Author	[Modern View]
KFD68 10-12-2012 01:33:04 81.135.21.12 Report to Moderator	In 1966-7 a small construction machinery company designed and built these 4wd tractors based on the Ford 5000 tractors. The front axle was reversed 5000 axle. They were underpowered and a few 6 cylinder versions were made. Sales were poor and the parent company went bust. The designer David Brown [no relation to David Brown tractors] joined Muir Hill another construction machinery manufacturer, took his ideas and Muir Hill went on to produce a highly successful range of 4wd tractors which had the same basic ideas as the Northrop. Although Muir Hill ceased building tractors in the 1990's, a company who took over the spares business still build these tractors to order for farming and for off road haulage of goose neck dump trailers. [Reply]   [No Email]
KFD68 10-15-2012 10:51:41 81.135.21.12 Report to Moderator	Re: Northrop 4wd in reply to 36 coupe, 10-12-2012 01:33:04   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see The British importer of Schindler 4wd in the 70's was Arthur Battelle who was at that time employed as Roadless Service Manager !!! Yes - in direct competition to his full time employer. The company was called Farm Tractor Drives, besides importing the axles for sale, they also converted a limited number of Ford 5000 tractors to 6 cylinder Ford engines. Some were sold in 2wd and some with Schindler 4wd axles. Painted blue with yellow wheels. Have you ever heard of or seen them? J J Thomas in Britain were also converting Ford 5000's into 6 cylinders, some were fitted with Schindler 4wd axles.   [Reply]  [No Email]
TONY JACOBS 10-15-2012 18:27:37 64.12.116.9 Report to Moderator	Re: Northrop 4wd in reply to KFD68, 10-15-2012 10:51:41   Hello KFD68 , There is very little info here in the USA about Schindlers , all that I have found has come from Canada but I do remember Farm Tractor Drives . The Schindler kit came out of a Ford 5000 with the original 4 cylinder engine , I did not know there were installing 6 cylinder engines in them with four wheel drive . I removed it because one side split the steering knuckle where it turns on the bearings , I just recently found another broken kit but have not been able to come to an agreement on the price to purchase it so I can fix one of them and then reinstall it into another Ford 5000 . Thanks Tony   [Reply]  [No Email]
KFD68 10-15-2012 08:38:33 81.135.21.12 Report to Moderator	Re: Northrop 4wd in reply to jbp, 10-12-2012 01:33:04   I admit that I have made a mistake - I believed this particular tractor was a Northrop not a County.   [Reply]  [No Email]
TONY JACOBS 10-15-2012 09:43:15 64.12.116.9 Report to Moderator	Re: Northrop 4wd in reply to KFD68, 10-15-2012 08:38:33   Hello KFD68 , No problem we all make mistakes just so you know why I have so much interest in 4x4 Tractors , I own part of Elwood Engineering Corporation that made Front Wheel Drive Conversions in the USA same as County, Roadless, Schindler, Muir-Hill, Northrop, etc, etc, did over there . Elwood made kits from 1948-1978 for Ford, M-F, Minneapolis-Moline, John Deere, Case, IH, and some lesser know names as well . I bought the Ford and M-F Division 27 years ago and have been making parts since then for the Fords . The Ford 871 Diesel your friend has in shop can be converted to 4x4 similar to a Dexta with Dodge Military Parts . So I have done extensive research on all 4x4 conversions and sent parts out as far as Germany to date . As I have said in another post I have Roadless and Schindler 4x4's here in the USA . Thanks Tony   [Reply]  [No Email]
NWMO 901 SOS 10-14-2012 21:25:07 68.171.115.229 Report to Moderator	Re: Northrop 4wd in reply to KFD68, 10-12-2012 01:33:04   Isn't the internet grand :D video 1 video 2 Chris   [Reply]  [No Email]
TONY JACOBS 10-15-2012 06:25:21 64.12.116.9 Report to Moderator	Re: Northrop 4wd in reply to NWMO 901 SOS, 10-14-2012 21:25:07   Hello Chris , Now THAT'S A NORTHROP 4X4 , Thanks for helping prove my point , my slow Dial-up and out here in the sticks takes forever to load pictures or video so I don't even bother . I may not be an Expert on British Tractors but when it comes to anything 4x4 I have researched it to death and usually know what I am talking about . Once you see a Northrop 4x4 you can't mistake it for anything else and since only about 100 were built there is not many around . Thanks Tony   [Reply]  [No Email]
KFD68 10-14-2012 08:05:37 81.135.21.12 Report to Moderator	Re: Northrop 4wd in reply to Larry NCKS, 10-12-2012 01:33:04   Quoting Removed, click Modern View to see NO - its definately a Northrop - see how it sits high compared to the wheel height. This is a County 1004 from the same era, they are a lot lower. This is the Muir Hill 101 which was designed by David Brown who moved from Northrop to Muir Hill and took the basic design with him. The raised height is due to the front axle being a Ford 5000 rear axle turned around 180 degrees. Note the high driving position too.   [Reply]  [No Email]
TONY JACOBS 10-14-2012 18:35:27 64.12.116.9 Report to Moderator	Re: Northrop 4wd in reply to KFD68, 10-14-2012 08:05:37   Hello KFD68 , Unless you have a picture of that tractor and it says Northrop on it it looks like a County 964 . Northrops were built from 1964-1967 and only about 100 were built and were designated as 5004's , the grille and hood were like the County 1004 you have pictured because Ford used it between 1965-1968 the grille and hood on the 964 you have pictured is from 1969-1975 when no Northrops were built . Northrops also had Planetary Hubs in the front axle and about 12 lugnuts per wheel which your picture does not have either . Finally Northrops sat even higher than the Muir-Hills did and if you can find a picture of Duke Potters restored 1964 Northrop 5004 it is not a Northrop . Thanks Tony   [Reply]  [No Email]
TONY JACOBS 10-14-2012 06:26:09 205.188.116.9 Report to Moderator	Re: Northrop 4wd in reply to KFD68, 10-12-2012 01:33:04   Hello KFD68 , I think you posted the wrong picture , that is not a Northrop looks more like COUNTY to me . I have photos or Northrops and they sit a lot higher . Thanks Tony   [Reply]  [No Email]
Brian Allen 10-13-2012 15:06:17 142.169.215.28 Report to Moderator	Re: Northrop 4wd in reply to KFD68, 10-12-2012 01:33:04   KFD68 I am heading back home on the 24th, I'll try to see if I can get permission to look at it. If that happens, I'll try to get some numbers and pictures then. Regards Brian   [Reply]  [No Email]
KFD68 10-13-2012 02:05:33 81.135.21.12 Report to Moderator	Re: Northrop 4wd in reply to relsem, 10-12-2012 01:33:04   These Northrop are ultra rare, only a handful built. I guess its more likely to be a County equel sized wheel 4wd. Any chance of a photo? All the 4wd conversions done on Fordson & Ford tractors were made by small companies who no longer are in business. Some specialist spares are available from specialist companies here; and the bulk of the tractors are Ford so spares are readily available   [Reply]  [No Email]
Brian Allen 10-12-2012 15:16:47 142.169.215.28 Report to Moderator	Re: Northrop 4wd in reply to KFD68, 10-12-2012 01:33:04   KFD68 I see one that looks similar to this, sitting on a farm near me! By the look of the weeds around it, it has not been running in a long while! It is something I am curious about, but I am not sure what I want to do about it yet! I would like a front assist tractor, but, I am not sure I want to go with something that would be hard to get parts for! I would also find it very difficult to come up with a price! Brian   [Reply]  [No Email]