Renault R 55 or SOMECA 350 (TD)?
Which should you choose?
On performance, every comparable figure that differs favours the Renault R 55: three-point lift. On features, the SOMECA 350 (TD) is ahead on top speed and drive.
- The Renault R 55 suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 132% (1,025 kg / 2,260 lb) more three-point lift.
- The SOMECA 350 (TD) suits road haulage better on this data: 25% (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 | R 55 | 350 (TD) | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 22.1 kW (29.6 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 55 R7231” | 21.7 kW (29.1 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 350” | 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 R 55 and the 350 (TD). |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the R 55 and the 350 (TD). |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | — | 14.4 L/min (3.8 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 350” | No figureNo call on hydraulic flow: no figure on record for the R 55. |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 1,800 kg (3,968 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 55 R7231” | 775 kg (1,709 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 350” | AheadThe Renault R 55 has 132% more lift (1,025 kg / 2,260 lb) than the SOMECA 350 (TD) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source). |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 1,810 kg (3,990 lb) to 2,030 kg (4,475 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 55 R7231” | 1,415 kg (3,120 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 350” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Renault R 55 is 28% heavier (395 kg / 871 lb) than the SOMECA 350 (TD) (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 R 55 and the 350 (TD). |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 6 to 10Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 55 R7231” | 6Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 350” | 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? | — | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the R 55 and the 350 (TD). |
| Which is faster on the road? | 20 km/h (12.4 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 55 R7231” | 25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Someca 350” | AheadThe SOMECA 350 (TD) has 25% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the Renault R 55 (both top speed forward, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Renault 55 R7231” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Someca 350” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | independentTraktorenlexikon, “Renault 55 R7231” | — | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 350 (TD). |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Renault 55 R7231” | Two-wheel or four-wheel driveTraktorenlexikon, “Someca 350” | AheadThe SOMECA 350 (TD) is available with four-wheel drive; the Renault R 55 is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources). |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1967– | 1971–1976 | 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 Renault R 55 has 132% more lift (1,025 kg / 2,260 lb) than the SOMECA 350 (TD) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
- The Renault R 55 is 28% heavier (395 kg / 871 lb) than the SOMECA 350 (TD) (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The SOMECA 350 (TD) has 25% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the Renault R 55 (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
- The SOMECA 350 (TD) is available with four-wheel drive; the Renault R 55 is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources).
- 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 figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap.
- Even on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm).
- 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, hydraulic flow, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range and PTO independence.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources