Brand siblingMassey Ferguson 253
The Massey Ferguson 253 is a utility tractor made from 1988 to 1998. It has a Perkins diesel engine with 3 cylinders and 50.3 horsepower. This engine power is about average compared to other tractors. The tractor weighs 4,950 pounds, which is also average for its size. This tractor has some handy features for farm work. It has hydrostatic power steering, making it easy to turn. The transmission has 8 forward gears and 2 reverse gears, giving the driver good control. The PTO (power take-off) is live with a two-stage clutch, running at 540 rpm. This helps run tools like mowers or balers. The hydraulic system can lift up to 2,765 pounds, which is good for many farm tasks. The tractor also has wet disc brakes, which work well in muddy conditions.

Quick specs
- Category
- Utility
- Engine Power Output
- 50hp
- Operating Weight
- 4,950 lb
- Transmission
- Selective gear fixed ratio
At a glance
How the 253 compares
vs. Utility medianDistribution
Engine Power (hp)
Across all Utility tractors
This model
The 253 ranks at the 46th percentile for engine power among recorded utility tractors.
Overview
About the Massey Ferguson 253
The Massey Ferguson 253 is a utility tractor made from 1988 to 1998. It has a Perkins diesel engine with 3 cylinders and 50.3 horsepower. This engine power is about average compared to other tractors. The tractor weighs 4,950 pounds, which is also average for its size. This tractor has some handy features for farm work. It has hydrostatic power steering, making it easy to turn. The transmission has 8 forward gears and 2 reverse gears, giving the driver good control. The PTO (power take-off) is live with a two-stage clutch, running at 540 rpm. This helps run tools like mowers or balers. The hydraulic system can lift up to 2,765 pounds, which is good for many farm tasks. The tractor also has wet disc brakes, which work well in muddy conditions.
Full specifications
Every recorded spec
General
| Manufacturer | Massey Ferguson |
|---|---|
| Model | 253 |
| Category | Utility tractor |
| Years built | 1988–1998 |
| Operating weight | 4,950lb |
Engine
| Make | Perkins |
|---|---|
| Model | Diesel, Serial No. CN 31219U8264 15S |
| Power | 50.3hp |
| Cylinders | 3 |
| Displacement | 153ci |
| Bore | 3.6in |
| Stroke | 5in |
Transmission
| Type | Selective gear fixed ratio |
|---|---|
| Forward gears | 8 |
| Reverse gears | 2 |
Chassis & drive
| Steering | Hydrostatic power |
|---|---|
| Brakes | Multiple wet disc operated by foot pedals |
| Cab | Two-post ROPS |
Hydraulics
| Type | Open center |
|---|---|
| Pump flow | 5.3gpm |
Power take-off
| Rear PTO | Live with two-stage clutch |
|---|---|
| PTO speed | 540rpm |
Dimensions
| Height | 86.6in |
|---|---|
| Operating weight | 4,950lb |
Capacities
| Cooling system | 2.7gal |
|---|
Head to head
253 vs. Utility median
How the Massey Ferguson 253 compares to other Utility tractors
| Spec | This model | Utility median | Difference | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Power | 50.3 hp | 55 hp | -9% | 46th |
| Engine Displacement | 153 ci | 183 ci | -16% | 41st |
| Cylinders | 3 | 4 | -25% | 23rd |
| Forward Gears | 8 | 12 | -33% | 23rd |
| Operating Weight | 4,950 lb | 5,303 lb | -7% | 47th |
| Height | 86.6 in | 94.1 in | -8% | 35th |
Medians and percentiles are computed from the utility tractors in our database with a recorded value for each spec (sample sizes 4,321–5,720 models).
Compare to tractors with similar specs
Commonly compared Massey Ferguson tractors
| Tractor | Engine Power | Operating Weight | Years | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Massey Ferguson 152V | 50.3 hp | 3,748 lb | — | Compare → |
| Massey Ferguson 250X | 50.3 hp | 5,631 lb | — | Compare → |
| Massey Ferguson 154 | 50 hp | 4,541 lb | — | Compare → |
| Massey Ferguson 154-4 | 50 hp | 5,176 lb | — | Compare → |
| Massey Ferguson 254 | 50 hp | 5,485 lb | — | Compare → |
Commonly compared tractors with similar horsepower from other brands
| Tractor | Engine Power | Operating Weight | Years | Compare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allis Chalmers 5050 | 50 hp | 4,410 lb | 1977–1983 | Compare → |
| Allis Chalmers FD5 | 50 hp | 5,412 lb | — | Compare → |
| Belarus 4055 | 50 hp | 4,750 lb | — | Compare → |
| AGCO GT45 | 52 hp | 4,806 lb | — | Compare → |
| Agco GT45A | 52 hp | 5,820.3 lb | — | Compare → |
Explore
Massey Ferguson siblings
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Gallery
Massey Ferguson 253 photos






FAQ
Common questions
When was the Massey Ferguson 253 made?
The Massey Ferguson 253 was manufactured from 1988 to 1998.
What type of hydraulic system does the Massey Ferguson 253 use?
Hydraulics on the Massey Ferguson 253 are Open center, delivering 5.3 gpm of pump flow.
What hitch category is the Massey Ferguson 253?
The Massey Ferguson 253 uses a Category II hitch.
What is the engine power output of the Massey Ferguson 253?
Rated engine output for the Massey Ferguson 253 is 50.3 hp, delivered by a 3-cylinder engine. The engine displaces 153 ci.
What is the operating weight of the Massey Ferguson 253?
In working trim, the Massey Ferguson 253 comes in at roughly 4,950 lb.
Which transmission does the Massey Ferguson 253 use?
The Massey Ferguson 253 is equipped with a Selective gear fixed ratio transmission with 8 forward gears.
How do I maintain a Massey Ferguson 253?
Routine service for the Massey Ferguson 253 covers engine oil and filter changes, hydraulic and coolant level checks, air filter cleaning, and scheduled inspections. Refer to the manufacturer's maintenance schedule for exact intervals.


