Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) or SAME Centauro?
Which should you choose?
The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the Universal-4 (4 DM) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the Centauro has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- The Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 67% (11.0 L/min / 2.9 gpm) more hydraulic flow.
- The SAME Centauro suits heavy draft work (ploughing, cultivating) better on this data: 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 | Universal-4 (4 DM) | Centauro | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 40.2 kW (53.9 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | 40.5 kW (54.3 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “SAME Centauro 55 (DT)” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the Universal-4 (4 DM) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the Centauro 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 Universal-4 (4 DM) and the Centauro. |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the Universal-4 (4 DM) and the Centauro. |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 27.3 L/min (7.2 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | 16.3 L/min (4.3 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “SAME Centauro 55 (DT)” | AheadThe Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) has 67% more hydraulic flow (11.0 L/min / 2.9 gpm) than the SAME Centauro (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 4 (1954-1961)” | — | No figureNo call on three-point lift: no figure on record for the Centauro. |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 2,243 kg (4,945 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | 2,100 kg (4,630 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “SAME Centauro 55 (DT)” | EvenEven on weight (both unladen weight, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call. |
| Which may carry more ballast and load? | — | — | No figureNo call on maximum permissible mass: no figure on record for the Universal-4 (4 DM) and the Centauro. |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 5Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | 8Traktorenlexikon, “SAME Centauro 55 (DT)” | AheadThe SAME Centauro has 60% more forward gears (3 gears) than the Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) (both forward gears, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers a creeper range? | — | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the Universal-4 (4 DM) and the Centauro. |
| Which is faster on the road? | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “SAME Centauro 55 (DT)” | 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 4 (1954-1961)” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “SAME Centauro 55 (DT)” | 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 Universal-4 (4 DM) and the Centauro. |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | Two-wheel or four-wheel driveTraktorenlexikon, “SAME Centauro 55 (DT)” | AheadThe SAME Centauro is available with four-wheel drive; the Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources). |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1954–1961 | 1965–1969 | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The SAME Centauro is newer: production began 11 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts. |
What does this mean in plain words?
- The Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) has 67% more hydraulic flow (11.0 L/min / 2.9 gpm) than the SAME Centauro (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- The SAME Centauro has 60% more forward gears (3 gears) than the Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) (both forward gears, as stated by the source).
- The SAME Centauro is available with four-wheel drive; the Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources).
- The SAME Centauro is newer: production began 11 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
- Even on weight (both unladen weight, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% 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).
- Not comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the Universal-4 (4 DM) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the Centauro 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, three-point lift, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range and PTO independence.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources