Nuffield Universal-3 (3 DL) or SOMECA SOM-30?
Which should you choose?
On performance, every comparable figure that differs favours the Nuffield Universal-3 (3 DL): hydraulic flow and three-point lift.
- The Nuffield Universal-3 (3 DL) suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 65% (10.8 L/min / 2.9 gpm) more hydraulic flow and 61% (484 kg / 1,067 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 | Universal-3 (3 DL) | SOM-30 | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 20.1 kW (26.9 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)” | 20.6 kW (28 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 30” | 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 Universal-3 (3 DL) and the SOM-30. |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the Universal-3 (3 DL) and the SOM-30. |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 27.3 L/min (7.2 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)” | 16.5 L/min (4.4 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 30” | AheadThe Nuffield Universal-3 (3 DL) has 65% more hydraulic flow (10.8 L/min / 2.9 gpm) than the SOMECA SOM-30 (both pump flow, as stated by the source). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 1,284 kg (2,831 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)” | 800 kg (1,764 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 30” | AheadThe Nuffield Universal-3 (3 DL) has 61% more lift (484 kg / 1,067 lb) than the SOMECA SOM-30 (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source). |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 2,092 kg (4,612 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)” | 1,510 kg (3,329 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 30” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Nuffield Universal-3 (3 DL) is 39% heavier (582 kg / 1,283 lb) than the SOMECA SOM-30 (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 Universal-3 (3 DL) and the SOM-30. |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 5Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)” | 6Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 30” | 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 Universal-3 (3 DL) and the SOM-30. |
| Which is faster on the road? | 20 km/h (12.4 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)” | 22 km/h (13.7 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 30” | 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 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 30” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | — | dependent (stops with the clutch)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 30” | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the Universal-3 (3 DL). |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 3 (1957-1961)” | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 30” | EvenEven on drive: all two-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1957–1961 | 1959–1960 | 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) has 65% more hydraulic flow (10.8 L/min / 2.9 gpm) than the SOMECA SOM-30 (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- The Nuffield Universal-3 (3 DL) has 61% more lift (484 kg / 1,067 lb) than the SOMECA SOM-30 (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
- The Nuffield Universal-3 (3 DL) is 39% heavier (582 kg / 1,283 lb) than the SOMECA SOM-30 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- 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 difference is under the 25% threshold, too small to call.
- 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 rpm).
- Even on drive: all two-wheel drive.
- Same era: production began within 5 years of each other. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
- 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