Technical characteristics of the KMZ-012 tractor

The KMZ-012 minitractor was introduced to the market in 2002. The equipment fully complied with all the technical requirements of those times, which allowed the minitractor to create very strong competition with many analogues. Serial production of the mini tractor was carried out by the Kurgan Machine-Building Plant. It should be noted that this manufacturer had not previously produced such equipment, and the KMZ-012 model became the debut. At that time, the product was practically unknown, but the very affordable price played an important role in the great demand, since Swedish and Chinese cars were much more expensive. With such a price tag, the manufacturer has endowed its model with fairly high reliability, which also affected its popularity in the domestic market. After some time, the equipment became in demand in Poland, Romania and many CIS countries.

The KMZ-012 minitractor is a 0.2 traction class of special equipment for universal purposes. The model can also be equipped with many different types of attachments, which makes the mini tractor an excellent assistant when working on small private and agricultural farms.

Purpose

Despite its compactness, the KMZ-012 model has very broad functionality. Thanks to this, the model is often used to perform a wide range of different tasks, both in agriculture (including vegetable gardens and private plots) and in the public sector.

Due to an impressive set of additional attachments, this machine can very effectively cultivate a plot of land up to 5 hectares. In addition, mini tractors are often used on farms and greenhouse complexes. The power of the power unit used is only 12 horsepower, however, even with this indicator, the tractor can be used to tow semi-trailers designed for a load capacity of 500 kilograms and above.

The history of the mini-tractor

The Kurgan enterprise "Kurganmashzavod" was previously known for the production of BMP military equipment, which was supplied to 23 countries around the world. The conversion of military production affected the enterprise, like the entire military industry in the 80s of the last century. Before the company began producing the KMZ-012 tractor, in the 50-60s of the last century the plant had experience in producing crane equipment.

Taking into account the new economic realities, the plant was forced to return to the production of equipment, and in 2002, after lengthy economic calculations, the first domestic mini-tractor, made in Russia, rolled off the assembly line. In 3 years, the new miniature tractor will become the owner of the prestigious Russian award “100 best goods of the country in 2005”.

MTZ-012 with additional equipment

Attachments

Additional attachments used with this mini tractor include many different units that allow you to perform certain types of work. Basically, the model was equipped with such devices as:

1. Single-body and double-body plows.
2. Cultivators.
3. Hillers.
4. Various harrows.
5. Rake.

In addition to these units, the equipment is also equipped with:

• Potato diggers.
• Potato planters.
• Rotary mowers.
• Various seeders.
• Dumps.
• Processing equipment.

Specifications

Dimensions:

• The structural length of the mini tractor is 1970 millimeters.
• The total width of the body is 960 millimeters.
• Height without roof – 1970 millimeters.
• Height with roof – 2040 millimeters.
• The structural length of the mini tractor (with mounted attachment) is 2310 millimeters.
• The total width of the body (with the mounted attachment) is 960 millimeters.
• Total height (with mounted attachment) – 2040 millimeters.
• Agrotechnical clearance – 300 millimeters.
• The smallest track width of the front wheels is 700 millimeters.
• The smallest track width of the rear wheels is 700 millimeters.
• The maximum track width of the front wheels is 900 millimeters.
• The maximum track width of the rear wheels is 900 millimeters.

Engine characteristics:

• The brand of the installed engine is SK-12.
• The type of engine installed is diesel, in-line.
• Number of cylinders – 2 cylinders.
• Maximum power – 12 horsepower/8.8 kilowatts.
• The nominal crankshaft rotation speed is 3050 rpm.
• The maximum crankshaft rotation speed is 3100 rpm.
• Type of cooling system – liquid.
• Type of injection system: carburetor.
• The brand of the installed engine is V2CH-07.
• The type of engine installed is diesel, V-shaped.
• Number of cylinders – 2 cylinders.
• Maximum power – 12 horsepower/8.8 kilowatts.
• The nominal crankshaft speed is 2700 rpm.
• The maximum crankshaft rotation speed is 3050 rpm.
• Type of cooling system – liquid.
• Type of injection system: carburetor.
• The brand of the installed engine is VANGUARD OHV 294447.
• The type of engine installed is diesel, V-shaped.
• Number of cylinders – 2 cylinders.
• Maximum power – 14.5 horsepower/10.66 kilowatts.
• The nominal crankshaft rotation speed is 2850 rpm.
• The maximum crankshaft rotation speed is 3050 rpm.
• Type of cooling system – liquid.
• Type of injection system: carburetor.
• The brand of the installed engine is HATZMOTORS-1D81Z.
• The type of engine installed is diesel, in-line.
• Number of cylinders – 1 cylinder.
• Maximum power – 14.3 horsepower/10.5 kilowatts.
• The nominal crankshaft rotation speed is 2900 rpm.
• The maximum crankshaft rotation speed is 3050 rpm.
• Type of cooling system – liquid.
• Type of injection system: carburetor.

Transmission characteristics:

• The type of gearbox installed is gear, mechanical.
• Drive type – cardan drive.
• The differential lock is mechanical.
• Number of forward gears – 4.
• Number of reverse gears – 2.
• Clutch type - dry, friction single-disc, permanently closed.

Power take-off shaft characteristics:

• Number of power take-off shaft speeds – 1.
• Control is mechanical.
• The lowest PTO rotation speed is 540 rpm.
• PTO power (rear) – 7.5 horsepower/5.5 kilowatts.
• PTO power (front) – 7.66 horsepower/5.6 kilowatts.

Performance characteristics:

• The structural weight of the model is 697 kilograms.
• The curb weight of the model is 745 kilograms.
• Brake type: disc.
• The capacity of the fuel tank is 20 liters.
• The lowest forward speed is 2 kilometers per hour.
• The highest forward speed is 15.18 kilometers per hour.
• The lowest speed in reverse is 1.2 kilometers per hour.
• The highest speed in reverse is 4.49 kilometers per hour.
• The lowest fuel consumption per engine hour (SK-12) is 2.2 liters.
• The highest fuel consumption per engine hour (SK-12) is 2.9 liters.
• The lowest fuel consumption per engine hour (V2Ch-07) is 1.8 liters.
• The highest fuel consumption per engine hour (V2Ch-07) is 2.3 liters.
• The lowest fuel consumption per engine hour (VANGUARD OHV 294447) is 3.1 liters.
• The highest fuel consumption per engine hour (VANGUARD OHV 294447) is 4 liters.
• The lowest fuel consumption per engine hour (HATZMOTORS-1D81Z) is 1.9 liters.
• The highest fuel consumption per engine hour (HATZMOTORS-1D81Z) is 2.7 liters.
• Traction category of equipment – ​​0.2.
• Rated tractive effort – 2.1 kilonewtons/214.14 kilograms.
• The greatest depth of fording is 380 millimeters.

Device Features

From the moment the KMZ-012 minitractor was introduced, the manufacturer decided not to make any changes or modifications to the design. The chassis also includes a front wheel axle that looks like a swinging beam. This element also has a rigid suspension. The tractor uses a four-by-two wheel arrangement and a variable-width track, which is especially convenient when operating in a confined working space. The model can be equipped with two types of mounted mechanisms, the first of which provides the ability to shift the working unit to the right by a maximum of 100 millimeters. The capabilities of the second mechanism make it possible to shift the used unit in both directions relative to the power unit.

Disc-type wheel brakes, which are located in the housing of a single-stage gearbox, are responsible for braking the equipment. Good traction characteristics are provided by a gear manual transmission, which includes 4 forward gears and 2 reverse gears. The transmission is equipped with a dry single-plate friction clutch that is in continuous contact at all times. The gearbox is designed for traction characteristics, respectively, the maximum forward speed is 15.18 kilometers per hour, and the reverse one is 4.49 kilometers per hour. Although this indicator is quite good for this segment.

The hydraulic system of the KMZ-012 minitractor operates by engine drive and has two dependent-type power take-off shafts and a spool-type hydraulic distributor.

The equipment can be equipped with a sun visor or a lightweight cabin. As standard, the minitractor is equipped with a soft driver's seat and an adjustable steering column.

In addition to wide functionality and versatility, this model also has another significant advantage, which is high maintainability and ease of maintenance. Similar models often cause some difficulties when troubleshooting certain problems, when the same machine is very clear and simple. The fuel tank, as well as the battery, are located under the driver's seat, which can recline.

Other important features characterizing the mini tractor are:

1. Excellent maneuverability when operating on sites with small working space.
2. Wide range of optional attachments, mounted both front and rear.
3. The power unit used has not only increased reliability, but also efficiency.
4. Despite its very simple design, the equipment has a high level of safety and comfort.

Reliability

The KMZ-012 minitractor can be used in almost any weather conditions. And this is not explained by the presence of a sun visor or a removable cabin, but by a power unit that has increased resistance to various environmental influences. This indicator is typical for all offered engines.

Repair features

The key elements of the mini tractor are made of high-strength materials, which guarantees a long service life. Compared to foreign analogues, the equipment has a fairly simple design, making repair work not only simple, but also very convenient. The main components are located under the hood, the battery and fuel tank are located under the reclining driver's seat.

Minitractor KMZ 012 - useful on the farm

In 2002, the Kurgan Machine-Building Plant, with the intention of seriously and for a long time establishing itself in the market of small-sized wheeled special equipment, introduced its brainchild to the market: a mini tractor - KMZ 012.

With a length of only 1.972 m and a width of 96 cm, KMZ 012 was developed as a universal assistant in agriculture and public utilities and was supposed to be a worthy competitor to the leaders of the segment - the Swedes and Italians.

The price of foreign analogues was too high for many domestic farmers, so Kurgan engineers rightly believed that a more budget-friendly product would be correspondingly more in demand. For comparison, samples produced by Husqvarna and SEP at that time cost about $3,500 - $11,000.

, while the declared cost of the KMZ 012 minitractor at the time of its appearance on the market was a little more than 2,100 - 2,200 dollars.

Another potential competitor is China. Chinese equipment was comparable in cost, but not in quality: often after a couple of thousand hours, Shenyang tractors literally fall apart. In addition, its territorial location also played in favor of KMZ. Still, ordering spare parts and attachments from the Middle Kingdom is not such a cheap and quick pleasure.

Thus, the KMZ 012 minitractor became one of the most anticipated releases of 2002. And for good reason. The products of the Kurgan plant turned out to be in wide demand not only in Russia and the CIS countries, but also in Romania and Poland, where the cost of similar mini tractors reaches $9,000.

Technical characteristics of the mini tractor

Initially, KMZ 012 was equipped with a four-stroke two-cylinder in-line carburetor “SK-12” produced by the Kazakhstan Power Unit Plant, with a capacity of 12 horsepower, an air cooling system, a diaphragm-type fuel pump and a maximum torque of 24 Nm at a crankshaft speed of 3000-3100 rpm.

Later, a version of the KMZ 012-Ch mini tractor appeared, in which instead of the carburetor “SK” there was a four-stroke diesel V2Ch-07 (index 8.2/7.8E) of similar power, produced by the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant. The diesel engine also had two cylinders, but they were no longer in-line, but V-shaped in relation to each other. According to user reviews, the diesel version of the minitractor turned out to be more successful than the carburetor version.

However, the plant did not stop there, so at the moment there are two more modifications of the tractor: KMZ 012-B with a carburetor and KMZ 012-N with a diesel engine.

The 012-B is equipped with an American 14.8 horsepower gasoline “Vanguard OHV-294447”, and the 012-N is equipped with a four-stroke, 14.3 horsepower air-cooled diesel engine HATZMOTORS -1d81z.

With the exception of the engine, the remaining technical characteristics of the KMZ 012 minitractor have remained unchanged since 2002. The brakes of the KMZ 012 are wheeled, disc, located in the housing of a single-stage gearbox. The transmission is mechanical, with a dry friction single-plate clutch, a 4-speed (+ 2 reverse speeds) gearbox and a two-stage (bevel and cylindrical) main gear. The tractor develops a transport speed of 15.18 km/h and a working speed of 6.82 km/h with an average reverse speed of 3.38-4.49 km/h.

The KMZ 012 minitractor is equipped with a hydraulic system driven by an engine, one power cylinder and a spool valve, as well as two dependent power take-off shafts. The front PTO is capable of transmitting up to 7.66 hp, the rear one up to 7.5 hp. If desired, the front shaft can be removed.

The tractor chassis has a rigid suspension and a front axle in the form of a swing beam. The wheelbase formula is 4x2, the track width varies in two positions: 70 and 90 cm, respectively. Ground clearance - 30 cm.

, which allows the tractor to drive closely to the curbs and effectively service the roadside space. The tractor has not one, but two attachments: on the one hand, a lever-joint with a coupling bar and a traction fork, on the other, a tow bar.

The first attachment is capable of moving the implement by 5-10 cm only to the right, the second one can move in both directions relative to the body of the mini tractor.

Owner reviews

• I worked on the KMZ-012 mini tractor for more than 3 years. The car was purchased in 2006. At first, the tractor was very pleasing in terms of everything, but after a year of active use, some problems began with the transmission. After a major overhaul, the minitractor worked like new and did not fail at all until the time of sale. Unless there were minor breakdowns that were fixed literally in a matter of minutes. The reason for the sale was a lack of capacity, as the bulk of the work moved to a larger plot of land.
• I purchased this model in 2012 to work in the garden. The choice was made in favor of this particular minitractor due to the availability of many spare parts and equipment provided by a neighbor due to his move. In general, the technology is not bad.

Maintenance and repair

Before you start using the mini tractor, the recommendations for its operation say that you need to run it in. This is an important point in maintenance, since running-in allows all elements to warm up.

The engine must function without failure. It is imperative to check the engine oil for leaks. The oil must be changed according to the schedule presented in the operating manual.

During the first run-in after purchase, you must use the engine only at low speeds. This should last for 70 hours. After the break-in is completed, you can use the device at full engine load. During break-in, you should carefully check the strength of the fastenings of the mini tractor parts.

Maintenance before preservation

Before mothballing the mini tractor, it is necessary to carry out the following maintenance:

• before you start using the device, you must carefully check all parts and fastenings;
• engine oil needs to be changed every 50 km;
• Before changing the oil, the engine must be warmed up well;
• The transmission oil is changed annually;
• the room where the tractor will stand during the conservation period must be dry;
• it is advisable to place the minitractor in a special storage case;
• Before carrying out the preservation procedure, it is necessary to rinse the unit thoroughly;
• Be sure to drain the oil first.

Operating rules

The user manual states that in order to avoid damage to some parts, you should not do the following:

• subject equipment to excessive load;
• use the vehicle for other purposes;
• turn off the engine at high speeds;
• fill in the wrong type of oil;
• do not carry out maintenance;
• carry passengers.

The official safety and operating manual KMZ-012 can be downloaded from the manufacturer’s official website.

Causes of malfunctions and ways to eliminate them

The most common problems and breakdowns of KMZ-012:

• reduction in engine power;
• significant increase in gasoline consumption;
• black smoke when starting the engine;
• the motor is experiencing severe overheating;
• there is some noise when starting up;
• oil leaks;
• failure of the control system.

Let's look at the causes and solutions to the most common breakdowns.

Not enough torque passes through the clutch:

• the pedal has slipped (it needs to be adjusted);
• the discs are seriously worn out (they need to be replaced, you can do this yourself);
• discs and fasteners stick (you need to check the fastenings and, if necessary, lubricate them).

Control of attachments is not available:

• insufficient amount of oil (needs to be added);
• the lift system pump is turned off (it must be turned on);
• The hydraulic system fuse is not working (replace or repair).

The mini tractor does not brake well:

• the pedal is not in the correct position (adjust it);
• The pad is worn out (it needs to be replaced).

The gearbox gets very hot:

• the bearing or gear clearance has become too small (adjust the parts);
• little oil (add).