Every year, the agricultural technology market surprises with new developments. One of which was the most powerful tractors. Today they are used not only for agricultural purposes, but also as a special type of hobby. World-famous companies compete for the size, power and appearance of the product, thereby stunning customers. The largest agro giants cannot be counted; the following models are attributed to their number: "TERRION ATM 7360", "Fendt 936 Vario", "MasseyFerguson MF 8690", "ClaasXerion 4500", "JohnDeere 8345R", "John Deere8360R" and others. You can watch the largest tractors in action on YouTube.
Big Bud 747
Fendt 1050 Vario
This tractor is the winner of the "Best Tractor 2016" award in Europe. The 12.4-liter MAN diesel engine with 519 horsepower helped him a lot in this.
It works in tandem with the VarioDrive TA400 CVT, transmitting 2400 Nm of torque to both axles. It also features a smart hydro-pneumatic system with leveling function. And the prices... even a used Fendt 1050 Vario costs from 21 million rubles.
According to the type of propulsion system (running system), tractors are classified into:
- wheeled, moving with the help of a wheel propulsion. Wheeled vehicles are divided according to the “wheel formula”, which reflects the total number of wheels, the number of driving wheels and their sizes. A classic four-wheel tractor with front steered wheels of smaller diameter and rear drive wheels of larger diameter has a 4K2 wheel arrangement. Here the first number “4” shows the total number of wheels, and the second number “2” shows the number of driving wheels. If, with the same data, the front wheels are driven, but of a smaller diameter, then the tractor has a wheel formula of 4K4a, where the second number “4” indicates that the tractor has four driven wheels (all wheels are driven), and the letter “a” indicates a smaller diameter of the front drive wheels. Tractors with all four driving wheels of the same diameter have a 4K4b wheel arrangement, where the letter “b” indicates equal diameters of the front and rear wheels. There are tractors with a large number of drive wheels, especially among forestry and forestry tractors (6K6, 8K8). A tractor with one or two closely spaced front steered wheels has a 3K2 wheel arrangement.
- tracked, moving with the help of a caterpillar propulsion device
- half-tracks, which use wheeled and tracked propulsion systems simultaneously (YuMZ-6KL)
Claas Xerion 5000
The Claas Xerion 5000 articulated tractor is powered by a 12.5-liter Caterpillar C13 diesel engine producing 487 horsepower. But for a short time it can be increased to 524 “horses”.
Its torque is 2353 Nm, which is enough to perform a variety of tasks, including clearing deep snow. Farmers note only two drawbacks: complex and expensive maintenance and a cost of 25 million rubles.
What is a tractor?
Tractor is a wheeled or tracked vehicle driven by an engine installed on it, designed to move and drive various machines and implements, carts or sleds, as well as to drive stationary machines from a power take-off shaft or drive pulley.
Modern tractors are classified by purpose, type of propulsion and frame.
John Deere 9620RX
This model on four Camso Duradrive 6500 tracks is the most powerful in the John Deere range. Such tracks with one drive gear and four rollers provide minimal ground pressure.
The power unit is a 15-liter Cummins QSX15, which develops 620 hp. It is not officially sold in Russia, but the cost of a used tractor abroad in terms of our currency will be at least 30 million rubles.
"Kirovets" K-9520 is considered the largest Russian tractor
Look
All advertisements for the sale of tractors
The largest and most powerful domestic model is considered to be the Kirovets K-9520, which is produced at the St. Petersburg Tractor Plant. The all-wheel drive tractor was presented at the Agrosalon exhibition in 2009. Agricultural machinery of traction class 9 is equipped with a German Daimler AG power unit (volume - 12.8 l), which produces 516 hp. The fuel tank is designed for 1,030 liters. The maximum speed that the car can reach is 30 km/h. The hydraulic system capacity of the working equipment is 190 l/min. The model is equipped with a trailed Diablo brand subsoiler. The width of the Kirovets K-9520 is 2.87 m, length - 7.35 m, height - 3.72 m.
Photo source: vcentre.biz K-9000 series tractors are produced at the St. Petersburg Tractor Plant
Today, the huge Russian Kirovets tractor of the K-9000 series is manufactured to order. There are no analogues on the domestic market. Is it just the mass-produced 435-horsepower Kirovets K-743 (traction class - 8).
New Holland T9.670
As you can understand from the index of this tractor, its 12.7-liter FPT Cursor 13 engine has a herd of 670 horsepower. It can also be equipped with a special field autopilot - the Intellisteer system, which will help you build parallel lines with an accuracy of 2.5 centimeters.
Another system, Intelliview III, will regulate pressure in the hydraulic circuits, making it easier to operate various attachments. Prices will be around 28-30 million rubles.
Case IH Quadtrac 620
The Case IH Quadtrac 620 four-track articulated tractor is the most powerful production tractor in the world today. Power in normal mode is 620 hp, but it can be increased to 682 hp. More than the Chevrolet Corvette Z06.
Its tracks provide minimal ground pressure and its powerful engine makes it an efficient field worker. The cost, like that of its competitors, is rather high - about 30 million rubles.
Tractors are classified according to their purpose:
- general purpose - Agromash-90 TG (VT-90), restyling DT-75M, Belarus-2022, T-402A, T-5.01, K-744R used for energy-intensive work in agricultural production (plowing, sowing, cultivating, harvesting grain crops etc.);
- universal row crops - MTZ-80.1 MTZ-82, Belarus-1221, LTZ-155.4, used for sowing, maintaining and harvesting row crops, limited use in primary tillage;
- A variety of universal wheeled tractors - self-propelled chassis VTZ-30SSh and its modifications
- specialized - used for the cultivation of individual agricultural crops (cotton - MTZ-80X, tea - T-16 MMCH, grapes, hops), and also depending on the conditions (mountain, reclamation, swamp - DT-75B)
Big Bud 747
But the leader in terms of power by a huge margin is the mighty Big Bud 747. It was made in 1977 and is still the largest farm tractor in the world. And also the most powerful.
Its 16-cylinder Detroit Diesel 16V92T with two turbochargers and two turbochargers produces 1,100 hp in the latest iteration. Recently, the only released copy has been practically inactive, occasionally appearing at various events from the museum in Clarion.
Subscribe to our Telegram channel
About the purpose of tractors, their design
At the beginning of the nineteenth century, a three-wheeled tractor was produced. It was used for land cultivation and commercial activities. The increase in population and the rapid development of agriculture have led to the need for the use of such agricultural machines. They are presented in several versions, which differ in specifications.
Types of tractors
The purpose and general structure allow the machines to be classified.
Taking a closer look at this type of transport, you can understand that tractors should be considered in 3 categories.
- By type of construction.
- By drive type.
- The purpose for which the tractor is used.
In the first category, there are 2 types of tractors.
- The first type is a tractor in which the driver can easily sit in order to operate the machine.
- The second type is a compact tractor that is driven by a person walking next to you. This type is more often represented by two-wheeled tractors with a mechanical transmission.
Depending on the type of drive, we can distinguish:
- rear-wheel drive - the rear wheels are enlarged;
- all-wheel drive - front and rear wheels of the same diameter;
- tracked
The types of tractors in the third classification are considered depending on the purpose of use. They are divided into categories.
- Utilitarian.
- Industrial.
- Garden.
- Rotary.
- Digging tractors.
Wheeled or tracked tractor?
As technological processes and nuances in land cultivation increase, the need for the use of proper equipment grows. The goal of every farmer is to get maximum profit from the land he cultivates. But there are also risks.
For example, soil compaction can lead to unnecessary soil degradation. Soil particles are crushed. This reduces the pore space for water, air, drainage and nutrients to penetrate. Soil compaction is affected by repeated passes made by a tractor or combine. This can lead to intense damage to the root system of planted crops.
When the soil is tilled, there is the potential to reduce protective residues depending on the type of tillage. Many farmers are trying to limit compaction by switching to track-type equipment. Soil sustainability for future generations is an important aspect for a farm. In order to survive, farmers are looking for ways to improve technology.
Advantages of a crawler tractor:
- Best level of flotation on soil.
- Reduced power surge.
- Easier to use.
- The compaction zone is distributed and less point pressure occurs.
Flaws:
- Reduced steering gear with heavier loads.
- Uncomfortable ride and high level of vibrations on hard surfaces (roads).
- High cost and expensive repairs.
When considering the purpose and features of a wheeled tractor, one cannot do without taking into account its advantages.
- Increased stability.
- Ease of handling with heavier loads.
- If the tractor slips, traction can be restored.
- Depending on the tire, there is minimal abrasion of the top layer of soil.
Flaws
Causes high compaction due to ridges on the tire.
Used on wheeled tractors.
- Radial tires: The cords run radially. The plate transmits pressure from the thread and belts. These belts help limit tire wear and stabilize the tread. The tread and threads can work independently.
- Less commonly used is a tire that consists of several rubber layers overlapping each other. A thick layer is less flexible but exhibits good flotation.
A farmer who prefers a wheeled tractor chooses a radial tire to minimize the footprint (and damage) on the ground from using the equipment. A standard radial tire has a large air chamber inside that keeps pressure low under heavy loads. This reduces the effects of soil compaction. Some studies suggest that the best tire provides a wide, flat tread to increase traction, reduce slippage and improve fuel efficiency.
While many traditionally continue to choose tracked tractors to minimize soil compaction, the future of tire development for wheeled agricultural equipment looks promising. Currently, many manufacturers are working on a new system. It allows the tire to control traction and trail and improve the ride quality of the equipment.
The role of agricultural tractors
Tractors are traditionally used on farms to mechanize several agricultural tasks.
The purpose of agricultural tractors is varied. Modern tractors are used for:
- plowing;
- tillage;
- planting fields in addition to routine care;
- landscape maintenance;
- moving or spreading fertilizers and clearing bushes.
Tractors are beneficial to use on large farms, as well as for regular work on small plots. They are available in a power range from 15 to 40 HP, ideal for heavy-duty landscaping, ditch digging, plowing fields and pastures.
Smaller version of compact tractors, subcompact. They have the power and versatility to handle a wide range of gardening tasks, including mowing and moving mulch. Compact tractors are small-sized tractors that are ideal for landscaping.
Diesel tractors are also known. They are utilitarian and are recommended for the mechanization of complex agricultural tasks and are available in different models with a power range from 45 to 110 hp. A wide range of agricultural implements can be attached to tractors, which can perform a variety of jobs.
