Renault 103-12 RS or Renault 981 (S)?
Which should you choose?
On performance, every comparable figure that differs favours the Renault 103-12 RS: hydraulic flow and three-point lift. It is also ahead on top speed.
- The Renault 103-12 RS suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 30% (9.8 L/min / 2.6 gpm) more hydraulic flow and 30% (1,160 kg / 2,557 lb) more three-point lift.
- The Renault 103-12 RS suits road haulage better on this data: 20% (5.0 km/h / 3.1 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 | 103-12 RS | 981 (S) | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 62.5 kW (83.8 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 103-12 RE/RS R7821” | 62.8 kW (84.2 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | 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 103-12 RS and the 981 (S). |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 103-12 RS and the 981 (S). |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 42.6 L/min (11.3 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 103-12 RE/RS R7821” | 32.8 L/min (8.7 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | AheadThe Renault 103-12 RS has 30% more hydraulic flow (9.8 L/min / 2.6 gpm) than the Renault 981 (S) (both pump flow, as stated by the source). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 5,070 kg (11,177 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 103-12 RE/RS R7821” | 3,910 kg (8,620 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | AheadThe Renault 103-12 RS has 30% more lift (1,160 kg / 2,557 lb) than the Renault 981 (S) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source). |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 4,050 kg (8,929 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 103-12 RE/RS R7821” | 3,920 kg (8,642 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | 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 103-12 RS and the 981 (S). |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 12 to 16Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 103-12 RE/RS R7821” | 12 to 16Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | EvenEven on forward gears (both forward gears, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap. |
| Which offers a creeper range? | — | YesTraktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the 103-12 RS. |
| Which is faster on the road? | 30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 103-12 RE/RS R7821” | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | AheadThe Renault 103-12 RS has 20% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the Renault 981 (S) (both top speed forward, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Renault 103-12 RE/RS R7821” | 540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540, 1000 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | independentTraktorenlexikon, “Renault 103-12 RE/RS R7821” | — | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 981 (S). |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Renault 103-12 RE/RS R7821” | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Renault 981 R7641” | EvenEven on drive: all two-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1984–1986 | 1977–1982 | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Renault 103-12 RS 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 Renault 103-12 RS has 30% more hydraulic flow (9.8 L/min / 2.6 gpm) than the Renault 981 (S) (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- The Renault 103-12 RS has 30% more lift (1,160 kg / 2,557 lb) than the Renault 981 (S) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
- The Renault 103-12 RS has 20% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the Renault 981 (S) (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
- The Renault 103-12 RS is newer: production began 7 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
- 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 weight (both unladen weight, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call.
- Even on forward gears (both forward gears, 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: all two-wheel drive.
- 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