International Harvester B-450 or Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM)?
Which should you choose?
The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the B-450 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the Universal-4 (4 DM) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- The Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 101% (13.7 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 “similar machines”. 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 | B-450 | Universal-4 (4 DM) | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 40.5 kW (54.3 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC B-450” | 40.2 kW (53.9 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the B-450 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the Universal-4 (4 DM) 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 B-450 and the Universal-4 (4 DM). |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the B-450 and the Universal-4 (4 DM). |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 13.6 L/min (3.6 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “McCormick B-450” | 27.3 L/min (7.2 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | AheadThe Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) has 101% more hydraulic flow (13.7 L/min / 3.6 gpm) than the International Harvester B-450 (both pump flow, as stated by the source). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 2,830 kg (6,239 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC B-450” | 1,284 kg (2,831 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | Not comparableNot comparable on three-point lift: the B-450: lift at an unstated point, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “IHC B-450”); the Universal-4 (4 DM): lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)”) — not the same quantity, basis and condition. |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 2,650 kg (5,842 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “IHC B-450” | 2,243 kg (4,945 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The International Harvester B-450 is 18% heavier (407 kg / 897 lb) than the Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) (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 B-450 and the Universal-4 (4 DM). |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 5 to 10Traktorenlexikon, “McCormick B-450” | 5Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | 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 B-450 and the Universal-4 (4 DM). |
| Which is faster on the road? | 26 km/h (16.2 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “McCormick B-450” | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | 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, “McCormick B-450” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | 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 B-450 and the Universal-4 (4 DM). |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “IHC B-450”; Traktorenlexikon, “McCormick B-450” | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | EvenEven on drive: all two-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1958–1969 | 1954–1961 | 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 Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) has 101% more hydraulic flow (13.7 L/min / 3.6 gpm) than the International Harvester B-450 (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- The International Harvester B-450 is 18% heavier (407 kg / 897 lb) than the Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- 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 PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm).
- Even on drive: all two-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 B-450 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the Universal-4 (4 DM) 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 B-450: lift at an unstated point, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “IHC B-450”); the Universal-4 (4 DM): lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)”) — 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