Nuffield Dm4 Serial Numbers

Related Sites Contributed Article History of the Nuffield Tractor - Part One The Early Years 1946-1951 by Anthony West The Nuffield tractor story started in early 1945. East rochester drivers test routes. The British government still reeling from the effects of the war on the economy, approached the Nuffield organization to see if they would design and build an 'ALL NEW' British built wheeled tractor, suitable for both British and world farming. The offer was placed just at the right time, since Morris-Motors of Birmingham were carrying out a policy of centralization, and the Wolsley car production had been moved to Cowley in Oxfordshire-thereby leaving factory space at the Birmingham plant vacant. An assessment of the plant was made and the site was deemed siutable for tractor production. The Nuffield team accepted the challenge and arrangements began, starting with the recruitment of Dr. Merritt and Mr. Claude Culpin, two people who would be instrumental in the designing and testing of the 'NUFFIELD UNIVERSAL' tractor.

By May 1946, the prototype Nuffield-Universal tractor was on test, and during the following three months, another twelve prototype tractors were made and tested in the U.K and abroad. The tractors were shown to a selected audience at a demonstration at Pershore Wore in late 1946. The tractor itself was now thought to be ready for production. All the refinements had been completed and teething troubles overcome, however production was held up due to the steel shortages and full production would be delayed for over a year. By November 1948, the steel situation changed and sufficient stock could be obtained on a regular basis to begin production.

May 20, 2011. The tractor serial number is stamped on a brass plate rivetted to the top of the frame by the right hand side of the engine, towards the front. Feb 4, 2008 - Original manufacturers names and part numbers are quoted for reference purpose only and are not intended to infer that. B - up to serial number 144275.

The New tractors were first seen at the 'Smithfield show' in London in December that year and were put on the market in utility and rowcrop versions. The M3 or rowcrop was priced at £ 487 and the M4 utility at £ 495. That price was for the basic tractor only, Hydraulics three point lift and P.T.O cost an extra £60. A belt pully was £12 and electric lights and horn £9. Initially all the Nuffield tractors produced were were allocated to the U.K with a view to assisting in the increase of crop production to counter the food shortage. After this though from 1949, Nuffield began the exportation of the Universal by a subsidiary company belonging to Morris-Motors called 'Nuffield exports Ltd' (initially exports were limited to 5 countries, but later became world wide.) The Universal itself, was powered by a Morris Commercial, 4 cylinder side valve T.V.O engine, type E.T.A, which produced 38 horse power at 2,000 rpm. The Hydraulic power-lift was well thought out, and remained basically the same for over 20 years, apart from occasional improvements.