Mahindra 255 DI Power plus vs VST MT 180 D 4WD
Comparing the Mahindra 255 DI Power plus and the VST MT 180 D 4WD — the Mahindra 255 DI Power plus carries 6.5 HP more, and the VST MT 180 D 4WD is about ₹0.68 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 VST MT 180 D 4WD is roughly ₹0.68 lakh cheaper ex-showroom — about 16% less than the Mahindra 255 DI Power plus. On road that gap widens slightly, because RTO tax and insurance are calculated on the higher figure. Whether the Mahindra 255 DI Power plus 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 Mahindra 255 DI Power plus delivers 6 HP more at the PTO (Mahindra 255 DI Power plus: 21.8 HP, VST MT 180 D 4WD: 15.8 HP). That is roughly the difference between comfortably running a wider rotavator and working the engine hard to do it.
Lifting capacity
The Mahindra 255 DI Power plus lifts 470 kg more (Mahindra 255 DI Power plus: 1220 kg, VST MT 180 D 4WD: 750 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 MT 180 D 4WD is four-wheel drive; the Mahindra 255 DI Power plus 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 Mahindra 255 DI Power plus.
Engine
The VST MT 180 D 4WD runs 3 cylinders against the Mahindra 255 DI Power plus'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.
Other differences
They also differ on brakes (Dry Disc vs Oil Immersed Disc Brakes), steering (Mechanical / Power Steering (Optional) vs Manual / Power Steering). 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
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 MT 180 D 4WD, because it is four-wheel drive. On dry level land the Mahindra 255 DI Power plus does the same work for less.
- Wide rotavator, thresher or heavy PTO work: the Mahindra 255 DI Power plus — it has the PTO horsepower to hold speed under load.
- Heavy mounted implements: the Mahindra 255 DI Power plus, which has the hydraulics to carry them.
- Tightest budget, or if none of the above apply to you: the VST MT 180 D 4WD. 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 | Mahindra 255 DI Power plus | VST MT 180 D 4WD |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹4.38 - ₹4.81 Lakh* | ₹3.7 - ₹4.19 Lakh* |
| Engine | ||
| HP | 25 HP | — |
| Cylinders | 2 | 3 |
| Displacement (CC) | 1490 CC | — |
| Engine RPM | 2100 RPM | 2700 |
| Air Filter | Oil Bath Type | — |
| Cooling System | Water Cooled | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Transmission Type | Sliding mesh | — |
| Clutch | Single clutch | Single Dry Friction Plate |
| Gearbox | 8 Forward + 2 Reverse | 6 Forward + 2 Reverse , 8 Forward + 2 Reverse |
| Forward Speed | 29.71 kmph | — |
| Reverse Speed | 12.39 kmph | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Brake Type | Dry Disc | Oil Immersed Disc Brakes |
| PTO | ||
| PTO Type | 6 Spline | — |
| PTO RPM | 540 | — |
| PTO Power (HP) | 21.8 HP | 15.8 HP |
| Hydraulics | ||
| Lifting Capacity (Kg) | 1220 kg | 750 KG |
| 3 Point Linkage | Draft, position and response control | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering Type | Mechanical / Power Steering (Optional) | Manual / Power Steering |
| Steering Column | Single Drop Arm | — |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Total Weight (Kg) | 1775 KG | — |
| Wheelbase (MM) | 1830 MM | — |
| Overall Length (MM) | 3140 MM | — |
| Overall Width (MM) | 1705 MM | — |
| Ground Clearance (MM) | 350 MM | — |
| Turning Radius | 3600 MM | — |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | 48.6 litre | — |
| Wheels & Tyres | ||
| Wheel Drive | 2 WD | 4 WD |
| Front Tyre | 6.00 X 16 | — |
| Rear Tyre | 12.4 X 28 | — |
| Other | ||
| Warranty | 2000 Hour / 2 Year | NA |
| Accessories | Tools, Top Links | — |
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