Massey Ferguson MF 340 (A) or SOMECA 420 (TD)?
Which should you choose?
The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the MF 340 (A) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 420 (TD) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- The Massey Ferguson 340 (A) suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 15% (2.5 L/min / 0.7 gpm) more hydraulic flow and 95% (1,045 kg / 2,304 lb) more three-point lift.
- The Massey Ferguson 340 (A) 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 | MF 340 (A) | 420 (TD) | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 30.9 kW (41.4 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 340” | 30.9 kW (41.4 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 420” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the MF 340 (A) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 420 (TD) 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 MF 340 (A) and the 420 (TD). |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the MF 340 (A) and the 420 (TD). |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 19.5 L/min (5.2 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 340” | 17.0 L/min (4.5 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 420” | AheadThe Massey Ferguson 340 (A) has 15% more hydraulic flow (2.5 L/min / 0.7 gpm) than the SOMECA 420 (TD) (both pump flow, as stated by the source). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 2,145 kg (4,729 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 340” | 1,100 kg (2,425 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 420” | AheadThe Massey Ferguson 340 (A) has 95% more lift (1,045 kg / 2,304 lb) than the SOMECA 420 (TD) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source). |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 2,360 kg (5,203 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 340” | 1,650 kg (3,638 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 420” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Massey Ferguson 340 (A) is 43% heavier (710 kg / 1,565 lb) than the SOMECA 420 (TD) (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 MF 340 (A) and the 420 (TD). |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 8Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 340” | 6 to 9Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 420” | 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? | — | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the MF 340 (A) and the 420 (TD). |
| Which is faster on the road? | 30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 340” | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 420” | AheadThe Massey Ferguson 340 (A) has 20% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the SOMECA 420 (TD) (both top speed forward, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 540/540E rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 340” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Someca 420” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | — | — | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the MF 340 (A) and the 420 (TD). |
| Which drives on both axles? | Two-wheel or four-wheel driveTraktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 340” | Two-wheel or four-wheel driveTraktorenlexikon, “Someca 420” | EvenEven on drive: every machine is available with four-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1988–1994 | 1978–1985 | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Massey Ferguson 340 (A) is newer: production began 10 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts. |
What does this mean in plain words?
- The Massey Ferguson 340 (A) has 15% more hydraulic flow (2.5 L/min / 0.7 gpm) than the SOMECA 420 (TD) (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- The Massey Ferguson 340 (A) has 95% more lift (1,045 kg / 2,304 lb) than the SOMECA 420 (TD) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
- The Massey Ferguson 340 (A) is 43% heavier (710 kg / 1,565 lb) than the SOMECA 420 (TD) (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The Massey Ferguson 340 (A) has 20% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the SOMECA 420 (TD) (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
- The Massey Ferguson 340 (A) is newer: production began 10 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 figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap.
- Even on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm).
- Even on drive: every machine is available with four-wheel drive.
- Not comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the MF 340 (A) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 420 (TD) 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, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range and PTO independence.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources