Massey Ferguson 4253 Specs ( 1997-1999 )
Overview
The Massey Ferguson 4253 is a utility farm tractor produced between 1997 and 1999 in Coventry, England, originally priced at $32,400. It features a Perkins 4.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine rated at 95 net hp, paired with various transmission options including an 8-speed or 12-speed configuration.
Ideal Applications
Tested Performance Metrics:
OECD Tractor Test 1800 recorded a maximum drawbar power of 65.6 hp and a maximum pull of 9,170 lbs while utilizing a fuel consumption rate of up to 5.4 gallons per hour.
Chassis and Mechanical Configuration:
The tractor is equipped with outboard planetary final drives, independent hydraulic wet disc brakes, and an open center hydraulic system providing 10 gpm pump flow at 3,046 psi.
Engine and Power Take-Off Specifications:
The 243.5 ci Perkins engine produces 276 lb-ft of torque at 1500 RPM and powers an independent rear PTO rated at 85 hp with 540/1000 speed capabilities.
Production
| Description | Utility tractor / Built in Coventry, England / Original price was $32,400 in 1999 |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Massey Ferguson |
Engine
| Engine type | Perkins 4.0L 4-cyl diesel |
|---|---|
| Air cleaner | dual paper elements |
| Bore/Stroke | 3.937x5.00 inches (100 x 127 mm) |
| Compression | 17.3:1 |
| Coolant capacity | 18.5 qts (17.5 L) |
| Description | Perkins 1004.4TW / turbocharged diesel / 4-cylinder / liquid-cooled |
| Displacement | 243.5 ci (4.0 L) |
| Oil capacity | 6.9 qts (6.5 L) |
| Power (net) | 95 hp (70.8 kW) |
| Rated RPM | 2200 |
| Starter volts | 12 |
| Torque | 276 lb-ft (374.3 Nm) |
| Torque RPM | 1500 |
| Drawbar (tested) | 65.6 hp (48.9 kW) |
| Engine (net) | 95 hp (70.8 kW) |
| PTO (claimed) | 85 hp (63.4 kW) |
| PTO (tested) | 84.1 hp (62.7 kW) |
Transmission
| Clutch | dry disc / dry disc / dry disc |
|---|---|
| Description | Standard transmission on the ROPS-equipped 4233. / Three gears (1-3) plus reverse in two ranges (low/high) two a two-speed synchronized hi-lo shift for each gear. Standard transmission on the cab-equipped 4233. |
| Gears | 8 forward and 2 reverse / 12 forward and 4 reverse / 12 forward and reverse |
| Type | nonsynchronized gear / partially synchronized / synchronized shuttle |
| Transmission type | 8-speed nonsynchronized gear / 12-speed partially synchronized / 12-speed synchronized shuttle |
| Transmission type | 8-speed nonsynchronized gear / 12-speed partially synchronized / 12-speed synchronized shuttle |
Mechanical
| Cab | Two-post folding ROPS. Cab optional with air-conditioning. |
|---|---|
| Description | Power steering / Independent hydraulic wet disc brakes |
| Drive type | Two- or four-wheel drive |
| Final drives | outboard planetary |
Capacity
| Cab Fuel | 33.6 gal (127.2 L) |
|---|---|
| Hydraulic system | 13.2 gal (50.0 L) |
| ROPS Fuel | 34.3 gal (129.8 L) |
Hydraulics
| Capacity | 13.2 gal (50.0 L) |
|---|---|
| Pressure | 3046 psi (210.0 bar) |
| Pump flow | 10 gpm (37.9 lpm) |
| Type | open center |
| Valves | 2 to 4 |
Hitch
| Control | position and draft control |
|---|---|
| Rear lift (at ends) | 4339 lbs (1968 kg) |
| Rear Type | II |
PTO
| Clutch | hydraulic wet disc |
|---|---|
| Engine RPM | 540@1902 |
| Rear PTO | independent |
| Rear PTO Type | 540/1000 (1.375) |
Electrical
| Batteries | 2 |
|---|---|
| Battery CCA | 590 |
| Battery volts | 12 |
| Cab Charging amps | 70 |
| Charging system | alternator |
| Ground | negative |
| ROPS Charging amps | 45 |
Dimensions & Tires
| 2WD Front tread | 57 to 77 inches (144 to 195 cm) |
|---|---|
| 2WD Length | 159 inches (403 cm) |
| 4WD Front tread | 55 to 75 inches (139 to 190 cm) |
| 4WD Length | 160 inches (406 cm) |
| Description | Flange rear axle |
| Front axle | 2WD / 2WD LoProfile / 2WD Wide Row-Crop / 4WD |
| Ground clearance | 14 inches (35 cm) |
| Rear tread | 60 to 84 inches (152 to 213 cm) |
| Wheelbase | 93 inches (236 cm) |
| Width | 79 inches (min) (200 cm) |
| Front tire | 7.5L-15 |
| Rear tire | 18.4-30 |
| Weight | 6914 to 8430 pounds |
| Wheelbase | 93 inches (236 cm) |
| Ag front | 7.5L-15 |
| Ag rear | 18.4-30 |
4253 Serial Numbers
| 1997 | F01001 |
|---|---|
| 1998 | G01001 |
| 1999 | H01001 |
| Description | FAQ: How to read a serial number table. |
| Location: | Serial number plate on the rear of the tractor's cab. |
Massey Ferguson 4253 Height
| Cab | 103 inches (261 cm) |
|---|---|
| Height (Folded ROPS) | 80 inches (203 cm) |
| ROPS | 103 inches (261 cm) |
| Steering wheel | 73 inches (185 cm) |
Massey Ferguson 4253 Weight
| Max rear axle | 10000 lbs (4536 kg) |
|---|---|
| Operating | 8430 lbs (3823 kg) |
Massey Ferguson 4253 attachments
| Description | front-end loader |
|---|
OCED Tractor Test 1800
| Description | Diesel 12-speed 4WDJune 1 - July 1, 1998Link: OCED Tractor Test 1800 file / PTO performance / Drawbar performance / Gear 1M used for power test. / Gear 1L used for pull test. |
|---|---|
| Fuel use | 5.2 gal/hour (19.7 l/hour) / 5.4 gal/hour (20.4 l/hour) / 5.0 gal/hour (18.9 l/hour) / 5.4 gal/hour (20.4 l/hour) |
| Max power | 84.1 hp (62.7 kW) / 65.6 hp (48.9 kW) |
| Max pull | 9170 lbs (4159 kg) |
| Power at rated engine speed | 82.2 hp (61.3 kW) |
| Power at rated PTO speed | 83.3 hp (62.1 kW) |
References
| Description | MF Loaders for Compact & Agricultural Tractors published in 2003, by Massey Ferguson / MF 4200 Series published in 1997, by Massey Ferguson / MF 4200 Series published in 2000, by Massey Ferguson / MF 4200 Series Tractors - MF 1000 Series Loaders Dealer Launch published in 1997, by Massey Ferguson / MF 4200 Series Specifications published in 1997, by Massey Ferguson |
|---|
Nebraska Tractor Test Results
Test #S279
Test Date:
June to July, 1998
Location:
Silsoe Research Institute, 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.
No PTO performance data available.