Smallridge Brothers was established in 1977 when brothers David and Michael Smallridge started their Agricultural Engineering partnership. In the early years of the company, which saw David (Bert) Shambrook joining the team in 1979, Smallridge Bros was mostly involved in the repair of Agricultural machinery and equipment and the occasional sale of used tractors. Because of their attention to detail and after-care service the popularity of their quality used tractors and services grew to a position that many of their customers thought they were John Deere dealers. Their efforts were rewarded in 1990 when JD approached them with an offer of becoming an official franchise dealership.