IMT 542 or Massey Ferguson MF 253 (A)?
Which should you choose?
The figures split: the IMT 542 is ahead on hydraulic flow; the Massey Ferguson 253 (A) is ahead on three-point lift and drive.
- The Massey Ferguson 253 (A) suits heavy draft work (ploughing, cultivating) better on this data: 20% (356 kg / 785 lb) heavier and four-wheel drive.
Generated by rule set compare@4 from the figures on the side-by-side table, allowed by route “the same stated configuration”. 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?
| Question | 542 | MF 253 (A) | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 24.7 kW (33.1 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 542” | 24.9 kW (33.3 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253” | EvenEven on power at the PTO shaft (both power at the PTO, claimed): the difference is under the 10% threshold for claimed figures, too small to call. |
| 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 542 and the MF 253 (A). |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 542 and the MF 253 (A). |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 18.5 L/min (4.9 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 542” | 13.3 L/min (3.5 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253” | AheadThe IMT 542 has 39% more hydraulic flow (5.2 L/min / 1.4 gpm) than the Massey Ferguson 253 (A) (both pump flow, as stated by the source). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 1,407 kg (3,102 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 542” | 1,610 kg (3,549 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253” | AheadThe Massey Ferguson 253 (A) has 14% more lift (203 kg / 448 lb) than the IMT 542 (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source). |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 1,815 kg (4,001 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 542” | 2,171 kg (4,786 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Massey Ferguson 253 (A) is 20% heavier (356 kg / 785 lb) than the IMT 542 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source). |
| Which may carry more ballast and load? | — | — | No figureNo call on maximum permissible mass: no figure on record for the 542 and the MF 253 (A). |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 6 to 10Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 542” | 8Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253” | EvenEven on forward gears (both forward gears, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap. |
| Which offers a creeper range? | — | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the 542 and the MF 253 (A). |
| Which is faster on the road? | 30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 542” | 30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253” | EvenEven on top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call. |
| Which offers more PTO speeds? | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “IMT 542” | 540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | independentTraktorenlexikon, “IMT 542” | independentTraktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253” | EvenEven on PTO independence: every PTO is independent. |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WDTraktorenlexikon, “IMT 542” | Two-wheel or four-wheel driveTraktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253” | AheadThe Massey Ferguson 253 (A) is available with four-wheel drive; the IMT 542 is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources). |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1986– | 1983–1987 | EvenSame 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 IMT 542 has 39% more hydraulic flow (5.2 L/min / 1.4 gpm) than the Massey Ferguson 253 (A) (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- The Massey Ferguson 253 (A) has 14% more lift (203 kg / 448 lb) than the IMT 542 (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
- The Massey Ferguson 253 (A) is 20% heavier (356 kg / 785 lb) than the IMT 542 (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The Massey Ferguson 253 (A) is available with four-wheel drive; the IMT 542 is two-wheel drive (as stated by the sources).
- Even on power at the PTO shaft (both power at the PTO, claimed): the difference is under the 10% threshold for claimed figures, too small to call.
- Even on forward gears (both forward gears, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap.
- Even on top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the difference is under the 10% threshold, too small to call.
- Even on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm).
- Even on PTO independence: every PTO is independent.
- Same era: production began within 5 years of each other. We hold no parts-availability data, so there is no call on parts.
- No figure on record for every machine, so no call on: fuel efficiency at the shaft, drawbar power, maximum permissible mass and a creeper range.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources