VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT vs Eicher 280 Plus 4WD
Comparing the VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT and the Eicher 280 Plus 4WD — the Eicher 280 Plus 4WD carries 9 HP more, and the VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT is about ₹1.72 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 171 DI - SAMRAAT is roughly ₹1.72 lakh cheaper ex-showroom — about 33% 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 MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT at 750 Kg, Eicher 280 Plus 4WD at 750 KG. Both will carry the same implements.
2WD or 4WD
This is the biggest practical split between the two. The Eicher 280 Plus 4WD is four-wheel drive; the VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT 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 VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT.
Engine
The Eicher 280 Plus 4WD runs 2 cylinders against the VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT's 1. 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 MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT: 8 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.
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 Eicher 280 Plus 4WD, because it is four-wheel drive. On dry level land the VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT does the same work for less.
- Tightest budget, or if none of the above apply to you: the VST MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT. 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 MT 171 DI - SAMRAAT | Eicher 280 Plus 4WD |
|---|---|---|
| Ex-showroom price | ₹3.55 - ₹3.71 Lakh* | ₹5.27 - ₹5.32 Lakh* |
| Engine | ||
| HP | 17 HP | 26 HP |
| Cylinders | 1 | 2 |
| Displacement (CC) | 857 CC | 1290 CC |
| Engine RPM | 2400 RPM | NA |
| Air Filter | Dry typte | — |
| Cooling System | Water cooled | Water Cooled |
| Torque | 54 NM | — |
| Battery | — | 12 V 65 Ah |
| Transmission | ||
| Clutch | SINGLE DRY FRICTION PLATE | Single |
| Gearbox | 8 Forward + 2 Reverse | 9 Forward + 3 Reverse |
| Forward Speed | 1.97-24.31 kmph | 23.95 kmph |
| Reverse Speed | 1.97-24.31 kmph | — |
| Transmission Type | — | Side shift Partial constant mesh |
| Brakes | ||
| Brake Type | Oil immersed brakes | Oil immersed brakes |
| PTO | ||
| PTO Type | SINGLE SPEED PTO | Live, Six splined shaft, Two-speed PTO |
| PTO RPM | 540@1900 | 540 RPM @ 2450/1750 ERPM |
| PTO Power (HP) | 13 HP | NA |
| Hydraulics | ||
| Lifting Capacity (Kg) | 750 Kg | 750 KG |
| 3 Point Linkage | — | Draft, position and response control Links fitted with CAT-I (Combi Ball) |
| Steering | ||
| Steering Type | MANUAL/POWER | Power steering |
| Dimensions & Weight | ||
| Total Weight (Kg) | 798 KG | — |
| Wheelbase (MM) | 1456 MM | 1550 MM |
| Overall Length (MM) | 2315 MM | 2870 MM |
| Overall Width (MM) | 910 MM | 1140 MM |
| Ground Clearance (MM) | 280 MM | — |
| Turning Radius | 2300 MM | — |
| Fuel Tank Capacity (L) | 18 litre | 23 litre |
| Wheels & Tyres | ||
| Wheel Drive | 2 WD | 4 WD |
| Front Tyre | 5.25 X 14 | 5.00 x 12 / 180/85D12 |
| Rear Tyre | 8.00 X 18 | 8.3 x 20 |
| Other | ||
| Warranty | N/A | NA |
| Accessories | TOOL, TOPLINK, CANOPY, HOOK, BUMPER, DRAWBAR | Tipping trailer kit, swinging draw bar, company fitted drawbar, hitch rails, top link |
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