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Ford 981 vs Ford Powermaster 821
Verdict: Ford 981 vs Ford Powermaster 821
The Ford 981 and the Ford Powermaster 821 are both tractors — here is how they stack up on the figures that matter. Both are rated at the same 63 hp. Ford 981 is the lighter machine (1,496 kg vs 2,637 kg), which helps on soft ground and transport, while the heavier model carries more ballast for traction-limited draft work. Use the full side-by-side spec tables below to weigh the details against your own operation, and confirm with a dealer demo.
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Fit & specs
Ford
62
Fit score
Best match
Clear
Ford
62
Fit score
Best match
Clear
Rated power
63 hp
63 hp
Confidence
40%
40%
Guide price
—
—
Overview
Manufacturer
FordReference
FordReference
dieselReference
Auxiliary gearbox provides over, under, and direct-drive to the basic four-speed transmission.Reference
Steering
power assistReference
power assist optionalReference
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
utility chassisReference
Select-O-Speed, dual-speed PTOReference
941
four-speedReference
—
951
five-speedReference
—
961
five-speed, live PTOReference
—
971
Select-O-SpeedReference
—
981
Select-O-Speed, dual-speed PTOReference
—
Engine
Engine
46.7 kWReference
42.0 kWReference
Belt (claimed)
29.8 kWReference
37.3 kWReference
Plows
3 (14-inch)Reference
3Reference
Displacement
2.8 LReference
2.8 LReference
Bore/Stroke
99 x 91 mmReference
99 x 91 mmReference
Power
42.0 kWReference
42.0 kWReference
Air cleaner
oil bathReference
oil bathReference
Compression
16.8:1Reference
16.8:1Reference
Rated RPM
2200Reference
2200Reference
Torque
190.4 NmReference
190.4 NmReference
Torque RPM
1400Reference
1400Reference
Firing order
1-2-4-3Reference
1-2-4-3Reference
Starter volts
12Reference
12Reference
Coolant capacity
14.2 LReference
14.2 LReference
Sparkplug gap
0.686 mmReference
0.686 mmReference
Point gap
0.635 mmReference
0.635 mmReference
Intake valve clearance
0.381 mmReference
0.381 mmReference
Exhaust valve clearance
0.381 mmReference
0.381 mmReference
Oil capacity
4.7 LReference
5.7 LReference
Oil change
100 hReference
100 hReference
Fuel tank
—
64.3 LReference
Engine (gross)
—
46.7 kWReference
Drawbar (claimed)
—
32.8 kWReference
Power (gross)
—
46.7 kWReference
Transmission
Transmission
Ford Select-O-SpeedReference
Sherman Step-Up Step-downReference
Gears
10 forward and 2 reverseReference
12 forward and 3 reverseReference
Clutch
hydraulic wet discsReference
254mm dry discReference
Oil type
M2C41Reference
SAE 80Reference
Capacities
Fuel
64.3 LReference
—
PTO & Hydraulics
Hydraulic system
7.6 LReference
—
Type
full power shiftReference
unsynchronized gearReference
Capacity
7.6 LReference
—
Pressure
137.9 barReference
—
Total flow
15.1 lpmReference
—
Rear Type
IReference
—
Rear lift
567 kgReference
—
Rear PTO
independentReference
transmissionReference
Rear PTO Type
540/1000Reference
540Reference
Dimensions
Weight
1496 kgReference
2637 to 3500 poundsReference
Front tire
5.50-16Reference
6.00x16Reference
Rear tire
12-28Reference
10x28Reference
Ag front
5.50-16Reference
6.00x16Reference
Ag rear
12-28Reference
10x28Reference
Length
336 cmReference
306 cmReference
Height
167 cmReference
145 cmReference
Ground clearance
70 cmReference
—
Front tread
21 to 41 cmReference
132 to 203 cmReference
Rear tread
142 to 203 cmReference
121 to 193 cmReference
Wheelbase
—
189 cmReference
Width
—
162 cmReference
Clearance (front axle)
—
54 cmReference
Shipping
—
1196 kgReference
Operating
—
1587 kgReference
Ballasted
—
2204 kgReference
981 Serial Number Location
981 Serial Numbers
1957
1001Reference
1001Reference
1958
11977Reference
11977Reference
1959
58312Reference
58312Reference
1960
105943Reference
105943Reference
1961
131427Reference
131427Reference
1962
155531Reference
155531Reference
Electrical
Ground
negative (12V)Reference
negative (12V)Reference
Charging system
generatorReference
generatorReference
Charging amps
20Reference
20Reference
Battery volts
12 (diesel)Reference
12 (diesel)Reference
Battery AH
135 (12V)Reference
135 (12V)Reference
821 Serial Number Location
821 Serial Numbers
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.