Tractor T-54: technical characteristics

The T 54 tractor is a narrow-gauge tracked vehicle, produced since 1967 at the Chisinau Tractor Manufacturing Enterprise. The main task of the unit is to work in the vineyards. In addition to working in vineyards, the machine can cultivate planted crops with a row spacing of 150 cm. The machines are supplied to farms where they cultivate the soil in a garden, vineyard, or small field. Tractor Bolgar T 54 is a machine that was designed based on the capabilities and structure of the Minsk MTZ-50 tractor. The updated elements are: a built-in unit rotation system, a new chassis system, cladding and driver's cabin.

About the manufacturer

The Chisinau Tractor Assembly Plant was founded in 1961, on the basis (which in 1945-1958 was called the Chisinau Engine Repair Plant). The enterprise specialized in the production of tractors for gardening and viticulture, sugar beet plantations and other vegetables. The first serial Moldovan tractor - T-50V - rolled off the KTZ assembly line in September 1962.

In 1964, the thousandth Chisinau tractor was produced, and in 1978 – the hundred thousandth. At the peak of its development, KTZ produced more than 13 thousand tractors per year, and the company employed 5 thousand people. The lightweight, compact and maneuverable T-54 was quickly appreciated by farms involved in viticulture, gardening and vegetable growing, and it became widespread - both in the USSR and abroad.

The T-54V tractor was also noted for the fact that from 1975 to 1977 it worked on a polar expedition at the Soviet drifting station “North Pole-23”.

After the T-54, the T-70 tractor became the most popular model of the enterprise in the second half of the 1970s. Like the T-54, it was produced in several modifications, adapted to special working conditions in gardens, vineyards, vegetable plantations, and forestry. Moldovan tractors could be seen throughout the Soviet Union, as well as in Austria, Algeria, Bulgaria, Hungary, the GDR, and France.

In 1966, the Chisinau Tractor Assembly Plant was renamed into the Chisinau Tractor Plant Production Association, and in 1995 - into the TRACOM Joint Stock Company. In total, from 1962 to 2008 (when the enterprise was finally liquidated), KTZ produced 257,635 tractors. The last one was made in October 2008.

Brotherly help

Both in the development and in the implementation of the T-54V into production, the employees of the Chisinau plant were assisted by Minsk specialists.
In 1960, MTZ opened 84 schools for colleagues, where tractor manufacturing innovators taught workers advanced labor methods. More than 900 employees of the Chisinau plant successfully completed the courses. The enterprise itself was also actively developing at this time. Several new workshops and sections were put into operation: KTZ could now independently supply itself with gears, which it produced 7 million pieces per year. A number of areas were opened for processing, assembly and painting of main components and other parts. A special pilot production workshop produced experimental samples of new tractors. This is where their tests took place.

The T-54V tractor was produced not only for the domestic needs of the country, but also for export. It gained particular popularity in Bulgaria, which is dotted with many vineyards.

The USSR helped its neighbor build its first own tractor plant in the city of Karlovo, which produced about 15 thousand vehicles per year. The development of T-54B production in Bulgaria began even before the first vehicle rolled off the Chisinau assembly line. In 1965, the designers handed over all the drawings of the new model to the Karlovsky plant. Documentation for subsequent changes and improvements was also sent from the Moldovan enterprise to the Bulgarian one.

The interaction between the two factories was not limited to correspondence. First, a group of specialists from Chisinau visited Karlovo to help their colleagues implement the new machine. For this they were even awarded the title of shock workers of communist labor of the People's Republic of Bulgaria. Later, the Karlovo delegation visited the Chisinau plant to learn from the best practices of the company’s employees.

The first T-54B tractor in Bulgaria was produced in July 1968. Just a year later, production had tripled. Subsequently, the Karlovsky plant provided all CMEA countries with vineyard tractors.

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Chassis

The chassis system consisted of two tracked vehicles with four road wheels each, and was arranged as follows. 2 support rollers, 2 guides, 2 drive wheels, track chain and suspension. The caterpillar track was made up of 31 links, which were connected one to another with fingers. Split spring bushings were pressed into the eyelets of the links.

The track rollers were equipped with rolling bearings, and lubricant was supplied centrally: the spars of the tracked vehicles themselves served as oil reservoirs. The T-54V was quite light, so for better and more efficient operation of mounted agricultural equipment, it was equipped with a hydraulic traction weight increase.

Hydraulic system and attachment

The T-54 tractor was equipped with a separate hydraulic system, a rear linkage mechanism and a tow hitch. The hydraulic system provided separate control of 3 cylinders, which made it possible to freely use the tractor in work with a variety of mounted and trailed hydraulically powered agricultural machines.

The rear linkage mechanism is three-point, but can, if necessary, be converted to two-point. The towing device is rigid, adjustable, combined with a rear linkage mechanism. The position of the trailer point can be adjusted in the horizontal plane within ±13 cm from the longitudinal axis of the T-54, with an interval of 6.5 cm, and in the vertical plane – within 15-50 cm from the ground surface. (in a stepless manner). This is necessary so that when moving through terrain with difficult terrain, the trailer or other trailed equipment does not come off the tractor.

Analog, prices

You can buy a T 54 tractor in decent condition for 3 thousand dollars. For equipment that is out of order, but needs to be restored before being brought into working condition, you can pay from 500 to 800 dollars, excluding repairs. The T 54 can be replaced by the T 70 machine. Of the more powerful units, the VT-100DS or VT-100DP equipment is suitable.

Tractor T 54 at work

T-54 tractor engine

The T-54 tractors were equipped with four-stroke four-cylinder diesel engines D-50, the same ones that were installed on the MTZ-50 wheeled tractors. This is an atmospheric diesel engine with a displacement of 4.75 liters and a power of 50 hp, liquid cooling. The type of formation of the working mixture is vortex chamber. RPM (nominal) – 1700; Fuel consumption at minimum speed is 195 g/e. l. With. h. The order of ignition / operation of the cylinders is 1-3-4-2. The cylinder diameter is 110 millimeters. The piston stroke is 125 millimeters. Compression ratio (calculated) – 16:1. Dry engine weight – 410 kilograms.

The capacity of the cooling system is 20 liters. The fuel used is diesel (GOST 4749-49). The D-50 diesel engine is an extremely simple, reliable and durable power unit that can operate for many years on any non-ideal diesel fuel, without bringing any hassle or problems to the tractor owner.

The engine is started by an electric starter ST-212. In order for the D-50 diesel to start the engine without problems in cold weather, a P-16E preheating device was provided. It was recommended to use it when the ambient temperature dropped below -5 degrees. Starting motor – PD-10U.

Good heredity

One of the firstborns of the Minsk plant, created in 1948, was the MTZ-2 - the country’s first tractor with a hydraulic mounted system, which made it possible to do without a trailer. However, after a few years it began to become outdated. Compared to newer models, the MTZ-2 had too low a speed and was not fuel efficient enough. The reliability of the car also left much to be desired.

The result of the modernization was the MTZ-5 line of tractors, developed in 1955-1956. These were versatile, powerful and economical cars. In 1956 they were improved again. The plant's designers designed a new diesel engine, the D-50. Two years later, experimental samples of the MTZ-50 tractor were released. Its power reached 55 hp. s., and the maximum speed is 25 km/h. In addition, the MTZ-50s were significantly lighter than their predecessors, by more than 400 kg.

It was this model, which enjoyed well-deserved popularity in the USSR, that became the basis for the T-54. However, the developers of the Chisinau tractor made many changes to its design. The main one concerned the design of the chassis: the MTZ-50 was a wheeled tractor, while the T-54 was a tracked one.

In addition, unlike the Minsk station wagon, it was intended for work in vineyards. This led to a number of other design features, in particular in the design of the linkage and rotation mechanism, which ensured greater maneuverability, as well as in the shape and lining of the cabin. Later, a modification of the T-54B appeared, which differed from the original in improved tracks, a closed cabin and a D-50 engine.

Transmission of the T-54 tractor

The gearbox on the T-54 tractor is nine-speed, mechanical. A wide range of gears allowed the T-54 tractor to work with a wide range of agricultural implements. To transmit the energy of the torque, the T-54 tractor uses a main gear. It consists of cone-shaped gears with teeth.

The basis of a tractor's mechanical transmission is movable carriages. The friction clutch has one working disk, and it is in a permanently closed state. Engaging the main gear drives bevel gears. The brake system is floating, brake type is band. The turning system consists of multi-plate dry clutches (one on each side). The movements and maneuvers of the T-54 tractor are controlled using levers.

Equipment

On the T-54 arr. 1 you can install different combinations of equipment.

The rammer will speed up reloading, the vertical stabilizer will improve already good shooting on the move, and improved ventilation will improve the crew’s characteristics by 5%. This combination primarily increases firepower.

As an alternative, the following equipment can be installed:

Instead of improved ventilation, you can install coated optics. This will increase the council's viewing radius.

Also, coated optics can be installed instead of a vertical stabilizer, but in this version the T-54 model 1 will be worse at shooting on the move, and this is bad for the middle class of equipment.

Some technical specifications in numbers

Overall dimensions: length – 3.37 m, width – 1.25 m (for modification C1) and 1.05 m (for modification C2), height – 2.17 m.
Track width: 95 cm (for modification C1) and 85 cm (for modification C2).
Wheelbase 160 cm.
The lowest ground clearance is 270 mm.
The width of the track link is 300 mm.
Tractor weight – 3,530 kg.
Speed: forward – 1.02…16.41 km/h, reverse – 2.17…3.7 km/h.
Number of gears: 9 – forward, 2 – reverse.
The capacity of the fuel tank is 100 liters of fuel.

Cabin of the T-54 tractor

The cabin of the T-54 tractor is metal, closed, designed for 1 seat. It was equipped with a fan, windshield wipers, a rear-view mirror, a first aid kit and a drinking water tank. The glass in the cabin was made removable so that in the summer they could be removed and hung on special brackets that are attached to the side walls.

In the cold season, to eliminate fogging, the cabin windshield was heated with warm air, which was taken from the diesel engine radiator by a special device. The same device was used to heat the interior of the cabin in winter. The operator's soft seat could be adjusted according to the inclination of the backrest and the position of the chair cushion itself.

User manual

Maintenance

The T-54 crawler tractor is a practical machine that is sensitive to fuel quality. It is necessary to use only fresh and clean diesel to avoid clogging the fuel system.

Maintenance involves a few simple steps:

Before each departure, it is necessary to check the presence of lubricant and, if necessary, top it up; operating equipment without oil is not allowed.
The oil change frequency for each unit is specified in the operating instructions.
At the end of field work, the unit should be mothballed. It must be cleaned, the parts lubricated with oil to prevent corrosion from forming, the fuel drained, covered and placed in a dry place.

Basic malfunctions and ways to solve them

Each owner of the T-54 tractor should know how to correct minor faults; if more serious breakdowns occur, it is recommended to contact a specialized service center.

Here's what could cause the engine to not start:

Diesel shortage;
Lack of lubricant;
Air entering the fuel system;
Fuel system malfunction;
Failure of the ignition system.

Here are the possible reasons why the motor does not develop the required power:

No full fuel supply;
The fuel or air filter is clogged;
Injector malfunction;
Incorrect fuel supply angle.

Reviews about T-54 tractors

According to reviews from collective farmers, the T-54 tractor proved to be a maneuverable agricultural machine with good maneuverability. Due to the low pressure on the ground, the tractor can be driven through the furrows without causing harm to the planted crops.

Of course, the operator’s cabin is made without decent thermal, vibration and noise protection, allows dust to pass through and is an ordinary “birdhouse”. There is no talk of any comfort during work. The chassis is very rigid, the cabin shakes and everything around vibrates.

But in terms of usefulness and functionality, they say a lot of good things about the T-54 tractor. It has excellent hydraulics. It can be used with a wide variety of mounted, trailed and semi-trailered agricultural equipment. Therefore, despite the fact that the T-54 is a winegrower, gardener and vegetable plantation worker, he can do almost everything on the plot, i.e. In terms of functionality, it is practically no different from a station wagon. In winter, it does an excellent job of clearing snow and works flawlessly with bulldozer equipment. Same with a dump trailer.

It is necessary to monitor the condition of the rollers so that they do not leak. Once a year it is necessary to remove the suspension and binoculars on the guide wheel, lubricate and wash.

User manual

The operating instructions for the Soviet tracked tractor DT-54 contain the following information:

Tractor device.
Its technical characteristics.
The procedure for running in a diesel power plant.
Malfunctions.
Maintenance.

First launch, run-in

Immediately after the first start of the engine, it is necessary to carry out a break-in procedure, which can significantly increase the service life of the DT-54 diesel tractor. Run-in lasts about 8 hours, begins with warming up the engine and running it without load for 2.5-3 hours.

During the break-in period, the moving parts of the engine, gearbox, etc. are ground in, the clutch, speed and braking system are checked. At the end of the running-in period, it is necessary to completely change the oil in the tractor.

Required oils:

The following brands of oils are used for tractors of this class: M-10DM and M-10G2k.
In the DT-54 tractor, in addition to engine oil, Tap-15V gear oil is used for transmission.

Maintenance

Timely replacement of oil in the engine crankcase and transmission will allow the tracked vehicle to maintain its performance for a long time. The oil in the engine crankcase is changed every 100 operating hours; the built-in hour meter will help the tractor driver not to miss this period. Before starting this procedure, you need to warm up the engine, do not forget to drain the waste.

Preservation of the DT-54 tractor for periods of non-use must also be carried out correctly: