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Massey Ferguson 253 Specs ( 1988-1998 )

Name: Massey Ferguson 253
Brand: Massey Ferguson

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Nebraska Test #S071

MASSEY FERGUSON 253 DIESEL

Max Drawbar HP 36.2 hp

Max Pull 3,655 lbs

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Overview

The Massey Ferguson 253 is a utility farm tractor produced between 1988 and 1998, featuring a 2.5L Perkins three-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine rated at 57 hp. Available in 2WD and 4WD configurations, the tractor was offered with either an 8-speed sliding gear or a synchronized manual shuttle transmission. Standard equipment includes a two-post ROPS, hydrostatic power steering, and a Category II rear hitch with a 2,621-lb lift capacity.

Ideal Applications

Tested Performance Results: Nebraska Tractor Test data for this model recorded a maximum of 45.9 PTO horsepower and 36.2 drawbar horsepower with a maximum pull of 3,655 lbs.

Transmission and Drive Configuration: The mechanical layout includes an 8-speed gearbox that requires the clutch for shifting and a live 540 RPM rear PTO utilizing a two-stage clutch.

Physical Dimensions and Weight: The 4WD variant is built with a 77-inch wheelbase and a weight of 4,735 lbs, providing an 11.5-inch ground clearance compared to 9.8 inches on the 2WD version.

Production

Description	Utility tractor
Manufacturer	Massey Ferguson
Original price	$20600 (1997)

Engine

Engine type	Perkins 2.5L 3-cyl diesel
Air cleaner	dual dry element
Coolant capacity	10.8 qts (10.2 L)
Description	Perkins AT3.152.4 / turbocharged diesel / 3-cylinder / liquid-cooled
Displacement	152 ci (2.5 L)
Power	57 hp (42.5 kW)
Rated RPM	2250
Starter volts	12
PTO (claimed)	48 hp (35.8 kW)

Transmission

Description	Tractor must be stopped, and clutch used, to shift gears.
Gears	8 forward and 2 reverse / 8 forward and reverse
Type	sliding gear / synchronized manual shuttle
Transmission type	8-speed sliding gear / 8-speed synchronized manual shuttle
Transmission type	8-speed sliding gear / 8-speed synchronized manual shuttle

Mechanical

Description	Wet disc brakes / Two-post ROPS.
Drive	4x2 2WD
Steering	hydrostatic power

Capacity

Fuel	12.6 gal (47.7 L)
Hydraulic system	11.4 gal (43.1 L)

Hydraulics

Capacity	11.4 gal (43.1 L)
Pump flow	4.2 gpm (15.9 lpm)
Type	open

Hitch

Control	position and draft control
Rear lift	2,621 lbs (1188 kg)
Rear Type	II

PTO

Rear PTO	live (two-stage clutch)
Rear PTO Type	540

Electrical

Battery volts	12
Ground	negative

Dimensions & Tires

2WD Ground clearance	9.8 inches (24 cm)
2WD Length	125.5 inches (318 cm)
2WD Weight	4,020 lbs (1823 kg)
2WD Wheelbase	76.1 inches (193 cm)
2WD Width	70 inches (177 cm)
4WD Ground clearance	11.5 inches (29 cm)
4WD Length	128 inches (325 cm)
4WD Weight	4,735 lbs (2147 kg)
4WD Wheelbase	77 inches (195 cm)
4WD Width	73.3 inches (186 cm)
Height (ROPS)	87 inches (220 cm)
2WD Wheelbase	76.1 inches (193 cm)
4WD Wheelbase	77 inches (195 cm)
Front tire	6.50-16
Rear tire	13.6-28 (2WD)
Weight	4020 to 4735 pounds
Standard tires (ag)	Front: 6.50-16. Rear: 13.6-28 (2WD)

253 Serial Numbers

1988	N01001
1989	P01001
1990	R01001
1991	S01001
1992	A01001
1993	B01001
1994	C01001
1995	D01001
1996	E01001
1997	F01001
1998	G01001
Description	FAQ: How to read a serial number table.
Location:	Data plate on tractor's instrument panel

Massey Ferguson 253 attachments

Description	front-end loader

References

Description	Loaders - Compact and Agricultural published in 1989, by Massey Ferguson / MF 200 Series published in 1994, by Massey Ferguson

Nebraska Tractor Test Results

Test #S071

Download PDF

Test Date: November 1988 to January, 1989

Location: AFRC Institute of Engineering Research, Wrest Park, Silsoe, Bedford, England MK45 4HS

This section is compiled from original Nebraska Tractor Test PDFs using AI-assisted extraction and human review. For full verification, download the source PDF above. Differences between reports, incomplete source data, and occasional extraction or data entry mistakes can occur.

PTO Drawbar Hydraulics Technical Sound Tires & Weight

Maximum Power & Fuel Consumption

Rated Engine Speed

45.90 hp

N/A lb/hp·hr

Standard PTO Speed

41.80 hp

@ N/A rpm PTO

Torque Statistics

Maximum Torque	125.0 lb ft (169.5 Nm)
Torque Rise	16.9%

PTO Power Curve

Maximum Power & Fuel Consumption Details

Condition	HP	kW	RPM	PTO RPM	Fuel gal/hr
Rated Engine Speed	45.90	34.20	2250	679	2.82

Varying Power & Fuel Consumption

Click column headers to sort

Power	RPM	gal/hr	lb/hp·hr	hp·hr/gal	DEF gal/hr
45.90	2250	2.82	0.43	N/A	N/A
39.30	2276	2.51	0.46	N/A	N/A
30.00	2303	2.08	0.48	N/A	N/A
20.10	2327	1.64	0.56	N/A	N/A
10.20	2354	1.23	0.84	N/A	N/A
N/A	2385	0.89	N/A	N/A	N/A

Fuel Consumption Characteristics

Click column headers to sort

Condition	Power	kW	Pull (lbs)	Pull (kN)	Speed	km/h	Slip	Air °F	Air °C	Cool °F	Cool °C
Maximum Power—5th (1H) Gear	36.20	27.00	2,450	11	5.54	8.91	8.50	50	10	178	81
75% of Pull at Maximum Power—5th (1H) Ge...	28.60	21.30	1,835	8	5.84	9.40	6.20	50	10	176	80
50% of Pull at Maximum Power—5th (1H) Ge...	20.00	14.90	1,240	6	6.04	9.72	4.20	50	10	174	79
75% of Pull at Reduced Engine Speed—6th ...	29.00	21.60	1,840	8	5.90	9.50	6.20	48	9	176	80
50% of Pull at Reduced Engine Speed—6th ...	20.10	15.00	1,250	6	6.03	9.70	4.20	48	9	174	79

Maximum Power In Selected Gears

Click column headers to sort

Gear	Power	kW	Pull (lbs)	Pull (kN)	Speed	km/h	RPM	Slip	Air °F	Air °C	Cool °F	Cool °C	Barometer Hpa	Barometer Inch Hg	Fuel Hp Hr Gal	Fuel Kg Kwh	Fuel Kwh L	Fuel Lb Hp Hr
3rd (3L) Gear	33.90	25.20	3,655	16.30	3.50	5.63	2247	15.00	46	8	176	80	102.90	30.40	11.47	0.37	2.26	0.61
4th (4L) Gear	35.50	26.50	3,010	13.40	4.42	7.11	2252	11.00	52	11	176	80	103.00	30.40	12.03	0.31	2.37	0.68
5th (1H) Gear	36.20	27.00	2,450	10.90	5.54	8.91	2251	8.50	50	10	178	81	102.90	30.40	12.28	0.34	2.42	0.57
6th (2H) Gear	36.10	26.90	1,595	7.10	8.48	13.65	2240	5.40	50	10	176	80	102.90	30.40	12.28	0.34	2.42	0.57

Category: II Quick Attach: No

Hitch Dimensions (No Load)

Dimension	Inches	mm
a	25.40	644
b	10.50	267
c	12.00	304
d	9.20	233
e	8.10	205
f	8.30	212
g	24.00	610
h	4.80	122
i	7.30	186
j	15.70	398
k	16.90	428
l	34.30	871
m	22.60	575
n	35.60	903
o	7.90	200
p	35.80	908
q	33.00	838
r	23.60	600

Engine

Make	Perkins Diesel
Type	three cylinder vertical with turbocharger
Displacement	153 cu in (2505 ml)
Compression Ratio	15.2 to 1
Rated Engine Speed	2250 rpm
Air Cleaner	two paper elements
Crankshaft	lengthwise

Chassis

Type	standard
Steering	hydrostatic
Transmission	selective gear fixed ratio
Speeds	10 forward (20.62 mph max)
Brakes	multiple wet disc operated by foot pedals which can be locked together
Hydraulic Control	direct engine drive
Unladen Tractor Mass	2,058 kg

Consumables

Fuel	No. 2 Diesel
DEF Fluid	N/A

Tires & Tracks

Rear Tires	13.6R28
Front Tires	6.00-16
Height of Drawbar	16.10 in (410 mm)

Static Weight

Rear	3,100 lbs
Front	1,605 lbs
Total	4,705 lbs

Massey Ferguson 253 Specs ( 1988-1998 )

Overview

Ideal Applications

Production

Engine

Transmission

Mechanical

Capacity

Hydraulics

Hitch

PTO

Electrical

Dimensions & Tires

253 Serial Numbers

Massey Ferguson 253 attachments

References

Nebraska Tractor Test Results

PTO Performance

Maximum Power & Fuel Consumption

Torque Statistics

PTO Power Curve

Maximum Power & Fuel Consumption Details

Varying Power & Fuel Consumption

Drawbar Performance

Fuel Consumption Characteristics

Maximum Power In Selected Gears

Hydraulic Performance

Hitch Dimensions (No Load)

Technical Specifications

Engine

Chassis

Consumables

Sound Levels

Tires & Weight

Tires & Tracks

Static Weight

Test Remarks