Steyr 288 or VALMET 502?
Which should you choose?
On performance, no comparable figure differs by more than its threshold: on this data the machines are level. On features, the Steyr 288 is ahead on forward gears and PTO speeds.
- The Steyr 288 suits PTO-driven implements (mowers, balers, pumps) better on this data: offers 1000 rpm.
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 | 288 | 502 | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 29.4 kW (39 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 288” | 30.2 kW (40 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Valmet 502” | 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 502. |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 288 and the 502. |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 32.0 L/min (8.5 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 288” | 30.9 L/min (8.2 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Valmet 502” | EvenEven on hydraulic flow (both pump flow, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call. |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 1,600 kg (3,527 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 288” | 1,700 kg (3,748 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Valmet 502” | 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? | 1,930 kg (4,255 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 288” | 2,557 kg (5,637 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Valmet 502” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The VALMET 502 is 32% heavier (627 kg / 1,382 lb) than the Steyr 288 (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 288 and the 502. |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 8 to 12Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 288” | 6Traktorenlexikon, “Valmet 502” | AheadThe Steyr 288 has 33% more forward gears (2 gears) than the VALMET 502 (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 502. |
| Which is faster on the road? | 30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 288” | 30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Valmet 502” | 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 502” | AheadThe Steyr 288 offers 1000 rpm at the PTO, which the VALMET 502 does not (as stated by the sources). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | — | independentTraktorenlexikon, “Valmet 502” | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 288. |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 288” | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Valmet 502” | EvenEven on drive: all two-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1962–1966 | 1971–1982 | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The VALMET 502 is newer: production began 9 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts. |
What does this mean in plain words?
- The VALMET 502 is 32% heavier (627 kg / 1,382 lb) than the Steyr 288 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The Steyr 288 has 33% more forward gears (2 gears) than the VALMET 502 (both forward gears, as stated by the source).
- The Steyr 288 offers 1000 rpm at the PTO, which the VALMET 502 does not (as stated by the sources).
- The VALMET 502 is newer: production began 9 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 hydraulic flow (both pump flow, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call.
- 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 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