Renault 851 (S) or Steyr 988 (a)?

Which should you choose?

The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the 851 (S) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 988 (a) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.

  • The Steyr 988 (a) suits heavy draft work (ploughing, cultivating) better on this data: 14% (430 kg / 948 lb) heavier and four-wheel drive.
  • The Steyr 988 (a) 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?

Buyer questions for Renault 851 (S) and Steyr 988 (a), with the call on each
Question851 (S)988 (a)Call
Which puts more power through the PTO shaft?62.6 kW (83.9 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 851 R7661”62.6 kW (83.9 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 988”Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the 851 (S) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 988 (a) 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 851 (S) and the 988 (a).
Which pulls harder at the drawbar?——No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 851 (S) and the 988 (a).
Which pumps more oil for implements?33.7 L/min (8.9 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 851 R7661”—No figureNo call on hydraulic flow: no figure on record for the 988 (a).
Which lifts more on the three-point hitch?3,720 kg (8,201 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 851 R7661”3,800 kg (8,378 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 988”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?3,015 kg (6,647 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 851 R7661”3,445 kg (7,595 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 988”Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Steyr 988 (a) is 14% heavier (430 kg / 948 lb) than the Renault 851 (S) (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 851 (S) and the 988 (a).
Which has the wider choice of gears?12 to 16Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 851 R7661”12Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 988”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 851 (S) and the 988 (a).
Which is faster on the road?25 km/h (15.5 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Renault 851 R7661”30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 988”AheadThe Steyr 988 (a) has 20% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the Renault 851 (S) (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
Which offers more PTO speeds?540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Renault 851 R7661”540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 988”EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540, 1000 rpm).
Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive?—liveTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 988”No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 851 (S).
Which drives on both axles?2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Renault 851 R7661”Two-wheel or four-wheel driveTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 988”AheadThe Steyr 988 (a) is available with four-wheel drive; the Renault 851 (S) is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources).
Which is newer, and what about parts?1974–19891977–1979EvenSame 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 Steyr 988 (a) is 14% heavier (430 kg / 948 lb) than the Renault 851 (S) (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
  • The Steyr 988 (a) has 20% more top speed (5.0 km/h / 3.1 mph) than the Renault 851 (S) (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
  • The Steyr 988 (a) is available with four-wheel drive; the Renault 851 (S) is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources).
  • 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 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).
  • Same era: production began within 5 years of each other. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
  • Not comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the 851 (S) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the 988 (a) 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, hydraulic flow, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range and PTO independence.

← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources