David Brown 900 or SOMECA SOM-431 V/E?
Which should you choose?
The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the 900 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the SOM-431 V/E has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- The David Brown 900 suits road haulage better on this data: 47% (8.0 km/h / 5.0 mph) more top speed.
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 | 900 | SOM-431 V/E | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 29.9 kW (40.1 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 900” | 30.2 kW (40.5 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 431” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the 900 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the SOM-431 V/E has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft. |
| 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 900 and the SOM-431 V/E. |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 900 and the SOM-431 V/E. |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 40.5 L/min (10.7 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 900” | 16.5 L/min (4.4 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 431” | AheadThe David Brown 900 has 145% more hydraulic flow (24.0 L/min / 6.3 gpm) than the SOMECA SOM-431 V/E (both pump flow, as stated by the source). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 816 kg (1,799 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 900” | 900 kg (1,984 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 431” | AheadThe SOMECA SOM-431 V/E has 10% more lift (84 kg / 185 lb) than the David Brown 900 (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source). |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 1,814 kg (3,999 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 900” | 1,450 kg (3,197 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 431” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The David Brown 900 is 25% heavier (364 kg / 802 lb) than the SOMECA SOM-431 V/E (both unladen weight, as stated by the source). |
| Which may carry more ballast and load? | — | — | No figureNo call on maximum permissible mass: no figure on record for the 900 and the SOM-431 V/E. |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 6Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 900” | 6Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 431” | EvenEven on forward gears (both forward gears, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 25% threshold, too small to call. |
| Which offers a creeper range? | — | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the 900 and the SOM-431 V/E. |
| Which is faster on the road? | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 900” | 17 km/h (10.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 431” | AheadThe David Brown 900 has 47% more top speed (8.0 km/h / 5.0 mph) than the SOMECA SOM-431 V/E (both top speed forward, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “David Brown 900” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 431” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | — | independentTraktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 431” | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 900. |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “David Brown 900” | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 431” | EvenEven on drive: all two-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1957–1958 | 1964–1965 | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The SOMECA SOM-431 V/E is newer: production began 7 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts. |
What does this mean in plain words?
- The David Brown 900 has 145% more hydraulic flow (24.0 L/min / 6.3 gpm) than the SOMECA SOM-431 V/E (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- The SOMECA SOM-431 V/E has 10% more lift (84 kg / 185 lb) than the David Brown 900 (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
- The David Brown 900 is 25% heavier (364 kg / 802 lb) than the SOMECA SOM-431 V/E (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The David Brown 900 has 47% more top speed (8.0 km/h / 5.0 mph) than the SOMECA SOM-431 V/E (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
- The SOMECA SOM-431 V/E is newer: production began 7 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
- Even on forward gears (both forward gears, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 25% threshold, too small to call.
- Even on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm).
- Even on drive: all two-wheel drive.
- Not comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the 900 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the SOM-431 V/E has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- No figure on record for every machine, so no call on: fuel efficiency at the shaft, drawbar power, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range and PTO independence.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources