Steyr 650 (a) or VOLVO-BM-VALMET 305 (305/4)?

Which should you choose?

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

  • The Steyr 650 (a) suits PTO-driven implements (mowers, balers, pumps) better on this data: offers 1000 rpm.
  • The Steyr 650 (a) suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 34% (605 kg / 1,334 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 650 (a) and VOLVO-BM-VALMET 305 (305/4), with the call on each
Question650 (a)305 (305/4)Call
Which puts more power through the PTO shaft?32.9 kW (44.1 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 650”33.0 kW (44.3 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Volvo 305”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 650 (a) and the 305 (305/4).
Which pulls harder at the drawbar?No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 650 (a) and the 305 (305/4).
Which pumps more oil for implements?34.0 L/min (9.0 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 650”35.6 L/min (9.4 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Volvo 305”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?2,400 kg (5,291 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 650”1,795 kg (3,957 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Volvo 305”AheadThe Steyr 650 (a) has 34% more lift (605 kg / 1,334 lb) than the VOLVO-BM-VALMET 305 (305/4) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
Which is heavier, for traction?2,180 kg (4,806 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 650”2,710 kg (5,975 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Volvo 305”Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The VOLVO-BM-VALMET 305 (305/4) is 24% heavier (530 kg / 1,168 lb) than the Steyr 650 (a) (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 305 (305/4).
Which has the wider choice of gears?8Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 650”8 to 12Traktorenlexikon, “Volvo 305”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 650 (a) and the 305 (305/4).
Which is faster on the road?30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Steyr 650”30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Volvo 305”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 650”540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Volvo 305”AheadThe Steyr 650 (a) offers 1000 rpm at the PTO, which the VOLVO-BM-VALMET 305 (305/4) does not (as stated by the sources).
Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive?independentTraktorenlexikon, “Volvo 305”No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 650 (a).
Which drives on both axles?2WD / 4WDTraktorenlexikon, “Steyr 650”2WD / 4WDTraktorenlexikon, “Volvo 305”EvenEven on drive: every machine is available with four-wheel drive.
Which is newer, and what about parts?1971–19771985Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The VOLVO-BM-VALMET 305 (305/4) is newer: production began 14 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 34% more lift (605 kg / 1,334 lb) than the VOLVO-BM-VALMET 305 (305/4) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
  • The VOLVO-BM-VALMET 305 (305/4) is 24% heavier (530 kg / 1,168 lb) than the Steyr 650 (a) (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
  • The Steyr 650 (a) offers 1000 rpm at the PTO, which the VOLVO-BM-VALMET 305 (305/4) does not (as stated by the sources).
  • The VOLVO-BM-VALMET 305 (305/4) is newer: production began 14 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 drive: every machine is available with four-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