55 HP Tractor
For growers operating 20–60 ha mixed tillage or specialty crop holdings, 55 hp tractors remain the best power band: small enough for loader chore work yet offering Category II hitch performance.
Model selection hinges on PTO duty cycle (constant-speed work favours gear-drive), hydraulic demand (loader vs. hay equipment), and budget (used pre-Tier-4 machines avoid DPF maintenance but sacrifice warranty and cab refinement).
Comparison: 55 HP Farming Tractors vs. Riding Lawn Mowers
| Metric | Typical 55 HP Field Tractor | Commercial Riding / Zero-Turn Mower | Technical Consequence |
|---|---|---|---|
| SAE Gross Power | 54 – 56 hp (2.0–2.4 L diesel) | 22 – 38 hp (0.7–1.2 L gasoline) | Tractors sustain >68 N·m torque at 1 900 r/min for tillage; mowers cannot |
| PTO Std. | Independent 540 rpm / 1000 rpm | Deck-only belt drive | Field tractors run balers, post-hole augers, pumps |
| Hydraulics | 35 – 70 L·min-1 gear-pump, 1 600–2 500 psi | None or light 7 L·min-1 | Remote SCVs drive loaders, rakes |
| Draw-bar Pull | 22–28 kN | N/A | Required for ground-engaging tools |
| Axle, Frame | Cast-steel finals, 4 mm chassis | Welded 2–3 mm tubing | Tractors take rear & front ballast, loader frames |
| Duty Cycle | Continuous rated | Intermittent, <25 % at WOT | Tractor cooling, filtration sized for 12-h field day |
A mower is an engineered turf platform; a 55 hp tractor is a true agricultural prime-mover with PTO, three-point hitch (ISO 730 Cat I/II), remote hydraulics, and chassis torsional rigidity to lug implements. Attempting ground-engaging tasks with even a “large” zero-turn mower severely overloads frame and hydrostatic pumps.
Reviews of 55 HP Tractors
Field-test panels from Farm Progress and university cooperative-extension programs characterise the 55 hp class as an inflection point: light enough for orchard rows yet powerful enough to pull a 2-bottom (16-in) rollover plough up to 18 cm depth.
Operators consistently score the AGCO ST55 highest for synchro-shuttle smoothness and loader visibility; the RK55 earns marks for factory cab climate control at a sub-USD 40 k price; Case IH Farmall 55C gets the nod for electronic draft-control and parts availability via CNH’s global network; the John Deere 5055E is praised for PowrReverser and resale value.
Common negatives across the segment are: (1) ground clearance limits with 30-series turf tires, (2) mid-PTO option scarcity on Deere and Case, and (3) cramped open‐station platforms for operators >1.9 m tall.
55 HP Tractors for Under $3 500 (Used)
Technical buyers on a strict capital budget can still source 50- to 60-hp tractors in functional condition through timed online auctions and estate dispersals:
- Ford 4000 (55 gross hp, 3-cyl diesel) – documented hammer prices as low as USD 3 500 for 1968-1973 units needing rubber and minor hydraulic work.
- International 560 (57 gross hp gas/diesel) – row-crop models routinely fall in the USD 1 500 – 4 000 corridor; power-train parts are plentiful through aftermarket IH suppliers.
- Oliver Super 55 (gasoline, 2.4 L, 44 draw-bar hp) – vintage collectors trade running machines at ~USD 2 800; note absence of live PTO on early serials.
Caveats: units at these price levels rarely include ROPS, wet-disc brakes, or compliant PTO shields; expect to invest in cooling-system flushes, injector service, and wiring loom refresh before full-duty field use.
Key Specifications of 55 HP Tractors
Engine & Powertrain
- 4-cylinder diesel, naturally aspirated or turbocharged, 2.0 – 2.9 L displacement.
- Gross power 54 – 56 hp @ 2 400 – 2 600 r/min; peak torque 190 – 205 N·m @ 1 500 r/min.
PTO Output
- Independent, electro-hydraulic multi-wet-disc clutch.
- Rated 540 r/min; optional 540E (economy) or 1 000 r/min on premium trims. PTO power 44 – 47 hp (80 – 85 % of crank).
Hydraulics & Hitch
- Dual-gear or tandem-gear pumps, 38 – 70 L·min-1 total flow at 2 500 psi.
- Rear three-point hitch Cat I/II, lift 1 600 – 2 400 kg at ball ends.
Transmission Options
- 8F/8R or 16F/16R synchro-shuttle (power-shuttle optional).
- 3-range hydrostatic on RK55H/HC variants.
Chassis, Weight & Dimensions
- Wheelbase 1 950 – 2 030 mm; shipping mass 2 000 – 2 400 kg (open-station) to 2 750 kg (cab).
- 55-degree steering-cut achievable with bevel-gear front axles, 3.3 m curb-to-curb turn radius on 11.2-24 fronts.
Operator Environment
- Open ROPS or pressurised composite cab (RK55SC, Case 55C, TYM T574C) with 73 dB(A) interior sound at rated load.
Maintenance Intervals
- 500 h engine-oil drain (CJ-4 15W-40), 1 000 h hydraulic filter, 2 000 h coolant (EG extended-life OAT).
RK55 Tractor Price Guide
Rural King’s RK55 platform uses a Kukje four-cylinder diesel (2.7 L, EPA Tier 4 final) producing 55 gross hp. Three factory trims exist:
| Model | Transmission | Cab | U.S. List Price* | Loader Lift (@ 500 mm) | Hyd. Flow | PTO hp |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RK55H | 3-range H-ST | Open | USD 32 999 | 1 270 kg | 49 L·min-1 | 43 |
| RK55HC | 3-range H-ST | Cab | USD 36 999 | 1 270 kg | 49 L·min-1 | 43 |
| RK55SC | 16F/16R S/Shuttle | Cab | USD 35 999 | 1 480 kg | 49 L·min-1 | 45 |
*Factory list, July 2025. Retail promotions often deduct USD 2 000-3 000 or 0 %/60 mo financing.
Case 55 HP Tractor Breakdown
Case IH positions the Farmall Compact 55C as a high-spec horticultural and livestock-yard tractor:
- 2.2 L turbo diesel, 55 engine hp, 46.7 PTO hp.
- 16 × 16 mechanical shuttle or 3-range hydrostatic; optional high-capacity 540E PTO for greenhouse fans and poultry litter windrowers.
- Closed-centre hydraulic system, 45 L·min-1 implement circuit, 2 520 psi relief.
- Cab variant integrates HVAC and ISO 11786 datalink for precision planters.
Street price (base open-station) averages USD 34 200; cab MSRP USD 41 350 ex-works.
TYM 55 HP Tractor Line-Up
TYM’s Series 3 family slots two 55-hp models: T574 (Tier 4B Kukje 2.4 L, 55 hp) and T554 (Yanmar 4TNV86, 55.9 hp). Both share:
- 8F/8R shuttle (T574 hydrostatic option), rear lift 3 822 lb, dual-rear remotes, and electro-hydraulic PTO.
- Loader frame designed around 2 300 psi system; tests show 3 200 lb breakout.
- List prices: T574 USD 33 400 (open) / 39 200 (cab); T554 USD 32 900 (open) / 38 300 (cab).
Dealer feedback highlights TYM’s ten-year power-train warranty and the compact hood profile allowing 750 mm implement visibility at driver eye-line.
TYM 55 HP Kubota Tractor (Engine Collaboration)
The earlier TYM T554 leveraged a Kubota-manufactured V2403 four-cylinder for Tier 3 export markets before the switch to Yanmar Tier 4 engines. Kubota’s own MU5501 and MX5400 remain direct 55-hp competitors:
| Parameter | TYM T554 (Kubota V2403-M-E3) | Kubota MU5501 | Kubota MX5400 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Displacement | 2.4 L | 2.4 L | 2.4 L |
| Gross hp | 55.1 | 55.0 | 55.0 |
| PTO hp | 45.6 | 46 (est.) | 46 |
| Emissions | Tier 3 mech-pump | Tier 3 export | Tier 4F (NA) |
| Transmission | 16×16 shuttle | 8×8 synchromesh | 8×8 gear |
| Lift (@610 mm) | 1 500 kg | 1 650 kg | 1 740 kg |
TYM/Kubota-engine variants deliver higher low-idle torque (due to larger 3.7-in stroke) than the later Yanmar block, but lack DPF regeneration complexity. Users sourcing parts must note Kubota’s cylinder-block casting but TYM-specific ECU and cooling package.
AGCO ST55 Tractor: Overview & Where to Find One
The AGCO ST55 is the largest of the legacy AGCO compact-utility ST Series. Built by Iseki (Japan) between 2003 – 2008, the tractor carries an Iseki E4BG-TL four-cylinder diesel rated 55.6 gross hp at 2 500 r/min and 45.6 PTO hp via a 540-rpm independent shaft. A 12 × 12 synchro-shuttle gearbox drives a mechanical front-wheel-assist final, giving 24.6 kN draw-bar pull on Ag tires. Dry shipping weight is 4 417 lb with a 78.9-in wheelbase, keeping axle load under U.S. light-transport limits for tow-behind implements. Factory options included a self-leveling FL300 loader (735 kg lift) and mid-PTO for 2-stage snow-blowers. Dealership support today is through AGCO heritage parts, Iseki parts importers, and consolidated AGCO/Massey-Ferguson outlets across North America, the EU, Australia, and selective African markets where ST units were exported new. Used ST55 machines routinely appear on TractorData dealer networks and municipal auctions, typically sub-2 000 hours and priced USD 11 000 – 18 000 depending on loader and cab.