David Brown 780 in the hands of a newbie

Greetings from Southern Washington. I am new to the forums and tractor ownership! I recently purchased a David Brown 780 with a brush hog and unattached loader. It starts and runs pretty good (except the Stop Control won't stay out unless I give it constant pressure -> pulling it out). The PTO & hydraulics are solid. The lights and most gauges don't work (RPMs works), but other than that it seems like a solid tractor to use on my 5 acres.

I did get it with a manual and found most of the schematics online at Case IH and Messicks.

I've read through most all the topics here related to the 780, and understand it has a similar front end as the 770, one that isn't the best for a loader. It came with an unattached, rear-mounted, front loader. Previous owner supposedly had it on, but I am skeptical. I'm wondering if it is worth it to try to mount it, or just sell it while it is already off. Since it is off, I was going to try to paint it DB Chocolate Brown before I mount it or sell it.

On that, does anyone have the US Paint codes for DB Orchid White, Choc Brown, and Poppy Red? I found the following in the internet archives:

DB Orchid White: BS10B15
DB Chocolate Brown: BS08B29
DB Poppy Red: BS04B53

Any up to date information on this sucker would be great! I don't need it to be super pretty, but I'd like to get everything working, and keep using it for quite awhile. I plan to change all the fluids and filters since the previous owner said he hadn't do so in the last year.

My 9 year old and I are working on it together, and since I'm at about that level of expertise with tractors, feel free to explain anything at our level - small words, lots of pictures. .

Looks like you got a good find.
They are good tractors and you should be able to get gauges (and maybe other issues)
things working like they should
The front end is just as strong as many tractors of that size and vintage. If it were mine
i would keep the loader. You will find it handy, and they do not take forever to mount or
take off. Just don't overload it.

Owner's manual and factory service manual for your David Brown at the following link in pdf format for free:

https://sites.google.com/site/deerebrown/

I think I have a scanned copy of the parts manual for the 780 also. Let me know if you need / want it.

To keep your fuel shut off handle in place, simply take a dremel or die grinder and grind the notch deeper in the bracket and them screw the handle farther onto the shut off rod to compensate for the notch.
the front axle is far stronger than most other tractors of that size and vintage. Just use your noggin a bit. A fool can bust an anvil with a rubber hammer.
Loren

(quoted from post at 16:35:59 03/29/17) Looks like you got a good find.
They are good tractors and you should be able to get gauges (and maybe other issues)
things working like they should
The front end is just as strong as many tractors of that size and vintage. If it were mine
i would keep the loader. You will find it handy, and they do not take forever to mount or
take off. Just don't overload it.

Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks! I've got some gauges on order via eBay, and I can trace out the electrical issues with sensors if that's the problem. I'll start stripping paint and priming this weekend if the weather holds.

Perfect! A parts manual would be sweet. I have a few drips from the power steering piston, and the under carriage - is Messicks a good source of parts for this tractor?

I will obtain a dremel tool asap.

Good to hear some encouragement about the loader. Since it is already off (and missing a few bolts) I will prime and paint it first.

Super fun just learning the basics so far. Thanks for feedback!

If that is the power assist steering, which I'm sure it is, rebuild kits are nla for the cylinder. Hyd shop is your best bet to get any kind of seals. Good little tractors and very handy with a loader.