Compare/Ford 420 vs Ford 555 Special

Ford 420 vs Ford 555 Special

Verdict: Ford 420 vs Ford 555 Special

The Ford 420 and the Ford 555 Special are both backhoe loaders — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Ford 555 Special leads on rated power with 62 hp against 52 hp. Ford 420 is the lighter machine (4,552 kg vs 6,096 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. Ford 555 Special is the newer design (1978 vs 1975). In short: choose the Ford 555 Special for outright pulling power, or the Ford 420 if a tighter budget and lighter footprint matter more. Compare the full spec tables below before booking a demo.

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Tell us about your operation

Acreage600 acBudgetMain crop / use

Fit & specs

Ford

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Ford

Fit score

Best match

Clear

Rated power

52 hp

62 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

FordReference

Power reversing transmission with torque converter.Reference

With 16.9-24 rear tires.Reference

Final drives

inboard planetaryReference

—

Steering

power assistReference

hydrostatic powerReference

Engine

Fuel tank

60.6 LReference

—

Engine (gross)

38.6 kWReference

46.2 kWReference

Engine (net)

35.5 kWReference

—

Displacement

2.9 LReference

3.3 LReference

Bore/Stroke

107 x 107 mmReference

112 x 112 mmReference

Power (net)

32.8 kWReference

—

Power (gross)

34.3 kWReference

46.2 kWReference

Fuel system

direct injectionReference

—

Air cleaner

dryReference

Compression

7.75:1Reference

16.3:1Reference

Rated RPM

2100Reference

2200Reference

Starter

electricReference

—

Starter volts

12Reference

Oil capacity

6.6 LReference

18.0 LReference

Coolant capacity

10.4 LReference

14.5 LReference

Engine

—

42.5 kWReference

Power

—

42.5 kWReference

Torque

—

217.0 NmReference

Torque RPM

—

1200Reference

Transmission

Type

torque converterReference

Gears

8 forward and 2 reverseReference

4 forward and reverseReference

PTO & Hydraulics

Pressure

151.7 barReference

165.5 barReference

Pump flow

81.4 lpmReference

102.2 lpmReference

Hydraulic system

—

79.5 LReference

Capacity

—

79.5 LReference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

205 cmReference

203 cmReference

Weight

4552 kgReference

6096 kgReference

Front tire

7.50-16Reference

11.00L-16Reference

Rear tire

14.9-24Reference

16.9-24Reference

Industrial front

9.00-16Reference

11.00L-16Reference

Industrial rear

16.9-24Reference

Height (exhaust)

205 cmReference

—

Clearance (front axle)

29 cmReference

—

Front tread

142 cmReference

172 cmReference

Rear tread

152 cmReference

162 cmReference

Length

—

706 cmReference

Width

—

215 cmReference

Ground clearance

—

30 cmReference

Max front axle

—

4068 kgReference

Max rear axle

—

5692 kgReference

Backhoe & Loader

Dig depth

327 cmReference

439 cmReference

Dump angle

112 cmReference

139 cmReference

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

—

Charging system

alternatorReference

Charging amps

51 (optional)Reference

51 (with cab)Reference

Battery volts

12Reference

Battery AH

80 (gasoline)Reference

128Reference

Battery CCA

—

750Reference

Attachment overview

Ford 10-FT Backhoe

Backhoe type

Ford 15-FT BackhoeReference

Ford 14ft BackhoeReference

Digging depth

457 cmReference

439 cmReference

2-Foot flat digging depth

454 cmReference

436 cmReference

Reach from pivot

568 cmReference

558 cmReference

Bucket force

3683 kgReference

4415 kgReference

Ford 13-FT Backhoe

Loading height

316 cmReference

332 cmReference

Ford 15-FT Backhoe

Variants

555

—

15ft backhoeReference

555 Special

—

14ft backhoe-loaderReference

Capacities

Fuel

—

90.8 LReference

Rear axle

—

32.1 LReference

Ford 14ft Backhoe

Bucket width

—

91 cmReference

8-Foot flat digging depth

—

393 cmReference

Speeds

Fit score weighs budget, operation size, crop match and data confidence against the details above. It’s guidance, not advice — always confirm with a dealer demo.