Massey Ferguson MF 253 (A)
Built: 1983–1987 · Series: 203er-Baureihe
More machines from model year 1983
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Massey Ferguson 203 series – MF 253 (A) and MF 273 from the 200 family built in Coventry: three- and four-cylinder Perkins engines, 2,502 to 3,865 cm³, 36.1 to 46 kW
Massey Ferguson launched the 200 series in the 1970s, one of the marque's longest-lived tractor families, built among other places in Coventry, England. The MF 253 (A) and MF 273 models recorded here represent the mid-power class of this series, with a three- or four-cylinder Perkins diesel engine; the type number rises with displacement and output.
Read on 3 more paragraphs
The register lists 2 versions here with 36.1 to 46 kW (up to 63 hp) from three- and four-cylinder engines of 2,502 to 3,865 cm³ displacement. Kerb weights range from 2,171 to 2,465 kg, lengths from 3,190 to 3,730 mm, heights from 2,290 to 2,366 mm, torque from 192 to 248 Nm, at speeds of 2,200 to 2,250 revolutions per minute.
The 200 series was for decades among Europe's most-built tractors and was also produced under licence in numerous countries; its rugged, easily serviced engineering made it the standard tractor of countless mid-sized farms. The MF 253 and MF 273 competed in this segment chiefly with comparable models from Ford, Deutz-Fahr and Fiat.
When buying used, the clutch, gearbox synchromesh and hydraulic pump of the widely used Perkins engines should be checked, along with rust on wings and axle stubs after decades of field work. Thanks to the large numbers built, spare parts are readily available, both genuine through AGCO and on the open market for Perkins engines.
Sources: SpecCodex register, model data: Massey Ferguson 203er-Baureihe, Massey Ferguson (AGCO, Hersteller)
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | dieselcorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 49 hp (36.1 kW)correct |
| Rated speed | 2,250 rpmcorrect |
| Torque | 192 Nmcorrect |
| Speed at max. torque | 1,452 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 3correct |
| Displacement | 2,502 cm³correct |
| Bore | 91.44 mmcorrect |
| Stroke | 127 mmcorrect |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 3,190 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,838 mmcorrect |
| Height | 2,366 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 2,080 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 203 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 2,171 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | rear- or four-wheel drivecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 8V/2Rcorrect |
| Front tyres | 6.50-16 ASF (A: 8, 3-24 AS)correct |
| Rear tyres | 12.4-32 AScorrect |
| Top speed | 30 km/hcorrect |
Origin and approval
| Construction | unit construction (no separate frame)correct |
|---|
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 16.6 kW/t (36 kW / 2.2 t)
Power class: Universal (40–100 hp)
Stronger than 33% 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 253 (A) have?
The Massey Ferguson MF 253 (A) delivers 49 hp.
How much does the Massey Ferguson MF 253 (A) weigh?
The unladen weight is 2,171 kg.
What engine does the Massey Ferguson MF 253 (A) have?
3 cylinders, 2,502 cm³ displacement, Diesel.
How fast does the Massey Ferguson MF 253 (A) go?
Top speed is 30 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the Massey Ferguson MF 253 (A)?
3,190 mm × 1,838 mm × 2,366 mm.
When was the Massey Ferguson MF 253 (A) built?
Production years: 1983–1987.
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 23 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; 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
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