Steyr 288 or VALMET 500?

Which should you choose?

On performance, every comparable figure that differs favours the Steyr 288: hydraulic flow and three-point lift. It is also ahead on forward gears and PTO speeds.

  • The Steyr 288 suits PTO-driven implements (mowers, balers, pumps) better on this data: offers 1000 rpm.
  • The Steyr 288 suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 33% (7.9 L/min / 2.1 gpm) more hydraulic flow and 10% (150 kg / 331 lb) more three-point lift.

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 Steyr 288 and VALMET 500, with the call on each
Question288500Call
Which puts more power through the PTO shaft?29.4 kW (39 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 288”29.6 kW (39.7 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Valmet 500”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 288 and the 500.
Which pulls harder at the drawbar?No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 288 and the 500.
Which pumps more oil for implements?32.0 L/min (8.5 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 288”24.1 L/min (6.4 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Valmet 500”AheadThe Steyr 288 has 33% more hydraulic flow (7.9 L/min / 2.1 gpm) than the VALMET 500 (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
Which lifts more on the three-point hitch?1,600 kg (3,527 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 288”1,450 kg (3,197 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Valmet 500”AheadThe Steyr 288 has 10% more lift (150 kg / 331 lb) than the VALMET 500 (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
Which is heavier, for traction?1,930 kg (4,255 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 288”2,077 kg (4,579 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Valmet 500”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 288 and the 500.
Which has the wider choice of gears?8 to 12Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 288”6Traktorenlexikon, “Valmet 500”AheadThe Steyr 288 has 33% more forward gears (2 gears) than the VALMET 500 (both forward gears, as stated by the source).
Which offers a creeper range?No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the 288 and the 500.
Which is faster on the road?30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 288”30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Valmet 500”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?540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 288”540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Valmet 500”AheadThe Steyr 288 offers 1000 rpm at the PTO, which the VALMET 500 does not (as stated by the sources).
Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive?No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 288 and the 500.
Which drives on both axles?2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 288”2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Valmet 500”EvenEven on drive: all two-wheel drive.
Which is newer, and what about parts?1962–19661968–1971Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The VALMET 500 is newer: production began 6 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.

What does this mean in plain words?

  • The Steyr 288 has 33% more hydraulic flow (7.9 L/min / 2.1 gpm) than the VALMET 500 (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
  • The Steyr 288 has 10% more lift (150 kg / 331 lb) than the VALMET 500 (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
  • The Steyr 288 has 33% more forward gears (2 gears) than the VALMET 500 (both forward gears, as stated by the source).
  • The Steyr 288 offers 1000 rpm at the PTO, which the VALMET 500 does not (as stated by the sources).
  • The VALMET 500 is newer: production began 6 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 top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call.
  • 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