Fordson County Super IV or SOMECA 550 (DT)?
Which should you choose?
The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the Super IV has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 550 (DT) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- The SOMECA 550 (DT) suits road haulage better on this data: 20% (4.0 km/h / 2.5 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 | Super IV | 550 (DT) | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 38.2 kW (51.2 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Fordson County Super IV” | 38.2 kW (51.2 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 550” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the Super IV has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 550 (DT) 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 Super IV and the 550 (DT). |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the Super IV and the 550 (DT). |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 22.4 L/min (5.9 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Fordson County Super IV” | 21.8 L/min (5.8 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 550” | 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? | 1,200 kg (2,646 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Fordson County Super IV” | 1,450 kg (3,197 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 550” | Not comparableNot comparable on three-point lift: the Super IV: lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Fordson County Super IV”); the 550 (DT): lift through the full range at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 550”) — not the same quantity, basis and condition. |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 2,850 kg (6,283 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Fordson County Super IV” | 2,060 kg (4,542 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 550” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Fordson County Super IV is 38% heavier (790 kg / 1,742 lb) than the SOMECA 550 (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 Super IV and the 550 (DT). |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 6Traktorenlexikon, “Fordson County Super IV” | 8 to 12Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 550” | AheadThe SOMECA 550 (DT) has 33% more forward gears (2 gears) than the Fordson County Super IV (both forward gears, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers a creeper range? | — | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the Super IV and the 550 (DT). |
| Which is faster on the road? | 20.0 km/h (12.4 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Fordson County Super IV” | 24 km/h (14.9 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 550” | AheadThe SOMECA 550 (DT) has 20% more top speed (4.0 km/h / 2.5 mph) than the Fordson County Super IV (both top speed forward, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Fordson County Super IV” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Someca 550” | 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 Super IV and the 550 (DT). |
| Which drives on both axles? | 4WDTraktorenlexikon, “Fordson County Super IV” | Two-wheel or four-wheel driveTraktorenlexikon, “Someca 550” | EvenEven on drive: every machine is available with four-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1960–1964 | 1968–1971 | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The SOMECA 550 (DT) is newer: production began 8 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts. |
What does this mean in plain words?
- The Fordson County Super IV is 38% heavier (790 kg / 1,742 lb) than the SOMECA 550 (DT) (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The SOMECA 550 (DT) has 33% more forward gears (2 gears) than the Fordson County Super IV (both forward gears, as stated by the source).
- The SOMECA 550 (DT) has 20% more top speed (4.0 km/h / 2.5 mph) than the Fordson County Super IV (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
- The SOMECA 550 (DT) is newer: production began 8 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
- 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 PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm).
- Even on drive: every machine is available with four-wheel drive.
- Not comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the Super IV has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 550 (DT) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- Not comparable on three-point lift: the Super IV: lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Fordson County Super IV”); the 550 (DT): lift through the full range at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 550”) — not the same quantity, basis and condition.
- 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