ACE DI-305 NG vs VST 918 4WD
Comparing the ACE DI-305 NG and the VST 918 4WD — the ACE DI-305 NG carries 7.5 HP more, and they are priced within a few thousand rupees of each other. The specifications below are from the manufacturers; the section under them explains what those differences mean on an actual farm.
Which one should you buy?
Both of these are sold into the same segment, so the choice comes down to a handful of real differences rather than one being better than the other outright.
Price
There is very little between them on price — under ₹10,000 separates the two ex-showroom. At that margin the dealer you buy from matters more than the sticker, because exchange value and finance terms vary by more than this gap.
Lifting capacity
The ACE DI-305 NG lifts 450 kg more (ACE DI-305 NG: 1200 Kg, VST 918 4WD: 750/500 KG). This decides which mounted implements the tractor can actually carry, and it is where cheaper models usually cut corners. Check it against the heaviest implement you own — loaded weight, not the dry weight in the brochure.
2WD or 4WD
This is the biggest practical split between the two. The VST 918 4WD is four-wheel drive; the ACE DI-305 NG is two-wheel drive. If you puddle paddy every season or work on slopes, 4WD is close to essential and worth the extra cost and fuel. On level, dry land doing mostly haulage, it is money spent for little return — take the ACE DI-305 NG.
Engine
The VST 918 4WD runs 3 cylinders against the ACE DI-305 NG's 2. More cylinders generally means smoother running and less vibration over a long day, at the cost of a little more fuel and slightly dearer servicing. Fewer cylinders is simpler to maintain, which matters if your nearest workshop is far.
The short answer
Neither leads outright — each is ahead on something the other is not, so the right answer depends on which of the points below describes your farm.
- Wet fields, puddling or slopes: the VST 918 4WD, because it is four-wheel drive. On dry level land the ACE DI-305 NG does the same work for less.
- Heavy mounted implements: the ACE DI-305 NG, which has the hydraulics to carry them.
Before you decide
- Prices here are ex-showroom. Add roughly 7–10% for RTO registration and insurance, and get the on-road figure in writing from the dealer, itemised.
- Visit more than one dealer for each brand. Exchange value and finance terms vary between showrooms by more than the price gap between these two machines.
- Ask how far the nearest workshop is for each brand. A tractor that is down for a week in season costs more than the difference between these two.
- Drive both with an implement attached, not empty. An unloaded tractor tells you very little.
Specifications compared
| Specification | ACE DI-305 NG | VST 918 4WD |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹4.09 - ₹4.28 Lakh* | ₹4.01 - ₹4.4 Lakh* |
| Engine | ||
| HP | 26 HP | — |
| Cylinders | 2 | 3 |
| Displacement (CC) | 2044 CC | — |
| Engine RPM | 1800 RPM | 2700 |
| Air Filter | Dry Type | — |
| Cooling System | Water Cooled | — |
| Battery | 12 V 75 Ah | — |
| Alternator | 12 V 42 Amp | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Transmission Type | Partial Constant Mesh | — |
| Clutch | Single Clutch | SINGLE DRY FRICTION PLATE |
| Gearbox | 8 Forward + 2 Reverse | 8 Forward + 2 Reverse/6 Forward + 2 Reverse |
| Forward Speed | 2.29 - 27.78 kmph | — |
| Reverse Speed | 2.86 - 11.31 kmph | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Brake Type | Dry Disc | Dry Brake |
| PTO | ||
| PTO Type | 6 Splines | — |
| PTO RPM | 540 | — |
| PTO Power (HP) | 23.8 HP | NA |
| Hydraulics | ||
| Lifting Capacity (Kg) | 1200 Kg | 750/500 KG |
| 3 Point Linkage | ADDC | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering Type | Mechanical Steering | NA |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Total Weight (Kg) | 1780 KG | — |
| Wheelbase (MM) | 1855 MM | — |
| Overall Length (MM) | 3550 MM | — |
| Overall Width (MM) | 1700 MM | — |
| Ground Clearance (MM) | 395 MM | — |
| Turning Radius | 2940 MM | — |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | 55 litre | — |
| Wheels & Tyres | ||
| Wheel Drive | 2 WD | 4 WD |
| Front Tyre | 6.00 X 16 | — |
| Rear Tyre | 12.4 X 28 | — |
| Other | ||
| Warranty | 2000 hours/ 2 Years | NA |
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