David Brown 1212 vs Renault 385 / R 78

10 material differences · fewer than 12

Tractor one

1971–1976

No measured PTO figure

Tractor two

1963–1967

No measured PTO figure

Which should you choose?

Read our verdict on the 1212 and the 385 / R 78 → It is generated from the rows below by a fixed, versioned rule set, and names the figure behind every call.

10 material differences · 5 fields identical or within 5%, which is not counted as material

David Brown 1212 and Renault 385 / R 78, field by field
Field	1212	385 / R 78	Gap
Engine
Engine power, claimed claimed	71 hp	54.3 hp	+31% 1212
Engine declared	DAVID BROWN AD 4/55 A	RENAULT-ALFA 591-30	differs
Displacement declared	3.60 L	3.02 L	+19% 1212
Maximum torque declared	182 lb·ft · 247 N·m	130 lb·ft · 177 N·m	+40% 1212
Transmission
Top speed declared	15.5–18.6 mph · 25–30 km/h	15.5 mph · 25 km/h	differs
Clutch declared	Dry double clutch	dry Borg-Beck double clutch with two-stage pedal actuation	differs
Hydraulics & hitch
Pump flow declared	8.7 gpm · 33.0 L/min	6.9 gpm · 26.0 L/min	+27% 1212
Three-point lift at ends declared	—	3,307 lb · 1,500 kg	—
Rear PTO speeds declared	540 rpm	540 rpm	—
Weight & dimensions
Unladen weight declared	5,997 lb · 2,720 kg	5,818 lb · 2,639 kg	—
Wheelbase declared	88.5 in · 2,249 mm	87.6 in · 2,225 mm	—
Length declared	133.3 in · 3,386 mm	153.0 in · 3,885 mm	+15% 385 / R 78
Width declared	69.5 in · 1,765 mm	74.8 in · 1,900 mm	+8% 385 / R 78
Height declared	90.0 in · 2,286 mm	66.1 in · 1,680 mm	+36% 1212
Ground clearance declared	21.3 in · 540 mm	16.5 in · 420 mm	+29% 1212
Turning radius, braked declared	11.7 ft · 3.58 m	12.1 ft · 3.70 m	—
Fuel tank declared	86.3 qt · 81.7 L	84.5 qt · 80.0 L	—

Source

Source