Tractor MTZ-1221: technical characteristics and reviews

Main purpose

Most often, this small tractor is purchased, of course, by farmers. The MTZ-1221 model was developed specifically to perform a wide range of agricultural work. Most often, this technique is used to prepare the soil for pre-sowing. The tractor copes with this task perfectly both on light soils and on heavy alumina and even on virgin soil.

In addition, the MTZ-1221 model can be used in agriculture for mowing and for transporting various types of cargo. In gardens, this model is often used to form the crowns of fruit trees and berry bushes. In this case, a special type of attachment is attached to the tractor - a brush cutter.

Where else can it be used

Very often, such tractors are also purchased by utility workers. In this area, the MTZ-1221, whose technical characteristics are actually very good, is most often used for transporting garbage and branches. Also in cities, this tractor is used to clear snow from streets. Of course, this model can be used on the streets of big cities and as a brush cutter. In construction, the MTZ 1221 series tractor is most often used to transport various types of loads. On roads it is usually used when performing pothole repairs of asphalt.

This model is popular in a variety of areas of the national economy, including due to its relatively low cost. The price of new MTZ tractors of the 1221 series is approximately 1200-1250 thousand rubles.

MTZ-1221: technical characteristics of the model

This tractor is popular among consumers primarily, of course, due to its excellent performance characteristics. Utility workers, farmers and construction workers praise it not only for its high build quality, reliability and versatility, but also for its excellent performance.

What specific characteristics the MTZ-1221 tractor has can be seen in the table below.
Model MTZ series 1221

Characteristic	Parameter
Engine power	130 l/s
Number of cylinders	6
Fuel consumption at rated power	226 g/kWh
Fuel tank capacity	160 liters
Transmission	Mechanical, synchronized
Forward/reverse speed	2.1-33.8/4.0-15.8 km/h
Hydraulic system capacity	21 l
Front/rear wheel track	1545-2265/1500-1900 mm
Ground clearance under front/rear axles	620/465 mm
Turning radius	5.3 m
Weight	5300 kg
Front/rear tire size	14.9R24/18.4R38

Power point

The traction characteristics of the tractor are provided by an in-line six-cylinder diesel engine of the D-260.2 brand, with a power of 122 hp. Simple in design and economical, the engine complies with the recommendations of current European standards.

The unit can operate with equal success on domestic and foreign fuels and lubricants, oils for MTZ-1221 and standard greases. Average fuel consumption is within 166 g/hp. per hour, the fuel tank capacity is 160 liters.

Photo: Belarus-1221 cabin

Attachments

As already mentioned, the MTZ-1221 tractor belongs to the group of universal heavy wheeled vehicles. It can be mounted with a variety of types of attachments. In addition to a plow, mower, brush cutter and trolley, these can be forks, grabs, blades, road milling machines, etc. Of course, attachments such as a bucket are also used for this tractor. In this case, the capacity of the latter can be 0.38-1 m3.

Control of the operation of attachments on this model is carried out depending on the configuration by means of:

two vertical power cylinders built into the hydraulic receiver;
autonomous horizontal power cylinder.

The temperature of the working fluid of the tractor hydraulic system is adjusted without operator intervention. The model 1221 has a three-point hitch system. Aggregation with equipment and adjustment of the latter’s position in space is carried out using strong braces and braces. Oil of both domestic and imported origin can be poured into the tractor hydraulics. This does not affect the service life of the unit in any way.

Advantages and disadvantages

The combination of the budget cost of the tractor with excellent performance properties, the ability to independently diagnose and repair, and ease of operation have established its high performance in popular ratings of consumer demand. In the near future, it is planned to open several assembly shops in the near abroad.

The MTZ-1221 tractor successfully combines in its parameters the affordable cost of material parts and an assortment of spare parts with energy saturation and economical operation.
Structurally, there is access to the main systems and units, which allows you to perform service maintenance and repair work with minimal expenditure of working time.
The machine differs from foreign analogues in its ability to independently eliminate failures in the field, which allows reducing forced downtime to a minimum.

Depending on the specifics of the work performed on the tractor, additional equipment may be used, which can be equipped with the machine upon separate request. The proposed list includes additional fuel tanks, automated coupling devices, ballast weights, and adapters for installing twin wheels.

Disadvantages include the relatively small volume of the fuel tank and the low service life of the built-in air conditioners. According to many owners, a significant drawback of the layout is the air intake for the engine at the level of the hood. In order to save time on cleaning the filter every shift, it is enough to bring the pipe to the roof of the cabin.

Video: plowing on MTZ-1221

A new 2022 tractor will cost the buyer approximately 900 thousand UAH ($35,000), which is two or even three times lower than the price range of imported analogues.
For a start-up business, the problem is solved by purchasing a used tractor. Depending on the condition of the material part and the remaining assigned resource, the cost of a used Belarus-1221 vehicle can range from 400 to 700 thousand UAH ($15,000 - $25,000).

Chassis models

The MTZ-1221 transmission is structurally somewhat different from that used on tractors of previous models. The rear axle axle shafts of the 1221 equipment are reinforced. This allows you to use more powerful and heavier attachments with the tractor without the risk of damage. The front axle, like the rear, is driven. In this case, the tractor can use both planetary and beam-coaxial versions. The model’s brakes can be either “dry” or “wet”.

The MTZ-1221 clutch is a double-disc, friction, permanently closed type. The leading part of the coupling for this tractor is the flywheel, basket and middle element. In this case, the driven disk includes two disks, supplemented with torsional vibration dampers.

Transmission and gearbox

The design of the tractor includes a reinforced transmission, a reliable double-disc clutch and a multi-stage manual gearbox. An expanded range of operating and transport speed modes is provided by 16 forward and 4 reverse stages.

Mechanically driven attachments are activated by an external synchronized power take-off shaft. The universal three-point hitch is compatible with a wide range of agricultural implements, new and discontinued. To operate hydraulically driven working units, the tractor is equipped with 3 pairs of outputs. The PTO torque is sufficient to drive ground-based, particularly mechanically driven, high-performance pumping equipment. Mounted or stationary units with built-in hydraulic motors are connected to the tractor hydraulic system through paired outputs.

Photo: MTZ-1221 at work

Tractor cabin

This model has earned good reviews from machine operators, among other things, for the fact that you can work on it with relative comfort. The interior of the tractor is decorated with fabric and plastic panels. The cabin looks quite modern. There is a hatch in the tractor roof. The large glass area provides the operator with a good overview. The cabin can be ventilated either through the hatch or through the opening rear window. All main controls in the cabin are located on the right.

The cabin frame of the model is made of bent shaped profile and is characterized by a high degree of reliability. Outside there are rear-view mirrors, light signaling devices and a sun visor. The front window of the model is equipped with an electric windshield wiper.

Farmer reviews

The advantages of this modern tractor among machine operators include, first of all, its versatility. According to most farmers, in this regard the model is not behind even the T-150. Like this popular tractor, it can also be used to attach a five-furrow plow. The MTZ-1221 and the heavy cultivator pull very well.

Builders like this tractor mainly for its high productivity. The bucket that can be attached to the model is quite large, which, of course, has a positive effect on the speed of work. Also, many consumers consider ease of operation to be an advantage of this technology. Even with a bucket full of sand, the model's hydrostatic steering wheel turns very easily.

Previously, MTZ tractors of the 1221 series came from the factory with a very easy-to-use twin fuel tank. In the latest batches, this equipment comes with ordinary plastic. The intake for such tanks is on top, like a car. Most farmers consider this to be some drawback of the tractor. To clean the tube if it becomes clogged, the operator has to disassemble almost half of the cabin.

Some farmers also note the fact that this tractor can sometimes have minor problems with the front axle. From time to time it happens that during work the model's sleeves are broken off. Consumers consider another disadvantage of the MTZ-1221 to be that, in comparison with many other modern tractors, it consumes quite a lot of fuel.

MTZ 1523 and 1221 will no longer be imported into the Russian Federation

Author: Oleg Vinokurov(admin)
March 23, 2022 no comments

MTZ 1523 and 1221 will no longer be imported into the Russian Federation. They say environmental standards are not appropriate.

Why is there no charging on the MTZ 1221? The generator, fuse and converter are working. The batteries are working.

Author: Zheka Lysov
06 August 21:17 2 comments

Hello, tell me the solution to the problem - there is no charging on the MTZ 1221. The generator is broken, the fuse and the converter are also working, the batteries are working. I removed the jumper block, after assembly it all started. Maybe there is some kind of diagram or in words, what’s what? Thank you.

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On MTZ 1221 the brakes stick. Both sides jam. What to do?

Author: Vasily Vasin
June 24 16:27

Good morning, colleagues. On MTZ 1221 the brakes drank all the blood. Both sides jam. Maybe someone had this and did what.

Should the input shaft on MTZ 1221 go to the left, right, top to bottom, and not be rigidly attached?

Author: Oleg Vinokurov(admin)
June 23 21:12 1 comment

Hi all. Tell me, on MTZ 1221 the input shaft goes left to right, top to bottom, in general, it is not rigidly attached. Should it be like this or not?

MTZ 1221. We removed the thermostat, the engine gets hot. Is it necessary to jam the small circle channel, and if so, how?

Author: Zlata Abramova
May 28 10:00

Good afternoon. I removed the thermostat at 1221. The engine is heating up, is it necessary to turn off the small circle channel, if so, how?

Is timber from Belarus 1221 suitable for Belarus 82.1?

Author: Dmitry Bonchukov
May 20 22:30

Tell me, is the timber from Belarus 1221 suitable for Belarus 82.1?

Why does the clutch plate on the MTZ 1523 break?

Author: Vyacheslav Strelnikov
08 May 00:30 22 comments

Hello, can you tell me why the clutch plates on the MTZ 1523 break?

MTZ 1221 The front fenders are constantly dangling. Maybe make a front bumper and attach the fenders to it?

Author: Oleg Vinokurov(admin)
05 May 12:20

Good day to all.! This is a problem - on the MTZ 1221 the front wings are constantly dangling. The fastenings have already been prepared. What they didn’t do. What do you recommend doing? Maybe make a front bumper and attach the fenders to it so that the fenders stay in place when turning? Tell me, who did it?