David Brown

Our son is looking at a David Brown 4600, looks like it has what is called a Selectamatic. What kind of transmission is that and how reliable is it? Sounds like it would be expensive if you have trouble!

Its just what they called the tractors they built in that time frame,like the 990 Models the first were the Implematic then they went to the Selectamatic.Made some changes in the tractors but the transmission appears to be the same
and that transmission is about as trouble free as it gets.I have a DB 990 and a 780 I use and both are good tractors and easy on fuel.

I know why you think a Selectomatic would be anymore expensive to fix than others. It's because you don't realize that "Selectomatic" refers to the hydraulic system and not the transmission, as in a Ford "Selectospeed". Might want to do some research before jumping to conclusions and making a mistake. DB parts are far easier to get today than even 10 years ago. There isn't much you can't get these days in the later model DBs.

Russ, I've had my 4600 for 8 years and it hasn't done me wrong. Service parts are available through CNH. You might have to be a bit stubborn with the parts man but they are there. The Selectomatic refers to the hydraulic setting ranges. There are 3 setting locations that will do a range of things. Mine has a DB/ Albion loader on it and is run through the tractor's hydraulic system and lifts good for it's size. The 4600 is rated at 46 hp., but is more compact than you'd expect a 46 hp. tractor to be.

If you go to Tractor data Peter has I picture of the 4600 transmission pattern. I've got the 3rd lever at the top left that splits the transmission into another H/ L range. I haven't seen another DB with that set up. DB was making gear boxes and transmissions when Harry Ferguson partnered with DB to make his first models before Harry partnered with Henry stateside. DB then started producing their own tractors and I believe DB in some capacity is still manufacturing power components. I haven't heard of any problem with the drive trains or transmissions.
The 3 cylinder gas is a bit rare for a DB and a bit less efficient than their diesels were. The 4600 and 3800 were gassers made for the American market and imported in the late 60's before Tenneco merged DB in the CASE line.

What part of MN are you in?

Can you get parts for these tractors

I live near Bemidji but our son lives in N WI, I think the tractor is on Wausau craigslist.

It definately looks clean enough. The price is real close to what I gave for mine. The fact that it has an all hydraulic loader is nice. And it's nose isn't wrinkled like many are. Knowing what I know I would not be scared of it. Maybe there's a little room on purchase price. If he gets it look for an operators manual to diagram and explain the hydraulic settings. The DBs have good hydraulics, but the settings take some figuring.

(quoted from post at 16:05:45 06/09/17) Can you get parts for these tractors

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Yes. As I said, DB parts are lots easier to get now than even 10 years ago. These days you can get parts from Great Britain and Europe in just a day or 2 more than from some place in the states, and I swear there must be a gazillion DB suppliers in Britain. I've gotten parts from England, Scotland, Ireland and India for DB's and the wait time and cost was comparable to US suppliers. As far as stateside, the DB supply is much, mush easier to access now than it was years back. You won't have much more problems with DB than you will with any older tractor that isn't super popular like the N series Ford or letter series IHC stuff.

I had DB Case 885 for a few years. It was a 1974 rated at 43 HP. It did well for me. The select-magic hydraulics worked well once I replaced the bolt that held the cam follower that had sheared off. It was very economical to run. The only problem was getting on and off past the fenders and the twin sticks was a little tricky. I sold it in order to buy more power to run a bigger mower.

David Brown Tractors have a club in Great Britain and they send out a nice magazine about 4 times a year with lots of information,they also have a discussion board with knowledgable
people.