International Harvester D-439 or Nuffield M-3?
Which should you choose?
The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the D-439 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the M-3 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- The Nuffield M-3 suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 14% (3.3 L/min / 0.9 gpm) more hydraulic flow.
- The Nuffield M-3 suits road haulage better on this data: 40% (8.0 km/h / 5.0 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 | D-439 | M-3 | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 28.7 kW (38.5 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “McCormick D-439” | 28.3 kW (38.0 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal M 3 (1948-1957)” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the D-439 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the M-3 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 D-439 and the M-3. |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the D-439 and the M-3. |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 24.0 L/min (6.3 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “McCormick D-439” | 27.3 L/min (7.2 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal M 3 (1948-1957)” | AheadThe Nuffield M-3 has 14% more hydraulic flow (3.3 L/min / 0.9 gpm) than the International Harvester D-439 (both pump flow, as stated by the source). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 900 kg (1,984 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “McCormick D-439” | — | No figureNo call on three-point lift: no figure on record for the M-3. |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 1,758 kg (3,876 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “McCormick D-439” | 2,199 kg (4,848 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal M 3 (1948-1957)” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Nuffield M-3 is 25% heavier (441 kg / 972 lb) than the International Harvester D-439 (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 D-439 and the M-3. |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 8Traktorenlexikon, “McCormick D-439” | 5Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal M 3 (1948-1957)” | AheadThe International Harvester D-439 has 60% more forward gears (3 gears) than the Nuffield M-3 (both forward gears, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers a creeper range? | — | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the D-439 and the M-3. |
| Which is faster on the road? | 20 km/h (12.4 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “McCormick D-439” | 28 km/h (17.4 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal M 3 (1948-1957)” | AheadThe Nuffield M-3 has 40% more top speed (8.0 km/h / 5.0 mph) than the International Harvester D-439 (both top speed forward, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “McCormick D-439” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal M 3 (1948-1957)” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | independentTraktorenlexikon, “McCormick D-439” | dependent (stops with the clutch)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal M 3 (1948-1957)” | AheadThe International Harvester D-439 has an independent PTO; the Nuffield M-3’s is dependent (stops with the clutch). |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “McCormick D-439” | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal M 3 (1948-1957)” | EvenEven on drive: all two-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1962–1966 | 1948–1954 | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The International Harvester D-439 is newer: production began 14 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts. |
What does this mean in plain words?
- The Nuffield M-3 has 14% more hydraulic flow (3.3 L/min / 0.9 gpm) than the International Harvester D-439 (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- The Nuffield M-3 is 25% heavier (441 kg / 972 lb) than the International Harvester D-439 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The International Harvester D-439 has 60% more forward gears (3 gears) than the Nuffield M-3 (both forward gears, as stated by the source).
- The Nuffield M-3 has 40% more top speed (8.0 km/h / 5.0 mph) than the International Harvester D-439 (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
- The International Harvester D-439 has an independent PTO; the Nuffield M-3’s is dependent (stops with the clutch).
- The International Harvester D-439 is newer: production began 14 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
- Even on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm).
- Even on drive: all two-wheel drive.
- Not comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the D-439 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the M-3 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 and a creeper range.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources