VST 918 4WD vs Eicher 280 Plus 4WD
Comparing the VST 918 4WD and the Eicher 280 Plus 4WD — the Eicher 280 Plus 4WD carries 7.5 HP more, and the VST 918 4WD is about ₹1.26 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 918 4WD is roughly ₹1.26 lakh cheaper ex-showroom — about 24% 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
Near-identical hydraulics — VST 918 4WD at 750/500 KG, Eicher 280 Plus 4WD at 750 KG. Both will carry the same implements.
Engine
The VST 918 4WD 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
VST 918 4WD: 8 Forward + 2 Reverse/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 (Dry Brake vs Oil immersed brakes). 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.
- Tightest budget, or if none of the above apply to you: the VST 918 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 | VST 918 4WD | Eicher 280 Plus 4WD |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹4.01 - ₹4.4 Lakh* | ₹5.27 - ₹5.32 Lakh* |
| Engine | ||
| Cylinders | 3 | 2 |
| Engine RPM | 2700 | NA |
| HP | — | 26 HP |
| Displacement (CC) | — | 1290 CC |
| Cooling System | — | Water Cooled |
| Battery | — | 12 V 65 Ah |
| Transmission | ||
| Clutch | SINGLE DRY FRICTION PLATE | Single |
| Gearbox | 8 Forward + 2 Reverse/6 Forward + 2 Reverse | 9 Forward + 3 Reverse |
| Transmission Type | — | Side shift Partial constant mesh |
| Forward Speed | — | 23.95 kmph |
| Brakes | ||
| Brake Type | Dry Brake | Oil immersed brakes |
| PTO | ||
| PTO Power (HP) | NA | NA |
| PTO Type | — | Live, Six splined shaft, Two-speed PTO |
| PTO RPM | — | 540 RPM @ 2450/1750 ERPM |
| Hydraulics | ||
| Lifting Capacity (Kg) | 750/500 KG | 750 KG |
| 3 Point Linkage | — | Draft, position and response control Links fitted with CAT-I (Combi Ball) |
| Steering | ||
| Steering Type | NA | Power steering |
| Wheels & Tyres | ||
| Wheel Drive | 4 WD | 4 WD |
| Front Tyre | — | 5.00 x 12 / 180/85D12 |
| Rear Tyre | — | 8.3 x 20 |
| Other | ||
| Warranty | NA | NA |
| Accessories | — | Tipping trailer kit, swinging draw bar, company fitted drawbar, hitch rails, top link |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Wheelbase (MM) | — | 1550 MM |
| Overall Length (MM) | — | 2870 MM |
| Overall Width (MM) | — | 1140 MM |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | — | 23 litre |
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