John Deere 3120 (A) or Steyr 980?
Which should you choose?
The figures split: the John Deere 3120 (A) is ahead on hydraulic flow and PTO independence; the Steyr 980 is ahead on three-point lift and top speed.
- The John Deere 3120 (A) suits PTO-driven implements (mowers, balers, pumps) better on this data: an independent PTO.
- The Steyr 980 suits road haulage better on this data: 20% (5.0 km/h / 3.1 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 | 3120 (A) | 980 | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 55.2 kW (74.0 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3120” | 54.9 kW (73.6 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 980” | 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 3120 (A) and the 980. |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 3120 (A) and the 980. |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 46.9 L/min (12.4 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3120” | 36.0 L/min (9.5 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 980” | AheadThe John Deere 3120 (A) has 30% more hydraulic flow (10.9 L/min / 2.9 gpm) than the Steyr 980 (both pump flow, as stated by the source). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 2,480 kg (5,467 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3120” | 3,800 kg (8,378 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 980” | AheadThe Steyr 980 has 53% more lift (1,320 kg / 2,910 lb) than the John Deere 3120 (A) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source). |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 3,807 kg (8,393 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3120” | 3,130 kg (6,900 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 980” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The John Deere 3120 (A) is 22% heavier (677 kg / 1,493 lb) than the Steyr 980 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source). |
| Which may carry more ballast and load? | 4,500 kg (9,921 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3120” | — | No figureNo call on maximum permissible mass: no figure on record for the 980. |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 12Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3120” | 12Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 980” | EvenEven on forward gears (both forward gears, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 25% threshold, too small to call. |
| Which offers a creeper range? | — | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the 3120 (A) and the 980. |
| Which is faster on the road? | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3120” | 30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 980” | AheadThe Steyr 980 has 20% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the John Deere 3120 (A) (both top speed forward, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3120” | 540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 980” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540, 1000 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | independentTraktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3120” | liveTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 980” | AheadThe John Deere 3120 (A) has an independent PTO; the Steyr 980’s is live. |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WD / 4WDTraktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3120” | 2WD / 4WDTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 980” | EvenEven on drive: every machine is available with four-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1969–1972 | 1974–1977 | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Steyr 980 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 John Deere 3120 (A) has 30% more hydraulic flow (10.9 L/min / 2.9 gpm) than the Steyr 980 (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- The Steyr 980 has 53% more lift (1,320 kg / 2,910 lb) than the John Deere 3120 (A) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
- The John Deere 3120 (A) is 22% heavier (677 kg / 1,493 lb) than the Steyr 980 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The Steyr 980 has 20% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the John Deere 3120 (A) (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
- The John Deere 3120 (A) has an independent PTO; the Steyr 980’s is live.
- The Steyr 980 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 forward gears (both forward gears, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 25% threshold, too small to call.
- Even on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540, 1000 rpm).
- Even on drive: every machine is available with four-wheel drive.
- No figure on record for every machine, so no call on: fuel efficiency at the shaft, drawbar power, maximum permissible mass and a creeper range.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources