Fahr D 400 A or Steyr 185?
Which should you choose?
On performance, every comparable figure that differs favours the Fahr D 400A: hydraulic flow.
- The Fahr D 400A suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 32% (4.5 L/min / 1.2 gpm) more hydraulic flow.
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 | D 400 A | 185 | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 31.6 kW (42 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Fahr D 400 A” | 31.6 kW (42.4 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 185” | 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 D 400 A and the 185. |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the D 400 A and the 185. |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 18.5 L/min (4.9 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Fahr D 400 A” | 14.0 L/min (3.7 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 185” | AheadThe Fahr D 400A has 32% more hydraulic flow (4.5 L/min / 1.2 gpm) than the Steyr 185 (both pump flow, as stated by the source). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 815 kg (1,797 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Fahr D 400 A” | 1,100 kg (2,425 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 185” | Not comparableNot comparable on three-point lift: the D 400 A: lift at an unstated point, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Fahr D 400 A”); the 185: lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 185”) — not the same quantity, basis and condition. |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 2,820 kg (6,217 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Fahr D 400 A” | 2,650 kg (5,842 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 185” | 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? | 4,000 kg (8,818 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Fahr D 400 A” | — | No figureNo call on maximum permissible mass: no figure on record for the 185. |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 5 to 7Traktorenlexikon, “Fahr D 400 A” | 6 to 7Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 185” | 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 D 400 A and the 185. |
| Which is faster on the road? | 20 km/h (12.4 mph) to 27 km/h (16.8 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Fahr D 400 A” | 22 km/h (13.7 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 185” | EvenEven on top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap. |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 588 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Fahr D 400 A” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 185” | No figureNo call on PTO speeds: no standard PTO speed stated for the D 400 A. |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | dependent (stops with the clutch)Traktorenlexikon, “Fahr D 400 A” | — | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 185. |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Fahr D 400 A” | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 185” | EvenEven on drive: all two-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1955–1960 | 1955–1958 | 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 Fahr D 400A has 32% more hydraulic flow (4.5 L/min / 1.2 gpm) than the Steyr 185 (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- 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 figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap.
- Even on drive: all two-wheel drive.
- 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 D 400 A: lift at an unstated point, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Fahr D 400 A”); the 185: lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 185”) — 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, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range, PTO speeds and PTO independence.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources