Wheeled and tracked tractors of the USSR?: all old models, history, photos

During its formation, the young Country of Soviets paid close attention to the development of tractor manufacturing. After all, the agriculture of the still fragile state needed an accelerated pace of mechanization. But their own factories where USSR tractors would be produced had not yet been built.

In 1920, V.I. Lenin, realizing the urgent need to increase the productivity of rural labor, signed the decree “On a unified tractor farm.” And two years later, the production of tractors began in the USSR. The first units were low-power and technically imperfect. However, thanks to the constant adoption of measures aimed at the development of this area, ten years later a real breakthrough came in the construction of specialized production facilities.

Other

Other popular all-terrain vehicles of the USSR and Russia include:

• "Blue bird";
• DT-10-30 “Vityaz”;
• ShSG-401.

"Blue bird"

The designation “Blue Bird” refers to the ZIL-49061 wheeled all-terrain vehicle, which was developed in 1971-75.

The design of the vehicle retains the traditional ZIL-508.10 V-shaped petrol engine with a power of up to 185 hp, working in conjunction with a 10-speed manual gearbox. The sealed body allows you to move on the surface of the water at speeds of up to 10 km/h; on land, the all-terrain vehicle accelerates to 75 km/h.

The vehicle was equipped with special equipment for searching and removing spaceships, the passenger cabin was sealed, and air conditioning was installed. The chassis consists of 3 drive axles equipped with tires with a developed tread; There is a pressure regulation system in the chambers. When loaded, the truck weighs 8,400 kg, and the permissible gross weight reaches 11,400 kg. To increase cross-country ability, a torsion bar suspension is used; ground clearance is 590 mm.

DT-10-30 "Vityaz"

All-terrain vehicles "Vityaz" on a tracked chassis are capable of transporting cargo weighing up to 30 tons and 5 passengers. The design uses a modification of the V-46-5 tank diesel engine with a power of 781 hp. and hydromechanical transmission. It is possible to move through water at speeds of up to 4 km/h due to the rotation of the tracks. The army version is used to transport Tor anti-aircraft missiles. There is a civilian version with a YaMZ 8401-10-09 diesel engine and an open cargo platform.

ShSG-401

The ShSG-401 tracked all-terrain vehicles, created in Russia on the basis of developments preserved from the times of the USSR, consist of 2 sections. The vehicles are designed for transportation of large-sized cargo weighing up to 40 tons; The operating weight of the vehicle is 54,000 kg.

To drive the tracks, a 500-horsepower YaMZ-240NM2 diesel engine is used, capable of accelerating the all-terrain vehicle to 15.8 km/h. The sections are connected by a hinge, which increases the maneuverability of the machine. The design includes a power-driven winch that develops a traction force of up to 20,000 kg.

KD-35

The caterpillar row crop tractor is characterized by its compact size, ease of operation and repair. Widely used in agriculture in the USSR and in the Warsaw Pact countries. Purpose – work with a plow and other attachments. Since 1950, a modification of the KDP-35 was produced, characterized by a smaller track width, a wider track and increased ground clearance.

The fairly powerful D-35 engine produced 37 hp. s., the gearbox had 5 steps (one back, five forward). The engine was economical: the average diesel fuel consumption per 1 hectare was 13 liters. The fuel tank was enough for 10 hours of work - this was enough to plow 6 hectares of land. Since 1959, the model was equipped with a modernized D-40 power unit (45 hp) and an increased speed (1600 rpm). The reliability of the chassis has also increased.

Tractor plant in Kharkov

In 1930, the construction of the KhTZ began in the country, which was named after Sergo Ordzhonikidze. The production facilities were located fifteen kilometers east of Kharkov. The construction of this giant was completed in just 15 months. USSR tractors began to roll off the production line of the enterprise already on September 1, 1931. These were models borrowed from the Stalingrad plant - SHTZ 15/30.

However, the main task of the enterprise was to create a new domestic Caterpillar tractor with a power of 50 hp. With. Designers under the leadership of P.I. Andrusenko worked to resolve this issue. They developed a diesel engine that could equip all tracked tractors of the USSR. In 1937, the plant began production of a series of new models, created on the basis of SHTZ-NAITI. It was equipped with a more productive and at the same time most economical engine running on diesel fuel.

After the start of the war, the enterprise had to be evacuated to Barnaul. Later, the Altai Tractor Plant was created here. In 1944, after Kharkov was liberated, production began at the same site. The series again included the legendary SHTZ-NAITI.

The main models of USSR tractors produced at the Kharkov plant:

• wheeled SHTZ 15/30 (1930);
• tracked SHTZ-NAITI ITA (1937);
• wheeled HTZ-7 (1949);
• tracked HTZ DT-54 (1955);
• tracked T-75 (1960);
• tracked T-74 (1962);
• tracked T-125 (1962).

In the 70s, the plant underwent a radical reconstruction without stopping the main production. After this, the production of wheeled three-ton trucks T-150K and tracked T-150 was mastered. The first of them, in tests carried out in 1979 in the USA, showed the best characteristics among the world's known analogues. This proved that USSR tractors were in no way inferior to foreign models.

At the end of the eighties, KhTZ mastered the production of new equipment of the KhTZ-180 and KhTZ-200 brands. They are 50% more productive than previous models and 20% more economical.

Firstborn of Russia

Our country has always been rich in talent. It was also famous for its inventors. Among them were those who worked in the field of creating equipment for agriculture.

The issue of mechanization of agriculture was raised back in the 18th century. agronomist I.M. Komov. By the middle of the 19th century. D. A. Zagoyaksky and V. P. Guryev developed steam tractors intended for plowing. The first such tracked unit was assembled and tested in 1888 by F.A. Blinov.

Improvement of such relationships is achieved through subsoil, but this is a very energy-intensive and therefore expensive procedure. It is better to prevent this threat than to remove its consequences. Tracked chassis reduces slippage by 50% while reducing compaction.

However, considering the benefits of the track system, it is undoubtedly a good investment that will quickly pay for itself. Car history for the most important things in the world. The first tractors are far from modern models. Air conditioning with filters, vibration reduction, hydraulic cab suspension, even power steering were unthinkable. However, the vision of replacing one horse with several or even dozens of mechanical ones was extremely attractive to the farmers of the day.

However, the official date of the emergence of the Russian tractor industry is considered to be 1896. It was then that at the fair in Nizhny Novgorod the world's very first steam tractor on caterpillar tracks was demonstrated to the assembled public.

By the beginning of the 20th century. designer Ya. V. Mamin invented a non-compression engine that ran on heavy fuel. It was great for vehicle operation. The first tractor, which was equipped with an 18-kilowatt internal combustion engine, was assembled in 1911. This unit was called very patriotically - “Russian”. After modernization, this tractor received a 33 kW engine. This gave him more power. Small-scale production of such tractors was mastered at the Balaklava plant. This equipment was produced individually in Kolomna and Bryansk, Kharkov and Rostov, Kichkass and Barvenkov, as well as in some other settlements. However, the total number of tractors produced in Russia was so small that it could not have a significant impact on the state of affairs in agriculture. By 1913, there were 165 tractors in the country. However, at the same time, the Russian Empire actively imported agricultural machinery. By 1917, 1,500 pieces were brought into the country.

Today, the tractor is a permanent feature of the agricultural landscape. Manufacturers outperform each other not only in terms of lightweighting and options, but also in the super extras they can offer to users. Unsurprisingly, the decision is complex and needs to be thought through - buying one of the smaller, cheaper models is the cost of several times the purchase of a new passenger car. In addition, it is designed to perform, be reliable to the limit, control equipment and be well maintained.

Then they served mainly for road transport. Who came up with this idea to use them in agriculture? The man's name is John Froelich. When the steam engines used at the time were insufficient for fuel and thus for machines to thresh grain, it created a clever alternative solution. He installed a gasoline engine on Robinson's chassis, added a manual mechanism, and decided to take up threshing. The tractor, named after its creator Frohlich, was the model for the later Waterloo Boy.

Tractor plant in Minsk

MTZ was founded on May 29, 1946. And until now this plant is considered the most successful enterprise that has retained the production capacity available since the times of the USSR, producing vehicles under the Belarus brand.

Before the USSR ceased to exist, MTZ produced almost 3 million units of wheeled and tracked vehicles. Among them are brands such as:

• tracked KD-35 (1950);
• tracked KT-12 (1951);
• wheeled MTZ-1 and MTZ-2 (1954);
• tracked TDT-40 (1956);
• wheeled MTZ-5 (1956);
• wheeled MTZ-7 (1957).

In 1960, large-scale reconstruction began at the Minsk plant. Simultaneously with the deployment of new equipment, designers were developing promising models. These were the MTZ-50 tractor, as well as a more powerful MTZ-52 all-wheel drive unit. Their serial production began in 1961 and 1964, respectively.

Beginning in 1967, the plant began producing tracked modifications of the T-54B with various contents. The company also produced the unusual MTZ tractor.

The USSR needed cotton growing equipment. In this regard, a modification of the MTZ-50X was developed. It featured twin front wheels, as well as increased ground clearance. Such models have been produced since 1969. The plant also supplied steep-slope MTZ-82K.

The next stage of the plant’s activity was the development of the MTZ-80 line. Its mass production began in 1974. After that, special modifications MTZ-82N and MTZ-82R were developed.

In the mid-80s, the Minsk Tractor Plant mastered equipment with a capacity of more than one hundred horsepower. These are models such as MTZ-102, MTZ-142. At the same time, low-power mini-equipment also rolled off the enterprise’s assembly line, the design of which included an engine from 5 to 22 liters. With.

"Kolomenets-1"

The principle of creating a single tractor farm, which was laid down by Lenin, could be realized thanks not only to the production of “iron horses”, but also to the adoption of a set of measures that contributed to the organization of a testing and research base, as well as solving issues of organization and repair, opening various courses on training of masters and instructors.

The latter is considered the predecessor of gasoline tractors. This is the ancestor of the two-cylinder John Deere! Tractor according to John Froehlich. Also, gentlemen named Charles-Hart and Parr were working on such engines. They did two things: they created a large factory in the United States and they backed a new word, "tractor", which was hitherto unknown and was supposed to define the machines they created.

Six years later, Henry Ford entered the campaign. As a child, he hated horses and hard work in the fields. Ford decided to make it easier to get a car. Most farmers could finally afford a tractor! The work gained momentum until World War I, when men and horses were sent to the front, the main agricultural labor force. This gave the designer the impetus to act. — Gasoline engine technology is rapidly developing. Thanks to this, their production has grown on a massive scale. The following models have become better.

The first tractors of the USSR were produced in 1922 at the Kolomensky plant. The leader of this project was E. D. Lvov. He is considered the founder of the Russian school of tractor building.

The first unit was named “Kolomenets-1”. Without any doubt, he was a real symbol of the beginning of a new era in the country's agriculture.

Orders for cars came from almost all continents, everyone wanted to increase their productivity. Although the first tractors were quite awkward and difficult to handle, a breakthrough occurred. A new era has arrived in agriculture - horsepower to make a good replacement for a train. However, let us return to the end of the First World War. The initial product range included various types of weapons, but was gradually expanded to include telegraphs, telephones and specialized tools for road construction.

Civil production of automobiles, bicycles, industrial measuring instruments, aircraft engines and other specialized devices has also been developed. However, factories, especially civilian production after liberation, were very quickly started up. Opinions thus collected regarding improvements were sent to Czechoslovakia. The main directions of these changes were aimed at adapting the tractor to agricultural needs, facilitating and improving tractor maneuvering and increasing the durability of tractor mechanisms.

Crawler tractors of the USSR

Since the mid-60s of the last century, research has been actively carried out in Russia on the effectiveness of using wheeled tractors in agriculture.

Unlike wheeled ones, they do not cause significant soil compaction, leading to a 25% reduction in yield. Tracked models also have other advantages:

• higher cross-country ability on loose and viscous soils;
• reduced risk of slipping;
• higher traction characteristics.

In this regard, a decision was made to transition the country's largest tractor manufacturing plants to the production of track-based vehicles. By the 80s of the 20th century, collective and state farms in Russia were fully equipped with equipment of this type.

This type of equipment is represented by the following models.

Kommunard

Kommunar is the first model of a caterpillar tractor, the production of which was carried out by KhTZ (Kharkov Tractor Plant) from 1924 to 1931. During the Great Patriotic War, this technique was used as traction for artillery guns. A total of 3 modifications of the basic model were developed:

• G-50;
• G-75;
• Z-90.

Technical characteristics of the Kommunar tractor:

• weight - 8.5 t;
• power - 50 l. With.;
• maximum speed - 7 km/h;
• three-speed gearbox (2 forward and 1 reverse).

Dt-54

In the 50s of the last century, production of the first diesel tracked tractor D-54 was launched. Its production was carried out by the three largest factories in the country: Stalingrad, Kharkov and Altai. This powerful machine was used for all types of work that required endurance, maneuverability, and high traction force.

The D-54 was equipped with a 5-speed manual transmission, reached speeds of up to 5.7 km/h, and had a traction power of 2000 kgf.

T-100 - the famous “weaving”

From 1963 to 1977, the caterpillar tractor was produced by the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant and had a large model range. It was equipped with a 4-stroke D-108 engine running on diesel fuel. The cabin was distinguished by increased comfort due to the soft seat and interior ventilation.

It is important to buy an Agat walk-behind tractor and attachments for it: modifications and devices that improve its capabilities

The first model was designed for use as part of the DZ-53 bulldozer, which had a rope system for controlling attachments. In further modifications, the system was replaced by hydraulics. The industrial tractor was used on construction sites as a chassis for a crane, pipe layer, and pile driver; It was not popular in the agricultural industry due to its low speed.

Dt-75 - the most popular tracked tractor in the USSR

D-75 is a general-purpose special equipment produced in Russia since 1973. The first cars were equipped with 75 hp diesel engines. With. The tractor has a frame design; in its original version it was equipped with a car-type cab with a height-adjustable seat.

Starting with the modification of the D-75M, the height and equipment of the cabin regularly underwent changes in the direction of increasing comfort.

For operation in regions with harsh climatic conditions, the engine can be cold started. The design of the machine allows you to attach side-mounted semi-mounted equipment to it. This makes it possible to use the tractor as a concrete paver and loader. Thus, the range of tasks performed by special equipment has been expanded. It included drilling, road and construction work. To this day, tractors of this model are in demand in agriculture and industry and are actively used in a variety of conditions.

"Fordson-Putilovets"

All USSR tractors that the country produced in the early twenties of the last century were manufactured either in small batches or in single samples. This did not meet the needs of agriculture. The first tractor in the USSR, which was put into mass production, was produced in Leningrad in 1924. The workers got down to business. These were the first wheeled tractors of the USSR that rolled off the assembly line en masse.

As a model, Soviet designers took the American Fordson model from Ford, produced since 1917. These were the first tractors of the USSR (see photo below), which, due to their design, had a low cost. In addition, these units were superior in their characteristics to the Kolomenets and Zaporozhets.

The Fordson-Putilovets models were equipped with a 14.7 kW carburetor kerosene engine and reached a maximum speed of 10.8 km/h. Their power on the hook was 6.6 kW. In these tractors, the designers provided a three-speed gearbox.

This model was produced until 1933. During this period, about 36-49 thousand units rolled off the assembly line. Of course, the vast majority of these tractors were sent directly to the fields of collective farms. However, the old USSR tractors also proved themselves to be excellent in construction, which experienced a shortage of motorized traction equipment. A jib crane was installed on the Fordson-Putilovets base, which was used to perform loading and unloading operations. These tractors also acted as tractors for trailed rippers.

How to make it yourself

A homemade caterpillar mini tractor is a structure consisting of various working units. Each such unit is manufactured separately, therefore, consideration of the mini tractor will consist of a description of its components.

This part is decisive, because the stability of the entire structure will depend on its strength, since the rest of the components are attached to the frame. To make the frame we will need a welding machine, a pair of traverses and two spars.

The design of the homemade unit contains a spar consisting of several stages - the outer parts consist of a channel, and the inner parts are made of a square pipe.

To facilitate labor and increase productivity, various types of manual cultivators have been created for cultivating soil in the country. With a hand-held cultivator for your garden, your work will become quick and easy.

Tracked models

Soon after the widespread dissemination of such technology, scientists focused on studying the effectiveness of various models. As a result, it was decided that track-based products are much more powerful, efficient and reliable. This led to the development of several popular models at once, as a result of which USSR tracked tractors began to be produced everywhere.

Kommunard

The first model was Kommunar, which was developed and produced at the Kharkov plant. Production began in 1924 and lasted 7 years. The product weighs 8.5 tons, and its engine produces 50 hp. The tractor is capable of reaching speeds of up to 7 km/h, and was widely used not only for agricultural work, but also for transporting tools during the Second World War.

Crawler tractor Kommunar

DT-54

A more modern model, which was developed in the 50s, is the D-54 diesel tractor. It was produced by several concerns at once and was used to solve the most labor-intensive tasks. It is distinguished by high power, simple and reliable design, which made it incredibly popular.

Diesel tractor DT 54

DT-75

The most widely used is the D-75, which is considered one of the most popular models. Its production started in 1973, and the first copies were equipped with power units whose power reached 75 hp. In addition to the main model, several modifications were released that were adapted to work in adverse climatic conditions.

The design of the device implied the possibility of using a wide range of attachments, which made it possible to significantly expand the scope of application of the device. This type of technology became so widespread that in addition to bicycles, non-standard toys were produced for children, for example, a pedal tractor.

DT-75

DT-54

Crawler tractors of the USSR (see photo below) became the most widely used. They were represented by many models, significantly exceeding the number of wheeled ones.

A remarkable example of agricultural equipment is the DT-54 tractor. It was produced between 1949 and 1979. This model came off the assembly lines of the Stalingrad and Kharkov, as well as the Altai plant. The tractor has been featured in many films. The most famous of them are “Kalina Krasnaya”, “It Was in Penkovka”, “Ivan Brovkin on the Virgin Lands”. These Soviet-era tractors can be found as a monument in dozens of settlements.

The DT-54 model is equipped with a four-stroke, four-cylinder, in-line liquid-cooled engine, rather rigidly mounted on the frame. The engine power of the unit is 54 hp. With. Its design includes a three-way five-speed gearbox connected by a cardan to the main clutch. The operating speed of the tractor ranges from 3.59 to 7.9 km/h. Its pulling force is 1000-2850 kg.

Features of the structure of the MTZ gearbox (80/82)

The box installed on the tractor includes securely fixed shafts (primary / secondary). These elements are installed in the box body.

The gears do an excellent job of fulfilling their intended functions. On the input shaft there are 3…5 speed drive gears. Also, the system includes an intermediate shaft. This element interacts with the 3rd speed gear. Gear changes should be carried out at low engine speeds and the clutch is depressed. Next, the driver sets the required travel mode. In order to reduce the speed limit on this vehicle, the manufacturer installed a speed reducer on the gearbox. It is a gearbox equipped with gears. A creeper is present on agricultural vehicles that are necessary for soil cultivation. The distinctive feature of this unit is that it has an increased working life and small dimensions.

The clutch system ensures that the existing motor is protected from high loads. Also, the main elements of the MTZ-80 gearbox include the housing and gear shift mechanism. The engine and transmission system are designed to withstand high loads, so they can operate in difficult conditions for a long time. The engine of the MTZ 82 tractor includes a transfer case, which ensures the transmission of torque from the gearbox to the cardan drive. For optimal system operation, oil should be filled to the level of the lower edge of the inspection hole. What oil is recommended for use in the MTZ 82 gearbox? Nigrol oil, which has no additives in its composition, has positive reviews. This liquid maintains its performance characteristics over a wide temperature range and has an optimal viscosity index.

The drive gears of III, IV and V gears are attached to the splines of the input shaft. Also, a reduction gearbox is attached to the splines of the input shaft through the driven gear.

The idler gear regulates downshifts. This spare part engages with the driven gear and the third gear sliding gear.

Intermediate shaft for MTZ 80 gearbox

The gearbox intermediate shaft rotates on a bushing and ball bearings. The bushing, in turn, is attached to the main gear of the second stage of the gearbox (it is mounted on two roller bearings). Behind the gear are the cams for the rear synchronous power take-off shaft. Above the main gear is the impeller. Its function is to lubricate the main gear gear and gearbox differential. Using splines, the drive gear of the main gear and the driven gear of the second stage of the gearbox are put on the secondary shaft of the MTZ 80 gearbox using a nut.

Reducer and gearbox of the MTZ 80 tractor

When any gearbox stage is engaged, the gear block is engaged. Depending on which gear stage is turned on, the tractor moves at a certain speed. The first stage of the gearbox switches 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th gears and also regulates the speed in reverse. The second stage provides the ability to carry out all other transmissions

The condition of the MTZ 80 tractor gearbox should be given due attention. Over time, even the most reliable parts can become unusable, and the time will come when they need to be replaced

If you hear noise and knocking when the gearbox is operating, the gears may turn off on their own, or the gear couplings and gears are quite difficult to disengage when changing gear, but you should consider repairing the gearbox. Most often, a malfunction occurs due to defects in shift forks, clamps, bearings, and gearbox shafts. There is a chance that the cause is gear meshing. If you hear the grinding of gears when changing gears, then the tractor's clutch control unit discs are worn out. It is also possible that the gear clutch is incorrectly adjusted. At the same time, if after such an inspection, adjustment, and replacement of parts the grinding does not go away, there may be a problem with the brake control apparatus. The mechanism spring needs to be adjusted. Its length in a compressed state should not be more than 32 mm. Other malfunctions may also occur. For example, if free movement of the reduction gear stage switch is noticeable, then the reason is the wear of the fork. Noise during operation of the MTZ 80 gearbox can also be observed due to broken bearings. They may jam or be completely destroyed. One of the options for knocking when shifting gears may be that some teeth in the gear of the MTZ 80 gearbox have worn out. It is necessary to check their condition and replace damaged parts.

Important Mini roll and bale hay balers

Prospects for the production of crawler tractors

However, it is too early to “bury” tracked tractors. Firstly, foreign experience shows that a chassis of this type has the right to life. To see this, just look at the Caterpillar. Secondly, domestic factories have quite good modern developments. For example:

• Altai Tractor, T-402.01, T-404, T-501. Despite the fact that the successors are now only assembled by skidders, the production of other models can be launched at any time.
• Volgograd / Cheboksary tractor, Agromash-150TG (former VT-90 and VT-150), Agromash-Ruslan. And also Chetra bulldozers.

In addition to those mentioned, you can also remember the Onega Tractor Plant in Petrozavodsk, which assembles tracked vehicles for forestry.

Currently, the situation is such that the production of “forest” tractors and industrial bulldozers is not at all hopeless. The situation with tracked vehicles for farmers is worse. Production profitability in this segment is negative. The above models, if produced, are produced in extremely small quantities. There is no demand.

Moreover, it cannot be said that agricultural producers do not have money to purchase equipment. Many people got back on their feet after the crisis, are working and developing. But they don’t want to buy tracked tractors. Therefore, even the plant in Minsk, which produces several models, produces them in very small quantities.

We can only believe that the situation will change. The factories have competitive developments. Combined with the traditional relatively low cost of Russian tractors, as well as simple operation and trouble-free repairs, this equipment will again become attractive. It is only necessary for investments to come into the industry and the psychology of agricultural producers to change.

"Universal"

In 1934, production of a new model of tractors began. The first mass-produced Fordson was replaced by the Universal. The model of the Farmol tractor, which was produced by the American tractor, was taken as the basis for its design. In terms of its parameters, it was slightly superior to its predecessor. Its kerosene carburetor engine had a power of 16 kW, an operating weight of 2 tons, and a speed of 8 km/h. The Universal tractor rolled off the assembly line of the Leningrad plant until 1940. After that, its production was moved to Vladimir. Here, at the tractor plant, these units were produced from 1944 to 1955.

Later prototypes used a more practical double cabin. There is only one clutch pedal in the floor. Mention should be made of the political changes of the first half of the seventies, which radically changed the current direction. In the government that was created by Piotr Jaroszewicz, Tadeusz Wgaszczyk was appointed Minister of Mechanical Engineering, who often repeated that Poland does not know any other way of industrial development, such as buying a license. At this stage, many of the initiated and far advanced projects of Polish industry were stopped.

Other businesses

Of course, the article does not list all the factories that produced tractors in the USSR and continued to operate after its collapse. These are companies such as:

• Altai (Barnaul);
• Onega (Petrozavodsk);
• Uzbek (Tashkent);
• Kirovskoye (St. Petersburg);
• Pavlodarskoe (Kazakhstan).

There are tractor factories in Moscow and in Bryansk, Lipetsk and Kolomna, as well as in other cities.

Since 1991, a new era began in the production of this equipment. If before this period all tractor enterprises belonged to one ministry, now many of them began to be located on the territory of new states. In addition, most factories passed into private hands. I would like to believe that the history of tractor manufacturing in Russia will continue to have a worthy continuation.

"Zaporozhets"

These are also the first tractors of the USSR. Their release took place in 1922 at the Red Progress enterprise in Kichkass. However, this model turned out to be imperfect. It had only one drive wheel - the rear one. In addition, the Zaporozhets tractors were equipped with a low-power 8.8 kW engine, which was able to accelerate the “iron horse” to only 3.4 km/h. This tractor had one forward gear and 4.4 kW of power at the hook. Despite such low characteristics, this vehicle was still able to significantly facilitate the work of collective farmers.

The tractor was equipped with a simple single-disc clutch, the wheel of which was pressed to the flywheel through nine springs. The gearbox had six forward and two forward speeds. The two-cylinder engine required crankshaft balancing using a heavy 150kg flywheel, which was already balanced at the factory along with the crankshaft.

The first series of tractors delivered to Poland were not yet equipped with electric starters; manual starting was facilitated by the so-called switch or lever that raises the suction valves, so that the pressure in the cylinders does not interfere with the rotation of the crankshaft. At the same time, the typical jerk of the first steering systems was up to ¼ of a turn of the steering wheel.

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)

Kirovets K744

The model is produced at the St. Petersburg Tractor Plant. The basic modification is made on wheels with low-pressure tires. Additionally, it is possible to replace the wheels with specialized tracked modules. The tracks of the K744 tractor are made of reinforced rubber, thanks to which the machine can move on asphalt surfaces without damaging it.

Kirovets K744 has 4 modifications, the main difference of which is the power of the power plant. The manufacturer installs an automated gearbox with leverless control on the tractor. Switching is carried out by the joystick and the buttons located on it. The gearbox has 16 forward gears and 8 reverse gears.

The tractor cabin is distinguished by a high degree of comfort and functionality. An on-board computer is installed in the K 744 cockpit. It informs the operator about the operation of all systems and mechanisms. The controls are located in close proximity to the operator's seat. This arrangement allows the tractor driver to easily operate a multi-ton machine. T744 has proven itself well when performing any type of agricultural work in various climatic conditions.

From the above it follows that since the times of the Soviet Union, the domestic tractor industry has been developing. Regardless of the fact that tracked vehicles are less in demand than wheeled vehicles, they are constantly being modernized, and in many technical indicators they are not inferior to foreign analogues of the corresponding class.

"Dwarf"

The inventor Mamin did not retreat from his work either. He went down in history by producing tractors in Russia and the USSR. After improving his own pre-revolutionary design, Mamin became the project manager for the creation of tractors of the “Karlik” family.

Their production began in 1924. Thus, agriculture received three-wheeled tractors “Karlik-1”, equipped with one gear. Their speed reached 3-4 km/hour. The Karlik-2 tractors, equipped with reverse, were also produced.

Thus, accidents were not uncommon; often such a trip ended with the tractor meeting a tree. The rapid development of agricultural mechanization has established new technical conditions that must be met by modern agricultural tractors, especially with regard to the increasing use of agricultural machinery. This set of tractor with lifting tool caused a reduction in its length, easier conversion and a reduction in the width of the cape.

Each manufacturer promoted its own solutions. It was possible to distinguish between groups of mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic and manual lifts. The number of ways to mount machines varied greatly, from four-point systems, single-point lifting with a lifting arm, to frame systems.

Notes

1. Tractor
   , article from the Great Soviet Encyclopedia. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia. 1969-1978.
2. Explanatory dictionary of foreign words by L. P. Krysin. - M: Russian language, 1998.
3. Small academic dictionary. - M.: Institute of Russian Language of the USSR Academy of Sciences. Evgenieva A.P.. 1957-1984.
4. Houghton Mifflin.
   The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language. — 4th. - Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2000. - P. 1829. - ISBN 978-0-395-82517-4.
5. Merriam-Webster Unabridged (MWU). (Online subscription-based reference service of Merriam-Webster, based on Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002.) Headword tractor
   . Accessed 2007-09-22.
6. Rules for admission to driving self-propelled machines and issuing tractor operator (tractor driver) licenses, Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of July 12, 1999 N 796 ​​(as amended on May 6, 2011).
7. Aggregation system. Aggregation system in industry
   (2007).
8. Tractors: classification and characteristics | Blog ZettaGroup (Russian). zettagroup.com.ua. Retrieved August 29, 2022.
9. Tractor: Textbook. manual for students of 9th and 10th grades. rural schools / Under. ed. Orlova M. A. - M.: Education, 1977. - 303 p.
10. Davydov, 1949, p. 27.
11. Skorenko, 2022.
12. Davydov, 1949, p. 21−22.
13. Hart Parr #3 Tractor on the National Museum of American History website
14. Sutton—Western-Technology-1917-1930.
15. NUK "Scientific and Technical Museum of the History of Tractors". trackmuseum.ru. Retrieved September 8, 2022.

Popular models

The most popular all-terrain vehicles of the USSR era include:

• GT-S:
• Ural-5920;
• KrAZ-255B;
• BT361A;
• SVG701;
• AT-T.

GT-S GAZ-47

The GAZ-47 tracked vehicle was developed in the early 50s. last century. The all-terrain vehicle was used to deliver people and cargo in difficult climatic conditions, as well as to tow trailers and as a base for installing various equipment. The design used a carburetor lower-valve engine from a GAZ-51 truck and a 4-speed transmission with additional final drives. With its own weight of 3550 kg, the all-terrain vehicle could transport up to 1000 kg of cargo or 11 people.

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Ural-5920

The Ural-5920 swamp vehicle is equipped with a frame chassis on which 2 tracked bogies with support rollers with rubber tires with sponge filler are installed. The power plant includes a naturally-aspirated KamAZ-740 diesel engine; the maximum speed reaches 30 km/h. Tracked vehicles can rotate around the central axis and deviate in different directions, providing high maneuverability. The transfer gearbox is equipped with a symmetrical type differential. The vehicle's carrying capacity is 8,000 kg, and the total weight of the all-terrain vehicle is 22,500 kg.

KrAZ-255B

The KrAZ-255B truck was created on the basis of its predecessor - 214B, which was a development of the YaAZ-210. The vehicle was equipped with a V-shaped 8-cylinder diesel engine YaMZ-240, which developed a power of 240 hp. (early cars used a 210-horsepower version). The torque is distributed by a 5-speed gearbox and a 2-speed gearbox (equipped with a differential for the rear bogie axles).

The truck is equipped with spring axle suspension; The driver and 2 passengers sit in a cabin made of sheet metal, which is mounted on a wooden frame. The KrAZ-255B vehicle was also produced after the collapse of the Soviet Union - the last vehicles were delivered to customers in 1993. The truck was widely used in the army (copies written off from storage appear on sale) and in the civil service. The machine was modernized several times, which made it possible to increase the reliability of the components and the service life before major repairs.

BT361A-01 "Tyumen"

The Tyumen swamp vehicle began to be developed in 1978; The design of the vehicle uses the cabin and tail from the Kirovets wheeled tractors. The all-terrain vehicle was equipped with a YaMZ-240BM diesel engine with a supercharging system, which developed a power of 300 hp. A 16-speed transmission was used to transmit torque without interruptions in flow. The cargo platform was located behind the cabin; The chassis included 2 tracked bogies. The maximum carrying capacity was 36,000 kg, the permissible weight of the all-terrain vehicle reached 82,000 kg.

SVG701 "Yamal"

The Yamal all-terrain vehicle was distinguished by an increased maximum weight, reaching 100 tons. The vehicle was intended for delivering goods in permafrost conditions; the project was developed jointly with the Canadian company Foremost. The design uses a Detroit Diesel engine with a power of 715 hp. and an autonomous generator. The undercarriage included 2 tracked bogies with road wheels with an external tire (filled with sponge material). A total of 2 prototypes were assembled and tested until the early 90s. last century.

AT-T and “Kharkovchanka”

The AT-T tracked tractor was developed for the army, which required a vehicle to tow artillery systems. The design used elements from the T-54 medium tank, which simplified the supply of spare parts to military units. The driver and passengers were seated in a metal cabin borrowed from a ZIL-157 truck. To increase capacity to 4 people, the cabin was expanded. The all-terrain vehicle has a dead weight of 20,000 kg, a carrying capacity does not exceed 5,000 kg (benches are provided for transporting 16 soldiers with personal weapons and equipment).

In 1958, the design bureau of the Kharkov plant developed an all-terrain vehicle for working in Arctic conditions, which received the nickname “Kharkovchanka”. The vehicle was based on an extended AT-T chassis, on which an all-metal carriage-type cabin was installed. The vehicle had a curb weight of 35,000 kg, and a naturally-aspirated diesel engine with a power of 520 hp. (a modification of the V-2 tank engine) made it possible to tow trailers weighing up to 70,000 kg. Later, modernized versions of the Kharkovchanka-2 vehicle were built with improved conditions for the driver and passengers.

Bulldozer T 100, technical characteristics

An 11-ton crawler tractor has a small specific pressure on the soil of 0.47 kgf/cm2. This allows it to be used on swampy, loose and sandy soils. The power of the four-cylinder engine is 108 hp. Ground clearance – 391 mm. This mechanical tractor has durable components and components, which allows individual copies of this model to still be on the move and perform their functions. Of course, this is due to proper maintenance and careful operation.

Technical characteristics of the bulldozer T-100M

Soviet tractor industry

The peaceful Soviet tractor made it possible to perform many tasks and significantly increased the efficiency of collective farms, which made it one of the most important elements of economic activity. Despite the modest power indicators characteristic of most models, they were able to significantly increase productivity and help in performing labor-intensive work.

The first models of tractors in the USSR began to be produced in 1923; they were universal machines designed to solve a wide range of tasks. The emergence of such technology was one of the reasons for the state's success in the economy during the first years of its existence, since the national economy at that time was in decline. Among the main works that were carried out using this type of units, it is advisable to include:

• plowing fields;
• towing cargo, especially at logging enterprises;
• laying roads, erecting houses and other structures;
• work in the public utilities sector.

The USSR had a developed tractor industry

Tractor factories

The history of tractors in the USSR is closely connected with the enterprises where they were produced, since for most of them the production of such equipment became a priority activity. The idea of ​​creating enterprises specializing exclusively in the production of tractors belongs to F.E. Dzerzhinsky. She found support from the government, which led to the emergence of many inexpensive and reliable units that were adapted to difficult operating conditions.

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The largest manufacturing enterprises were located in the following cities:

• Stalingrad;
• Kharkiv;
• Minsk;
• Chelyabinsk.

These factories were the largest, but many other enterprises were located throughout the country, for example, in St. Petersburg, Petrozavodsk, Tashkent and other cities.

Construction of new production facilities

Over time, it became obvious that in order to provide collective farms with the necessary agricultural equipment, it was necessary to build special factories. In them, production facilities should be combined with research and design bureaus. The initiator of such a project was F. E. Dzerzhinsky. It was planned to equip the new enterprises with the most advanced equipment. This would make it possible to establish mass production of reliable and cheap models on tracked and wheeled traction.

In addition, the centralization of the first half of the seventies did not miss the Mechanical Plant in Gorzów. Any distribution or copying beyond your own use is prohibited. The combine promised a complete change in grain harvesting technology and an incredible increase in yield. In interwar Poland, combine harvesters practically did not exist, especially since in European conditions the first combine harvesters appeared in the second half of the 1930s. The first new combine harvesters to reach Polish large-scale agriculture in small numbers in the late 1940s were the Soviet Rostelmass-Stalniec combines, a side-cutting machine with a wide hedge of six meters in height.

The history of USSR tractors as objects of large-scale production began in Stalingrad. After this, the capacities of the Leningrad and Kharkov plants were significantly expanded. The largest enterprises appeared in Chelyabinsk, Barnaul, Minsk and other cities of the country.

Stalingrad plant

It was no coincidence that Stalingrad became the city in which the country built its first production facilities from scratch for the production of tractors. The city had a good strategic position, being at the intersection of supply routes for Ural metal, Baku oil and Donbass coal. In addition, there was an entire army of skilled labor in Stalingrad. By the way, according to this indicator, the city has overtaken Taganrog, Kharkov, Voronezh, Zaporozhye and Rostov.

The decision to build a tractor plant in Stalingrad was made by the government in 1925. And five years later, the famous STZ-1 wheel units rolled off the new production line. And after that, the plant produced many wheeled and tracked models. These are USSR tractors such as:

• wheeled SHTZ 15/30 (1930);
• tracked STZ-3 (1937);
• tracked SHTZ-NAITI (1937);
• tracked DT-54 (1949);
• tracked DT-75 (1963);
• tracked DT-175 (1986).

In 2005, the Volgograd Tractor Plant (formerly STZ) was declared bankrupt. VgTZ became the legal successor of the enterprise.

"Communar"

At a time when USSR designers were working on creating new, more advanced models, the government of the country organized the production of agricultural machinery under license from foreign companies. So, in 1923, the Kharkov plant produced USSR tracked tractors, which were the heirs of the German Ganomag Z-50 units. As a rule, they were used for the needs of the army when transporting artillery pieces. These tractors served the country until 1945.

The two lower points were attached to the lower lift arms, and the upper one to what was called a switch, the length of which could be adjusted. The depth of operation of the tool adjusted the force generated on the spring in the switch, which bent the valve, adjusting the height of the lift arm.

Later this system was also adopted in Poland and many Eastern European countries. This safety was built into the upper link, when the plow struck the stone, the resulting force was pressed by the hydraulic safety, the body began to move forward, simultaneously pressing the lever system acting on the clutch.