Massey Ferguson 255

The Massey Ferguson 255 is a tractor produced by Massey Ferguson. It is equipped with a 212 ci 3.5 L engine. The listed engine power is 52.68 hp 39.3 kW. Transmission: Multi-Power. Operating weight: 5600 to 6415 pounds.

Engine Power

52.68 hp 39.3 kW

Fuel & Capacities

18.5 gal 70.0 L

Transmission

Multi-Power

Operating Weight

5600 to 6415 pounds

Overview

	1975 - 1981 200 SeriesRow-Crop tractor 200 Series Row-Crop tractor

Production
Manufacturer	Massey Ferguson
Row-Crop tractor
Built in Detroit, Michigan, USA
Original price was $8,100 in 1981
The 255 was available in three versions: standard, row-crop, and low-profile. No information currently available on the turbocharged 255T variant. It may have been built in Turkey by Uzel and possibly in India.

Variants
255T	turbocharged engine

Massey Ferguson 255 Power
Drawbar (claimed)	42 hp 31.3 kW
PTO (claimed)	50 hp 37.3 kW
Drawbar (tested)	43.49 hp 32.4 kW
PTO (tested)	52.68 hp 39.3 kW
Performance test details ...

Mechanical
Two-wheel drive
Differential lock	mechanical rear
Power steering
Differential dry disc brakes
Two-post ROPS. Canopy optional.

Capacity
Fuel	18.5 gal 70.0 L
Hydraulic system	8 gal 30.3 L

Hydraulics
Capacity	8 gal 30.3 L
Pressure	2300 psi 158.6 bar
Valves	0 to 2
Pump flow	10 gpm 37.9 lpm
	4.5 gpm (3-point) 17.0 lpm
Total flow	19.5 gpm 73.8 lpm
Steering flow	5 gpm 18.9 lpm

Tractor hitch
Rear Type	II/I
Rear lift	3800 lbs 1723 kg

Power Take-off (PTO)
Rear PTO	live (two-stage clutch)
Rear PTO Type	540 (1.375)
Engine RPM	540@1683

Dimensions & Tires
Wheelbase	82 inches 208 cm
Weight	5600 to 6415 pounds
Front tire	6.00-16
Rear tire	16.9-24
Full dimensions and tires ...

Electrical
Charging system	alternator
Charging amps	37
Battery volts	12
Battery AH	95

References

Loaders and Spreaders published in 1979, by Massey Ferguson
MF 255/265/275 Tractors published in 1975, by Massey Ferguson
MF 34-81HP Tractors published in 1980, by Massey Ferguson
MF 200 Series Tractors published in 1982, by Massey Ferguson
Complete Farm Machinery Guide published in 1976, by Massey Ferguson

Engine

Engine options
Perkins 3.9L 4-cyl diesel
Perkins 3.3L 4-cyl diesel
Perkins 3.5L 4-cyl gasoline

Engine Detail — 236 ci / 3.9 L Diesel

Manufacturer	Perkins
Fuel Type	Diesel
Configuration	4-cylinder, liquid-cooled
Displacement	236 ci 3.9 L
Bore/Stroke	3.875x5.00 inches 98 x 127 mm
Air cleaner	paper and felt
Compression	16:1
Rated RPM	2000
Starter volts	12

Engine Detail — 203 ci / 3.3 L Diesel

Manufacturer	Perkins AD4.203
Fuel Type	Diesel
Configuration	4-cylinder, liquid-cooled
Displacement	203 ci 3.3 L
Bore/Stroke	3.60x5.00 inches 91 x 127 mm
Compression	18.5:1
Rated RPM	2000
Starter volts	12
Oil capacity	8.5 qts 8.0 L
Coolant capacity	11 qts 10.4 L

Engine Detail — 212 ci / 3.5 L Gasoline

Manufacturer	Perkins AG4.212
Fuel Type	Gasoline
Configuration	4-cylinder, liquid-cooled
Displacement	212 ci 3.5 L
Bore/Stroke	3.875x4.50 inches 98 x 114 mm
Compression	7:1
Rated RPM	2000
Starter volts	12
Oil capacity	6 qts 5.7 L
Coolant capacity	11 qts 10.4 L

Transmission

Transmission options
8-speed gear
12-speed partial power shift

Transmission — 8 forward and 2 reverse gear

Type	gear
Gears	8 forward and 2 reverse
With 14.9-28 rear tires.

Transmission — Multi-Power

Transmission	Multi-Power
Type	partial power shift
Gears	12 forward and 4 reverse
Three speeds in two ranges plus two-speed power shift.
With 14.9-28 rear tires.

Dimensions

Massey Ferguson 255 Tires
Ag front	6.00-16
	6.50-16
	7.5L-15
Ag rear	16.9-24
	16.9-26
	16.9-28
	16.9-30
	18.4-26
Ag front	5.50-16 (row-crop)
	7.50-10 (low-profile)
	9.5L-10 (low-profile)
Ag rear	14.9-38 (row-crop)
	15.5-38 (row-crop)
	13.6-38 (row-crop)
	14.9-24 (low-profile)
	18.4-16.1 (low-profile)
	21.5-16.1 (low-profile)

Dimensions
Wheelbase	82 inches 208 cm
Height (hood)	57.6 inches (low-profile) 146 cm
	63.1 inches (standard) 160 cm
Ground clearance	10.4 inches (low-profile) 26 cm
	16 inches (standard) 40 cm
	19.6 inches (row-crop) 49 cm
Front tread	48 to 72 inches 121 to 182 cm
Front tread	52 to 76 inches 132 to 193 cm (row-crop)
Rear tread	56 to 90 inches 142 to 228 cm
Rear tread	55 to 87 inches 139 to 220 cm (low-profile)

Massey Ferguson 255 Weight
Gas Shipping	5600 lbs 2540 kg
Diesel Shipping	5850 lbs 2653 kg
Gas Operating	6140 lbs 2785 kg
Diesel Operating	6415 lbs 2909 kg
Ballasted	7310 lbs 3315 kg

Tests

Tractor Tests
NTTL 1189: 203 diesel 12-speed 2WD
NTTL 1190: gasoline 12-speed 2WD
NTTL 1250: 236 diesel 12-speed 2WD

Nebraska Tractor Test 1189
203 diesel 12-speed 2WD September 4 - 24, 1975 Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 1189 file
PTO performance
Power at rated engine speed	50.69 hp 37.8 kW
Fuel use	3.2 gal/hour 12.1 l/hour
Power at rated PTO speed	45.55 hp 34.0 kW
Fuel use	2.9 gal/hour 11.0 l/hour
Drawbar performance
Max power	42.07 hp 31.4 kW
Fuel use	3.1 gal/hour 11.7 l/hour
Gear 1HL used for power test.
Max pull	5,257 lbs 2384 kg
Gear 2LH used for pull test.

Nebraska Tractor Test 1190
Gasoline 12-speed 2WD September 4 - 25, 1975 Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 1190 file
PTO performance
Power at rated engine speed	50.01 hp 37.3 kW
Fuel use	4.7 gal/hour 17.8 l/hour
Power at rated PTO speed	47.14 hp 35.2 kW
Fuel use	4.3 gal/hour 16.3 l/hour
Drawbar performance
Max power	42.22 hp 31.5 kW
Fuel use	4.9 gal/hour 18.5 l/hour
Gear 1HL used for power test.
Max pull	5,668 lbs 2571 kg
Gear 2LH used for pull test.

Nebraska Tractor Test 1250
236 diesel 12-speed 2WD August 23 - September 1, 1977 Link: Nebraska Tractor Test 1250 file
PTO performance
Power at rated engine speed	52.68 hp 39.3 kW
Fuel use	3.3 gal/hour 12.5 l/hour
Power at rated PTO speed	48.37 hp 36.1 kW
Fuel use	2.9 gal/hour 11.0 l/hour
Drawbar performance
Max power	43.49 hp 32.4 kW
Fuel use	3.3 gal/hour 12.5 l/hour
Gear 1HL used for power test.
Max pull	5,591 lbs 2536 kg
Gear 2LH used for pull test.

Photos

Massey Ferguson 255 marketing photo.

Massey Ferguson 255 with model 236 front-end loader.

Recommended Implements & Sizing Guide

Engineering recommendations for Massey Ferguson 255 based on its 52.68 HP power envelope and ASAE agricultural standards.

Implement & Operation	Recommended Size	Workload Rating	Engineering Notes
Moldboard PlowPrimary Tillage	2 to 3 Bottom (14-16")2 - 3 铧 (35-40 cm)	Medium Duty	Standard utility farm tillage.
Rotary Cutter / MowerMowing & Clearing	6 ft (72 in)1.8 m	Medium Duty	Medium pasture clearing; rear slip-clutch recommended.
Rotary TillerSeedbed Prep	66 to 72 in165 - 180 cm	Medium Duty	Standard utility tiller; slip clutch protection required.
Disc HarrowSecondary Tillage	7 to 8 ft Tandem Disc2.1 - 2.4 m 对开双排耙	Medium Duty	Field leveling and clod breaking behind plows.
Hay BalerHay & Forage	Small Square Baler (14x18")小方捆打捆机 (36x46 cm)	Medium Duty	Classic 2-string baler for horse and small livestock hay.

Sizing & Soil Condition NoteActual implement sizing varies depending on local soil conditions (heavy clay vs sandy loam), field slope, and operating speed. Heavy tillage implements may require front ballast weights and wheel weights.

Fluids, Capacities & Working Autonomy

Standard fluid requirements, service intervals, and continuous runtime estimates for Massey Ferguson 255.

Estimated Continuous Field Runtime: 6.8 hrs

Approximately 6.8 hours of continuous field operation at ~75% rated power on a full tank (18.5 gal / 70 L).

Estimated 75% Load Fuel Burn~2.7 gal/hr (10.4 L/hr)

Engine Crankcase Oil

SAE 15W-40 (Heavy Duty Diesel)

Standard Spec: API CK-4 / CJ-4 Heavy Duty

Service Interval: 150 – 250 Hours

Transmission & Hydraulic System

UTTO (Universal Tractor Transmission Oil)

Standard Spec: ISO VG 46 / 68 (Wet Brake & Trans Compatible)

Service Interval: 600 – 1000 Hours

Engine Cooling System

50/50 Ethylene Glycol Pre-mix

Standard Spec: ASTM D6210 / Heavy-Duty OAT Antifreeze

Service Interval: 2 Years / 1500 Hours