Sonalika GT 20 vs Eicher 280 Plus 4WD
Comparing the Sonalika GT 20 and the Eicher 280 Plus 4WD — the Eicher 280 Plus 4WD carries 6 HP more, and the Sonalika GT 20 is about ₹1.53 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 Sonalika GT 20 is roughly ₹1.53 lakh cheaper ex-showroom — about 29% less than the Eicher 280 Plus 4WD. On road that gap widens slightly, because RTO tax and insurance are calculated on the higher figure. Whether the Eicher 280 Plus 4WD earns that back depends entirely on the points below; if it does not, the cheaper machine is the better buy.
Lifting capacity
The Eicher 280 Plus 4WD lifts 100 kg more (Sonalika GT 20: 650 Kg, Eicher 280 Plus 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.
Engine
The Sonalika GT 20 runs 3 cylinders against the Eicher 280 Plus 4WD'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.
Gearbox
Sonalika GT 20: 6 Forward +2 Reverse. Eicher 280 Plus 4WD: 9 Forward + 3 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.
Other differences
They also differ on brakes (Mechanical vs Oil immersed brakes), steering (Mechanical/Worm and screw type ,with single drop arm vs 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.
- Heavy mounted implements: the Eicher 280 Plus 4WD, which has the hydraulics to carry them.
- Tightest budget, or if none of the above apply to you: the Sonalika GT 20. 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 | Sonalika GT 20 | Eicher 280 Plus 4WD |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹3.74 - ₹4.09 Lakh* | ₹5.27 - ₹5.32 Lakh* |
| Engine | ||
| HP | 20 HP | 26 HP |
| Cylinders | 3 | 2 |
| Displacement (CC) | 959 CC | 1290 CC |
| Engine RPM | 2700 RPM | NA |
| Air Filter | Oil Bath With Pre Cleaner | — |
| Battery | 12 V 50 AH | 12 V 65 Ah |
| Cooling System | — | Water Cooled |
| Transmission | ||
| Transmission Type | Sliding Mesh | Side shift Partial constant mesh |
| Clutch | Single clutch | Single |
| Gearbox | 6 Forward +2 Reverse | 9 Forward + 3 Reverse |
| Forward Speed | 23.9 kmph | 23.95 kmph |
| Reverse Speed | 12.92 kmph | — |
| Brakes | ||
| Brake Type | Mechanical | Oil immersed brakes |
| PTO | ||
| PTO Type | Multi Speed PTO | Live, Six splined shaft, Two-speed PTO |
| PTO RPM | 575 /848/ 1463 | 540 RPM @ 2450/1750 ERPM |
| PTO Power (HP) | 10.3 HP | NA |
| Hydraulics | ||
| Lifting Capacity (Kg) | 650 Kg | 750 KG |
| 3 Point Linkage | ADDC | Draft, position and response control Links fitted with CAT-I (Combi Ball) |
| Steering | ||
| Steering Type | Mechanical/Worm and screw type ,with single drop arm | Power steering |
| Steering Column | Worm and screw type ,with single drop arm | — |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Total Weight (Kg) | 820 KG | — |
| Wheelbase (MM) | 1420 MM | 1550 MM |
| Overall Length (MM) | 2580 MM | 2870 MM |
| Overall Width (MM) | 1110 MM | 1140 MM |
| Ground Clearance (MM) | 200 MM | — |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | 31.5 litre | 23 litre |
| Wheels & Tyres | ||
| Wheel Drive | 4 WD | 4 WD |
| Front Tyre | 5.00 X 12 | 5.00 x 12 / 180/85D12 |
| Rear Tyre | 8.00 X 18 | 8.3 x 20 |
| Other | ||
| Warranty | 2000 Hours Or 2 Year | NA |
| Accessories | TOOL, TOPLINK, CANOPY, HOOK, BUMPER, DRARBAR | Tipping trailer kit, swinging draw bar, company fitted drawbar, hitch rails, top link |
Related comparisons
- Sonalika GT 20 vs Powertrac Steeltrac 15
- Sonalika GT 20 vs Mahindra Yuvraj 215 NXT
- Sonalika GT 20 vs Farmtrac Steeltrac 18
- Farmtrac Steeltrac 18 vs Eicher 280 Plus 4WD
- Sonalika GT 20 vs Powertrac Steeltrac 18
- Powertrac Steeltrac 18 vs Eicher 280 Plus 4WD
- Sonalika GT 20 vs VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT
- VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT vs Eicher 280 Plus 4WD
Compare other models
Build your own side-by-side comparison of any two tractors in the catalogue.
Open the comparison tool