Ford 4.000 or SAME Centauro?
Which should you choose?
The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the 4.000 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the Centauro has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- The SAME Centauro suits heavy draft work (ploughing, cultivating) better on this data: 46% (666 kg / 1,468 lb) heavier and four-wheel drive.
- The Ford 4.000 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 | 4.000 | Centauro | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 40.5 kW (54.3 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Ford 4000 (USA)” | 40.5 kW (54.3 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “SAME Centauro 55 (DT)” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the 4.000 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the Centauro 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 4.000 and the Centauro. |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 4.000 and the Centauro. |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 15.1 L/min (4.0 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Ford 4000 (USA)” | 16.3 L/min (4.3 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “SAME Centauro 55 (DT)” | 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? | 567 kg (1,250 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Ford 4000 (USA)” | — | No figureNo call on three-point lift: no figure on record for the Centauro. |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 1,434 kg (3,161 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Ford 4000 (USA)” | 2,100 kg (4,630 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “SAME Centauro 55 (DT)” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The SAME Centauro is 46% heavier (666 kg / 1,468 lb) than the Ford 4.000 (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 4.000 and the Centauro. |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 4 to 12Traktorenlexikon, “Ford 4000 (USA)” | 8Traktorenlexikon, “SAME Centauro 55 (DT)” | 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 4.000 and the Centauro. |
| Which is faster on the road? | 30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Ford 4000 (USA)” | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “SAME Centauro 55 (DT)” | AheadThe Ford 4.000 has 20% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the SAME Centauro (both top speed forward, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 540 rpm / 1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Ford 4000 (USA)” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “SAME Centauro 55 (DT)” | AheadThe Ford 4.000 offers 1000 rpm at the PTO, which the SAME Centauro does not (as stated by the sources). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | dependent (stops with the clutch)Traktorenlexikon, “Ford 4000 (USA)” | — | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the Centauro. |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Ford 4000 (USA)” | Two-wheel or four-wheel driveTraktorenlexikon, “SAME Centauro 55 (DT)” | AheadThe SAME Centauro is available with four-wheel drive; the Ford 4.000 is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources). |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1962–1965 | 1965–1969 | 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 SAME Centauro is 46% heavier (666 kg / 1,468 lb) than the Ford 4.000 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The Ford 4.000 has 20% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the SAME Centauro (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
- The Ford 4.000 offers 1000 rpm at the PTO, which the SAME Centauro does not (as stated by the sources).
- The SAME Centauro is available with four-wheel drive; the Ford 4.000 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.
- 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 4.000 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the Centauro 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