Compare/Ford 8970 vs Ford 946

Ford 8970 vs Ford 946

Verdict: Ford 8970 vs Ford 946

The Ford 8970 and the Ford 946 are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Ford 946 leads on rated power with 286 hp against 212 hp. Ford 946 is the lighter machine (14,742 kg vs 16,950 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. Ford 8970 is the newer design (1993 vs 1989). In short: choose the Ford 946 for outright pulling power, or the Ford 8970 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

Clear

Rated power

212 hp

286 hp

Confidence

40%

Guide price

—

Overview

Manufacturer

FordReference

VersatileReference

Creeper range added to standard power shift transmission. With tractor in neutral and inching pedal pressed, toggle button is used to enter/exit creeper range.Reference

Four gears in three ranges, plus reverse range.Reference

Final drives

—

outboard planetaryReference

Variants

2210

similar Buhler Versatile modelReference

—

Engine

179.0 kWReference

242.4 kWReference

Drawbar (tested)

141.3 kWReference

—

Displacement

7.5 LReference

14.0 LReference

Bore/Stroke

112 x 127 mmReference

140 x 152 mmReference

Power

179.0 kWReference

242.4 kWReference

Compression

17.5:1Reference

—

Rated RPM

2100Reference

Firing order

1-5-3-6-2-4Reference

—

Starter volts

12Reference

Starter power

4.5 kWReference

—

Coolant capacity

25.0 LReference

60.3 LReference

Intake valve clearance

0.356 mmReference

—

Exhaust valve clearance

0.432 mmReference

—

Oil capacity

20.8 LReference

47.3 LReference

Max power

141.3 kWReference

—

Power at rated engine speed

158.4 kWReference

—

Air cleaner

—

dry dry elementReference

Pre-heating

—

block heaterReference

Idle RPM

—

1000-2100Reference

Torque

—

1433.3 NmReference

Torque RPM

—

1400Reference

Transmission

Gears

32 forward and 18 reverseReference

12 forward and 2 reverseReference

PTO & Hydraulics

PTO (claimed)

156.6 kWReference

213.3 kWReference

PTO (tested)

167.5 kWReference

—

Hydraulic system

139.7 LReference

57.9 LReference

Type

creeperReference

full power shiftReference

Capacity

139.7 LReference

57.9 LReference

Pressure

189.6 barReference

165.5 barReference

Valves

3Reference

4 to 5Reference

Pump flow

90.8 lpmReference

92.7 lpmReference

Total flow

208.2 lpmReference

—

Rear Type

IIIReference

IVN/IIIReference

Rear lift

6804 kgReference

—

Rear PTO

independentReference

Clutch

electro-hydraulic wet discReference

228mm wet discReference

Rear PTO Type

1000 (1.375)Reference

1000 (1.75)Reference

Engine RPM

1000@1903Reference

—

Power at rated PTO speed

167.4 kWReference

—

Steering flow

—

98.8 lpmReference

Steering press.

—

158.6 barReference

Control

—

position controlReference

Rear lift (at 24"/610mm)

—

5913 kgReference

Capacities

Fuel

416.4 LReference

1082.5 LReference

Front hubs

1.6 LReference

—

Front diff.

12.3 LReference

—

Max capacity

14288 kgReference

—

Dimensions

Wheelbase

311 cmReference

330 cmReference

Weight

16950 to 19350 poundsReference

14742 kgReference

Front tire

14L-16.1Reference

24.5-32Reference

Rear tire

18.4R42Reference

24.5-32Reference

Ag front

16.9R28 (4WD)Reference

30.5x32Reference

Ag rear

18.4R42Reference

30.5x32Reference

Length

499 cmReference

660 cmReference

Width

245 cmReference

—

Height (cab)

308 cmReference

—

Height (exhaust)

315 cmReference

—

Clearance (front axle)

50 cmReference

—

Clearance (drawbar)

47 cmReference

—

Front tread

157 to 220 cmReference

—

Rear tread

153 to 325 cmReference

—

Operating

8777 kgReference

—

Ground clearance

—

40 cmReference

Steering wheel

—

260 cmReference

Ford 8970 attachments

Electrical

Ground

negativeReference

Charging system

alternatorReference

Charging amps

130Reference

90Reference

Batteries

2Reference

4Reference

Battery CCA

950Reference

625Reference

Battery volts

12Reference

Test results

Fuel use

44.7 l/hourReference

—

Max pull

12705 kgReference

—

Speeds

946 Serial Numbers

1989

—

946 89 D430119Reference

1990

—

946 90 D450110Reference

1991

—

946 91 D475066Reference

1992

—

946 92 D485002Reference

1993

—

946 93 D930045Reference

Location:

—

Serial number plate on the cab door post.Reference

Final

—

946 93 D931121Reference

Ford 946 Height

Cab

—

317 cmReference

Exhaust

—

332 cmReference

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.