Compare/Ford 4600SU vs Ford 971

Ford 4600SU vs Ford 971

Verdict: Ford 4600SU vs Ford 971

The Ford 4600SU and the Ford 971 are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Ford 971 leads on rated power with 63 hp against 60 hp. Ford 971 is the lighter machine (1,496 kg vs 2,667 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. Ford 4600SU is the newer design (1975 vs 1958). In short: choose the Ford 971 for outright pulling power, or the Ford 4600SU 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

60 hp

63 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

FordReference

Diesel 8-speed 2WDSeptember 20 - October 4, 1976Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 1223 fileReference

dieselReference

Differential lock

mechanical rearReference

—

Steering

—

power assistReference

Variants

871

—

utility chassisReference

941

—

four-speedReference

951

—

five-speedReference

961

—

five-speed, live PTOReference

971

—

Select-O-SpeedReference

981

—

Select-O-Speed, dual-speed PTOReference

4600

utility frameReference

—

4600SU

small frameReference

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Engine

Engine (gross)

44.7 kWReference

—

Engine (net)

42.1 kWReference

—

Drawbar (tested)

33.4 kWReference

—

Displacement

3.3 LReference

2.8 LReference

Bore/Stroke

112 x 112 mmReference

99 x 91 mmReference

Power (net)

41.8 kWReference

—

Power (gross)

44.7 kWReference

—

Air cleaner

dryReference

oil bathReference

Compression

7.75:1Reference

16.8:1Reference

Rated RPM

2200Reference

Torque

234.6 NmReference

190.4 NmReference

Torque RPM

1100Reference

1400Reference

Starter volts

12Reference

Oil capacity

12.0 LReference

4.7 LReference

Coolant capacity

10.4 LReference

14.2 LReference

Power at rated engine speed

39.1 kWReference

—

Max power

32.1 kWReference

—

Engine

—

46.7 kWReference

Belt (claimed)

—

29.8 kWReference

Plows

—

3Reference

Power

—

42.0 kWReference

Firing order

—

1-2-4-3Reference

Sparkplug gap

—

0.686 mmReference

Point gap

—

0.635 mmReference

Intake valve clearance

—

0.381 mmReference

Exhaust valve clearance

—

0.381 mmReference

Oil change

—

100 hReference

Transmission

Gears

8 forward and 2 reverseReference

10 forward and 2 reverseReference

Clutch

279mm dry discReference

hydraulic wet discsReference

Transmission

—

Ford Select-O-SpeedReference

Oil type

—

M2C41Reference

PTO & Hydraulics

PTO (claimed)

38.8 kWReference

—

PTO (tested)

39.1 kWReference

—

Hydraulic system

32.2 LReference

7.6 LReference

Capacity

32.2 LReference

7.6 LReference

Rear Type

II/IReference

IReference

Rear lift

1397 kgReference

567 kgReference

Rear PTO

independentReference

Rear PTO Type

540Reference

Engine RPM

540@1800Reference

—

Power at rated PTO speed

34.5 kWReference

—

Type

—

full power shiftReference

Pressure

—

137.9 barReference

Total flow

—

15.1 lpmReference

Capacities

Fuel

49.2 LReference

64.3 LReference

Dimensions

Wheelbase

196 cmReference

—

Weight

2667 kgReference

1496 kgReference

Front tire

7.50-16Reference

5.50-16Reference

Rear tire

16.9-24Reference

12-28Reference

Ag front

7.50-16Reference

5.50-16Reference

Ag rear

16.9-24Reference

12-28Reference

Length

346 cmReference

336 cmReference

Width

179 cmReference

—

Operating weight

2667 kgReference

—

Ballasted weight

3728 kgReference

—

Ground clearance

43 cmReference

70 cmReference

Front tread

132 to 203 cmReference

21 to 41 cmReference

Rear tread

142 to 228 cmReference

142 to 203 cmReference

Height

—

167 cmReference

Ford 4600SU attachments

4600SU Serial Numbers

1975

C450700Reference

—

1976

C490300Reference

—

1977

C527300Reference

—

1978

C560500Reference

—

1979

C595800Reference

—

1980

C635700Reference

—

1981

C660700Reference

—

Location:

On top-right section of transmissionReference

—

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

negative (12V)Reference

Battery volts

12Reference

12 (diesel)Reference

Charging system

—

generatorReference

Charging amps

—

20Reference

Battery AH

—

135 (12V)Reference

Attachment overview

Test results

Fuel use

13.6 l/hourReference

—

Max pull

2876 kgReference

—

971 Serial Number Location

971 Serial Numbers

1957

—

1001Reference

1958

—

11977Reference

1959

—

58312Reference

1960

—

105943Reference

1961

—

131427Reference

1962

—

155531Reference

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.