Indo Farm 1020 DI vs Farmtrac Steeltrac 18
Comparing the Indo Farm 1020 DI and the Farmtrac Steeltrac 18 — the Indo Farm 1020 DI carries 3.8 HP more, and the Farmtrac Steeltrac 18 is about ₹0.84 lakh cheaper ex-showroom. 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
The Farmtrac Steeltrac 18 is roughly ₹0.84 lakh cheaper ex-showroom — about 21% less than the Indo Farm 1020 DI. On road that gap widens slightly, because RTO tax and insurance are calculated on the higher figure. Whether the Indo Farm 1020 DI earns that back depends entirely on the points below; if it does not, the cheaper machine is the better buy.
PTO power
Both put down effectively the same PTO horsepower (Indo Farm 1020 DI: 12 HP, Farmtrac Steeltrac 18: 12.4 HP), so neither has an advantage on implements.
Lifting capacity
The Farmtrac Steeltrac 18 lifts 50 kg more (Indo Farm 1020 DI: 500 Kg, Farmtrac Steeltrac 18: 550 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.
Gearbox
Indo Farm 1020 DI: 6 Forward + 2 Reverse. Farmtrac Steeltrac 18: 8 Forward + 2 Reverse. Count the low-range speeds rather than the total — puddling and rotavating need slow ground speed at working engine revs, and a box with too few low gears forces a compromise between the two.
Weight
The Farmtrac Steeltrac 18 is about 141 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 Indo Farm 1020 DI will compact less and sink less.
Other differences
They also differ on warranty (2000 hours / 2 Years vs 5000 hrs / 5 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 Farmtrac Steeltrac 18 leads on more of the dimensions that affect day-to-day work. It is the safer pick unless the Indo Farm 1020 DI is meaningfully cheaper for you after the dealer quote.
- Heavy mounted implements: the Farmtrac Steeltrac 18, which has the hydraulics to carry them.
- Loaded trolley and haulage: the Farmtrac Steeltrac 18 — 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 Farmtrac Steeltrac 18. 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 | Indo Farm 1020 DI | Farmtrac Steeltrac 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹4.04 - ₹4.23 Lakh* | ₹3.2 - ₹3.8 Lakh* |
| Engine | ||
| HP | 20 HP | 16.2 HP |
| Cylinders | 1 | 1 |
| Displacement (CC) | 895 CC | 895 CC |
| Engine RPM | 2300 RPM | NA |
| Air Filter | Oil Bath Type | — |
| Cooling System | Water cooled | — |
| Battery | 12 Volts-65 Ah | — |
| Alternator | Self Starter Motor & Alternator | — |
| Torque | — | 61 NM |
| Transmission | ||
| Transmission Type | Sliding mesh | Synchromesh |
| Clutch | Single Clutch | Single Clutch,(Diaphragm) Hub Reduction |
| Gearbox | 6 Forward + 2 Reverse | 8 Forward + 2 Reverse |
| Forward Speed | 26.0 kmph | 31.7 kmph |
| Reverse Speed | 12.92 kmph | 33.7 kmph |
| Brakes | ||
| Brake Type | Oil immersed multiple discs | Oil Immersed Brakes |
| PTO | ||
| PTO Type | 6 Spline | — |
| PTO RPM | 540@2100 RPM | — |
| PTO Power (HP) | 12 HP | 12.4 HP |
| Hydraulics | ||
| Lifting Capacity (Kg) | 500 Kg | 550 kg |
| 3 Point Linkage | ADDC | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering Type | Mechanical - Recirculating ball type (optional) | Mechanical |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Total Weight (Kg) | 800 KG | 941 KG |
| Overall Length (MM) | 2520 MM | 2530 MM |
| Overall Width (MM) | 1050 MM | 1055 MM |
| Ground Clearance (MM) | 210 MM | 310 MM |
| Turning Radius | 2200 MM | 2800 MM |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | 23 litre | 17.4 litre |
| Wheelbase (MM) | — | 1580 MM |
| Wheels & Tyres | ||
| Wheel Drive | 2 WD | 2 WD |
| Front Tyre | 5.20 X 14 | 5.25 X 14 |
| Rear Tyre | 8.00 X 18 | 8.00 X 18 / 8.3 x 20 |
| Other | ||
| Warranty | 2000 hours / 2 Years | 5000 hrs / 5 years |
| Accessories | Trailor hook, Draw bar, tool kit, operator manual, top link | — |
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