David Brown 4600 Selectmatic or Fiat 500 (DT)?
Which should you choose?
On performance, no comparable figure differs by more than its threshold: on this data the machines are level. On features, the David Brown 4600 Selectmatic is ahead on PTO speeds; the Fiat 500 (DT) is ahead on drive.
- The David Brown 4600 Selectmatic suits PTO-driven implements (mowers, balers, pumps) better on this data: offers 1000 rpm.
- The Fiat 500 (DT) suits heavy draft work (ploughing, cultivating) better on this data: four-wheel drive.
Generated by rule set compare@4 from the figures on the side-by-side table, allowed by route “the same stated configuration”. Measured figures are compared only with measured, claimed only with claimed, at the same test condition; differences within each figure’s tolerance are not called.
What decides it, question by question?
| Question | 4600 Selectmatic | 500 (DT) | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 30.3 kW (40.6 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 4600” | 30.2 kW (40.46 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 500/500 DT” | EvenEven on power at the PTO shaft (both power at the PTO, claimed): the difference is under the 10% threshold for claimed figures, too small to call. |
| Which turns a litre of fuel into more work at the shaft? | — | — | No figureNo call on fuel efficiency at the shaft: no figure on record for the 4600 Selectmatic and the 500 (DT). |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 4600 Selectmatic and the 500 (DT). |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | — | 21.8 L/min (5.8 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 500/500 DT” | No figureNo call on hydraulic flow: no figure on record for the 4600 Selectmatic. |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 816 kg (1,799 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 4600” | 1,620 kg (3,571 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 500/500 DT” | Not comparableNot comparable on three-point lift: the 4600 Selectmatic: lift through the full range at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 4600”); the 500 (DT): lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 500/500 DT”) — not the same quantity, basis and condition. |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 1,810 kg (3,990 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 4600” | 1,825 kg (4,023 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 500/500 DT” | EvenEven on weight (both unladen weight, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call. |
| Which may carry more ballast and load? | — | — | No figureNo call on maximum permissible mass: no figure on record for the 4600 Selectmatic and the 500 (DT). |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 6 to 12Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 4600” | 8 to 12Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 500/500 DT” | EvenEven on forward gears (both forward gears, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap. |
| Which offers a creeper range? | — | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the 4600 Selectmatic and the 500 (DT). |
| Which is faster on the road? | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 4600” | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 500/500 DT” | EvenEven on top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call. |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “David Brown 4600” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Fiat 500/500 DT” | AheadThe David Brown 4600 Selectmatic offers 1000 rpm at the PTO, which the Fiat 500 (DT) does not (as stated by the sources). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | — | — | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 4600 Selectmatic and the 500 (DT). |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “David Brown 4600” | Two-wheel or four-wheel driveTraktorenlexikon, “Fiat 500/500 DT” | AheadThe Fiat 500 (DT) is available with four-wheel drive; the David Brown 4600 Selectmatic is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources). |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1968–1971 | 1971–1973 | EvenSame era: production began within 5 years of each other. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts. |
What does this mean in plain words?
- The David Brown 4600 Selectmatic offers 1000 rpm at the PTO, which the Fiat 500 (DT) does not (as stated by the sources).
- The Fiat 500 (DT) is available with four-wheel drive; the David Brown 4600 Selectmatic is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources).
- Even on power at the PTO shaft (both power at the PTO, claimed): the difference is under the 10% threshold for claimed figures, too small to call.
- Even on weight (both unladen weight, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call.
- Even on forward gears (both forward gears, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap.
- Even on top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call.
- Same era: production began within 5 years of each other. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
- Not comparable on three-point lift: the 4600 Selectmatic: lift through the full range at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 4600”); the 500 (DT): lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 500/500 DT”) — not the same quantity, basis and condition.
- No figure on record for every machine, so no call on: fuel efficiency at the shaft, drawbar power, hydraulic flow, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range and PTO independence.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources