Massey Ferguson MF 1250
Built: 1980–1982 · Series: 1.000er-Knicklenker
More machines from model year 1980
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MF 1500/1800: Massey Ferguson's articulated giants, 108 to 210 hp, six- to eight-cylinder diesels, four-wheel drive through equal-sized axles with articulated steering
In the 1970s, Massey Ferguson entered the market for articulated big tractors to compete with specialists such as Steiger and Versatile. This series bundles the resulting models from the MF 1200 to the MF 1805, with drive to equal-sized axles and articulated steering instead of conventional front-wheel steering.
Read on 4 more paragraphs
The register lists 6 live models, from the MF 1200 to the MF 1805, built between 1971 and 1982. Output ranges from 79.5 to 154.6 kW, or 108 to 210 hp, weight from 5,200 to 9,500 kg, displacement from 5,801 to 10,420 cm3, across six- and eight-cylinder engines.
With their articulated steering and large, equal-sized wheels, these tractors targeted large-scale North American operations, where Steiger and Versatile dominated the segment — Massey Ferguson remained more of a niche player here.
Because of the low production numbers, surviving examples of this series rank among the rarer Massey Ferguson collector pieces today.
On articulated tractors of this type, steering is handled not by the front wheels but by a central joint between the two equal-sized axles, flexed by hydraulic cylinders; wear at this centre joint and its bearing bushings is the chief weak point of big tractors built this way. When buying used, therefore, play in the articulation joint, the condition of the steering cylinders and their seals, both equally sized axles with their differentials, and the turbocharger and injection system of the large-displacement engines all matter; because Massey Ferguson was active in this segment for only a few years, parts supply for components specific to the articulated design is noticeably harder today than for the marque's standard models.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Massey Ferguson 1.000er-Knicklenker
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | dieselcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 115 hp (84.6 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 2,400 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 6correct |
| Displacement | 5,801 cm³correct |
| Bore | 98.5 mmcorrect |
| Stroke | 127 mmcorrect |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 5,170 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 2,560 mmcorrect |
| Height | 3,214 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 2,559 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 396 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 5,200 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | four-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 12V/4Rcorrect |
| Forward gears | 12correct |
| Reverse gears | 4correct |
| Front tyres | 14-34 AScorrect |
| Rear tyres | 14-34 AScorrect |
| Top speed | 25 km/hcorrect |
Working data
| Fuel tank capacity | 318 lcorrect |
|---|
Other data
| Linkage category | Cat IIcorrect |
|---|
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 16.3 kW/t (85 kW / 5.2 t)
Power class: Large (100–180 hp)
Stronger than 72% of the tractors in the register — out of 15,663 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the Massey Ferguson MF 1250 have?
The Massey Ferguson MF 1250 delivers 115 hp.
How much does the Massey Ferguson MF 1250 weigh?
The unladen weight is 5,200 kg.
What engine does the Massey Ferguson MF 1250 have?
6 cylinders, 5,801 cm³ displacement, Diesel.
How fast does the Massey Ferguson MF 1250 go?
Top speed is 25 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the Massey Ferguson MF 1250?
5,170 mm × 2,560 mm × 3,214 mm.
When was the Massey Ferguson MF 1250 built?
Production years: 1980–1982.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Check front and rear tyre sizes: mismatched pairs strain the drivetrain.
- Shift the gearbox cold and warm — jumps only show up at temperature.
- Load the hydraulics and watch for sag.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 25 individual figures for this model. They come from 2 recorded sources; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
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Other models in this series
Sources: Wikibooks Traktorenlexikon (CC BY-SA 4.0) (retrieved August 2026) · How we check the data
Tractor in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.
