WhichTractor
  • Rigid chassis
  • WhichTractor size: Compact
  • No lab test on file
  • 1983–1987

WhichTractor size, not the maker’s category

Derived by WhichTractor from a sourced three-point linkage. How we decide what a machine is

Massey Ferguson 253 (A) specs: hp, weight, years

Perkins AT 3.152-4 three-cylinder diesel. The manufacturer claimed 48.4 horsepower. No laboratory has tested one, so there is no measured figure at the shaft.

Engine power, claimed · gross or net not stated

48.4 hp

36.1 kW as stated by the source

No lab test on file

Claimed · standard not stated by the source

Source · Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253”, claimed

This is the maker’s own figure, measured at the engine. Power at the PTO is lower — by how much, for this machine, nobody has measured.

Weight
4,786 lb
3-point lift
3,549 lb
Hyd. flow
3.5 gpm
Top speed
18.6 mph

Massey Ferguson 253 (A) specs: key facts

  • The Massey Ferguson 253 (A) was built from 1983 to 1987.

  • The Massey Ferguson 253 (A) has a claimed engine power (gross or net not stated) of 36.1 kW (48.4 hp); it has no measured PTO figure.

  • The Massey Ferguson 253 (A) was offered in two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions.

  • The Massey Ferguson 253 (A) has a Perkins AT 3.152-4 engine, a 3-cylinder 2.50 L diesel unit.

  • The Massey Ferguson 253 (A) weighs 2,171 kg (4,786 lb) unladen.

  • The Massey Ferguson 253 (A) has an independent rear PTO running at 540 rpm.

  • The three-point hitch of the Massey Ferguson 253 (A) lifts 1,610 kg (3,549 lb) at the lower-link ends.

  • The hydraulic pump of the Massey Ferguson 253 (A) delivers 13.3 L/min (3.5 gpm).

Source · Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253”

How does the 253 (A) compare with its class?

  • Limitation:

    A hydraulic pump flow of 13.3 L/min is low for its class — 50% below the median of 26.5 L/min across the 253 machines within 10% of its power that hold this figure.

Derived by WhichTractor from 336 comparable records. How we work this out

Illustration of the 1983–1987 Massey Ferguson MF 253 (A), a 48 hp farm tractor, four-wheel-drive version, a drawing generated from its specification record
Illustration — not a photograph · four-wheel-drive version

How much horsepower does a 253 (A) have?

The only figure for the 253 (A) is 48.4 hp (36.1 kW) of claimed engine power, gross or net not stated, no test standard stated — not power at the shaft.

Engine, claimed (gross/net not stated)
48.4 hp

Source · Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253”

What engine is in a 253 (A)?

A 253 (A) has a Perkins AT 3.152-4, a 3-cylinder 2.50 L diesel engine.

Engine — 253 (A) engine specifications
Make & modelPerkins AT 3.152-4
Cylinders3, liquid-cooled
Displacement152.7 ci · 2.50 L
Max torque142 lb·ft · 192 N·m @ 1,452 rpm
Electrical system12 V

Source · Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253”

How much will a 253 (A) lift, and what is its hydraulic flow?

A 253 (A) lifts 3,549 lb (1,610 kg) at the lower-link ends.

Hydraulics & PTO — 253 (A) hydraulics and PTO specifications
Pump flow3.5 gpm · 13.3 L/min
Lift at ends3,549 lb · 1,610 kg
Rear PTOIndependent, engine-driven, 540 rpm @ 1,789 engine rpmGround-speed PTO available

Source · Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253”

What transmission does a 253 (A) have?

Transmission specifications for the 253 (A) are below.

Transmission — 253 (A) transmission specifications
SteeringHydrostatic Danfoss steering, type OSPC-100 ON
Top speed18.6 mph · 30 km/h

Source · Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253”

How much does a 253 (A) weigh?

A 253 (A) weighs 4,786 lb (2,171 kg) unladen.

Weights & dimensions — 253 (A) weights and dimensions
Unladen weight4,786 lb · 2,171 kgtwo-wheel-drive version
Wheelbase81.9 in · 2,080 mmtwo-wheel-drive version
Length125.6 in · 3,190 mm
Width72.4 in · 1,838 mm
Height93.1 in · 2,366 mm
Ground clearance8.0 in · 203 mm
Front track48.3–72.3 in · 1,226–1,836 mm
Rear track55.1–82.7 in · 1,400–2,100 mm

Source · Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253”

What oil does a 253 (A) take, and how much?

A 253 (A) engine takes 7.2 qt (6.8 L). Single source, not independently verified — always confirm against the operator’s manual for your machine.

253 (A) fluid capacities, grades and service intervals
SystemCapacity
Engine oil7.2 qt · 6.8 LSource: Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253” · single source, not independently verified
Transmission50.1 qt · 47.4 LSource: Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253” · single source, not independently verified
Cooling system10.8 qt · 10.2 LSource: Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253” · single source, not independently verified

Always confirm against the operator’s manual for your machine before service.

Which tractors compare with a 253 (A)?

Within 10% of its 33.3 hp at the PTO as the maker claimed it, with no laboratory test on file, the same type, and first built within 15 years of it.

Common questions about the Massey Ferguson 253 (A)

Is a 253 (A) two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive?

The Massey Ferguson 253 (A) was offered in two-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive versions.

What PTO does a 253 (A) have?

A 253 (A) has a independent 540 rpm rear PTO.

Sources and how this page was built

Compiled from Traktorenlexikon, “Massey Ferguson MF 253”.

Sources checked

14 SEP 2026

Spotted an error?

Sources

Facts taken from these documents, units converted. Numbers beside a figure refer to this list. Licences and attribution

  1. Traktorenlexikon: Massey Ferguson MF 253 — CC BY-SA 4.0, WIKIBOOKS-TL-86837 · revision 992126. Wikibooks contributors (Traktorenlexikon). Original document