International Harvester 504 or Steyr 290?

Which should you choose?

On performance, every comparable figure that differs favours the International Harvester 504: hydraulic flow. On features, the Steyr 290 is ahead on PTO speeds.

  • The Steyr 290 suits PTO-driven implements (mowers, balers, pumps) better on this data: offers 1000 rpm.
  • The International Harvester 504 suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 42% (13.5 L/min / 3.6 gpm) more hydraulic flow.

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?

Buyer questions for International Harvester 504 and Steyr 290, with the call on each
Question504290Call
Which puts more power through the PTO shaft?32.9 kW (44.1 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 504”33.1 kW (44 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”EvenEven on power at the PTO shaft (both power at the PTO, claimed): the difference is under the 10% threshold for claimed figures, too small to call.
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 504 and the 290.
Which pulls harder at the drawbar?No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 504 and the 290.
Which pumps more oil for implements?45.5 L/min (12.0 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 504”32.0 L/min (8.5 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”AheadThe International Harvester 504 has 42% more hydraulic flow (13.5 L/min / 3.6 gpm) than the Steyr 290 (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
Which lifts more on the three-point hitch?1,850 kg (4,079 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”No figureNo call on three-point lift: no figure on record for the 504.
Which is heavier, for traction?2,022 kg (4,458 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 504”1,970 kg (4,343 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”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 504 and the 290.
Which has the wider choice of gears?5 to 10Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 504”8 to 12Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”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 504 and the 290.
Which is faster on the road?30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 504”28 km/h (17.4 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”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, “IHC 504”540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”AheadThe Steyr 290 offers 1000 rpm at the PTO, which the International Harvester 504 does not (as stated by the sources).
Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive?dependent (stops with the clutch)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC 504”No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 290.
Which drives on both axles?2WDTraktorenlexikon, “IHC 504”2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”EvenEven on drive: all two-wheel drive.
Which is newer, and what about parts?1961–19681966–1967Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Steyr 290 is newer: production began 5 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.

What does this mean in plain words?

  • The International Harvester 504 has 42% more hydraulic flow (13.5 L/min / 3.6 gpm) than the Steyr 290 (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
  • The Steyr 290 offers 1000 rpm at the PTO, which the International Harvester 504 does not (as stated by the sources).
  • The Steyr 290 is newer: production began 5 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
  • Even on power at the PTO shaft (both power at the PTO, claimed): the difference is under the 10% threshold for claimed figures, too small to call.
  • 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 top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call.
  • Even on drive: all two-wheel drive.
  • No figure on record for every machine, so no call on: fuel efficiency at the shaft, drawbar power, three-point lift, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range and PTO independence.

← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources