MAN 4R3 or Steyr 290?
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 4R3 is ahead on drive.
- The MAN 4R3 suits heavy draft work (ploughing, cultivating) better on this data: 27% (530 kg / 1,168 lb) heavier and four-wheel drive.
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 | 4R3 | 290 | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 33.1 kW (44 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “MAN 4R3” | 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 4R3 and the 290. |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 4R3 and the 290. |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | — | 32.0 L/min (8.5 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290” | No figureNo call on hydraulic flow: no figure on record for the 4R3. |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 2,000 kg (4,409 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “MAN 4R3” | 1,850 kg (4,079 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290” | Not comparableNot comparable on three-point lift: the 4R3: lift at an unstated point, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “MAN 4R3”); the 290: lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”) — not the same quantity, basis and condition. |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 2,500 kg (5,512 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “MAN 4R3” | 1,970 kg (4,343 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The MAN 4R3 is 27% heavier (530 kg / 1,168 lb) than the Steyr 290 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source). |
| Which may carry more ballast and load? | 3,500 kg (7,716 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “MAN 4R3” | — | No figureNo call on maximum permissible mass: no figure on record for the 290. |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 8Traktorenlexikon, “MAN 4R3” | 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? | YesTraktorenlexikon, “MAN 4R3” | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the 290. |
| Which is faster on the road? | 19.1 km/h (11.9 mph) to 27.0 km/h (16.8 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “MAN 4R3” | 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? | 540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “MAN 4R3” | 540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540, 1000 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | — | — | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 4R3 and the 290. |
| Which drives on both axles? | 4WDTraktorenlexikon, “MAN 4R3” | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290” | AheadThe MAN 4R3 is available with four-wheel drive; the Steyr 290 is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources). |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1961–1962 | 1966–1967 | Ahead (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 MAN 4R3 is 27% heavier (530 kg / 1,168 lb) than the Steyr 290 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The MAN 4R3 is available with four-wheel drive; the Steyr 290 is two-wheel drive (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 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, 1000 rpm).
- Not comparable on three-point lift: the 4R3: lift at an unstated point, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “MAN 4R3”); the 290: lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”) — 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