IMT 588 or Leyland 255?

Which should you choose?

On performance, every comparable figure that differs favours the Leyland 255: hydraulic flow and three-point lift. It is also ahead on forward gears and top speed.

  • The Leyland 255 suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 95% (14.4 L/min / 3.8 gpm) more hydraulic flow and 67% (755 kg / 1,664 lb) more three-point lift.
  • The Leyland 255 suits road haulage better on this data: 18% (4.0 km/h / 2.5 mph) more top speed.

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?

Buyer questions for IMT 588 and Leyland 255, with the call on each
Question588255Call
Which puts more power through the PTO shaft?32.2 kW (43.2 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 558”31.8 kW (42.6 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Leyland 255”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 588 and the 255.
Which pulls harder at the drawbar?——No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 588 and the 255.
Which pumps more oil for implements?15.1 L/min (4.0 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 558”29.5 L/min (7.8 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Leyland 255”AheadThe Leyland 255 has 95% more hydraulic flow (14.4 L/min / 3.8 gpm) than the IMT 588 (also listed as 558) (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
Which lifts more on the three-point hitch?1,120 kg (2,469 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 558”1,875 kg (4,134 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Leyland 255”AheadThe Leyland 255 has 67% more lift (755 kg / 1,664 lb) than the IMT 588 (also listed as 558) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
Which is heavier, for traction?2,300 kg (5,071 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 558”2,470 kg (5,445 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Leyland 255”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?——No figureNo call on maximum permissible mass: no figure on record for the 588 and the 255.
Which has the wider choice of gears?6Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 558”10Traktorenlexikon, “Leyland 255”AheadThe Leyland 255 has 67% more forward gears (4 gears) than the IMT 588 (also listed as 558) (both forward gears, as stated by the source).
Which offers a creeper range?——No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the 588 and the 255.
Which is faster on the road?22 km/h (13.7 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “IMT 558”26 km/h (16.2 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Leyland 255”AheadThe Leyland 255 has 18% more top speed (4.0 km/h / 2.5 mph) than the IMT 588 (also listed as 558) (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
Which offers more PTO speeds?540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “IMT 558”540 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Leyland 255”EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540 rpm).
Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive?—independentTraktorenlexikon, “Leyland 255”No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the 588.
Which drives on both axles?2WDTraktorenlexikon, “IMT 558”2WDTraktorenlexikon, “Leyland 255”EvenEven on drive: all two-wheel drive.
Which is newer, and what about parts?1970–19801973–1975EvenSame 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 Leyland 255 has 95% more hydraulic flow (14.4 L/min / 3.8 gpm) than the IMT 588 (also listed as 558) (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
  • The Leyland 255 has 67% more lift (755 kg / 1,664 lb) than the IMT 588 (also listed as 558) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
  • The Leyland 255 has 67% more forward gears (4 gears) than the IMT 588 (also listed as 558) (both forward gears, as stated by the source).
  • The Leyland 255 has 18% more top speed (4.0 km/h / 2.5 mph) than the IMT 588 (also listed as 558) (both top speed forward, as stated by the source).
  • 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 weight (both unladen weight, 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 drive: all two-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.
  • No figure on record for every machine, so no call on: fuel efficiency at the shaft, drawbar power, maximum permissible mass, a creeper range and PTO independence.

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