Head to head

Captain 200 DI vs Eicher 312

Comparing the Captain 200 DI and the Eicher 312 — the Eicher 312 carries 10 HP more, and the Captain 200 DI is about ₹1.38 lakh cheaper ex-showroom. The specifications below are from the manufacturers; the section under them explains what those differences mean on an actual farm.

Captain 200 DI tractor
Captain

Captain 200 DI

20 HP 1 Cyl
₹3.13 - ₹3.59 Lakh*
Eicher 312 tractor
Eicher

Eicher 312

30 HP 2 Cyl
₹4.51 - ₹5.1 Lakh*

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

The Captain 200 DI is roughly ₹1.38 lakh cheaper ex-showroom — about 31% less than the Eicher 312. On road that gap widens slightly, because RTO tax and insurance are calculated on the higher figure. Whether the Eicher 312 earns that back depends entirely on the points below; if it does not, the cheaper machine is the better buy.

PTO power — the number that matters

Engine horsepower is the headline; PTO horsepower is what actually turns a rotavator or a thresher. Here the Eicher 312 delivers 8.5 HP more at the PTO (Captain 200 DI: 17 HP, Eicher 312: 25.5 HP). That is roughly the difference between comfortably running a wider rotavator and working the engine hard to do it.

Lifting capacity

The Eicher 312 lifts 1,000 kg more (Captain 200 DI: 600 Kg, Eicher 312: 1600 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.

Engine

The Eicher 312 runs 2 cylinders against the Captain 200 DI's 1. 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.

Weight

The Eicher 312 is about 825 kg heavier. Weight is an advantage when braking a loaded trolley or pulling hard in draft work, and a disadvantage in wet fields and on soft ground where the Captain 200 DI will compact less and sink less.

Other differences

They also differ on brakes (Shoe Brake vs Dry Disc Brakes), warranty (700 Hours/ 1 Year vs 2 Years). None of these decide the purchase on their own, but oil-immersed brakes and power steering are worth paying for if you spend long days on the machine.

The short answer

Taken together the Eicher 312 leads on more of the dimensions that affect day-to-day work. It is the safer pick unless the Captain 200 DI is meaningfully cheaper for you after the dealer quote.

  • Wide rotavator, thresher or heavy PTO work: the Eicher 312 — it has the PTO horsepower to hold speed under load.
  • Heavy mounted implements: the Eicher 312, which has the hydraulics to carry them.
  • Loaded trolley and haulage: the Eicher 312 — the extra weight helps it brake and hold a load on a gradient.
  • Tightest budget, or if none of the above apply to you: the Captain 200 DI. Paying for capability you never use is the most common and most expensive mistake at this size.

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 Captain 200 DIEicher 312
Ex-showroom price ₹3.13 - ₹3.59 Lakh*₹4.51 - ₹5.1 Lakh*
Engine
HP 20 HP 30 HP
Cylinders 1 2
Displacement (CC) 895 CC 1963 CC
Engine RPM 2300 RPM 2150 RPM
Air Filter Wet Type Oil bath type
Cooling System Water Cooled Water Cooled
Battery 12 v 75 Ah
Alternator 12 V 36 A
Transmission
Transmission Type Synchromesh Central shift, Partial constant mesh
Clutch Single Clutch Single Clutch
Gearbox 8 Forward + 2 Reverse 8 Forward + 2 Reverse
Forward Speed 27.08 kmph 27.93 kmph
Brakes
Brake Type Shoe Brake Dry Disc Brakes
PTO
PTO Type Multi Speed PTO LIVE
PTO RPM 530,893,1436,2116 & 398@2300 1000 RPM @ 1616 ERPM
PTO Power (HP) 17 HP 25.5 HP
Hydraulics
Lifting Capacity (Kg) 600 Kg 1600 KG
3 Point Linkage ADDC Draft Position And Response Control Links
Steering
Steering Type Mechanical Single Drop arm Mechanical Steering
Dimensions & Weight
Total Weight (Kg) 885 KG 1710 KG
Wheelbase (MM) 1525 MM 1825 MM
Overall Length (MM) 2590 MM 3370 MM
Overall Width (MM) 1070 MM 1630 MM
Ground Clearance (MM) 2200 MM 382 MM
Turning Radius 3040 MM
Fuel Tank Capacity (L) 45 litre
Wheels & Tyres
Wheel Drive 2 WD 2 WD
Front Tyre 5.25 X 14 6.00 X 16
Rear Tyre 8.30 x 20 12.4 X 28
Other
Warranty 700 Hours/ 1 Year 2 Years
Accessories TOOL, TOPLINK, CANOPY, HOOK, BUMPER, DRARBAR TOOLS, BUMPER, TOP LIN

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