Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) or SOMECA SOM-55?
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 SOM-55 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: 27% (5.8 L/min / 1.5 gpm) more hydraulic flow.
Generated by rule set compare@4 from the figures on the side-by-side table, allowed by route “similar machines”. 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) | SOM-55 | 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, “Someca SOM 55” | 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 SOM-55 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 SOM-55. |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the Universal-4 (4 DM) and the SOM-55. |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 27.3 L/min (7.2 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | 21.5 L/min (5.7 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 55” | AheadThe Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) has 27% more hydraulic flow (5.8 L/min / 1.5 gpm) than the SOMECA SOM-55 (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)” | 1,350 kg (2,976 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 55” | EvenEven on three-point lift (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call. |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 2,243 kg (4,945 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | 2,620 kg (5,776 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 55” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The SOMECA SOM-55 is 17% heavier (377 kg / 831 lb) than the Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) (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-4 (4 DM) and the SOM-55. |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 5Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | 7Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 55” | AheadThe SOMECA SOM-55 has 40% more forward gears (2 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 SOM-55. |
| Which is faster on the road? | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | 24 km/h (14.9 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 55” | 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, “Someca SOM 55” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | — | independentTraktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 55” | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the Universal-4 (4 DM). |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal 4 (1954-1961)” | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 55”; Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 55 Super” | EvenEven on drive: all two-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1954–1961 | 1961–1963 | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The SOMECA SOM-55 is newer: production began 7 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 27% more hydraulic flow (5.8 L/min / 1.5 gpm) than the SOMECA SOM-55 (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- The SOMECA SOM-55 is 17% heavier (377 kg / 831 lb) than the Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The SOMECA SOM-55 has 40% more forward gears (2 gears) than the Nuffield Universal-4 (4 DM) (both forward gears, as stated by the source).
- The SOMECA SOM-55 is newer: production began 7 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
- Even on three-point lift (both lift at the hitch ends, 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).
- Even on drive: all two-wheel drive.
- 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 SOM-55 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