Steyr 290 or Steyr 650 (a)?

Which should you choose?

On performance, every comparable figure that differs favours the Steyr 650 (a): three-point lift. It is also ahead on drive.

  • The Steyr 650 (a) suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 30% (550 kg / 1,213 lb) more three-point lift.
  • The Steyr 650 (a) suits heavy draft work (ploughing, cultivating) better on this data: 11% (210 kg / 463 lb) heavier and four-wheel drive.

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 290 and Steyr 650 (a), with the call on each
Question290650 (a)Call
Which puts more power through the PTO shaft?33.1 kW (44 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”32.9 kW (44.1 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 650”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 290 and the 650 (a).
Which pulls harder at the drawbar?No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 290 and the 650 (a).
Which pumps more oil for implements?32.0 L/min (8.5 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”34.0 L/min (9.0 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 650”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?1,850 kg (4,079 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”2,400 kg (5,291 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 650”AheadThe Steyr 650 (a) has 30% more lift (550 kg / 1,213 lb) than the Steyr 290 (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
Which is heavier, for traction?1,970 kg (4,343 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”2,180 kg (4,806 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 650”Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Steyr 650 (a) is 11% heavier (210 kg / 463 lb) than the Steyr 290 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
Which may carry more ballast and load?4,000 kg (8,818 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 650”No figureNo call on maximum permissible mass: no figure on record for the 290.
Which has the wider choice of gears?8 to 12Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”8Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 650”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 290 and the 650 (a).
Which is faster on the road?28 km/h (17.4 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 650”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 290”540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 650”EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540, 1000 rpm).
Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive?No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 290 and the 650 (a).
Which drives on both axles?2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 290”2WD / 4WDTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 650”AheadThe Steyr 650 (a) is available with four-wheel drive; the Steyr 290 is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources).
Which is newer, and what about parts?1966–19671971–1977Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Steyr 650 (a) is newer: production began 5 years later. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.

What does this mean in plain words?

  • The Steyr 650 (a) has 30% more lift (550 kg / 1,213 lb) than the Steyr 290 (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
  • The Steyr 650 (a) is 11% heavier (210 kg / 463 lb) than the Steyr 290 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
  • The Steyr 650 (a) is available with four-wheel drive; the Steyr 290 is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources).
  • The Steyr 650 (a) is newer: production began 5 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 forward gears (both forward gears, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap.
  • 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 PTO speeds: the same speeds (540, 1000 rpm).
  • 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