Ford 541 or Volvo T-320 B?
Which should you choose?
The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the 541 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the T-320 B has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- The Volvo T-320B suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 86% (12.9 L/min / 3.4 gpm) more hydraulic flow and 85% (483 kg / 1,065 lb) more three-point lift.
- The Volvo T-320B suits road haulage better on this data: 25% (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 “similar machines”. 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 | 541 | T-320 B | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 27.2 kW (36.5 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Ford 501” | 27.2 kW (36.5 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Volvo 320 B” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the 541 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the T-320 B 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 541 and the T-320 B. |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 541 and the T-320 B. |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 15.0 L/min (4.0 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Ford 501” | 27.9 L/min (7.4 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Volvo 320 B” | AheadThe Volvo T-320B has 86% more hydraulic flow (12.9 L/min / 3.4 gpm) than the Ford 541 (also listed as 501) (both pump flow, as stated by the source). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 567 kg (1,250 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Ford 501” | 1,050 kg (2,315 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Volvo 320 B” | AheadThe Volvo T-320B has 85% more lift (483 kg / 1,065 lb) than the Ford 541 (also listed as 501) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source). |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 1,593 kg (3,512 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Ford 501” | 1,440 kg (3,175 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Volvo 320 B” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Ford 541 (also listed as 501) is 11% heavier (153 kg / 337 lb) than the Volvo T-320B (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 541 and the T-320 B. |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 4Traktorenlexikon, “Ford 501” | 5Traktorenlexikon, “Volvo 320 B” | EvenEven on forward gears (both forward gears, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 25% threshold, too small to call. |
| Which offers a creeper range? | — | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the 541 and the T-320 B. |
| Which is faster on the road? | 20 km/h (12.4 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Ford 501” | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Volvo 320 B” | AheadThe Volvo T-320B has 25% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the Ford 541 (also listed as 501) (both top speed forward, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Ford 501” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Volvo 320 B” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | — | — | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 541 and the T-320 B. |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Ford 501” | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Volvo 320 B” | EvenEven on drive: all two-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1958–1962 | 1961–1964 | 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 Volvo T-320B has 86% more hydraulic flow (12.9 L/min / 3.4 gpm) than the Ford 541 (also listed as 501) (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- The Volvo T-320B has 85% more lift (483 kg / 1,065 lb) than the Ford 541 (also listed as 501) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
- The Ford 541 (also listed as 501) is 11% heavier (153 kg / 337 lb) than the Volvo T-320B (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The Volvo T-320B has 25% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the Ford 541 (also listed as 501) (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
- Even on forward gears (both forward gears, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 25% threshold, too small to call.
- Even on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm).
- 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 power at the PTO shaft: the 541 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the T-320 B 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