VST begins production of 4WD mini-tractor at new Hosur plant

Bangalore-based tractor maker VST Tillers Tractors has launched a four-wheel- drive 22hp mini-tractor, developed in collaboration with Mitsubishi, and started manufacturing it at its new plant in Hosur, neaer Bangalore.

BCS Iyengar, executive director of VST Tillers Tractors, claims the tractor is India’s first 4WD tractor. Christened ‘VST Mitsubishi Shakti VT 224’, the new tractor can be used on both wet and dry terrain.

With a three-cylinder, four-stroke engine, the vehicle’s fuel system compartment consists of a 18-litre tank for high-speed diesel oil and three-stage oil bath air cleaner. Its lighting system is supported by 12 volts, 35 watts lighting, 12 volts 40 amps alternator and 12 volts quick heat-type glow plug.

Besides transportation, the tractor can also be useful for puddling operations, multi-board plough, loosening of soil and removal of crop roots. The tractor can cultivate four acres a day and carryout spraying operation in 16 acres a day.

VST Tiller Tractors current sells a range of products in India and its 18.5hp VST Shakti MT 180D tractor is quite popular in the Indian farm sector. Another variant called Eurotrac is exported to some European countries. In 2013-14, the company manufactured and sold around 7,400 tractors.

The company is the market leader in the power tiller segment with the sales of 27,000 tillers in 2013-14. This year, it has targeted sales of 30,000 power tillers.

According to Iyengar, initially the company plans to manufacture 10,000 tractors in the first year of operations at the new plant comprising the existing MT 180D tractor along with its newly launched 4WD tractor.

In addition, the company also makes components for tillers and tractors at its Mysore plant. In 2013-14, the company posted Rs 620 crore in turnover of which  around 60 percent was from the tiller segment and 30-35 percent from the tractor segment, the balance coming from spare parts. The target for the next two years is crossing the Rs 1,000 crore mark.