Both compact · same Case IH lineup
Case IH Farmall 40A vs Case IH Farmall 55C
| Spec | Case IH Farmall 40A | Case IH Farmall 55C |
|---|---|---|
| Price | not published | not published |
| What that price is | no published price | no published price |
| Size class | Compact | Compact |
| Transmission | Shuttle | Shuttle |
| Engine hp | 40 hp | 55 hp |
| PTO hp | 35.9 hp | 46.7 hp |
| Loader lift | 890 lbsmeasuring point not recorded | 1,830 lbsmeasuring point not recorded |
| Three-point lift | 1,596 lbs24 in behind the lift points | 2,756 lbs24 in behind the lift points |
| Hydraulic flow | 8.4 GPM | 8.2 GPM |
| Drive | MFWD | MFWD |
| Engine | not published | not published |
| Weight | 3,053 lbs | 3,770 lbs |
| Fuel tank | 12.6 gal | 10.5 gal |
| 4WD | Yes | Yes |
| Front loader | Yes | Yes |
| Cab available | No | No |
| Hydrostatic | No | No |
| Power steering | Yes | Yes |
| Cruise control | No | No |
| Warranty | 6 yr extended (hours not stated) | 6 yr extended (hours not stated) |
A highlighted cell wins its row on the rule named above the table: more power, lift, capacity or flow, or a lower price. A lift row is left unwon whenever the two makers measured in different places, or where either of them did not say — a figure quoted at the pivot pin and one quoted 500 mm ahead of it describe the same loader and differ by roughly a third, so ranking them against each other would invent a result. Prices are typical list and move with dealer packages.
From owner discussion and long-term write-ups
What owners of each one say
Case IH Farmall 40A
What they like
- 35.9 PTO hp at 40 gross, and only 1.1 hp of that is lost choosing the hydrostatic build
- Identical wheelbase, hitch, fuel tank and loader to the 35A, so the decision between the two is horsepower and price alone
- 12.6 gal of fuel on a 3,053 lb tractor is a genuinely long working day
- 12 x 12 mechanical shuttle standard with synchro shift and a dry clutch, and a 3-range hydrostatic offered at the same trim
- Up to three rear remotes can be specified, which is more rear hydraulics than most 40 hp compacts offer at any price
- No DEF, and the 6-year extended warranty is included rather than sold
What they complain about
- Case IH publishes no list price and its Build & Price tool hands you to a dealer rather than a figure, so this page cannot tell you what it costs - every public number found either bundles the loader or is a financing offer
- Case IH's own model page still prints 34.0 / 32.0 PTO hp where its 2026 spec sheet says 35.9 / 34.8 - the two documents describe different model years and the site has not caught up
- At 3,053 lb it weighs 11 lb more than the 35A, so the extra 5 hp buys no loader stability and no traction
- 1,596 lb of hitch lift is well under the 2,310 lb the longer-wheelbase 45A carries, and that gap decides what mounted implements will work
- Zero rear remotes in the base build
- The L340A's 890 lb is published without a measuring point, and non-cab is the only operator station offered
Case IH Farmall 55C
What they like
- 46.7 PTO hp is the highest figure in the Case IH compact range, enough for a 7-foot cutter or a small round baler
- 16 x 16 mechanical shuttle with synchro shift, four more ratios each way than the 12 x 12 on the smaller compacts
- 2,756 lb of hitch lift at 24 in. behind the pin, with flex lower-link ends and telescopic stabilizers included
- A factory cab is genuinely offered at 4,453 lb against the 3,770 lb ROPS build - the compact A series has no cab at all
- Two rear remotes are standard on the cab build, where the A series starts at zero
- 73.2 in. of wheelbase makes a loaded L360A bucket far steadier than the 66 in. small-frame compacts
- 6-year extended warranty at no additional cost, and no DEF tank to fill
What they complain about
- Case IH publishes no list price and its Build & Price tool hands you to a dealer rather than a figure, so this page cannot tell you what it costs - every public number found either bundles the loader or is a financing offer
- 8.2 gpm of implement flow is the same pump fitted to the 35 hp 35C - at 55 hp that is the weakest part of the specification and it shows on a grapple
- The hydrostatic option costs 2.7 PTO hp, dropping 46.7 to 44
- Case IH rates the L360A's 1,830 lb 31.5 in. forward of the pivot pin, which reads lower than a pin figure and higher than a bucket-edge one - not comparable either way
- Still a Category I hitch despite 55 hp and a 2,756 lb lift
- Diesel particulate filter standard across the compact C series, so regeneration is part of the deal