HEAD-TO-HEAD EQUIPMENT SHOWDOWN

CaseIH Steiger 385QT vs Fendt 728 Vario

Specification differential, power-to-weight analysis, hydraulic benchmarks, and equipment decision guidance.

Different Measurement ProtocolsMeasurement standard or power basis is unspecified for one or both machines.
CaseIH
Spec Winner

CaseIH Steiger 385QT

Category: Farm

CaseIH Steiger 385QT
TRACTORCOMPARE.COM
Power385 HP
Weight48,150lbs
Pump Flow40gpm
Fendt

Fendt 728 Vario

Category: Farm • Production: 2023 -

Fendt 728 Vario
TRACTORCOMPARE.COM
Power296.4 HP
Weight21,275lbs
Pump Flow31.7gpm

Decisive Performance Differentials

  • CaseIH Steiger 385QT provides +26,875 lbs more unballasted traction mass
  • CaseIH Steiger 385QT provides +8.3 gpm higher base hydraulic flow (+26.2%)

Multi-Axis Capability Radar

Normalized 5-pillar operational benchmark comparison

CaseIH Steiger 385QT
Fendt 728 Vario
Engine PowerBallast MassHydraulicsDisplacementGear Versatility
Engine PowerRated Horsepower
385 HPvs296.4 HP
Ballast MassOperating Weight
48,150 lbsvs21,275 lbs
HydraulicsStandard Flow
40 gpmvs31.7 gpm
DisplacementEngine Liters
12.9 Lvs7.5 L
Gear VersatilitySpeeds / Range
16F / 2RvsCVT / Standard

Head-to-Head Specification Differential

Side-by-side technical parameters with calculated delta advantage & percent differentials

SpecificationCaseIH Steiger 385QTFendt 728 VarioAdvantage Delta
Power & Output
Rated Engine Horsepower
385 HP
296.4 HP
-
PTO Horsepower (Tested)
339 HP
N/A
-
Traction Density Ratio
8 HP/1k lbs
13.9 HP/1k lbs
13.9 vs 8 HP / 1,000 lb (higher transport agility)
Dimensions & Weight
Base Operating Weight
48,150 lbs
21,275 lbs
+126.3%+26,875 lbs heavier
Engine Specs
Displacement
12.9 L
7.5 L
+5.4L larger displacement
Cylinders
6 Cylinders
6 Cylinders
-
Hydraulics & Implements
Standard Hydraulic Pump Flow
40 gpm
31.7 gpm
+26.2%+8.3 gpm flow
Rear SCV Remotes (Standard)
4 Valves
1 Valves
+3 extra standard remote circuits
3-Point Hitch Category
Category 4N
Category II
-
Chassis & Drivetrain
Drive Configuration
Unknown
4WD
-
Transmission System
Mechanical / PowerShift
continuously-variable transmission
-
✓Specifications independently cross-referenced with official OECD & Nebraska test codes.
Official Engineering Test Reports

Buyer Decision Export Tools

Export side-by-side data for forums, Excel spreadsheets, or dealer negotiations

AI MATCHUP ARBITER & FIELD WORKLOAD ADVISOR

Operational Field Verdict Matrix

Algorithmic suitability assessment cross-referencing Nebraska draft tests against four agricultural workloads.

Real-time Engineering Synthesis

Primary Tillage & Deep Chisel Plowing

CaseIH Recommended

CaseIH delivers higher base frame ballast (+26,875 lbs) to minimize tire wheel slip under deep draft implement drag.

Tractive efficiency in heavy soil depends heavily on static axle load rather than pure unballasted horsepower.

Large-Scale Air Seeding & Hydraulic Drills

CaseIH Recommended

CaseIH offers continuous high-capacity hydraulic flow (40 gpm, +8.3 gpm advantage), effortlessly sustaining fan motors and down-pressure circuits simultaneously.

Variable-rate air carts require independent remote valve pressure regulation without starving steering hydraulics.

Road Hauling & Grain Cart Chase Duty

Fendt Recommended

Fendt 728 Vario offers superior 13.93 HP/1,000 lb agility, reducing road fuel overhead on rapid grain bin transit cycles.

Higher agility power-to-weight ratios dramatically improve turnaround times during peak harvesting windows.

Soil Compaction & Wet Ground Flotation

Fendt Recommended

Fendt 728 Vario features a lighter footprint (-26,875 lbs), mitigating subsoil compaction and preserving soil porosity.

Preserving soil porosity and preventing hardpan buildup saves diesel fuel in subsequent years.
Fleet Manager Recommendation

Select CaseIH Steiger 385QT for superior tractive frame ballast and engine power reserves and hydraulic flow capacity across evaluated field tasks.

Evidence Coverage85%Empirical Spec Depth

Decision Analysis & Editorial Verdict

Engine Decision Verdict

CaseIH Steiger 385QT holds the specification advantage across verified metrics, led by higher rated horsepower. For heavy field draft tasks, evaluate Steiger 385QT; for operations sensitive to operating costs or implement compatibility, Fendt 728 Vario remains a direct benchmark contender.

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COMMERCIAL MACHINERY DECISION TOOL

Equipment Financing & Monthly Payment Estimator

Model cash flows, estimated installment burdens, and financing differentials for agricultural leases or loans.

Zero Credit Impact Estimate
$
Financed: $312,000 after down payment
$
Financed: $312,000 after down payment
Down Payment20%
0%20% (Standard)50%
Annual APR5.99%
Financing Term Duration (Months)
Estimated Monthly Payment Differential
CaseIH Steiger 385QT$6,030 /mo
60 payments$361,800 total
Fendt 728 Vario$6,030 /mo
60 payments$361,800 total
Estimated Monthly Delta:$0 /mo savings

*Indicative estimates based on standard Tier-1 agricultural commercial rates. Taxes, freight, attachments, and insurance not included.

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