llegr
FUR ENTIA ON
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PRO
.
30
CHAPTER - III
PRODUCT DIFFERENTIATION AMONG DIFFERENT
COMPANY TRACTORS
There are about 1410 company tractors in the Indian tractor market. Out
of this, five companies are of recent origin. The companies which
manufacture tractors differentiate their products themselves in various
ways. However, the uses of the tractors are mostly the same. The
tractor of one company is not entirely different from others but only
differentiated. So, the product differentiation gives a scope to examine
the common features of tractors and distinctive features so as to analyse
the buyers' preference towards tractors. Hence, in this chapter, an
attempt has been made to examine the various common features and
distinctive features among different company tractors.
Mahindra & Mahmdra, Massy Fëiguson, New Halland Ford, Escort,
Swaraj, Eicher, Sonalika International, HMT, Hindustan,
(new five companies) Tempo OX, Standard Tractors, Indo Farm,
John-Deer and Same Greaves.
31
COMMON FEATURES AMONG COMPANY TRACTORS
The word tractor is derived from Latin word "traction" which means
"Tractor". It is basically a prime mover, which generates power for
driving or pulling other attachment. As tractor is self explanatory in its
functions, there are various purposes for which a tractor is used.
Though there are many company tractors and product differentiations
not only between companies but also among one's own company tractors
in terms of horse powers, models, names, etc., the purposes of using
tractor are not significantly differ. The purposes of using tractor are
being described as common features for the purpose of this study. The
table 3.1 explains the common features among various company
tractors. The common features among all company tractors are as
follows.
i.
Purpose of ploughing
Purpose of Disc ploughing
Purpose of attaching cage wheels
iv.
Meant for multiuse
v.
Attached with compressor
vi.
Can be Used for Tillering
vii.
Can be attached with Terracer
viii.
Can be used for pumping water
ix.
Loader attachment
x.
Tipping and non-tipping trailors can be attached and
xi.
Tyre size.
32
TABLE 3.1
TABLE SHOWING COMMON FEATURES AMONG VARIOUS COMPANY
TRACTORS.
Common
features
among
Tractors
Ploughing
Disc
Ploughing
Cage wheels
Multi-uses.
Compressor
Tillering
Terracer
Blade
Ridger
Water Pump
Front and
Loader
attachment
Tipping I
Non-tipping
trailer
Tyre size
Easy
maintenance
Mahin- Massy New
Swaraj Escort Escort Eicher Sonalika HMT
dra
Fergu- Holland
Form Power
Interson
Ford
Tarc
Tarc
national
Min.HP/
Max.HP
Min.HP/
Max.HP
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
Min.HP/
Max.HP
Min.HP /
Max.HP
Hindus
tan
Min.HP/
Max.HP
Min.HP
Max.HP
Min.HP
Max.HP
Min.HP
Max.HP
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
,./
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
I
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
I
V
V
V
V
I
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
I
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
I
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
V
Source: Primary data
Min.HP
Max.HP
Min.HP
Max.HP
33
DISTINCTIVE FEATURES
Through the various company tractors possess the common features
there are also distinctive features in between two company tractors. The
distinctive features are explained company-wise. The distinctive features
differentiate a company tractor from other companies.
Mahindra 86 Mahindra Limited
•Mahindra & Mahindra Limited, a Mumbai based company was the
forerunners in manufacturing tractors in India. The company was
established in 1945. In 1963 the company was incorporated as
International Tractor Company of India Limited. In the beginning it was
a monopolistic undertaking in manufacturing tractors. In course of time
competition in tractor manufacturing and distribution grow from
strength to strength. To face the competition and widen the market the
International Tractor Company of India Limited used to differentiate its
tractors. In the Tractor market, there is not only International Tracii
Company Limited, but also several other companies before the buyers
and users of tractors. There are many company tractors in general and
different model of tractors of a company in particular.
34
The International Tractor Company of India Limited and its tractor by
name International tractors are very popular in Salem, Namakkal and
Erode Districts. At present the Mahindra 86 Mahindra Limited has three
models (viz. Mahindra Sarpanch, Mahindra Bhoomiputra and Mahindra
Arjun) and differentiation within models in terms of horsepower, etc.
By Mahindra Sarpanch there are tractors in 30, 39, 42, 45 and 50
horsepowers. By Mahindra Bhoomiputra model there are tractors in 25,
30, 35, 39, 42 and 45 horsepowers. By Mahindra Arjun tractor there are
45 and 60 horsepowers. The distinctive features of Mahindra Sarpanch
are shown in Table 3.2. Mahindra Bhoomiputra is shown in Table 3.3
and Mahindra Arjun in Table 3.4. The above said three models of
Mahindra 86 Mahindra Limited are differentiated distinctively in terms of
horsepowers.
35
TABLE 3.2
TABLE SHOWING DISTINCTIVE FEATURES IN
MAHINDRA SARPANCH MODEL
Name
Mahindra
Sarpanch
265 D1
Mahindra
Sarpanch
B-275 D1
Mahindra
Sarpanch
475 D1
Mahindra
Sarpanch
575 D1
Mahindra
Sarpanch
585 D1
Horse
Power
No. of
Cylinders
30
3
1788
39
3
42
Cubic
Rated
Capacity Engine
(cc)
Speed
(rpm)
Hydraulic
lifting
capacity
@ hitch
point
(Kgs)
Fuel
Tank
Capacity
(litres)
Possibility
of front
wheel
Jumb in
sudden
upward
direction
2300
1000
50
Yes
1892
2300
1000
55
Yes
4
2384
2300
1640
55
Yes
45
4
2523
2300
1640
55
Yes
50
4
2523
2600
1640
55
Yes
Source: Primary Data
36
TABLE 3.3
TABLE SHOWING DISTINCTIVE FEATURES IN
MAHINDRA BHOOMIPUTRA MODEL
Horse
Power
No. of
Cylinders
25
2
1365
2400
30
3
1788
35
3
39
Fuel
Tank
Capacity
(litres)
Possibility
of front
wheel
Jumb in
sudden
upward
direction
1000
50
Yes
2300
1000
50
Yes
1895
2300
1200
55
Yes
3
1892
2300
1240
50
Yes
42
4
2384
2300
1400
55
Yes
45
4
2523
2300
1640
57
Yes
Name
Mahindra
Bhoomiputra
255 D1
Mahindra
Bhoomiputra
265 D1
Mahindra.
Bhoomiputra
B-275 D1
Mahindra
Bhoomiputra
B-275 D1TU
Mahindra
Bhoomiputra
475 D1
Mahindra
Bhoomiputra
57 5-li 1
Cubic
Rated Hydraulic
Capacity Engine
lifting
(cc)
Speed capacity
(rpm)
@ hitch
point
(Kgs)
Source: Primary Data
37
TABLE 3.4
TABLE SHOWING DISTINCTIVE FEATURES IN
MAHINDRA ARJUN MODEL
Horse
Power
No. of
Cylinders
Name
Cubic
Rated
Capacity Engine
(cc)
Speed
(rpm)
Hydraulic
lifting
capacity
@ hitch
point
(Kgs)
Fuel
Tank
Capacity
(litres)
,
Mahindra
Arjun
455 D1
45
3
Possibility
of front
wheel
Jumb in
sudden
upward
direction
2394
2100
1200
55
Yes
3193
2100
1800
58
Yes
— --Mahindra
Arjun
605 D1
60
Source: Primary Data
4
38
MASSY FERGUSON
The brand name Massy Ferguson and TAFEll has five different models of
tractors as shown in Table 3.5. The Massy Ferguson and TAFE
differentiates its products mostly in terms of horsepowers.
TABLE 3.5
TABLE SHOWING DISTINCTIVE FEATURES IN
MASSEY FERGUSON
Horse
Power
No. of
Cylinders
Cubic
Capacity
(cc)
Rated
Engine
Speed
(rpm)
Fuel
Tank
Capacity
(litres)
Possibility
of front
wheel
Jumb in
sudden
upward
direction
Ground
Clearance
(mm)
TAFE-30 Dl-J
31.4
3
1788
1400
47
No
320
TAFE-1035 D1-J
36.5
3
2365
1400
47
No
320
TAFE-241 D1
(Eagle)
40.0
3
2400
2000
47
No
320
47.65
3
2500
1400
47
No
340
Name
TAFE-245D1-J
Source: Primary Data
11
Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited is a member of Amalgamation
groups and it manufactures tractors by name Massy Ferguson and
TAFE.
39
NEW HOLLAND FORD
The brand name Ford tractor has been changed into New Holland Ford 12
Since 1998. These are three different models of tractors under the brand
name New Holland Ford. The tractors are mostly differentiated in terms
of horsepower.
TABLE 3.6
TABLE SHOWING DISTINCTIVE FEATURES IN
NEW HOLLAND FORD
Horse
Power
No. of
Cylinders
Cubic
Capacity
(cc)
Name
Rated
Engine
Speed
(rpm)
Fuel
Tank
Capacity
(litres)
Possibility
of front
wheel
Jumb in
sudden
upward
direction
Ground
Clearance
(mm)
.
New Holland
Ford
3230
42
3
2500
2500
62
No
430
New Holland
Ford
3630
50
3
2710
2500
62
No
430
New Holland
Ford
5630
70
4
3613
2500
62
No
532
Source: Primary Data
12
New Holland Ford Tractor are manufactured by New Holland Tractors
(India) Private Limited.
40
SWARAJ
The Punjab Tractors Limited was the India's first large scale project
based on totally indigenous design, know-how and technology. The
company was promoted by Punjab State Industrial . Development
Corporation with the support of the Central Government and Public
financial institutions. The factory is located at Sahibzeda Ajit Singh
Nagar near Chandigarh. Having established Swaraj in the Indian
market, Punjab Tractors Limited made a determined start in 1978 to
establish itself in the international market. Punjab Tractors Limited
have been manufacturing different model and horsepowers, namely
Swaraj 735FE, Swaraj 744FE, Swaraj 855 and mostly differentiated in
tractors of horsepowers.
41
TABLE 3.7
TABLE SHOWING DISTINCTIVE FEATURES IN
SWARAJ
Horse
Power
No. of
Cylinders
Cubic
Capacity
(cc)
Rated
Engine
Speed
(rpm)
Fuel
Tank
Capacity
(litres)
Name
Possibility
Ground
Clearance
of front
(mm)
wheel
Jumb in
sudden
upward
direction
Swaraj
FE
735
39
3
2592
2000
43
No
400
Swaraj
FE
744
48
3
3136
2000
43
No
400
55
3
3308
2000
43
No
400
Swaraj 855
Source: Primary Data
42
ESCORTS
Another major player in the tractor market is Escort Limited. The
company introduced new models and new names of the tractor under the
brand name Farm Trac and Power Trac. Escort Limited introduced
tractors as Escort 355MD (29.5 Horsepower), Escort 340D1(33.9
Horsepower) and Escort 355 (38.2 Horsepower). The new model Farm
Trac and Power Trac was introduced with a capacity of 60 Horsepower.
Escorts Limited distinguished their tractors mostly in terms of
Horsepowers.
43
TABLE 3.8
TABLE SHOWING DISTINCTIVE FEATURES IN
ESCORTS
Horse
Power
No. of
Cylinders
Cubic
Capacity
(cc)
Rated
Engine
Speed
(rpm)
Fuel
Tank
Capacity
(litres)
Possibility
of front
wheel
Jumb in
sudden
upward
direction
Ground
Clearance
(mm)
Escort 355 MD -
29.5
2
2200
1960
50
No
320
Escort 340 D1
33.9
3
2200
2727
50
No
320
Escort 355
38.2
3
2300
2900
50
No
320
Escort 360
60
4
2500
3200
52
No
340
Name
Source: Primary; Data
44
EICHER
Eicher Tractor was introduced in the Indian market as an imported
tractor. The Good Earth Company imported the Eicher tractors in India.
Later the Good Earth Company established a private company by name
Eicher Tractor Corporation of India in 1959. The Eicher tractors are in
six different models as has been shown in Table 3.9. Further, Eicher
Tractor Corporation of India entered into a collaboration with Valtra Inc.
of Finland and introduced 61 horsepower tractors. The Eicher Tractor
Corporation of India also distinguished its tractors in terms of
horsepowers.
45
TABLE 3.9
TABLE SHOWING DISTINCTIVE FEATURES IN
EICHER
Horse
Power
No. of
Cylinders
Cubic
Capacity
(cc)
Rated
Engine
Speed
(rpm)
Fuel
Tank
Capacity
(litres)
Possibility
of front
wheel
Jumb in
sudden
upward
direction
Ground
Clearance
(mm)
Eicher 242
24
1
2300
1558
34.
Yes
320
Eicher' 312
30
2
2300
1790
34
Yes
320
Eicher 364
35
2
2300
1963
34
Yes
320
Eicher 368
35
3
2300
2700
34
No
320
Eicher 485
42
3
2200
2440
38
No
320
Eicher 6100
61
4
2400
3200
45
No
380
Name
Source: Primary Data
46
SONALIKA INTERNATIONAL
The International Tractors Limited and Renault Agriculture Finance
introduced a new tractor by name Sonalika. In India, in Punjab, the
Sonalika tractors are manufactured. There are 6 models as has been
shown in Table 3.10. The Sonalika tractors are distinguished in terms of
horsepowers.
47
TABLE 3.10
TABLE SHOWING DISTINCTIVE FEATURES IN
SONALIKA INTERNATIONAL
Horse
Power
No. of
Cylinders
Rated
Engine
Speed
(rpm)
Cubic
Capacity
(cc)
Fuel
Tank
Capacity
(litres)
Ground
Clearance
(mm)
Hydraulic
lifting
capacity
@ hitch
point
(Kgs)
Possibility
of front
wheel
Jumb in
sudden
upward
direction
30
2
2000
1670
57
380
1200
No
32
3
2250
1788
57
380
1200
No
40
3
2000
2400
57
380
1200
No
50
3
2250
2500
57
445
1200
No
50
4
2200
3120
67
420
1200
No
220
3456
67
420
1200
No
2200
3456
67
460
1200
No
Name
Sonalika
International
730
Sonalika
International
732
Sonalika
International
740
Sonalika
International
750
Sonalika
International
750
Sonalika
International
755
Sonalika
International
760
.
4
60
.
60
•
4
Source: Primary Data
48
HMT
The HMT tractors are in seven different models and all are distinguished
in term of horsepower as has been shown in Table 3.11.
TABLE 3.11
TABLE SHOWING DISTINCTIVE FEATURES IN
HMT
Horse
Power
No. of
Cylinders
Rated
Engine
Speed
(rpm)
Cubic
Capacity
(cc)
Fuel
Tank
Capacity
(litres)
Ground
Clearance
(mm)
Possibility
of front
wheel
Jumb in
sudden
upward
direction
HMT 2522
25
2
2200
1560
40
320
No
HMT 3022
30
3
2300
1620
40
320
No
HMT 3511
35
3
2370
1900
38.5
320
No
HMT 3522
CS
50
4
2500
2340
44
340
No
HMT 4511
50
4
2500
2340
64
420
No
HMT 4922
58
4
3460
3461
80
420
No
HMT 7511
75
4
3560
3500
80
430
No
Name
Source: Primary Data
49
HINDUSTAN
The Hindustan tractors are in four different models and all are
distinguished in term of horsepower as has been shown in Table 3.12.
TABLE 3.12
TABLE SHOWING DISTINCTIVE FEATURES IN
HINDUSTAN
Horse
Power
No. of
Cylinders
Rated
Engine
Speed
(rpm)
Cubic
Capacity
(cc)
Fuel
Tank
Capacity
(litres)
Ground
Clearance
(mm)
Hindustan
3695
35
2
2320
1700
40
310
Hindustan
3800
50
3
2500
2340
40
320
Hindustan
4100
58
4
2820
3062
45
400
Hindustan
4150
70
4
3430
3400
50
415
Name
Source: Primary Data
50
CONCLUSION
There are about 14 companies manufacturing and distributing tractors
in India. There is product differentiation even within a companies'
production. In spite of product differentiation among company tractors
an even within company there are many common features among
tractors. The common features are in terms of purpose for which a
tractor is to be bought. There are also distinctive features which are
technical in nature but mostly the tractors are differentiated in terms of
horsepowers.