Kharkov Tractor Plant yesterday and today
In Soviet times, for many decades, energy-rich tractors of the T-150K family of the Kharkov Tractor Company occupied a significant part of the machine and tractor fleet of agricultural enterprises. In the mid-80s, KhTZ produced 70 thousand tractors a year and supplied them to 36 countries around the world. The plant united more than three hundred related enterprises throughout the country; Being a major consumer of products from metallurgy, energy, transport and communications, and other industries, KhTZ contributed to their development.
And in the modern era, the Kharkov Tractor Plant has been and remains the only enterprise in the post-Soviet space that produces both wheeled and tracked tractors at the same time. Moreover, of all existing classes - from small gardening machines, with a power of eight horsepower, to powerful, energy-intensive 240-horsepower agricultural machines.
Only the production volumes are completely incommensurate with the previous ones. The year 2005 was a record successful year for the enterprise, when only two and a half thousand tractors rolled off its assembly line. In the pre-war year 2013, it was estimated that 42% of the Ukrainian agricultural machinery market is occupied by Belarusian tractors (MTZ Belorus); 27% are Chinese (“DongFeng”, “Xintai”, etc.). But our own production, even taking into account the assembly of imported models, is no more than 12 percent. The share of tractors from American concerns on the Ukrainian market is almost the same (10%).
Protest meeting of workers of the Kharkov Tractor Plant.
Almost the entire year of 2016, the Kharkov Tractor Plant stood idle. The enterprise was officially stopped in March, and it resumed its work only in January 2017, after the New Year holidays. By the way, there is a very remarkable and touching moment associated with this latest production launch.
The first tractor assembled after the next revival of the plant (it became the T-150K) was named in honor of the recently deceased legendary head of the KhTZ workshop, Sergei Ivanovich Brailko, who worked at the plant for more than forty-three years.
We can only hope that the Kharkov Tractor Plant will regain at least part of the positions it occupied in the agricultural machinery market, and then its products will find their buyer. And last but not least – the HTZ-16131 tractor.
User manual
Diesel engines, which are installed on all tractors marked HTZ, are distinguished by their unpretentiousness both in maintenance and operation. Despite this, care should still be taken to extend the service life of the unit.
Maintenance
Maintenance consists of simple steps:
- Run in the power plant immediately after purchasing the tractor. The procedure lasts about 8 hours, begins without stress and gradually increases it.
- Replace engine and transmission oils in a timely manner in accordance with the time of year and the number of engine hours worked. In summer, the following motor oils are recommended: M-10G2 and M-10G2k.
- In winter, it is recommended to use the following brands of motor oils: M-8G2 and M-8G2k.
- Transmission oil - TEP-15.
- When preserving a diesel tractor, it is necessary to drain all working fluids and thoroughly clean and lubricate the unit.
Description; design features; scope of application of "HTZ-16131"
The integrated arable-row-crop wheeled tractor "KhTZ-16131" belongs to the 160th series of the Kharkov Tractor Plant and is one of the most advanced models of this family. It is designed to perform a full range of general-purpose agricultural work, and primarily for cultivating fields and harvesting row crops. The strengths of this model are good driving performance, excellent traction, impeccable directional stability and controllability.
The tractor performs excellently during tillage; for sowing; during harvesting, working together with attached single-operational or combined wide-cut units. “KhTZ-16131” demonstrates consistently stable and profitable operation when performing arable work, continuous cultivation, sowing grain, harrowing, as well as when carrying out cargo transportation.
Compared to its predecessors, the HTZ-16131 gearbox was modernized: the hydraulic clutches and bearing units of the transfer case were strengthened. The creeper gears provide confident tractor traction up to 5 tons in the first and second ranges, which makes it possible to carry out deep plowing on heavy soils.
The gear range, expanded to 16 forward and up to 8 reverse, allows you to select the most accurate and adjusted speed when working with various implements, making the most effective use of the tractor’s traction capabilities.
Front steered wheels and a forward-shifted center of gravity ensure directional stability (straightness) of the HTZ-16131 tractor when cultivating row crops, and the ability to work stably and confidently with wide-cut agricultural implements. Front and rear linkage systems, two power take-off shafts ensure the creation of units with all agricultural machines of the corresponding class.
Optimal choice of tires: 16.9R38; 9.5R42; 66x43R25 and the corresponding gauge expands the scope of application and increases the efficiency of using “KhTZ-16131” - both for general purpose work and for work in row spacing of 450 and 700 mm.
It is possible to convert the KhTZ-16131 to reverse control, which means it can be used in conjunction with forage harvesters; successfully perform loading and unloading operations with front-mounted equipment.
Among other innovations, compared to its predecessors, the following were implemented in the design of the KhTZ-16131 tractor:
- Plastic cabin roof and ceiling;
- Cabin interior details made of modern three-layer composite materials;
- Double layer mat;
- Improved sun visors;
- New steering wheel;
- Pre-air purifier “Vortex CV-16616”.
Of course, the main area of application of this tractor is agriculture. However, it can also be used in industry, construction, forestry and public utilities.
Modifications and technical characteristics of "HTZ-16131"
Currently, there are two versions of the tractor on the agricultural machinery market: “KhTZ-16131-03” and “KhTZ-16131-05”. Their difference is in the brand of the engine.
Engines "HTZ-16131"
Tractors of this model are equipped with two types of diesel engines: “BF6M1013E” German (“ХТЗ-16131-03”) and “D-260” Minsk Motor). The power of each of these engines is 180 horsepower, or 132 kW.
The characteristics of the Deutz engine are as follows: 4-stroke, 6-cylinder horizontal, 24-valve, OHV, liquid-cooled, direct injection, turbocharged. Working volume – 7.14 liters. Cylinder diameter – 108 mm; piston stroke – 130 mm. Maximum torque – 854 N x m. Compression ratio – 17.5:1. This diesel engine with a turbocharger and charge air cooling, with direct fuel injection, horizontal shaft arrangement, is one of the universal engines and is used not only in tractors, but also to equip drilling rigs, combine harvesters, compressors, diesel generators, etc.
The parameters of the Minsk D-260 engine are almost identical: it is a four-stroke turbocharged diesel engine with a vertical in-line arrangement of six cylinders. Working volume – 7.12 liters. Cylinder diameter – 110 mm; piston stroke – 125 mm. Maximum torque – 662 N•m. Compression ratio: 15:1. This motor is also widely used to equip not only energy-rich wheeled tractors, but also many other types of equipment. The Kharkov plant chose it as an alternative to the German engine in order to reduce the cost of the HTZ-16131 tractor.
Dimensions and weight of the tractor "HTZ-16131"
- Length: 6.645m; Width: 2,480m; Height (over cabin roof): 3,380 m.
- Wheelbase: 2,860 m.
- Track dimensions: 2,050 m/1,800 m.
- Ground clearance: 530 mm/505 mm.
- Tires: 16.9R38 – single; 9.5R42 – twin.
- Operating weight: 8,620 tons.
Transmission, steering and brake control, attachment
The transmission of the HTZ-16131 tractor is mechanical, switchable without interruption in the power flow within each range. Number of forward-reverse ranges/gears – 4/16 – 2/8. The forward/reverse speed range is 1.44-31.1/2.17-8.83 km/h.
The clutch is dry, single-disc. Brakes: stopping – shoe brakes with pneumatic drive on each wheel; parking – belt with a pneumatic spring cylinder. The turning mechanism is front steered wheels with hydrostatic steering. The minimum turning radius of the tractor is 7.1 m. Traction force: 40-60 kN (4000 and 6000 kgf).
The high traction properties of the HTZ-16131 tractor and low slipping when performing energy-intensive work are achieved due to the presence of drive axles with automatic differential locking.
The power source is 6ST-190A rechargeable batteries (2 pieces), the mains voltage is 12 Volts. The lifting capacity of the tractor attachments "HTZ-16131" (hydraulic systems with a closed center) is: front - 1500 kgf, rear - 4500 kgf.
The following options are offered for the HTZ-16131 tractor:
- Twin wheels “9.5R42”;
- Spacer for row crops (700 mm);
- Wide-profile tires 66x43R25;
- Spacer kit;
- Fuel flow meter;
- The coupling is automatic;
- Air conditioner.
Cabin of the tractor "HTZ-16131"
The cabin is single, with a central driver's seat. It is equipped with a safety cage; The interior upholstery is made of thermal insulating and sound-absorbing materials.
To ensure decent working conditions for the operator, the cabin is equipped with a fan and heater, an adjustable steering column, and a hydraulic volume steering mechanism.
Control test results; reviews from owners of "HTZ-16131"
According to the test results, the HTZ-16131 tractor demonstrated the following indicators:
- Composed of a reversible plow “PO-5”: productivity – 0.94 ha/hour; fuel consumption – 16.4 l/ha.
- In combination with the combined unit “AKSh-3.6”: productivity – 2.24 ha/hour; fuel consumption – 7.6 l/ha.
- In combination with the pre-sowing treatment unit "APOG-6.1": productivity - 3.53 ha/hour; fuel consumption – 6.5 l/ha.
- In combination with the pre-sowing treatment unit "AP-6": productivity - 4.48 ha/hour; fuel consumption – 6.0 l/ha.
- In combination with the soil-cultivating unit “AG-6”: productivity – 4.83 ha/hour; fuel consumption – 6.9 l/ha.
Finding information on reviews from real owners of this tractor model is not easy, due to its extremely low prevalence in the farms of the republics of the former Union. From the very few and meager comments from the owners, the following can be understood.
The HTZ-16131 tractor has proven itself to be a fairly powerful, durable and reliable “field worker”. Particularly good for inter-row cultivation. Operation and maintenance are simple, the chassis and hydraulics work well. Although it is very stiff in motion (“there are no springs, and the rubber profile is low”).
The cabin is “from under an ax, there is bare metal on the back wall and there is no sound insulation.” There are complaints about the operation of the gearbox; The clutch disc is a little weak to work with such a powerful engine.
Overall, the price/quality ratio is very good; subject to a real revival of production at KhTZ and the creation of an extensive dealer network, the KhTZ-16131 tractor has good prospects in the CIS market.
User manual
All modifications of KhTZ tractors are characterized by low maintenance and operation costs. Naturally, it is difficult to find original spare parts for older models of mini tractors, but it is quite possible to select them from an assortment of analogues.
You can study the operating instructions at the link: Operating instructions for the HTZ mini tractor
First start
To grind in parts and mechanisms, run in the mini tractor on light work at a reduced crankshaft speed and with the diesel engine loaded at approximately 2/3. During this period, it is recommended to perform all work, avoiding increased loads, at reduced speeds.
The running-in period is 30 hours; upon completion, it is necessary to carry out maintenance of the main components in accordance with the recommendations of the operating manual for the KhTZ mini tractor.
Price "HTZ-16131"
Organizations selling agricultural machinery do not have new tractors of this model in stock. However, according to their information, you can purchase the HTZ-16131 tractor to order, its price will be about 2,600,000 rubles.
This brand is also practically not represented on the secondary market: on the Internet you can find single advertisements for the sale of used KhTZ-16131 tractors from the early 2000s, in satisfactory technical condition. They ask for such options from 500 to 750 thousand rubles, with “bargaining at the hood”.
Attachments
Despite its small dimensions and modest engine power, the T-012 minitractor is perfectly aggregated with a variety of trailed implements; it is capable of cultivating land up to 2 hectares. The capabilities of the mini tractor are significantly expanded thanks to the on-board hydraulic system with a gear hydraulic pump.
At first, the capabilities of small-sized KhTZ tractors were limited due to the lack of necessary mounted and trailed implements. At the moment there are no such problems.
