John Deere 3255 or Massey Ferguson MF 6170 (A)?
Which should you choose?
The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the 3255 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the MF 6170 (A) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- The John Deere 3255 suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 86% (43.5 L/min / 11.5 gpm) more hydraulic flow.
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 | 3255 | MF 6170 (A) | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 81.7 kW (109.6 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3255” | 81 kW (109 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 6170” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the 3255 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the MF 6170 (A) 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 3255 and the MF 6170 (A). |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the 3255 and the MF 6170 (A). |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | 93.9 L/min (24.8 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3255” | 50.4 L/min (13.3 gpm)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 6170” | AheadThe John Deere 3255 has 86% more hydraulic flow (43.5 L/min / 11.5 gpm) than the Massey Ferguson 6170 (A) (both pump flow, as stated by the source). |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 4,450 kg (9,811 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3255” | 3,717 kg (8,194 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 6170” | Not comparableNot comparable on three-point lift: the 3255: lift through the full range at an unstated point, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3255”); the MF 6170 (A): lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 6170”) — not the same quantity, basis and condition. |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 5,320 kg (11,729 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3255” | 4,440 kg (9,789 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 6170” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The John Deere 3255 is 20% heavier (880 kg / 1,940 lb) than the Massey Ferguson 6170 (A) (both unladen weight, as stated by the source). |
| Which may carry more ballast and load? | — | 7,500 kg (16,535 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 6170” | No figureNo call on maximum permissible mass: no figure on record for the 3255. |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 16Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3255” | 30 to 32Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 6170” | AheadThe Massey Ferguson 6170 (A) has 88% more forward gears (14 gears) than the John Deere 3255 (both forward gears, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers a creeper range? | — | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the 3255 and the MF 6170 (A). |
| Which is faster on the road? | 30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3255” | 30 km/h (18.6 mph) to 40 km/h (24.9 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 6170” | 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? | 540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3255” | 540/1000/540E/1000E rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 6170” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540, 1000 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | independentTraktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3255” | independentTraktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 6170” | EvenEven on PTO independence: every PTO is independent. |
| Which drives on both axles? | 4WDTraktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3255” | Two-wheel or four-wheel driveTraktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 6170” | EvenEven on drive: every machine is available with four-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1991–1993 | 1995–1999 | 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 John Deere 3255 has 86% more hydraulic flow (43.5 L/min / 11.5 gpm) than the Massey Ferguson 6170 (A) (both pump flow, as stated by the source).
- The John Deere 3255 is 20% heavier (880 kg / 1,940 lb) than the Massey Ferguson 6170 (A) (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The Massey Ferguson 6170 (A) has 88% more forward gears (14 gears) than the John Deere 3255 (both forward gears, as stated by the source).
- Even on top speed (both top speed forward, as stated by the source): the figures vary by configuration and the ranges overlap.
- Even on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540, 1000 rpm).
- Even on PTO independence: every PTO is independent.
- 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 3255 has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the MF 6170 (A) 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 3255: lift through the full range at an unstated point, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “John Deere 3255”); the MF 6170 (A): lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source (Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 6170”) — 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, maximum permissible mass and a creeper range.
← Every figure for both machines, side by side, with sources