Roadless

“For all Roadless tractor enquiries please contact Richard Langley on 01606 592639 or 07974 082781 or you can email on roadless@johnbownes.co.uk”

Roadless Tractors 4wd

Roadless Traction Ltd, founded on March 14, 1919, has played an influential role in the history of vintage tractors, becoming a cornerstone in the development of agricultural machinery and vintage tractor restoration. The company was established by Lieutenant Colonel Philip Johnson, born in 1877, who had an extensive background in engineering and military service. Johnson served in the Boer War and worked with steam transport before moving to India, where he sold steam-powered equipment for John Fowlers. Upon his return to England in 1915, he contributed to the design of military tanks during World War I, retaining the patent for his design.

In the 1920s, Johnson pivoted from military innovation to agricultural equipment, founding Roadless Traction to produce tractor tracks for trucks and later for agricultural crawlers. His pioneering work continued into the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, where he designed the famous half-track system for numerous vintage tractor models, significantly improving their traction and durability.

By the mid-1950s, the company was at the forefront of introducing 4WD systems in vintage tractors, a revolutionary development that increased the power and efficiency of agricultural machinery. Roadless Traction began manufacturing 4WD kits and tractors, producing over 7,900 units by 1983 before the company ceased operations. The legacy of Roadless continued when the business was acquired by Jewells of Bridgewater, which produced tractors under the Jewelltrac name, utilizing Roadless’s iconic designs. However, Jewells eventually faced financial difficulties, and the parts division was sold to Roger Haynes, who had a long history of collaborating with Roadless.

1990’s

In the mid-1990s, Haynes sold the parts business to Dave Pantry, a former Roadless partner. In 2007, the company was acquired by us here at John Bownes Ltd, we had previously been the last appointed dealers of Roadless tractors in 1982. We are now dedicated to the restoration and sale of second-hand vintage tractors. In addition, they preserve and catalog over 40,000 original drawings, parts, and materials, ensuring the historical accuracy of Roadless Tractors machines and protecting rare finds.

Collectors

For vintage tractor collectors, we offer a valuable service by using original serial number books to trace the history of each tractor. By submitting the serial number, owners can receive an official document detailing the tractor’s original sale, ownership, and other relevant historical information. This unique service provides collectors with an authentic piece of the Roadless Tractors legacy, reinforcing the lasting impact of the company on the world of vintage tractors.