VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT vs Eicher 241
Comparing the VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT and the Eicher 241 — the Eicher 241 carries 8 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.
PTO power — the number that matters
Engine horsepower is the headline; PTO horsepower is what actually turns a rotavator or a thresher. Here the Eicher 241 delivers 8.3 HP more at the PTO (VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT: 13 HP, Eicher 241: 21.3 HP). That is roughly the difference between comfortably running a wider rotavator and working the engine hard to do it.
Lifting capacity
The Eicher 241 lifts 210 kg more (VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT: 750 Kg, Eicher 241: 960 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
VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT: 8 Forward + 2 Reverse. Eicher 241: 5 Forward + 1 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 Eicher 241 is about 842 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 VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT will compact less and sink less.
Other differences
They also differ on steering (MANUAL/POWER vs Mechanical 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
Taken together the Eicher 241 leads on more of the dimensions that affect day-to-day work. It is the safer pick unless the VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT is meaningfully cheaper for you after the dealer quote.
- Wide rotavator, thresher or heavy PTO work: the Eicher 241 — it has the PTO horsepower to hold speed under load.
- Heavy mounted implements: the Eicher 241, which has the hydraulics to carry them.
- Loaded trolley and haulage: the Eicher 241 — the extra weight helps it brake and hold a load on a gradient.
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 MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT | Eicher 241 |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹3.55 - ₹3.71 Lakh* | ₹3.6 - ₹4.15 Lakh* |
| Engine | ||
| HP | 17 HP | 25 HP |
| Cylinders | 1 | 1 |
| Displacement (CC) | 857 CC | 1557 CC |
| Engine RPM | 2400 RPM | 1650 RPM |
| Air Filter | Dry typte | Oil bath type |
| Cooling System | Water cooled | Air cooled |
| Torque | 54 NM | — |
| Battery | — | 12 V 88 Ah |
| Transmission | ||
| Clutch | SINGLE DRY FRICTION PLATE | Single clutch |
| Gearbox | 8 Forward + 2 Reverse | 5 Forward + 1 Reverse |
| Forward Speed | 1.97-24.31 kmph | 25.48 kmph |
| Reverse Speed | 1.97-24.31 kmph | — |
| Transmission Type | — | Center shift Sliding mesh |
| Brakes | ||
| Brake Type | Oil immersed brakes | Drum Brake, Dry Disc Brake (Optional) , Drum Oil Immersed Brakes (Optional) |
| PTO | ||
| PTO Type | SINGLE SPEED PTO | Live, Six splined shaft |
| PTO RPM | 540@1900 | 540RPM @ 1715 ERPM |
| PTO Power (HP) | 13 HP | 21.3 HP |
| Hydraulics | ||
| Lifting Capacity (Kg) | 750 Kg | 960 Kg |
| 3 Point Linkage | — | Draft, Position and Response control Links fitted with CAT-2 (Combi Ball) |
| Steering | ||
| Steering Type | MANUAL/POWER | Mechanical Steering/ |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Total Weight (Kg) | 798 KG | 1640 KG |
| Wheelbase (MM) | 1456 MM | 1895 MM |
| Overall Length (MM) | 2315 MM | 3160 MM |
| Overall Width (MM) | 910 MM | 1640 MM |
| Ground Clearance (MM) | 280 MM | 410 MM |
| Turning Radius | 2300 MM | 3040 MM |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | 18 litre | 35 litre |
| Wheels & Tyres | ||
| Wheel Drive | 2 WD | 2 WD |
| Front Tyre | 5.25 X 14 | 6.00 X 16 |
| Rear Tyre | 8.00 X 18 | 12.4 X 28 |
| Other | ||
| Warranty | N/A | 1 Year |
| Accessories | TOOL, TOPLINK, CANOPY, HOOK, BUMPER, DRAWBAR | Tipping trailer kit, Drawbar, Top link |
| Additional Features | — | High fuel efficiency, Steering Lock |
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