Fiat 980 (DT) or Renault 981 (S)?
Which should you choose?
The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the 980 (DT) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 981 (S) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- The Renault 981 (S) suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 17% (560 kg / 1,235 lb) more three-point lift.
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 | 980 (DT) | 981 (S) | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 72.1 kW (96.7 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 980 DT” | 72.1 kW (96.7 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the 980 (DT) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 981 (S) 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 980 (DT) and the 981 (S). |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 980 (DT) and the 981 (S). |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 31.8 L/min (8.4 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 980 DT” | 32.8 L/min (8.7 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | 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? | 3,350 kg (7,385 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 980 DT” | 3,910 kg (8,620 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | AheadThe Renault 981 (S) has 17% more lift (560 kg / 1,235 lb) than the Fiat 980 (DT) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source). |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 3,460 kg (7,628 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 980 DT” | 3,920 kg (8,642 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Renault 981 (S) is 13% heavier (460 kg / 1,014 lb) than the Fiat 980 (DT) (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 980 (DT) and the 981 (S). |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 12 to 16Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 980 DT” | 12 to 16Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | 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? | — | YesTraktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the 980 (DT). |
| Which is faster on the road? | 25 km/h (15.5 mph) to 30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Fiat 980 DT” | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | 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? | 540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Fiat 980 DT” | 540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540, 1000 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | — | — | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 980 (DT) and the 981 (S). |
| Which drives on both axles? | Two-wheel or four-wheel driveTraktorenlexikon, “Fiat 980 DT” | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | AheadThe Fiat 980 (DT) is available with four-wheel drive; the Renault 981 (S) is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources). |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1979–1984 | 1977–1982 | 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 Renault 981 (S) has 17% more lift (560 kg / 1,235 lb) than the Fiat 980 (DT) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
- The Renault 981 (S) is 13% heavier (460 kg / 1,014 lb) than the Fiat 980 (DT) (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The Fiat 980 (DT) is available with four-wheel drive; the Renault 981 (S) is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources).
- 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 top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap.
- Even on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540, 1000 rpm).
- 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 980 (DT) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 981 (S) 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