David Brown 990 Selectmatic or Porsche-Diesel Master 418?

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 990 Selectmatic is ahead on top speed.

  • The David Brown 990 Selectmatic suits road haulage better on this data: 29% (5.6 km/h / 3.5 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?

Buyer questions for David Brown 990 Selectmatic and Porsche-Diesel Master 418, with the call on each
Question990 SelectmaticMaster 418Call
Which puts more power through the PTO shaft?34.3 kW (46.0 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 990”34.4 kW (46.2 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Porsche-Diesel Master N418”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 990 Selectmatic and the Master 418.
Which pulls harder at the drawbar?No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 990 Selectmatic and the Master 418.
Which pumps more oil for implements?27.5 L/min (7.3 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 990”25 L/min (6.6 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Porsche-Diesel Master N418”EvenEven on hydraulic flow (both pump flow, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call.
Which lifts more on the three-point hitch?907 kg (2,000 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 990”No figureNo call on three-point lift: no figure on record for the Master 418.
Which is heavier, for traction?2,580 kg (5,688 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 990”2,100 kg (4,630 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Porsche-Diesel Master N418”Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The David Brown 990 Selectmatic is 23% heavier (480 kg / 1,058 lb) than the Porsche-Diesel Master 418 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
Which may carry more ballast and load?3,850 kg (8,488 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Porsche-Diesel Master N418”No figureNo call on maximum permissible mass: no figure on record for the 990 Selectmatic.
Which has the wider choice of gears?6 to 12Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 990”8Traktorenlexikon, “Porsche-Diesel Master N418”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 990 Selectmatic and the Master 418.
Which is faster on the road?25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “David Brown 990”19.4 km/h (12.1 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Porsche-Diesel Master N418”AheadThe David Brown 990 Selectmatic has 29% more top speed (5.6 km/h / 3.5 mph) than the Porsche-Diesel Master 418 (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
Which offers more PTO speeds?540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “David Brown 990”579/1135 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Porsche-Diesel Master N418”No figureNo call on PTO speeds: no standard PTO speed stated for the Master 418.
Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive?No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 990 Selectmatic and the Master 418.
Which drives on both axles?2WDTraktorenlexikon, “David Brown 990”2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Porsche-Diesel Master N418”EvenEven on drive: all two-wheel drive.
Which is newer, and what about parts?1965–19791960Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The David Brown 990 Selectmatic is newer: production began 5 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 990 Selectmatic is 23% heavier (480 kg / 1,058 lb) than the Porsche-Diesel Master 418 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
  • The David Brown 990 Selectmatic has 29% more top speed (5.6 km/h / 3.5 mph) than the Porsche-Diesel Master 418 (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
  • The David Brown 990 Selectmatic is newer: production began 5 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
  • 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 hydraulic flow (both pump flow, 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 drive: all two-wheel drive.
  • No figure on record for every machine, so no call on: fuel efficiency at the shaft, drawbar power, three-point lift, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range, PTO speeds and PTO independence.

← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources