Doe Triple D

Doe Triple D
	; A Doe Triple-D at a ploughing demonstration
Model history
Model introduced	1957
Model discontinued	1970s
Model status	Discontinued Discontinued
No. produced	Believed 100 to 150 units made
Engine Specification
Engine make	Ford (engines)
Engine model	Fordson Power Major tractor based
Fuel type	Agrcultural Diesel
Power hp	Unknown
No. of Cylinders	6
Cooling system	Water
Transmission Details
Transmission type	Manual
Gearbox make	Fordson
Drive	4WD
General Data
Linkage Category	Standard Rear linkage
Tyre Sizes (std/options)
Front	Standard Agricultural
Rear	Standard Agricultural
Other info
Factories	Maldon near Ulting Essex, England
Plow rating	Unknown
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Doe Tripple D plate (new) -IMG 4182 — Doe mfc plate (reproduction)

The Doe Triple-D or Doe Dual Drive is a model of tractor produced by Ernest Doe & Sons in the 1950s and 1960s in Maldon near Ulting Essex, England. It's two engines and 90 degree articulation made it one of the most unorthodox tractors ever built. This new model was the earliest form of an original articulated 4WD agricultural or farm tractor.

Model History[]

Its Triple-D tractors were developed from a customer's idea. The customer was farmer, George Pryor. He wanted a tractor with increased power to work his heavy clay soil.

Ernest Doe produced a version of the tractor based on his idea of linking two Fordson Major tractors together to create a four-wheel drive. The front wheels and axles from both tractors were removed and the two joined together with a steel turntable to provide a pivot point for the steering. The driver in the rear Fordson controlled both tractors.

Development[]

During the 1950s farmers in the United Kingdom in need of high horsepower tractors had few options. Essex farmer George Pryor developed an ingenious solution to the problem by creating his own tractor. He did this by purchasing two Fordson tractors, removing the front wheels and axle and linking the two by means of a turntable which provided the steering action powered by hydraulic rams. This left him with a double engined four wheel drive tractor capable of producing more power and outperforming any of the conventional tractors on the UK market at the time.

Commercial production[]

The Local Fordson dealers Ernest Doe & Sons agreed to build an improved version, the first one was completed in 1958 and called the Doe Dual Power, later changed to Doe Dual Drive and abbreviated commonly to 'Doe Triple-D'.

The first Doe Triple-D used two Fordson Power Major units to produce a total power of 100 hp (75 kW), the later Triple-D 130 used two Ford Workmaster tractors increasing the power output to over 130 hp (97 kW) and the Triple-D 150 was based on Ford Force tractors producing combined power of 150 hp (110 kW).

The vast majority of Triple-Ds were sold in the UK, but a number were exported to the United States, others exported to Holland and elsewhere. Customers could choose models with factory fitted optional weather cabs or without them and the majority were painted blue and orange later models changed to blue and white. Most spare parts are normally easy to find due to their similar components as to those fitted on original FORD agricultural tractors.

A later version, the Doe 130, was based on two Ford 5000 power units which totalled 130 HP.

The final model, known as the D150 was based upon the 75 HP Ford 5000.

Disadvantages[]

The main disadvantage with the Triple-D was the lack of suitable implements for such a powerful tractor, this meant that Ernest Doe & Sons also had to develop and build a range of implements to sell with the tractors.

Other disadvantages stemmed from the use of two engines, this made controlling the tractor more difficult because of the need for two gearboxes. There were two engines and gearboxes to maintain and repair and the probability of breakdowns was increased.

End of production[]

By the late 1960s several companies had developed single engined tractors capable of producing over 100 hp, this competition put the Doe out of production after over 300 had been built. With all production ceasing in about 1973.

Models Produced[]

Dual Power - 1958-59
Triple D (MkI) - 1959-63
Triple D (MkII) - 1963-64
Doe 130 - 1965-68
Doe 150 - 1968-69
D5100 - 1971-72

Collectors[]

They are a sought after by tractor collectors as fairly rare, as less than 500 built in total of all models. Several people have built their own versions. They are one of the most valuable collectors tractors, with some examples fetching over £60,000 at auction.

The Triple-D often makes appearances at agricultural fares such as the Epworth Festival of the Plough in Epworth, Lincolnshire and LeSueur, Minnesota Pioneer Power Days show where it is always a crowd favourite, popular due to its unorthodox build.

Triple-Ds are worth a great deal due to their relative rarity, even unrestored Does can demand extremely high prices at auction.^[1]

There are usually a few on display at big preservation events like Tractor World Show at Malvern, Worcestershire, and at the National Tractor Show held at Newark Showground.

Dancing Doe's display team[]

Dancing Doe display team at ECTS 2013 IMG 9105 — Dancing Doe's display team line up at Eastern Counties Tractor Show 2013

Main article: Dancing Doe's

A number of Doe tractor owners got together as part of the Doe special display at the ??? show and decided to put a routine to music for the arena parade instead of just driving round in a line around the arena. They have appeared at a number of shows in the UK and Ireland.

Copies[]

There are quite a few copies/fakes about which have been built from parts of broken ones or to similar design by people who either wanted a bigger hp tractor or would like a Doe but cannot find/afford a genuine one, thus building a copy from 2 cheap tractors (and involving a fair bit of work).

Other Makes[]

Ferguson TED-40 - 2 TE-D20s built by Andrew Wood from Leeds, Yorkshire.^[2] And on display at Astwood Bank Vintage Show.
A David Brown version has been built as well.
Also a True Triple using 3 Fordson tractors was built by NATCO in about 2010
A Wheelhorse version built by D W Ayliffe

Preservation list[]

Doe Triple D sn 330 reg 732 VYA of Bernard Saunders at Newark VTH 08 - IMG 3474 — The newly restored Doe Triple D of Bernard Saunders at Newark VTH show in 2008

Below is a table listing known examples. (please expand the list and help include at least one photo of each machine listed)

List of Preserved *Doe Triple D (all models)* tractors
view • talk • edit
Model + Serial No.	Build-Date	Reg No. (if known)	Owner (if known)	Photo	Were seen/Featured in	Other info
Doe Dual Power no. ?	year ?	MSL 559	owner ?		Eastern Counties Tractor Show	Fordson Power Major based - has plate "Tractor no. 6730" on the frame
Doe Dual Power no. ?	1959	Reg no. ?	Fenton Family collection		seen at	based on Fordson Power Major
D 115	year ?	Reg no. ?	owner ?	150px	at Newby Hall Vintage Gathering 2010
D 136	year ?	reg no. ?	JOSH M	add photo here	seen at/in ?
D 161	year ?	PTW 436B	owner ?		Eastern Counties Tractor Show
D 191	year ?	107 KRT	Russell Hibert		Southwell Ploughing Match 2018	Attended the 2010 Fingal Rally-Ireland Doe event
D 192	1961	un-registered	Ernest Doe & Sons		Eastern Counties Tractor Show 2012	Immaculate restored example
D193	1961	Reg no. ?	JOSH M		?
D 194	year ?	Reg no. ?	Ex Alwyn Blatherwick collection		seen at	1/2 tractor for sale at Cheffins 2010^[3]
D 201	1961	1416 UR	Mick Faulks		at Belvoir Castle Steam Festival 2009	Attended the 2010 Fingal Rally - Ireland Doe event
D 202	year ?	WWC 330	James Hardstaff collection		seen at ?	notes
D 205	year ?	Reg no. ?	owner ?		Southwell Ploughing Match 2018
D 232	year ?	847 NWC	owner ?		Eastern Counties Tractor Show	rebuilt from surviving half (With original condition bonnet retained)
D 240	year ?	MFF 648	Sid Marvin		at Maldon Working Day 2011
Doe Triple D no. 265	year ?	338 YOO	owner ?		Southwell Ploughing Match 2018	Fitted Fitzmeyer cab
D 266	year ?	Reg no. ?	Cooke Brothers collection		seen at ?	Attended the 2010 Fingal Rally - Ireland Doe event
D 267	1962	247 DBE	P & E Ducksbury		At Gamston Working Weekend 2011	Formerly owned by Alwyn Blatherwick (Sold by Cheffins in Oct 2009)
D 270	1963	569 BWC	Mike Brockway		at Somerset Tractor show 2009	(Stolen in 2000 on way to Newark and recovered after being abandoned)
D 274	1963	5855 WF	?		at Ford Conversions Event 2012
D 295	1963	Reg no. ?	Barry Mumby		At Newby Hall 2009 & 2011
D 297	1963	Reg no. ?	JOSH M	photo	.
D 310	year ?	reg no. ?	owner ?		At Belvoir Castle Steam Festival 2009
D 319	year ?	635 LTM	James Hardstaff		at Bernard Saunders Working Day 2008	Attended the 2010 Fingal Rally - Ireland Doe event
D 322 (part)	196?	939 KWC	John Hayward collection		at Newark Tractor & Heritage Show 2013	1/2 a Doe tractor
D 330	1963	732 VYA	Bernard Saunders collection		at Newark Vintage Tractor and Heritage Show 2008
D 341	196?	CVF 449B	Roger Desborough collection		at Belvoir Castle Steam Festival	Fitted with Fitzmeyer cab
D 347	year ?	BHK 626B	owner ?		Eastern Counties Tractor Show
D 359	1964	-	Jamie Shaw-Brown		at Newby Hall Vintage Gathering 2010
D 379	196?	BNX 232B	Richard Mason collection		at Newby Hall Vintage Gathering 2008
D 385	1964	ENP 497B	Martin H Fernihough		Tractor World 2012	c/w Doe plough
D 386	1964	FOO 710B	Trevor Pegram		For sale 10/3/2012	Featured on Old Tractor Magazine no. 102 At Newark 2013
D 391	year ?	Reg no. ?	owner ?		seen at ?	Attended the Fingal Rally - Ireland 2010 Doe event
D ?	Year ?	DNN 466C	owner ?	to add	Eastern Counties Tractor Show	Based on 2 Ford 5000 tractors
D 512	year ?	FCT 513D	owner ?		Toddington Steam Rally 2010	A late model Doe tractor
D 519	year ?	Reg no. ?	owner ?		Southwell Ploughing Match 2018
D 530	year ?	MWC 277C	owner ?		Eastern Counties Tractor Show
D 534	1965	Reg no. ?	S.R. Haylock		Eastern Counties Tractor Show	Ex. Hugh Doe (Doe 130 upgraded to Ford 7000 engines)
D 564	year ?	ZV 8567	Michael Hoey collection		Eastern Counties Tractor Show	Attended the 2010 Fingal Rally - Ireland Doe event
D 587	year ?	FEW 756D	owner ?		Scorton Vintage and Country Fayre	Won best in show 2012
D 604	1966	ROO 521D	owner ?		seen at	Sold by Cheffins - [1]
D 605	year ?	Reg no. ?	Fenton family collection		seen at ?
D 606	year ?	SEV 275D	owner ?		Eastern Counties Tractor Show
D 680	year ?	DNN 446C	owner ?		Southwell Ploughing Match 2018	Both Selectamatic's
Doe 130 sn D ?	1965	NPU 435C	Ernest Doe & Sons		The Doe Show 2012	immaculate restored example
D ?	1968	XHK 466F	Richard Carr collection		At Maldon Working Day 2011	Was a D130 re-engined by Does to D150 spec

D ?	year ?	OWC 16	D.J. Fisher Farms		at Maldon Working Day 2011	no sn plate
Doe 130 sn ?	year ?	KRT 523D	owner ?		Eastern Counties Tractor Show


Doe Triple D no. ?	year ?	Reg no. ?	owner ?		seen at

Please add any tractor with known reg or serial no. with Photo if possible.
Create a page (link) for an individual tractor by linking the reg or serial number using reg number or serial number in the relevant column. Then once saved click the red link to start the new page and add info on that tractor.
Doe Triple D no. ?	year ?	Reg no. ?	owner ?	seen at	misc info

Scale Models[]

The Triple-D is also available in a 1:16 Scale model produced by Universal Hobbies.^[4]

Gallery[]

References[]

↑ Ross Records
↑ T&M Vol.9/2 p10
↑ Ford & Fordson Tractors Magazine issue 39, p14
↑ link to picture of a model

Wikipedia
Classic Tractor Magazine
Tractor & Machinery Magazine
Ford Tractor Conversions by Stuart Gibbard

External links[]

[1] Ross Records

[2] T&M Vol.9/2 p10

[3] Ford & Fordson Tractors Magazine issue 39, p14

[4] to picture of a model

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