Review of tractors MTZ-50 and MTZ-52. Description, technical specifications and user reviews

Tractor Belarus MTZ-52 is an all-wheel drive general purpose tractor. Produced until 1985 at the Minsk Tractor Plant. Successfully used during field work in agriculture. The MTZ-52 model is designed to work with trailed machines and agricultural implements. The height of the ground clearance under the front axle sleeve and the adjustable track allow for inter-row cultivation of plants with both high stems (corn, sunflower) and low stems (sugar beets, etc.). In addition, Belarus MTZ-52 can be used for transporting cargo for various purposes, for driving stationary machines, for road work, in public utilities and forestry.

The tractor is equipped with a mechanical transmission, a nine-speed gearbox (9 forward speeds and 2 reverse), providing speeds of up to 25 km/h. Diesel engine with a displacement of 4.75 liters and a power of 55 hp. ensures reliable operation of the tractor in any conditions. The rear wheels of larger diameter are driving, and the front wheels of smaller diameter are driving and guiding. Thanks to four drive wheels, a self-locking front axle differential and low-pressure tires, the tractor has good traction with the surface. Depending on the road conditions, the drive front axle is automatically switched on and off. The transmission of this model is improved with a planetary torque booster, which allows you to increase the traction force on the hook without changing gears. If the wheels are slipping, the driver can mechanically lock the rear axle differential with his foot from the cab. All of the above contributes to a noticeable increase in the cross-country ability of a wheeled tractor and an improvement in traction qualities. This, in turn, expands the boundaries of the season in which this special equipment can be operated, and also, if necessary, replace a crawler tractor with it and find new areas of its application in agriculture.

The MTZ-52 tractor has been and remains competitive in markets all over the world, evidence of this is the export of tractors of this brand to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe and Asia.

Description and purpose

MTZ-52 is a productive light-class all-wheel drive tractor, produced in a circulation of 200 thousand units. Today, the tractor is considered technically obsolete, but this fact does not mean that the machine is not at all in demand and is unsuitable for use. Rather, on the contrary, MTZ-52 is an example of simplicity and maintainability. This machine can be serviced even in field conditions, which is an undeniable advantage compared to more modern machines. This tractor is still in demand in agricultural operations, such as cultivation, hilling, harrowing, plowing, loosening, sowing and harvesting. In addition, the machine’s traction capacity is sufficient for industrial work, as well as road construction tasks. For example, in the municipal sector, this tractor has proven itself well as special equipment for digging and replacing sewer and waste pipes. In urban areas, the machine can be used to clean and clear areas such as sidewalks and roadways from snow or debris. As you can see, the capabilities of the MTZ-52 tractor are unlimited, largely due to all-wheel drive, good traction capabilities and support for the most common mounted implements.

Application area

The wheeled MTZ-52 is designed for carrying out agrotechnical activities in agriculture, moving cargo and engineering work in construction, industry, and public utilities. It must be said that this is the first MTZ model that is classified as a universal row-crop tractor.

The device gained versatility thanks to all-wheel drive, the installation of a hydraulic attachment and the ability to adjust the track. The tractor is still used on private farms. It can cultivate, hill, harrow, plow, and loosen.

In addition, the presence of a power take-off shaft allows it to be aggregated with active field implements - seeders, mowers, threshers.

In transport operations, the MTZ-52 is used together with trailers for general and agricultural purposes. The towed platforms are secured in the towing device.

In the construction and municipal sectors, the tractor is equipped with a blade blade, a bucket, a mechanical brush and other mechanisms. Together with additional equipment, the tractor is used for cleaning the territory, engineering and loading work.

Specifications

Engine and chassis

The Belarus model MTZ-52 is a semi-frame type. The power unit and semi-rigid suspension of the front axle are installed on the front half-frame. The rear axle is also a component of the vehicle frame; the cab is installed on it.

The rear wheels can be doubled and the track width can be changed. This increases the vehicle's maneuverability and reduces ground pressure. Therefore, the rear wheels are attached using clamp connections, which greatly simplifies wheel replacement.

The power plant is a four-stroke diesel engine D-50. As an option, an improved diesel model D-50L can be installed. These power units produced 55 horsepower with an engine capacity of 4.75 liters.

Among the features, we can note the semi-separate combustion chamber. Fuel consumption at maximum loads was 8 liters per hour with a fuel tank volume of 130 liters. At present, these figures may seem modest, but in the 60s of the last century, such power was considered almost the pinnacle of the evolution of domestic tractor manufacturing. Thanks to these features, the MTZ-52 is classified as a 1.4 traction class vehicle.

Chassis

The rear wheels of the MTZ-50 are driven, mounted on hubs. The driveshaft transmits power to the front wheels. The MTZ-52 tractor is all-wheel drive. Thanks to the cam mechanism of the closed differential lock, the process is activated by pressing the pedal.

All motion processes - maneuvering, deceleration, acceleration - are carried out through the steering and braking system. Front and rear wheels are adjustable: 120-180 cm (front), 140-210 cm (rear).

The high agrotechnical clearance of 46.5 cm allows the MTZ-50 tractor to be used for specific agricultural work - in vegetable growing, melon growing. The turning radius is only 2.5 m, which contributes to good maneuverability and maneuverability, especially off-road and in confined spaces.

Transmission and hydraulic system

The transmission circuit of the MTZ-52 Belarus was mechanical. The circuit included a gearbox, rear axle differential, clutch and brake system. The gearbox is a dual-range, nine-speed.

In order to switch between modes without loss of operating power, the gearbox was supplemented with a speed reducer gearbox and a speed increaser. The tractor had nine front and two rear driving modes.

In forward motion, the tractor could move at speeds from 1.7 to 25.8 km/h. This allowed the machine to carry out row-crop work even on hard soils.

The clutch is single-disc, dry, permanently closed. The rear axle differential could be locked from the tractor driver's cab; for this purpose there was a special pedal in the floor.

The brake system was multi-disc, separate for trailed equipment. To prevent the car from causing problems, a power steering was installed.

A separate-unit hydraulic system was responsible for the operation of the attachments. It consisted of a gear pumping station NSh-32 and a spool valve with three outputs.

Thanks to this design, the MTZ-52 Belarus tractor could perform the functions of an excavator and loader . A bulldozer blade was also installed, but much less frequently. Mainly for clearing snow on city streets.

Overview of modifications

The MTZ-52 tractor was modified several times. At the same time, the technical characteristics of the machine remained virtually unchanged. The most noticeable improvement was the MTZ-62 tractor. A more powerful diesel engine SMD-12 began to be installed on this vehicle. This power unit could produce 65 horsepower. The equipment was intended for export.

Narrow-profile machines were also produced, for example, the MTZ-50 X tractor was designed for work in cotton fields.

Other modifications, produced under the indices B, K, P and H, were intended for work in rice fields, vineyards, and steep slopes. These cars changed their weight, cab type or ground clearance.

Features of the device and operation

1. The machine is based on a frame structure, which is recognized as durable. The front half-frame became the main frame for housing the compact power plant, as well as the semi-rigid suspension of the front axle. The rear axle, in turn, is an important component of the frame structure, because the cab is installed on it. Please note that the rear wheels can be adjusted according to the track width to reduce ground pressure and thereby improve cross-country ability. To make it easier to replace the rear wheels, they were secured to the chassis with clamp connections. As for the power part, the four-stroke diesel engine D-50, used in the MTZ-50 model, is responsible for performance. This is a simple and unpretentious 4.7-liter engine. It is air-cooled and features an electric starter and pre-heater. These components made the motor more durable and resistant to extremely high or low temperatures. The power output of the engine is 55 horsepower. Despite the low power, the developers managed to achieve good traction characteristics, which made it possible to expand the capabilities of the compact tractor. In addition, the engine has a semi-separate combustion chamber and fuel consumption is 8 liters per hour. This is a good result, especially considering that the fuel tank capacity is 130 liters. By the standards of that time, such indicators were considered very worthy, and were at the level of foreign analogues. The MTZ-52 tractor belongs to traction category 1.4.
2. The transmission is a manual gearbox, which consists of a rear differential, clutch and brake mechanism. The gearbox itself is nine-speed, with two operating ranges. In addition, the transmission is supplemented with a gearbox and creeper. The tractor has a total of nine front and two rear driving modes. This arrangement ensures a smooth ride, and allows you to fully unleash the potential of the power plant - thanks to well-tuned gear ratios, as well as a large number of gears. When switching to lower and higher speeds, lags, jerks and vibrations are eliminated, which increases comfort and ease of use. Thanks to the smooth operation of the gearbox, the engine's power potential can reach 25 km/h, which makes it possible to carry out rowing work even on hard ground. In addition, the gearbox design includes a single-plate clutch with a closed-type dry clutch. The rear differential axle can be locked using the appropriate lever located in the cab under the steering column. The role of the braking system is performed by multi-disc brake mechanisms, but as an alternative, the braking system can be separate. For more comfortable control, the steering mechanism received power steering. The all-wheel drive capabilities of the tractor, coupled with a locking differential and large wide-profile wheels, allow the machine to overcome any obstacles, be it a deep rut or a hole, a 30 percent rise or muddy ground. In addition, the tractor has high ground clearance, strong protection for the engine compartment and minimal body overhangs.
3. The attachments in the MTZ-52 tractor are driven by a separate hydraulic system, which includes an NSh-32 gear pumping station, as well as a spool valve with three outputs. This design had a beneficial effect on endurance. In addition, this significantly expanded the capabilities of the car, despite the light towing category. Moreover, if necessary, you can install a bulldozer blade to clear snow on city streets. And to increase stability off-road, as well as increase the load capacity (during loading and unloading operations), you can install side weights.
4. The cabin of the MTZ-52 tractor is an example of minimalism and ergonomic solutions. It must be admitted that the interior of this car is not comfortable enough, even by the standards of that time. The cabin has a single-seat layout with a limited range of adjustment of the driver's seat and steering column. Panoramic glazing of almost the entire cabin significantly increased visibility, which became almost the only advantage. In addition, during the winter season, an autonomous heater maintains comfort and coziness in the cabin, but it was installed only upon request. The cabin does not have noise and heat insulation, because its installation would require additional costs, and for the developer the main goal was to reduce the cost of the tractor, but not at the expense of performance. As for interior ventilation, you can ventilate the cabin using the unlockable side windows. The glass has rubber seals, which, as practice shows, do not do their job well over time and allow moisture to pass through. And yet, despite numerous shortcomings, including cramped conditions and drafts in the cabin, the cabin protected the operator from rain, thunderstorms, flying stones and soil. In addition, we note that the controls are located conveniently and ergonomically - as they say, at hand. The front panel contains instruments showing current fuel consumption, temperature, engine pressure and other parameters.
5. The MTZ-52 tractor received a variety of modifications, because this machine was considered very popular. The main advantage compared to the base model MTZ-50 was, of course, all-wheel drive. The MTZ-52 tractor received the most noticeable improvement in the updated modification MTZ-62, which received a productive SMD-12 power unit with a capacity of 65 horsepower. This tractor was supplied abroad in large quantities. In addition, the MTZ-50 version, which was intended for work in cotton fields, was considered no less popular. As for other modifications that received the indices B, K, P and H, they were widely used for working on steep slopes, in rice fields and vineyards. All modifications differed in weight, cab type and ground clearance.
6. MTZ-52 is a universal and unpretentious tractor that can be easily repaired on your own. It was the minimal repair costs that made this car very popular and in demand throughout the post-Soviet space. And this is despite the fact that the car often broke down and failed.

dimensions

In terms of size, the MTZ-50 and 52 tractors belong to medium-sized equipment, which, naturally, allows them to be used in limited spaces, between rows, in vineyards and gardens, warehouses, on narrow streets and alleys.

Overall dimensions LxWxH are 3815x1970x2550 mm. When asked how much a tractor can weigh when shipped from the factory, we clarify: structural weight - 3.13 tons; when shipped 3.62 tons, the operating weight is 3.43 tons. With fairly modest dimensions and low weight, the tractor has a spacious fuel tank of 130 liters, allowing it to work 1.5 shifts without refueling.

Cabin

Compared to modern machines, the MTZ-52 Belarus workplace is not particularly comfortable. The single-seat cabin had panoramic glazing, a heater was installed for operation in the winter season and a sprung seat.

Ventilation was of a natural type, that is, air circulation occurred due to the opening of the side windows. Although the cabin was considered airtight, the rubber seals on the windows did not do their job well. The cabin was cramped, but all the tractor controls were literally at the operator’s fingertips.

Attachments

MTZ-50 and 52 tractors were originally intended to perform all types of field work - cultivation, plowing, sowing, inter-row cultivation, hilling crops, harvesting. Attachments

In addition, the machines worked effectively in livestock farming, performed road construction work, transported cargo on trailers, were used to drive woodworking machines and other equipment, and were used as towing vehicles for various units.

For the installation of mounted, trailed, semi-mounted devices, the MTZ-50 tractor is equipped with towing and trailing devices, and has a PTO. The list of additional tools for the unit is varied, including mechanisms of our own brand and imported manufacturers:

• KUHN
• Rakes
• Potato planter
• Mower
• Plow
• Loader
• Rotary cutter
• Trailer
• Round baler
• Disc harrow
• Cultivator

Tractor purpose

In addition to agriculture, this model was widely used in construction and industry. It could be used for different needs as it has attachments. The tractor was intended for:

• cargo transportation;
• plowing, harrowing, cultivating farmland;
• sowing and field maintenance;
• all kinds of additional actions.

The technical characteristics of the MTZ-50 are as follows: for its time it was considered one of the most efficient domestic tractors.

For a long time it had no equal among wheeled mechanisms. This model can change the width between the wheels, increase or decrease. The advantage of this unit is that it can be repaired in any conditions. Even in the field. The tractor is universal thanks to its attachments. In addition to transporting goods, it can work as a loader and as an excavator. Can drill soil. Be a hundred-thrower. Clean the snow. All you have to do is attach the bulldozer front. Can work on different brands of diesel fuel. Even if the diesel fuel is of poor quality. Hardy. Works in any weather conditions. Another plus is that the mechanism is one of the cheapest in terms of cost. Spare parts for it are available and inexpensive.

There are also disadvantages. First of all, low productivity when cultivating large sown areas. It doesn't have air conditioning. He's too noisy. Until now, other modifications of the tractor, MTZ-80, MTZ-82, have been produced. The Belarus-500 is considered an analogue of the tractor.

Cabin MTZ 50

Service

The MTZ-50 consumes diesel fuel, the consumption of 8 l/h is considered quite budget-friendly for equipment of this class. An hour meter conveniently located on the engine allows you to monitor mileage and perform the necessary maintenance in a timely manner.

You can learn more about the maintenance features of the MTZ-50 and 52nd model tractors in the operating instructions.

Basic malfunctions and their repairs

Among the many advantages of the MTZ-50 and 52 tractors, owners unanimously note their unpretentiousness, ease of operation, and excellent maintainability. A standard set of tools and skillful hands was all that was required to restore the machine’s functionality in the field.

Among the shortcomings, insufficient power was noted when working on heavy soil, the need for extremely careful selection of gears and operating modes of the agricultural machine. Any system problems or malfunctions are not typical for MTZ tractors of the 50th family.

All emerging defects were promptly identified by the manufacturer and promptly eliminated in subsequent versions. As one of the users put it in the reviews: “The MTZ tractor is most afraid of the incompetent driver,” which, indeed, is well noted.

Advantages and disadvantages

Based on feedback from machine operators and practical use throughout the entire period of mass production, I can say that the model turned out to be successful in terms of repair and operation. With proper care, the MTZ-52 worked 5000 hours until it was fully operational. Tractor drivers pointed out the positive aspects of the model:

1. Maintainability. Unification with both previous and subsequent series made it possible to quickly repair equipment, eliminating downtime.
2. Effective sound and heat insulation of the cabin.
3. Convenient placement of controls.
4. The model is equipped with power steering.
5. Installation of a sprung seat with position adjustments.

I would also like to say something about maintainability. Due to the high degree of unification, MTZ-52 is still used in small private farms. Of course, many of the “original” parts are no longer there, but components from later models are suitable for it.

The series is not without its shortcomings. Among them I can highlight:

1. The cabin is cramped.
2. Poor sealing.
3. Inefficient heating (on early models).
4. Poor build quality. On new devices, the threaded fasteners may have been loose.