Nuffield DM-4 or SOMECA SOM-40?
Which should you choose?
The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the DM-4 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the SOM-40 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- The Nuffield DM-4 suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 82% (12.3 L/min / 3.2 gpm) more hydraulic flow.
- The Nuffield DM-4 suits road haulage better on this data: 33% (7.0 km/h / 4.3 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 | DM-4 | SOM-40 | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 33.5 kW (44.9 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal DM 4 / Diesel (1950-1954)” | 33.1 kW (44.4 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 40” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the DM-4 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the SOM-40 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 DM-4 and the SOM-40. |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the DM-4 and the SOM-40. |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 27.3 L/min (7.2 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal DM 4 / Diesel (1950-1954)” | 15.0 L/min (4.0 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 40” | AheadThe Nuffield DM-4 has 82% more hydraulic flow (12.3 L/min / 3.2 gpm) than the SOMECA SOM-40 (both pump flow, as stated by the source). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | — | 1,100 kg (2,425 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 40” | No figureNo call on three-point lift: no figure on record for the DM-4. |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 2,266 kg (4,996 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal DM 4 / Diesel (1950-1954)” | 2,320 kg (5,115 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 40” | 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 DM-4 and the SOM-40. |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 5Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal DM 4 / Diesel (1950-1954)” | 7Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 40” | AheadThe SOMECA SOM-40 has 40% more forward gears (2 gears) than the Nuffield DM-4 (both forward gears, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers a creeper range? | — | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the DM-4 and the SOM-40. |
| Which is faster on the road? | 28 km/h (17.4 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal DM 4 / Diesel (1950-1954)” | 21 km/h (13.0 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 40” | AheadThe Nuffield DM-4 has 33% more top speed (7.0 km/h / 4.3 mph) than the SOMECA SOM-40 (both top speed forward, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal DM 4 / Diesel (1950-1954)” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 40” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | dependent (stops with the clutch)Traktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal DM 4 / Diesel (1950-1954)” | independentTraktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 40” | AheadThe SOMECA SOM-40 has an independent PTO; the Nuffield DM-4’s is dependent (stops with the clutch). |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Nuffield Universal DM 4 / Diesel (1950-1954)” | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Someca SOM 40” | EvenEven on drive: all two-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1950–1954 | 1957–1959 | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The SOMECA SOM-40 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 DM-4 has 82% more hydraulic flow (12.3 L/min / 3.2 gpm) than the SOMECA SOM-40 (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- The SOMECA SOM-40 has 40% more forward gears (2 gears) than the Nuffield DM-4 (both forward gears, as stated by the source).
- The Nuffield DM-4 has 33% more top speed (7.0 km/h / 4.3 mph) than the SOMECA SOM-40 (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
- The SOMECA SOM-40 has an independent PTO; the Nuffield DM-4’s is dependent (stops with the clutch).
- The SOMECA SOM-40 is newer: production began 7 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 PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm).
- Even on drive: all two-wheel drive.
- Not comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the DM-4 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the SOM-40 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 and a creeper range.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources