IMT 555 or SOMECA 500 Special (TD)?
Which should you choose?
The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the 555 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 500 Special (TD) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- The SOMECA 500 Special (TD) suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 44% (6.7 L/min / 1.8 gpm) more hydraulic flow and 31% (370 kg / 816 lb) more three-point lift.
- The SOMECA 500 Special (TD) suits heavy draft work (ploughing, cultivating) better on this data: four-wheel drive.
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 | 555 | 500 Special (TD) | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 36.8 kW (49.3 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 555” | 36.8 kW (49.3 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 500 S” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the 555 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 500 Special (TD) 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 555 and the 500 Special (TD). |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 555 and the 500 Special (TD). |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 15.1 L/min (4.0 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 555” | 21.8 L/min (5.8 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 500 S” | AheadThe SOMECA 500 Special (TD) has 44% more hydraulic flow (6.7 L/min / 1.8 gpm) than the IMT 555 (both pump flow, as stated by the source). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 1,180 kg (2,601 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 555” | 1,550 kg (3,417 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 500 S” | AheadThe SOMECA 500 Special (TD) has 31% more lift (370 kg / 816 lb) than the IMT 555 (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source). |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 1,870 kg (4,123 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 555” | 1,880 kg (4,145 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 500 S” | 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 555 and the 500 Special (TD). |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 6Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 555” | 8 to 12Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 500 S” | AheadThe SOMECA 500 Special (TD) has 33% more forward gears (2 gears) than the IMT 555 (both forward gears, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers a creeper range? | — | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the 555 and the 500 Special (TD). |
| Which is faster on the road? | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 555” | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 500 S” | EvenEven on top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call. |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “IMT 555” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Someca 500 S” | 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 555 and the 500 Special (TD). |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “IMT 555” | Two-wheel or four-wheel driveTraktorenlexikon, “Someca 500 S” | AheadThe SOMECA 500 Special (TD) is available with four-wheel drive; the IMT 555 is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources). |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1964–1971 | 1972–1983 | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The SOMECA 500 Special (TD) 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 SOMECA 500 Special (TD) has 44% more hydraulic flow (6.7 L/min / 1.8 gpm) than the IMT 555 (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- The SOMECA 500 Special (TD) has 31% more lift (370 kg / 816 lb) than the IMT 555 (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
- The SOMECA 500 Special (TD) has 33% more forward gears (2 gears) than the IMT 555 (both forward gears, as stated by the source).
- The SOMECA 500 Special (TD) is available with four-wheel drive; the IMT 555 is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources).
- The SOMECA 500 Special (TD) is newer: production began 8 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
- Even on weight (both unladen weight, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call.
- Even on top speed (both top speed forward, 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).
- Not comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the 555 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 500 Special (TD) 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