Compare/Ford 4230 vs Ford Powermaster 881

Ford 4230 vs Ford Powermaster 881

Verdict: Ford 4230 vs Ford Powermaster 881

The Ford 4230 and the Ford Powermaster 881 are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Ford Powermaster 881 leads on rated power with 63 hp against 62 hp. Ford Powermaster 881 is the lighter machine (1,587 kg vs 4,871 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. Ford 4230 is the newer design (1992 vs 1958). In short: choose the Ford Powermaster 881 for outright pulling power, or the Ford 4230 if a tighter budget and lighter footprint matter more. Compare the full spec tables below before booking a demo.

Tune the fit score

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

62 hp

63 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

—

Overview

Distributor

FordReference

—

Manufacturer

FiatReference

FordReference

With 14.9-24 rear tires.Reference

Diesel Select-O-Speed 2WDJune 28 - July 2, 1959Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 705 fileReference

Final drives

inboard planetaryReference

—

Differential lock

mechanical rearReference

—

Steering

—

power assist optionalReference

Engine

Displacement

3.6 LReference

2.8 LReference

Bore/Stroke

100 x 115 mmReference

99 x 91 mmReference

Pre-heating

thermostartReference

—

Rated RPM

2500Reference

2200Reference

Starter volts

12Reference

Engine (gross)

—

46.7 kWReference

Engine

—

42.0 kWReference

Belt (claimed)

—

29.8 kWReference

Plows

—

3Reference

Drawbar (tested)

—

27.6 kWReference

Power (gross)

—

46.7 kWReference

Air cleaner

—

oil bathReference

Compression

—

16.8:1Reference

Torque

—

190.4 NmReference

Torque RPM

—

1400Reference

Firing order

—

1-2-4-3Reference

Coolant capacity

—

14.2 LReference

Sparkplug gap

—

0.686 mmReference

Point gap

—

0.635 mmReference

Intake valve clearance

—

0.381 mmReference

Exhaust valve clearance

—

0.381 mmReference

Oil capacity

—

4.7 LReference

Oil change

—

100 hReference

Power

—

42.0 kWReference

Power at rated engine speed

—

30.8 kWReference

Max power

—

25.1 kWReference

Transmission

Gears

12 forward and reverseReference

10 forward and 2 reverseReference

Transmission

—

Ford Select-O-SpeedReference

Clutch

—

hydraulic wet discReference

Oil type

—

Ford M2C41Reference

PTO & Hydraulics

PTO (claimed)

46.2 kWReference

—

Hydraulic system

42.8 LReference

7.6 LReference

Type

shuttleReference

full power shiftReference

Capacity

42.8 LReference

7.6 LReference

Pressure

188.9 barReference

137.9 barReference

Valves

2 or 3Reference

—

Pump flow

41.6 lpmReference

—

Steering flow

30.7 lpmReference

—

Steering press.

100.0 barReference

—

Rear Type

IIReference

IReference

Control

position control and lower-link draft sensingReference

—

Rear lift

2690 kgReference

567 kgReference

Rear PTO

independentReference

Rear PTO Type

540/1000Reference

PTO (tested)

—

34.4 kWReference

Total flow

—

15.1 lpmReference

Power at rated PTO speed

—

25.3 kWReference

Capacities

Fuel

51.9 LReference

64.3 LReference

Dimensions

2WD Wheelbase

200 cmReference

—

4WD Wheelbase

211 cmReference

—

Weight

4871 to 5290 poundsReference

1587 kgReference

Front tire

27x9.50-15Reference

6.00x16Reference

2WD Rear tire

14.9x24Reference

—

2WD Standard tires (ag)

Front: 27x9.50-15. Rear: 14.9x24Reference

—

4WD Standard tires (ag)

Front: 9.5-16. Rear: 14.9x24Reference

—

2WD Length

351 cmReference

—

4WD Length

367 cmReference

—

2WD Width

146 cmReference

—

4WD Width

148 cmReference

—

2WD Weight

2209 kgReference

—

4WD Weight

2399 kgReference

—

4WD Clearance (front axle)

39 cmReference

—

2WD Front tread

116 to 147 cmReference

—

4WD Front tread

119 to 134 cmReference

—

Rear tread

106 to 144 cmReference

132 to 193 cmReference

2WD Steering wheel

134 cmReference

—

4WD Steering wheel

138 cmReference

—

Wheelbase

—

189 cmReference

Rear tire

—

12x28Reference

Ag front

—

6.00x16Reference

Ag rear

—

12x28Reference

Operating weight

—

1587 kgReference

Ballasted weight

—

3046 kgReference

Front tread

—

132 to 203 cmReference

4230 Serial Numbers

1992

F622650Reference

—

1993

F656580Reference

—

1994

F021000Reference

—

1995

1069303Reference

—

1996

1078767Reference

—

1997

1106731Reference

—

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

negative (12V)Reference

Charging system

alternatorReference

generatorReference

ROPS Charging amps

33Reference

—

Cab Charging amps

65Reference

—

Battery volts

12Reference

12 (diesel)Reference

Charging amps

—

20Reference

Battery AH

—

135 (12V)Reference

Ford 4230 Height

2WD Hood

123 cmReference

—

4WD Hood

127 cmReference

—

2WD ROPS

211 cmReference

—

4WD ROPS

215 cmReference

—

Speeds

Variants

811

—

Select-O-Speed, no PTOReference

821

—

Four-speed, no PTO or 3-pointReference

841

—

Four-speedReference

851

—

Five-speedReference

861

—

Five speed, live PTOReference

871

—

Select-O-SpeedReference

881

—

Select-O-Speed, dual-speed PTOReference

981

—

row-crop chassisReference

881 Serial Numbers

1957

—

1001Reference

1958

—

11977Reference

1959

—

58312Reference

1960

—

105943Reference

1961

—

131427Reference

1962

—

155531Reference

Location:

—

Left side of tractor, on top of transmission case behind the starter.Reference

Test results

Fuel use

—

9.8 l/hourReference

Max pull

—

2341 kgReference

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.