Powertrac 425 DS vs VST 918 4WD
Comparing the Powertrac 425 DS and the VST 918 4WD — the Powertrac 425 DS carries 6.5 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 Powertrac 425 DS lifts 550 kg more (Powertrac 425 DS: 1300 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 Powertrac 425 DS 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 Powertrac 425 DS.
Engine
The VST 918 4WD runs 3 cylinders against the Powertrac 425 DS'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 (Multi Disc Brakes/ Oil Immersed Brakes vs Dry Brake). 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 918 4WD, because it is four-wheel drive. On dry level land the Powertrac 425 DS does the same work for less.
- Heavy mounted implements: the Powertrac 425 DS, 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 | Powertrac 425 DS | VST 918 4WD |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹4.08 - ₹4.32 Lakh* | ₹4.01 - ₹4.4 Lakh* |
| Engine | ||
| HP | 25 HP | — |
| Cylinders | 2 | 3 |
| Displacement (CC) | 1560 CC | — |
| Engine RPM | 2000 RPM | 2700 |
| Air Filter | Dry Type | — |
| Cooling System | Water Cooled | — |
| Battery | 12 v 75 Ah | — |
| Alternator | 2 V 35 A | — |
| Transmission | ||
| Transmission Type | Constant Mesh with Center Shift | — |
| Clutch | Single clutch | SINGLE DRY FRICTION PLATE |
| Gearbox | 8 Forward + 2 Reverse | 8 Forward + 2 Reverse/6 Forward + 2 Reverse |
| Forward Speed | 28.8 kmph | — |
| Reverse Speed | 10.6 kmph | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Brake Type | Multi Disc Brakes/ Oil Immersed Brakes | Dry Brake |
| PTO | ||
| PTO Type | Single | — |
| PTO RPM | 540 | — |
| PTO Power (HP) | 21.3 HP | NA |
| Hydraulics | ||
| Lifting Capacity (Kg) | 1300 KG | 750/500 KG |
| 3 Point Linkage | Automatic Depth & Draft Control | — |
| Steering | ||
| Steering Type | Mechanical / Power Steering | NA |
| Steering Column | Single Drop Arm | — |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Total Weight (Kg) | 1785 KG | — |
| Wheelbase (MM) | 1875 MM | — |
| Overall Length (MM) | 3100 MM | — |
| Overall Width (MM) | 1695 MM | — |
| Ground Clearance (MM) | 390 MM | — |
| Turning Radius | 3200 MM | — |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | 50 litre | — |
| Wheels & Tyres | ||
| Wheel Drive | 2 WD | 4 WD |
| Front Tyre | 5.00 X 15 | — |
| Rear Tyre | 11.2 X 28 8PR FX 515-E | — |
| Other | ||
| Warranty | 5000 hours/ 5 Years | NA |
| Accessories | Tools, Bumper , Ballast Weight, Top Link , Canopy , Drawbar | — |
| Additional Features | High fuel efficiency, High torque backup | — |
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