John Deere Modell 720 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 Modell 720 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 John Deere Modell 720 suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 23% (6.4 L/min / 1.7 gpm) more hydraulic flow.
- The Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) suits road haulage better on this data: 32% (6.0 km/h / 3.7 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 | Modell 720 | Universal-4 (4 DM) | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 39.7 kW (53.2 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere Modell 720” | 40.2 kW (53.9 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the Modell 720 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 Modell 720 and the Universal-4 (4 DM). |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the Modell 720 and the Universal-4 (4 DM). |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 33.7 L/min (8.9 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere Modell 720” | 27.3 L/min (7.2 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | AheadThe John Deere Modell 720 has 23% more hydraulic flow (6.4 L/min / 1.7 gpm) than the Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) (both pump flow, as stated by the source). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | — | 1,284 kg (2,831 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | No figureNo call on three-point lift: no figure on record for the Modell 720. |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 3,080 kg (6,790 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere Modell 720” | 2,243 kg (4,945 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The John Deere Modell 720 is 37% heavier (837 kg / 1,845 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 Modell 720 and the Universal-4 (4 DM). |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 6Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere Modell 720” | 5Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | 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 Modell 720 and the Universal-4 (4 DM). |
| Which is faster on the road? | 19 km/h (11.8 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere Modell 720” | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | AheadThe Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) has 32% more top speed (6.0 km/h / 3.7 mph) than the John Deere Modell 720 (both top speed forward, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 547 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “John Deere Modell 720” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | No figureNo call on PTO speeds: no standard PTO speed stated for the Modell 720. |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | — | — | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the Modell 720 and the Universal-4 (4 DM). |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “John Deere Modell 720” | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | EvenEven on drive: all two-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1956–1958 | 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 John Deere Modell 720 has 23% more hydraulic flow (6.4 L/min / 1.7 gpm) than the Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- The John Deere Modell 720 is 37% heavier (837 kg / 1,845 lb) than the Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) has 32% more top speed (6.0 km/h / 3.7 mph) than the John Deere Modell 720 (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
- 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 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 Modell 720 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.
- 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, PTO speeds and PTO independence.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources