Fiat 550 (DT) or International Harvester 544?
Which should you choose?
The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the 550 (DT) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 544 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- The International Harvester 544 suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 108% (23.6 L/min / 6.2 gpm) more hydraulic flow.
- The Fiat 550 (DT) suits heavy draft work (ploughing, cultivating) better on this data: four-wheel drive.
- The International Harvester 544 suits road haulage better on this data: 20% (5.0 km/h / 3.1 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 | 550 (DT) | 544 | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 38.2 kW (51.2 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 550/550 DT” | 38.2 kW (51.2 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 544” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the 550 (DT) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 544 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 550 (DT) and the 544. |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 550 (DT) and the 544. |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 21.8 L/min (5.8 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 550/550 DT” | 45.4 L/min (12.0 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 544” | AheadThe International Harvester 544 has 108% more hydraulic flow (23.6 L/min / 6.2 gpm) than the Fiat 550 (DT) (both pump flow, as stated by the source). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 1,820 kg (4,012 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 550/550 DT” | — | No figureNo call on three-point lift: no figure on record for the 544. |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 2,060 kg (4,542 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 550/550 DT” | 2,258 kg (4,978 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 544” | 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 550 (DT) and the 544. |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 8 to 12 forwardTraktorenlexikon, “Fiat 550/550 DT” | Stepless (CVT)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 544” | DifferTransmissions differ in kind: the Fiat 550 (DT) has 8 to 12 forward gears and the International Harvester 544 is stepless (CVT) — not called. |
| Which offers a creeper range? | — | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the 550 (DT) and the 544. |
| Which is faster on the road? | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 550/550 DT” | 30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 544” | AheadThe International Harvester 544 has 20% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the Fiat 550 (DT) (both top speed forward, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Fiat 550/550 DT” | 540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “IHC 544” | AheadThe International Harvester 544 offers 1000 rpm at the PTO, which the Fiat 550 (DT) does not (as stated by the sources). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | — | dependent (stops with the clutch)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 544” | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 550 (DT). |
| Which drives on both axles? | Two-wheel or four-wheel driveTraktorenlexikon, “Fiat 550/550 DT” | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “IHC 544” | AheadThe Fiat 550 (DT) is available with four-wheel drive; the International Harvester 544 is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources). |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1968–1978 | 1968–1973 | 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 International Harvester 544 has 108% more hydraulic flow (23.6 L/min / 6.2 gpm) than the Fiat 550 (DT) (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- The International Harvester 544 has 20% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the Fiat 550 (DT) (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
- The International Harvester 544 offers 1000 rpm at the PTO, which the Fiat 550 (DT) does not (as stated by the sources).
- The Fiat 550 (DT) is available with four-wheel drive; the International Harvester 544 is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources).
- Even on weight (both unladen weight, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call.
- Transmissions differ in kind: the Fiat 550 (DT) has 8 to 12 forward gears and the International Harvester 544 is stepless (CVT) — not called.
- 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 power at the PTO shaft: the 550 (DT) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 544 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, three-point lift, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range and PTO independence.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources