Massey Ferguson MF 393 (A) or Massey Ferguson MF 397 A?
Which should you choose?
The data can’t decide this. Power at the PTO shaft cannot be compared: the MF 393 (A) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the MF 397 A has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- The Massey Ferguson MF 397 A suits loader and hydraulic implement work better on this data: 25% (600 kg / 1,323 lb) more three-point lift.
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 | MF 393 (A) | MF 397 A | Call |
|---|---|---|---|
| Which puts more power through the PTO shaft? | 58.9 kW (79.0 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 393” | 58.9 kW (79.0 hp)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397” | Not comparableNot comparable on power at the PTO shaft: the MF 393 (A) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the MF 397 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 MF 393 (A) and the MF 397 A. |
| Which pulls harder at the drawbar? | — | — | No figureNo call on drawbar power: no figure on record for the MF 393 (A) and the MF 397 A. |
| Which pumps more oil for implements? | — | — | No figureNo call on hydraulic flow: no figure on record for the MF 393 (A) and the MF 397 A. |
| Which lifts more on the three-point hitch? | 2,400 kg (5,291 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 393” | 3,000 kg (6,614 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397” | AheadThe Massey Ferguson MF 397 A has 25% more lift (600 kg / 1,323 lb) than the Massey Ferguson MF 393 (A) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source). |
| Which is heavier, for traction? | 2,920 kg (6,437 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 393” | 3,890 kg (8,576 lb)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397” | Ahead (a fact, not an advantage)The Massey Ferguson MF 397 A is 33% heavier (970 kg / 2,138 lb) than the Massey Ferguson MF 393 (A) (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 MF 393 (A) and the MF 397 A. |
| Which has the wider choice of gears? | 12Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 393” | 24Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397” | AheadThe Massey Ferguson MF 397 A has 100% more forward gears (12 gears) than the Massey Ferguson MF 393 (A) (both forward gears, as stated by the source). |
| Which offers a creeper range? | — | — | No figureNo call on a creeper range: not stated for the MF 393 (A) and the MF 397 A. |
| Which is faster on the road? | 30 km/h (18.6 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 393” | 30 km/h (18.6 mph) to 40 km/h (24.9 mph)Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397” | 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, “Massey Ferguson MF 393” | 540/1000 rpmTraktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397” | EvenEven on PTO speeds: the same speeds (540, 1000 rpm). |
| Which PTO runs independently of the ground drive? | — | — | No figureNo call on PTO independence: not stated for the MF 393 (A) and the MF 397 A. |
| Which drives on both axles? | 2WD / 4WDTraktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 393” | 4WDTraktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 397” | EvenEven on drive: every machine is available with four-wheel drive. |
| Which is newer, and what about parts? | 1987–1994 | 1987–1994 | 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 Massey Ferguson MF 397 A has 25% more lift (600 kg / 1,323 lb) than the Massey Ferguson MF 393 (A) (both lift at the hitch ends, as stated by the source).
- The Massey Ferguson MF 397 A is 33% heavier (970 kg / 2,138 lb) than the Massey Ferguson MF 393 (A) (both unladen weight, as stated by the source).
- The Massey Ferguson MF 397 A has 100% more forward gears (12 gears) than the Massey Ferguson MF 393 (A) (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 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 MF 393 (A) has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft; the MF 397 A has only engine power (gross or net not stated), claimed — a different quantity from power at the shaft.
- 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