Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo or Steyr 988 (a)?
Which should you choose?
The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the MF 397 Turbo has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 988 (a) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- The Steyr 988 (a) suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 27% (800 kg / 1,764 lb) more three-point lift.
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 397 Turbo | 988 (a) | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 62.6 kW (83.9 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T” | 62.6 kW (83.9 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 988” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the MF 397 Turbo has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 988 (a) 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 397 Turbo and the 988 (a). |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the MF 397 Turbo and the 988 (a). |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | — | — | No figureNo call on hydraulic flow: no figure on record for the MF 397 Turbo and the 988 (a). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 3,000 kg (6,614 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T” | 3,800 kg (8,378 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 988” | AheadThe Steyr 988 (a) has 27% more lift (800 kg / 1,764 lb) than the Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source). |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 3,820 kg (8,422 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T” | 3,445 kg (7,595 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 988” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo is 11% heavier (375 kg / 827 lb) than the Steyr 988 (a) (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 397 Turbo and the 988 (a). |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 24Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T” | 12Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 988” | AheadThe Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo has 100% more forward gears (12 gears) than the Steyr 988 (a) (both forward gears, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers a creeper range? | — | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the MF 397 Turbo and the 988 (a). |
| Which is faster on the road? | 30 km/h (18.6 mph) to 40 km/h (24.9 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T” | 30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 988” | 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, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T” | 540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 988” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540, 1000 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | independentTraktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T” | liveTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 988” | AheadThe Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo has an independent PTO; the Steyr 988 (a)’s is live. |
| Which drives on both axles? | 4WDTraktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T” | 2WD / 4WDTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 988” | EvenEven on drive: every machine is available with four-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1991–1994 | 1977–1979 | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo is newer: production began 14 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts. |
What does this mean in plain words?
- The Steyr 988 (a) has 27% more lift (800 kg / 1,764 lb) than the Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
- The Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo is 11% heavier (375 kg / 827 lb) than the Steyr 988 (a) (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo has 100% more forward gears (12 gears) than the Steyr 988 (a) (both forward gears, as stated by the source).
- The Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo has an independent PTO; the Steyr 988 (a)’s is live.
- The Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo is newer: production began 14 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
- Even on top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap.
- Even on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540, 1000 rpm).
- Even on drive: every machine is available with four-wheel drive.
- Not comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the MF 397 Turbo has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 988 (a) 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, maximum permissible mass and a creeper range.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources