Ford 976 or John Deere 8960?
Which should you choose?
The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the 976 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 8960 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- The John Deere 8960 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 | 976 | 8960 | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 268.5 kW (360.1 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Ford Ford 976” | 272.3 kW (365.2 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8960” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the 976 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 8960 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 976 and the 8960. |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 976 and the 8960. |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 92.7 L/min (24.5 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Ford Ford 976” | — | No figureNo call on hydraulic flow: no figure on record for the 8960. |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | — | 5,350 kg (11,795 lb) to 5,500 kg (12,125 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8960” | No figureNo call on three-point lift: no figure on record for the 976. |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 16,350 kg (36,046 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Ford Ford 976” | 15,925 kg (35,109 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8960” | 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 976 and the 8960. |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 12Traktorenlexikon, “Ford Ford 976” | 12 to 24Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8960” | 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 976 and the 8960. |
| Which is faster on the road? | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Ford Ford 976” | 30 km/h (18.6 mph) to 40 km/h (24.9 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8960” | AheadThe John Deere 8960 has 20% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the Ford 976 (both top speed forward, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Ford Ford 976” | 1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8960” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (1000 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | — | independentTraktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8960” | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 976. |
| Which drives on both axles? | 4WDTraktorenlexikon, “Ford Ford 976” | 4WDTraktorenlexikon, “John Deere 8960” | EvenEven on drive: every machine is available with four-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1988–1993 | 1989–1993 | 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 John Deere 8960 has 20% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the Ford 976 (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
- 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 PTO speeds: the same speeds (1000 rpm).
- Even on drive: every machine is available with four-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 976 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 8960 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, hydraulic flow, three-point lift, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range and PTO independence.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources