County Tractors

When County tractors first went into production in 1948, the first machines to be built were track laying. It wasn’t until 1961 that the manufacture of the equal wheeled 4WD units started. The tractors were based on a Fordson Supermajor and badged the Super Four. The drive to the front wheels was via twin shafts which allowed the standard differential to work on all 4 wheels. In 1962 a 6 cylinder tractor was introduced and badged the Super Six, production continuing with a restyle to the bonnet and radiator grill in 1963 and then manufacture ceased in 1965. It used the Ford 590 engine and produced 95bhp. These first County tractors soon built a reputation for their unrivalled traction and stability, with many farmers buying them specifically for hillside work.
The second generation of County tractors were introduced in November 1964. The 4 cylinder model was given the 654 badge, which was replaced by the 754 (based on the Ford 5000) in May 1968. The 6 cylinder version introduced in March 1965 was the 954 which produced 95bhp using the Ford 2703E engine until the tractor was replaced by the uprated 1004. July 1967 saw the flagship 1124 introduced and developed 113bhp from the Ford 2714E engine. This engine had an unstressed block and so County had to fit their own sumps to give extra structural support to the engine. The last 1124’s rolled off the production line in July 1971 and were replaced by the 1164.

Looking for County tractor parts?  Then try this page for a list of suppliers.

Latterly County produced the 974 which was based on the Ford 7610, the 1164, 1174 and 1184 which was launched in 1979. The 1184 was built around a TW10 at 120bhp from the Ford 401S engine and had a weight distribution of 3.5 tonnes on the front axle and 2 tonnes on the rear axle. The 1454 weighed 7 tonnes and produced 145bhp from the turbocharged version of the engine fitted to the 1184. In 1978 the 1454 was superseeded by the 1474 (based on the Ford 9700) which was given a longer wheelbase and 149bhp, before been uprated to 153bhp when the base unit was changed to the TW20.

The final model to be introduced by County was the 1884. The Ford 401S engine was turbocharged and intercooled to develop 188bhp. This tractor was a giant of the field and was used by the largest arable farms. Weighing in at 8 tonnes and costing nearly £30,000 in 1980 it was a huge machine, but only about 20 were ever built before County tractors ran into financial trouble.

On the down side, the tractors had a large turning circle and weak power steering. Added to this spare parts have become hard to find as the company is now out of business. One specialist parts provider is Jas P Wilson of Scotland.

Check out Vintage Tractor Engineer’s Barth K150 Trencher, based on a County skid unit.

or… Alf’s County 1124 he converted to 6 wheel drive and made into a draining machine.

County also made unequal wheeled tractors. Production started in 1968 with the 4000 Four. Based on the Ford 4000 the front axle was driven by a single propshaft with this design. These tractors were built to offer customers better headland manouvrability, although the traction capabilities were not as good as the equal wheeled machines. Production continued with the 6600 Four, 7600 Four, 7700 Four, and the 7610 Four. County also made 4WD conversions of International and Leyland tractors, albeit in limited numbers. The 634 All Wheel Drive was based on the International 634 and about 50 were made between 1969 and 1972 – these tractors produced 63bhp.

County tractors have become very collectable and have now begun to rise in value, with some of the less common models commanding high prices when put up for auction. In October 2005 a short nose 1474 made £46,000, but this price was eclipsed by a 1987 1474TW Dual Power long nose which fetched £66,000. Only 7 of these long nose tractors are known to exist and that was reflected in the price.

Read Ron Swartz’s story of a County Super 4 working on his dairy farm.

If you have a story or some info about your tractor then just send it to us using this contact form and we’ll add it to the site. It could be your restoration, where the tractor spent its working life, what work it did or anything else related to Couty tractors.

There are a number of different books and DVD’s available about County tractors. Stuart Gibbard has written and narrated several books/DVD’s about Countys, in particular his County: A Pictorial Review is Vintage Tractor Engineer’s favourite. It is a collection of 280 rare and mainly colour prototype and production photos of these tractors from 1929-1983.

Here are some other County tractor titles which are worth a read/watching.

What people have said…..
1
Geoff Penn says:

June 17th, 2007 at 9:34 pm
County also made MF135 and MF165 Hi-Hi tractors and the Leyland 485 and 4100 machines at Fleet. We also made the heavy duty rear axles for the Leyland 285 and 2100 tractors produced at Bathgate.

Geoff Penn
County 1963 – 1981

2
john harris says:

June 18th, 2007 at 8:22 am
im searching for any info i can find on my county 764 model tractor>i hve had very little luck so far and i would appreciate any info at all >im having a little trouble with shifting gears and i dont know if i have clutch or sycro probloms>i suppose it could also be shift fork adjustment but without a service book im only guessing >also any info on the value of this machine would be great >thanx >>john harris>>san jose ca.

3
The Vintage Tractor Engineer says:

June 20th, 2007 at 7:11 pm
Thanks Geoff,
It’s great to hear some in depth knowledge from an ex-County man and to make sure our info is correct. Which factory did you work at and which was your favourite tractor?

John,
I’m not an expert on the specific gearbox in your tractor but here’s some general gearbox diagnostics….
Clutch faults tend to cause crunching when the tractor is stationary and when you try and engage a gear. Also can make it difficult to take it out of gear and in bad cases machine will try to creep forward. Usually either warped plate or friction plate ceased on splines.
Synchro problems can be diagnosed when you have problems changing gear on the move or can cause jumping out of gear. If it is a synchro problem it will more than likely be specific to one gear.
Could also possibly be stiffness in selector rails and detent plungers.
Incorrect oil in the transmission can make gear change more difficult.
A noisy box would indicate worn bearings, which could also be the cause.
As for the value of your tractor – an average price would be about £6,500 in the UK. Anything from £4,000 to £12,000, depending on condition.

Steve

4
john harris says:

June 21st, 2007 at 4:56 pm
STEVE thank you very much for the info on my 764 > i have a couple more mysteries for you> i have no idea if ford clutch and transmission parts are interchangable with county parts??? also dont know what model ford the 764 is most closely related to??heave you ever seen one with a front loader attatchment built by a company called pennsteel manufacturing???? thanks for your help >JOHN>SAN JOSE CA.

5
The Vintage Tractor Engineer says:

June 24th, 2007 at 10:32 pm
I’m pretty sure that the 764 is based on the Ford 6600 and the engine is rated at 78bhp. The 764 has twin propshafts to the front wheels – correct? These are driven from bevel gears on the rear axle differential output shafts. This means that the differential lock on the back axle locks all 4 wheels giving superb traction. Using this system the 6600 gearbox and clutch should be unaltered and the Ford parts should fit. Afraid I can’t help you with the pennsteel loader – haven’t seen a pensteel in the UK.
Other than the clutch/gearbox problem what condition is the rest of the tractor in? How many hours on the clock?
Many County tractors in England worked on the larger farms, but in our region (Yorkshire) there are steep sided grasslands called Dales. The stability and traction of the County was employed in spreading fertiliser up the steep sides of these Dales. Was yours employed in the forestry industry? – I think many of the ones with loaders on were in forestry.

Steve.

6
john harris says:

July 9th, 2007 at 4:13 am
steve>thanks again for the info>i just today recieved an owners operator manual for my county 764>i found it on ebay uk.according to it i need to get a n operator manual for a ford 6610>also im looking for a 6610 service manual>you were correct about the twin propshafts>as for the condition of my tractor,it has a few minor bugs to be worked out but the clutch is the biggest problom ive had so far>oterwise the power steering reservoir blows fluid out the filler cap vent hole(i suspect a pump shaft seal) but ive yet to find the exact problom>any ideas??

7
Ron Swartz says:

September 28th, 2007 at 4:05 pm
Wow,

Just stumbled on this web site today. It brings back a lot of memories. We live in southwest Michigan in the United States (fairly close to Lake Michigan) on the crest of a small valley in the hilly part. My father and I bought a 4 wheel drive used from a local Ford Dealer. I thought it was called Super 6, but apparently not. I do know it was the based on the Fordson Supermajor. It did not have a live PTO and we traded it for a Super 4 (754) which I still have today. I also have a Ford 5000 and when something is wrong with one of them, I often switch parts until I find the problem. All of the parts from the Ford 5000 were interchangable as far as I know.
We have split both tractors in half and installed clutches, etc. in both of them. The only difference that I can remember is that I think the Super 4 had a 14 inch clutch and the Ford 5000 had a 13 inch clutch. The balls and sleeves? to the drive units which drive the front of the Super 4 went out and we searched all over for replacement parts, but couldn’t find any. We contacted many machine shops hoping that they could make them (even as far as Detroit, but not one could make them because they said they were metric. We ended up having regular PTO shafts welded to them and still use it some now.

Ron Swartz
Marcellus, Michigan
USA

8
The Vintage Tractor Engineer says:

September 28th, 2007 at 7:23 pm
Hi Ron,

Thanks for sharing your County tractor memories with us. Whenever a County is up for auction or at at show they always attract the crowds – I suppose it’s the fact that they were so ahead of anything else when it came to putting power down onto the ground (UK tractors anyway). There are still machines on farms in our area which are kept specifically for spreading fertiliser on steep hill sides.

Most of our work is with Ferguson / Massey Ferguson tractors, but there are certain tractors (such as the County) that always capture our interest.

Thanks again, I’m sure other readers will be interested in your story.

Steve Ridsdale

9
Dirk Eigenbrood says:

October 1st, 2007 at 3:49 pm
Hi Steve: I just happened upon your website. I have two countys a 1124 as well as an 1174.I am looking for the owners manual and or the service manual for the 1174. I would greatly appreciate any information. I enjoy the website! I hope you have a great day. Dirk.

10
The Vintage Tractor Engineer says:

October 1st, 2007 at 8:25 pm
Hi Dirk,

I see there is a guy who sells an 1174 service manual (on CD)on ebay, here is the link….

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/COUNTY-TRACTOR-FC-1174-SERVICE-MANUAL-PHOTO-MANUALS_W0QQitemZ110174519570QQihZ001QQcategoryZ6032QQcmdZViewItem

Have you owned the tractors for many years? Have they been working machines for you?

I know that manuals on CD are not as convenient as the proper booklets – but that’s all I could find for now. Hope that is of some help.

Steve.

11
Sergio Strauch says:

December 15th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
Is possibly description in spanish?
Thanks
Sergio

12
tom says:

January 4th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
Hello. You all seem keen county men so i thought u would be intrested in my next potential purchase. I have found an international 634 county conversion about 5 miles from me. I’ve put my name on it so when the chap decides to sell her shes mine. It’s in quite good original condition but requires new valves as it blows on one of the inlet valves. They are a nice machine!!!

13
Peter Holmes says:

January 4th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Get her snapped up as quick as you can. It will be better than money in the bank; seems as though these tractors are just going to keep increasing in value over the years. I prefer the red ones to the blue.

Pete.

14
M N says:

January 15th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Great to find your site, i’m always interested in all things county related. I
currently own two 974’s, one is 1979 and the other 1982 with a long cab and
creeper gearbox based on 10 series ford. They are used for some contract
pasture topping but mainly working days and road runs etc.

M N

15
Robbie Mackay says:

March 22nd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Hi there. I am on a real nostalgia trip here and came across your site. Unfortunately I don’t own any Countys. I spent most of my working life in the woods. The first tractor they gave me was a an old James Jones Highland Bear. Roof mounted crane, double drum winch and a logging blade. Got my hands on a few other Countys after that including Fallstone Skidders. It is one of my great regrets that I don’t have a single photo of that old Bear. The romance has gone now along with the soul-less meatal I they hand you now. Oh well its good to know there are still people who care. Robbie.

16
Ilkka Ylinen says:

March 27th, 2008 at 9:25 am
Hello from Finland. Please look at those sites which I found from the net, I think you will like them. It happenes somewhere in Finland – very great work!

http://www.uri.fi/county
http://www.flickr.com/county

17
Dave says:

March 31st, 2008 at 12:50 pm
Hi Tom,
I see you say had a 634 county, could you send me some pics.
My email is janet.fenton@virgin.net

Thanks,
Dave

18
Tony White says:

May 25th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
My father owned the 4 cylinder county for about 20 odd years it was a really
good work horse it was mainly used for breaking in steep country instead of
using a crawler tractor he even had a set of steel wheels with spikes so he
could go that little bit steeper.In the last few years we had it ,it was used
for cropping but was abit big for the small paddocks.We even used it to crush
scrub as it had a mower on the three point linkage.

19
Gareth Browning says:

June 6th, 2008 at 10:18 am
IF anybody has a copy of an 1174 manual I would be very keen to get a copy. More than happy to pay.

Please contact my office on 017687 76816

Regards

Gareth Browning

20
Eddie says:

June 15th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Hi. Just bought a County 764 from 1976. Im the second owner and it is really cool to be able to talk to the previous owner and hear his stories about the tractor and what he has done with it. This one is rebuilt by Hymas in Norway and has a complete Hymas package with dozer shovel, cockpit and backhoe. Its in very good condition, needs only two new tires and some work on the steering which has worn bolts on both ends of the servo-cylinder.

Im going to use it around my house and garden for a few months and then sell it again! Price I guess will be at around £4.500 – 5.500 so if anybody is interested and pays for shipping from Aalesund via Bergen to Newcastle it can be yours! :)Comes complete with 4 snowchains, 2 extra rims, extra dieselpump and waterpump. Send me an email if you want picks, eddie.kalvatn@energisentrum.no

21
Craig Colledge says:

June 16th, 2008 at 9:47 am
Hi, We have a 6 cylinder county tractor but we do not no what model it is. On a plate there is 6F15798 stamped. Can anyone help ? kind regards

22
Craig Colledge says:

June 16th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
I have scrapped the paint off the flywheel caseing and found some more numbers as follows. The first is 6B2C then underneath is B226 and underneath that is B821001 Any help will be appreciated on the model of this county. thanks Craig

23
Jesus Sanchez says:

July 31st, 2008 at 8:23 pm
I have a farm tractor FORD COUNTY 1004 which has broken the pinion that engages in the converter and moves the servo transmission pump. Where I can get that pinion?
Who has a manual that shows that pinion?.
Could I find a photo or sketch of this pinion?

24
Ger Byrne says:

August 11th, 2008 at 10:56 am
I have a pinion setting guagein a wooden crate complete with the shimming drawings for the FRONT diffs (part no 6f 2004-c) left and right to suit 1124 and similar models for sale. ex County Commercial Cars in Fleet, Hants. Tool part no 186/1413. Drawings dated sept 1970.
Offers in euro please. In Ireland.

25
John Kloosterman says:

August 24th, 2008 at 11:45 pm
Hello, my dad bought a dumpwagen 10 years ago, on the dumpwagen was a county super 6 completely in parts, the seller didn’t want to take it off, so my dad bought it for 1500 guilders (700 euro), back home he put it together and we used it for years for packing haylage in a bunkersilo, sorry, I moved to Canada and didn’t make a picture from it, it’s still standing in a corner under a couple trees on my dad’s farm, since he bought a Ford 9700 a few years ago.

26
scott says:

September 14th, 2008 at 9:56 pm
hi for my 20th birthday i decided to buy an old but very tidy county 1164, its an ex forestry machine which has sat behind a farm up the road from me for at least ten years hence its a non runner but i think with a little care and attention it will start easily but i am struggling to find parts for the engine . is the engine classed as something else like an 1174s engine is a ford 8000? and also does anyone have a copy of a 1164 wiring loom they can send me via email please the only reason i need parts for this is because over the years people have been up to help themselves lol cheers scott

27
JIM HILL says:

September 19th, 2008 at 9:20 am
Scott,
the 1164 is a good model to restore as most of the Ford parts are available thru the dealers & what is,nt is available on the second hand market.
In regard to the County parts whilst some parts are getting a bit scarce generally their out there if you know who to contact.

The rear axle (excluding the front wheel drive boxes) is ford 7600 as is the gearbox.
The engine is the Ford BSD666 401 Cubic/inch non turbo engine as fitted to the FORD TW10, TW15 & 8600 tractors + others. Virtually everything you would want to do up these engines is readilly available. The Pattern parts people Sparex,Vapormatic & Bepco are the best source & far cheaper for a lot of engine ,brake & transmission parts.
If you need any technical info or contact names for parts give a ring on 01278 785678 (day time)
Jim

28
scott says:

September 23rd, 2008 at 9:01 pm
hi there just started stripping down my county 1164 and noticed that the brakes need completely redoing all i know is that they are inboard and it will be a ball ache is this a job for the expert or can anyone with a little experience do it? cheers for the info jim i have been quoted 500 for the parts for the brakes

29
Bryan Allen says:

October 1st, 2008 at 8:55 am
Hi
I have a County 954 in good condition – could any one give tell me what they might be worth – How many were made ????
Thanks

30
Harold in CR says:

October 2nd, 2008 at 2:25 pm
Hi
Have a friend here in Costa Rica, with an 1164. Hydraulic Pump is bad and I can find only 1 number on it(?397)possibly (^397) ??

He needs another pump, and we might find something here, IF we knew what model and Make the original is. Also, he would like a new control valve for the steering. ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated. Thanks, Harold in CR

31
M N says:

October 7th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Scott
Try robert wraight in kent 01233 820985 for brake parts, you will get the bits for less than that. Its quite heavy work but with jacks and blocks of wood in the wright place should go ok, remove and stack old parts in order as reference for refitment of new parts, good luck !

32
Marian Fitzgerald says:

October 13th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
Hi Can anybody help me i am looking for a lift cover and arms and a pick up hitch for a county tractor 774 1981 THANK YOU

33
Col & Josy Billing says:

October 14th, 2008 at 7:48 pm
G’day from Australia.
Great to find your site. Thanks.
Col operated a Super 6 pulling a Vickers Onions Scraper on a road job at Red Hill, Bristol in 1968 before we left the UK which was in 1972.
In 1994, when we had our excavating & earthmoving business and our 18 acre property here in Oz (we’ve still got the property)we sought out a Ford County Super 6. It was made in the UK and we think, underline “think” for the US market. Wondering if you or any of your readers can tell us what year it was manufactured please.
Model: 1004
Type: 6F
Serial No: 18152
Code: 7L9
What year did the 1004 cease to be manufactured?
By the way, is our Super 6 considered to be collectable and have you any idea on what sort of value we could expect to get for it and where would be the best place to advertise it – should we ever decide to sell it.
Last but not least, does our Super 6 come into the long nose or short nose scenario.
Very many thanks in advance for any help and/or information you may be able to give us.
Have a great day
Col & Josy

34
Len says:

October 23rd, 2008 at 3:02 pm
Hi I own a 1968 1004 Super Six pre force which has been restored over the last winter, I am very keen to find a ” Super 6 ” badge that fits into the upper grill, can anyone help?
Many thanks Len.

35
nick says:

October 31st, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Hi all just found this site, i have what i have been told is called a “SHAWNEE HITCH” dont know weather any of you could verify it for me , ive been told it bolts to the underside of the tractor,, {super 6} , have been trying to find it on the web but no joy, its basically just a huge big upright steel pin around 5 inches thick on a big mounting frame .
i also have an engine sump and hub hanger frame for a super6 too, both items are up for sale , so if anyone wants em call nik on 07747660500 cheers

36
Bart nieuwenhuizen says:

November 23rd, 2008 at 6:50 pm
John kloosterman ik heb je bericht gelezen maar kan je niet per telefoon bereiken. zou jij mijn willen bellen aub 0031 622993014

37
David says:

December 9th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Hi, I’ve just obtained a County Super 4 ( Based on Major ), but it has been converted to a 6 Cylinder. It still has the Super 4 nose and the conversion has been done well. Does anyone know if the conversion was done by County themselves or independantly ? Thanks

38
Alex says:

January 1st, 2009 at 1:53 pm
Stumbled across your site quite by chance. My grandfather was the chairman and joint managing director of County tractors. I know a number of other distant relatives (who I never met) were also involved in the business – great uncles etc. I do know that it was my great uncle David who was heavily involved in designing the amphibian county – no idea what it was called I’m afraid – and so it’s lovely to come across the site! Thanks for making my day!

39
Ali says:

January 1st, 2009 at 3:48 pm
hello, if you can help I am looking for a track rod end for my 954, and a super 6 front badge, did all the 954’s come with square mudguards? thanks

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