MAN AS 250 or Nuffield DM-4?

Which should you choose?

The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the AS 250 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the DM-4 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.

  • The Nuffield DM-4 suits road haulage better on this data: 40% (8.0 km/h / 5.0 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?

Buyer questions for MAN AS 250 and Nuffield DM-4, with the call on each
QuestionAS 250DM-4Call
Which puts more power through the PTO shaft?36.6 kW (49.1 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “MAN AS 250”33.5 kW (44.9 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal DM 4 / Diesel (1950-1954)”Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the AS 250 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the DM-4 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 AS 250 and the DM-4.
Which pulls harder at the drawbar?——No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the AS 250 and the DM-4.
Which pumps more oil for implements?—27.3 L/min (7.2 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal DM 4 / Diesel (1950-1954)”No figureNo call on hydraulic flow: no figure on record for the AS 250.
Which lifts more on the three-point hitch?——No figureNo call on three-point lift: no figure on record for the AS 250 and the DM-4.
Which is heavier, for traction?3,400 kg (7,496 lb) to 4,060 kg (8,951 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “MAN AS 250”2,266 kg (4,996 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal DM 4 / Diesel (1950-1954)”Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The MAN AS 250 is 50% heavier (1,134 kg / 2,500 lb) than the Nuffield DM-4 (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 AS 250 and the DM-4.
Which has the wider choice of gears?5Traktorenlexikon, “MAN AS 250”5Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal DM 4 / Diesel (1950-1954)”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 AS 250 and the DM-4.
Which is faster on the road?20 km/h (12.4 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “MAN AS 250”28 km/h (17.4 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal DM 4 / Diesel (1950-1954)”AheadThe Nuffield DM-4 has 40% more top speed (8.0 km/h / 5.0 mph) than the MAN AS 250 (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
Which offers more PTO speeds?545Traktorenlexikon, “MAN AS 250”540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal DM 4 / Diesel (1950-1954)”No figureNo call on PTO speeds: no standard PTO speed stated for the AS 250.
Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive?—dependent (stops with the clutch)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal DM 4 / Diesel (1950-1954)”No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the AS 250.
Which drives on both axles?2WDTraktorenlexikon, “MAN AS 250”2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal DM 4 / Diesel (1950-1954)”EvenEven on drive: all two-wheel drive.
Which is newer, and what about parts?1938–19461950–1954Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Nuffield DM-4 is newer: production began 12 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.

What does this mean in plain words?

  • The MAN AS 250 is 50% heavier (1,134 kg / 2,500 lb) than the Nuffield DM-4 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
  • The Nuffield DM-4 has 40% more top speed (8.0 km/h / 5.0 mph) than the MAN AS 250 (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
  • The Nuffield DM-4 is newer: production began 12 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
  • 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.
  • Not comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the AS 250 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the DM-4 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, hydraulic flow, three-point lift, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range, PTO speeds and PTO independence.

← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources