That is why torque IS important - especially at lower rpms where the torque #s are not published on many of these new machines...
As stated else where- peak torque is of less concern than the torque curve or the torque average from above idle to rated speed... Either the torque curve or the torque average (rpm to rpm) would be very helpful and a useful tool in making an informed decision between 2 engines with similar Horsepower ratings.
In the past tractor companies were proud to display the dyno charts with horsepower and torque from slightly above idle to full engine speed.
This allowed a perspective buyer to get a good idea of How the engine will act at all engine speeds-it does not seem nearly as common today for the dyno charts to be posted JMO and my:2cents:
Yes, I agree seeing a full torque curve would be nice. But in reality, most of the tractors today, in a given size class, have similar Rpms. Say, comparing a
l3400, a jd3520, a dk35, ck35,
l3540, and about any other 35hp tractor, I am betting their peak rpm is in the 2900 rpm range. Give or take 100rpm. Its not like one mfg is spinning up to 3600-4000 rpm just to boost a HP number. And likely all of them would have similar torque curves. And pretty much the same in different size classes.
And when you mention low rpm torque... since you are talking torque @ rpm, you are talking Bout HP as well. They go hand in hand.
In racing, we always refer to it as "area under the curve". More area under the curve is better. If you have more area under the torque curve, you will have more area under the HP curve.