MAN 4N2 or Nuffield Universal-3 (3 DL)?
Which should you choose?
On performance, no comparable figure differs by more than its threshold: on this data the machines are level. On features, the MAN 4N2 is ahead on forward gears, PTO speeds and drive.
- The MAN 4N2 suits PTO-driven implements (mowers, balers, pumps) better on this data: offers 1000 rpm.
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 | 4N2 | Universal-3 (3 DL) | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 20.6 kW (28 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “MAN 4N2” | 20.1 kW (26.9 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)” | 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 4N2 and the Universal-3 (3 DL). |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 4N2 and the Universal-3 (3 DL). |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | — | 27.3 L/min (7.2 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)” | No figureNo call on hydraulic flow: no figure on record for the 4N2. |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 1,700 kg (3,748 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “MAN 4N2” | 1,284 kg (2,831 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)” | Not comparableNot comparable on three-point lift: the 4N2: lift at an unstated point, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “MAN 4N2”); the Universal-3 (3 DL): lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)”) — not the same quantity, basis and condition. |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 1,720 kg (3,792 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “MAN 4N2” | 2,092 kg (4,612 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Nuffield Universal-3 (3 DL) is 22% heavier (372 kg / 820 lb) than the MAN 4N2 (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 4N2 and the Universal-3 (3 DL). |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 8Traktorenlexikon, “MAN 4N2” | 5Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)” | AheadThe MAN 4N2 has 60% more forward gears (3 gears) than the Nuffield Universal-3 (3 DL) (both forward gears, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers a creeper range? | YesTraktorenlexikon, “MAN 4N2” | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the Universal-3 (3 DL). |
| Which is faster on the road? | 19.9 km/h (12.4 mph) to 27.1 km/h (16.8 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “MAN 4N2” | 20 km/h (12.4 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)” | EvenEven on top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap. |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “MAN 4N2” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)” | AheadThe MAN 4N2 offers 1000 rpm at the PTO, which the Nuffield Universal-3 (3 DL) does not (as stated by the sources). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | — | — | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 4N2 and the Universal-3 (3 DL). |
| Which drives on both axles? | 4WDTraktorenlexikon, “MAN 4N2” | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)” | AheadThe MAN 4N2 is available with four-wheel drive; the Nuffield Universal-3 (3 DL) is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources). |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1961–1963 | 1957–1961 | 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-3 (3 DL) is 22% heavier (372 kg / 820 lb) than the MAN 4N2 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The MAN 4N2 has 60% more forward gears (3 gears) than the Nuffield Universal-3 (3 DL) (both forward gears, as stated by the source).
- The MAN 4N2 offers 1000 rpm at the PTO, which the Nuffield Universal-3 (3 DL) does not (as stated by the sources).
- The MAN 4N2 is available with four-wheel drive; the Nuffield Universal-3 (3 DL) is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources).
- 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 top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap.
- 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 three-point lift: the 4N2: lift at an unstated point, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “MAN 4N2”); the Universal-3 (3 DL): lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)”) — 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, hydraulic flow, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range and PTO independence.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources