Nuffield UNIVERSAL-4 (4 DM)
Built: 08/1954–11/1961 · Series: Universal
More machines from model year 1954
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Nuffield Universal (1948–1969) – the tractor of the Morris group: M3 and M4, DM4 and PM4, Universal Three and Four, BMC engines, kerosene to diesel, 26 to 41 kW
The Nuffield Universal was the tractor with which Lord Nuffield's Morris group entered farm machinery in 1948 – named after William Morris, Viscount Nuffield, and built first in Birmingham, from 1961 at the new BMC plant in Bathgate, Scotland. The type logic of the early years is a code system: M3 and M4 denote the Universal models with three and four wheels in row-crop and standard form, PM4 the petrol or kerosene engine (Petrol Morris), DM4 the diesel (Diesel Morris) – first a Perkins P4, from 1954 BMC's own 3.4-litre diesel. In 1957 the Universal Three brought a three-cylinder diesel for the smaller class, while the Universal Four remained the main model; suffixes such as 3DL and 4DM mark the versions. In 1969 Nuffield and BMC merged into Leyland, and the tractors continued as Leyland.
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The register lists 16 versions with 25.6 to 41 kW (28 to 49 hp), 2,550 to 4,425 cm³ with three or four cylinders, torque from 146 to 206 Nm, unladen weights from 1,760 to 2,650 kg, lengths from 2,820 to 3,295 mm, widths from 1,710 to 2,100 mm and heights from 1,562 to 2,051 mm; fuels range from kerosene and petrol on the early to diesel on the late models.
The Universal was Ferguson's and Fordson's British rival in the 40 hp class and was known for its orange livery, the engine from the Morris truck programme and the robust construction that keeps many examples running to this day.
Used Nuffields are sought-after British collector tractors; when buying, engine condition, originality of sheet metal and paint, gearbox and hydraulics and parts supply through the active Nuffield and Leyland club scene are what count.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Nuffield Universal, Nuffield Universal (Wikipedia)
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | dieselcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 54.7 hp (40.2 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 2,000 rpmcorrect |
| Torque | 206 Nmcorrect |
| Speed at max. torque | 1,575 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 4correct |
| Displacement | 3,402 cm³correct |
| Bore | 95 mmcorrect |
| Stroke | 120 mmcorrect |
| Compression ratio | 16.5correct |
| Injection pressure | 170 barcorrect |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 3,091 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,750 mmcorrect |
| Height | 2,050 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 1,981 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 432 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 2,243 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 5 V/1 Rcorrect |
| Front tyres | 6.00-16 ASFcorrect |
| Rear tyres | 11.00-36 AScorrect |
| Top speed | 25 km/hcorrect |
Origin and approval
| Construction | semi-frame constructioncorrect |
|---|---|
| Units built | 10,924correct |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 17.9 kW/t (40 kW / 2.2 t)
Power class: Universal (40–100 hp)
Stronger than 38% of the tractors in the register — out of 15,663 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the Nuffield UNIVERSAL-4 (4 DM) have?
The Nuffield UNIVERSAL-4 (4 DM) delivers 54.7 hp.
How much does the Nuffield UNIVERSAL-4 (4 DM) weigh?
The unladen weight is 2,243 kg.
What engine does the Nuffield UNIVERSAL-4 (4 DM) have?
4 cylinders, 3,402 cm³ displacement, Diesel.
How fast does the Nuffield UNIVERSAL-4 (4 DM) go?
Top speed is 25 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the Nuffield UNIVERSAL-4 (4 DM)?
3,091 mm × 1,750 mm × 2,050 mm.
When was the Nuffield UNIVERSAL-4 (4 DM) built?
Production years: 08/1954–11/1961.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Check front and rear tyre sizes: mismatched pairs strain the drivetrain.
- Shift the gearbox cold and warm — jumps only show up at temperature.
- Load the hydraulics and watch for sag.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 26 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
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Other models in this series
3
4
DM-4
M-3
M-4
PM-4
UNIVERSAL 3DL
UNIVERSAL 4
UNIVERSAL THREE
UNIVERSAL-3 (3 DL)
Universal
Universal 3
Sources: [1]
Tractor in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.