Fendt Farmer 308 or Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo?

Which should you choose?

The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the Farmer 308 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the MF 397 Turbo has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.

Generated by rule set compare@4 from the figures on the side-by-side table, allowed by route “similar machines”. Measured figures are compared only with measured, claimed only with claimed, at the same test condition; differences within each figure’s tolerance are not called.

What decides it, question by question?

Buyer questions for Fendt Farmer 308 and Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo, with the call on each
QuestionFarmer 308MF 397 TurboCall
Which puts more power through the PTO shaft?63 kW (84 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Fendt Farmer 308”62.6 kW (83.9 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T”Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the Farmer 308 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the MF 397 Turbo has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
Which turns a litre of fuel into more work at the shaft?No figureNo call on fuel efficiency at the shaft: no figure on record for the Farmer 308 and the MF 397 Turbo.
Which pulls harder at the drawbar?No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the Farmer 308 and the MF 397 Turbo.
Which pumps more oil for implements?40.2 L/min (10.6 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Fendt Farmer 308”No figureNo call on hydraulic flow: no figure on record for the MF 397 Turbo.
Which lifts more on the three-point hitch?4,488 kg (9,894 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Fendt Farmer 308”3,000 kg (6,614 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T”Not comparableNot comparable on three-point lift: the Farmer 308: lift at an unstated point, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Fendt Farmer 308”); the MF 397 Turbo: lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T”) — not the same quantity, basis and condition.
Which is heavier, for traction?4,180 kg (9,215 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Fendt Farmer 308”3,820 kg (8,422 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T”EvenEven on weight (both unladen weight, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call.
Which may carry more ballast and load?7,500 kg (16,535 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Fendt Farmer 308”No figureNo call on maximum permissible mass: no figure on record for the MF 397 Turbo.
Which has the wider choice of gears?14Traktorenlexikon, “Fendt Farmer 308 LSA”24Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T”AheadThe Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo has 71% more forward gears (10 gears) than the Fendt Farmer 308 (both forward gears, as stated by the source).
Which offers a creeper range?No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the Farmer 308 and the MF 397 Turbo.
Which is faster on the road?40 km/h (24.9 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Fendt Farmer 308”30 km/h (18.6 mph) to 40 km/h (24.9 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T”EvenEven on top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap.
Which offers more PTO speeds?540/750/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Fendt Farmer 308”540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T”AheadThe Fendt Farmer 308 offers 750 rpm at the PTO, which the Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo does not (as stated by the sources).
Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive?independentTraktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T”No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the Farmer 308.
Which drives on both axles?4WDTraktorenlexikon, “Fendt Farmer 308”; Traktorenlexikon, “Fendt Farmer 308 LSA”4WDTraktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T”EvenEven on drive: every machine is available with four-wheel drive.
Which is newer, and what about parts?1993–20011991–1994EvenSame era: production began within 5 years of each other. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.

What does this mean in plain words?

  • The Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo has 71% more forward gears (10 gears) than the Fendt Farmer 308 (both forward gears, as stated by the source).
  • The Fendt Farmer 308 offers 750 rpm at the PTO, which the Massey Ferguson MF 397 Turbo does not (as stated by the sources).
  • Even on weight (both unladen weight, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call.
  • Even on top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap.
  • Even on drive: every machine is available with four-wheel drive.
  • Same era: production began within 5 years of each other. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
  • Not comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the Farmer 308 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the MF 397 Turbo has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
  • Not comparable on three-point lift: the Farmer 308: lift at an unstated point, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Fendt Farmer 308”); the MF 397 Turbo: lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397T”) — not the same quantity, basis and condition.
  • No figure on record for every machine, so no call on: fuel efficiency at the shaft, drawbar power, hydraulic flow, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range and PTO independence.

← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources