he is from Wisconsin, but we would see him at the LaSueur show in Minnesota.  Jason might remember his last name...he may have some parts.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Met that fellow and his wife at Portage too!

 

 

[ebinmaine 67,502]

That rig with the steel wheels is some kinda neat!!

 

[stevasaurus 22,740]

Yep...that's him Kevin.    You can spend over an hour just reading the signs in his trailer.

[Stormin 9,981]

 

 Now that really floats my boat.

[WHNJ701 4,165]

40 minutes ago, Stormin said:

 

 Now that really floats my boat.

those tri-tracs have really jumped up in value, last few I heard sold in the 3k to 5k range.  I kick myself I had a chance to buy a very incomplete one cheap, more of a parts machine, just would have a cool non running display piece in the collection 

[ZXT 2,401]

Thanks for the pictures and info, guys! I appreciate it! Now on to make another thread about what I bought at the meet today!