One of the most successful models of crawler bulldozers produced in our country was the T-170. Until now, it is often found on construction sites, in agriculture, and in heavy work, for which it is, in fact, intended. Reliability and maintainability make this machine a long-liver, and the technical characteristics and variety of models and configurations will help you choose the most suitable unit for specific work.
History of the T-170
Before continuing the story about the T-170, I would like to briefly recall the history of the plant, which is inextricably linked with the history of our country. It was ChTZ that in the 30s became the locomotive of tractor manufacturing in the USSR. It is difficult to overestimate the contribution that the enterprise made to the industrialization of the then young Soviet state.
The decision to build a tractor giant in the Urals was made at the end of May 1929. Chelyabinsk was destined to become a new center of mechanical engineering. The choice of location was not accidental; it was facilitated by the industrial traditions of the region with developed infrastructure and qualified personnel.
Few people know the fact that after Caterpillar refused to participate in the development of a master plan for the enterprise. In Detroit, the Chelyabinsk Tractor Plant bureau was organized, in which an international team of 12 Americans and 40 Soviet engineers worked together on the plan for the enterprise.
The first workshops were opened in a solemn ceremony in August 1930. The plant project incorporated all the accumulated world experience in tractor manufacturing, which allowed the plant to become the largest enterprise at that time, which had no analogues in either Europe or America.
It is impossible not to note the contribution that ChTZ made to the victory in the Great Patriotic War. During the war years, 18,000 different combat vehicles rolled off the assembly lines of the Ural plant, as well as countless amounts of ammunition, tank engines and spare parts for them.
In the post-war period, the enterprise transferred production to a peaceful basis and expanded its activities. By the end of 1948, the plant was already producing 20-25 machines per day, and in the mid-50s, tractors from the Urals were bought by Austria, Finland, Egypt, Burma, Sweden, Afghanistan, Brazil, etc.
Bulldozer T-170
Since the late 1960s, modernization began at ChTZ and continued until the early 80s. During these years, a new, promising family of T-130 tractors was born.
The plant produced its millionth tractor in 1984, and production peaked in 1988, during which 31,700 vehicles were produced. In the same 1988, a deep modernization of the T-130 gives birth to a new, more powerful T-170, the production of which will cease only in 2002.
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Technical characteristics of the bulldozer T-170
A distinctive feature of the T-170 is considered to be a good margin of safety for the mechanisms and systems of the tractor, as well as outstanding performance.
- Engine make: D160, D180.
- Power plant power – D160 (160 hp), D180 (180 hp / 132 kW)
- Rated speed – 1070 rpm.
- Fuel consumption – 158g. (hp/h)
- Track – 1880 mm.
- Traction class – 10 tf.
- Dimensions length/width/height – 4600/2480/3180 mm.
- Ground pressure – 0.076 MPa.
- Curb weight – 15990 kg.
T-170 bulldozer engine
The T-170 was equipped with two different engines, D-160 on early models and D-180 on later versions of the tractor. Both engines are turbocharged inline four-stroke four-cylinder units.
Diesel engines can operate equally successfully both in polar conditions at -40 and in heat above +40. If operation is intended in northern regions, a pre-heater can be installed on the engine.
A distinctive feature of these power plants is their omnivorous nature. Diesel fuel, kerosene, gas condensate, any of these types of fuel is suitable for work. Starting can be done either using an electric starter or a starting motor.
T-170 bulldozer gearbox
A gearbox with four shafts and gears in constant mesh. In total, the gearbox has eight speeds, four of which are for forward movement and the same number for reverse. It can be made in two versions, depending on whether the installation of a creeper and a power take-off shaft is provided or not.
Dimensions and weight of the T-170 bulldozer
All T-170 models were developed taking into account railway dimensions. Base model:
- Length – 4210 mm.
- Width – 2480 mm.
- Height – 3250 mm.
- Track – 1880 mm.
- Base – 2880 mm.
Modifications of swamp passages have a base of 2280 mm, width of 3230. Weight characteristics:
- Basic – 15990 kg.
- Lightweight – 13000 kg.
- Pipelayer – 17700.
Chassis and steering of the T-170 bulldozer
The running system on the T-170 is bogie. The trolley suspension is three-point, semi-rigid with a balancing beam. The beam is micro-sprung.
Compared with a traditional spring suspension, such a suspension uses the weight of the apparatus more rationally and efficiently when using bulldozer equipment.
Support and support rollers are mounted on tracked carts, the frames of which are made of rectangular pipes. The tension wheel is also attached there.
A chassis with tracked bogies with five rollers is considered traditional. Seven-roller carts are also used; they can be found on swamp modifications. Such trolleys, together with wider, 900 mm shoes, create lower ground pressure.
Maneuvering the tractor is ensured by a lever control system. Changing the direction of movement, as well as braking, is carried out using a set of belt-type clutches.
To change direction, the drive of one of the crawler tracks is partially blocked. The smoothness of the turn directly depends on the degree of blocking.
T-170 bulldozer cabin
You won’t find much comfort in the T-170 cabin, as in most domestic tractors.
However, you can’t call them completely Spartan either. There is everything necessary for normal operation. The cabin accommodates two passengers in addition to the tractor driver. It is located above the transmission and mounted on a special platform with vibration isolation. Good visibility is ensured by a large glass area.
As standard, it is equipped with forced ventilation and heating. For work in hot conditions, an air conditioner can be installed as an option.
On the panel in front of the driver there are all the main sensors and instruments for monitoring the operation of the main mechanisms and assemblies. The safety of the tractor driver is ensured by a durable frame that can protect the driver from the tractor tipping over or heavy objects falling onto the cab.
Hydraulics and attachments for bulldozer T-170
The hydraulic system on the T-170 is separate and aggregate, designed to control various types of mounted and trailed equipment.
There is a hinged system for attaching working equipment to the tractor. This system can be of two types, front and rear.
Such a system consists of the following elements: hydraulic pump NSh-100, hydraulic distributor P160, hydraulic cylinders, a hydraulic pipeline system and two hydraulic tanks.
The NSh-100 pump is designed to create pressure in the system. The P160 hydraulic distributor directs the working fluid to the required hydraulic cylinders. Hydraulic cylinders, in turn, work directly with the equipment.
The T-170 is mainly combined with a variety of industrial equipment. Various types of dumps, rippers, pipe-laying equipment, uprooters. In agriculture, the T-170 is used mainly with plows on heavy soils and ploughs.
Operating experience of the T-170 bulldozer
Speaking about using a tractor in various fields of activity, many highlight the main advantages and disadvantages: Advantages:
- Machine reliability.
- The cost of the tractor is relatively low compared to its analogues.
- Maintainability.
- Operation in various climatic zones.
- Extensive dealer network of the ChTZ Plant, availability of spare parts.
- The tractor's engine life reaches 10 thousand engine hours.
Another significant plus is the ability of the T-170 to operate on various types of fuel. Flaws:
- The weak point is the friction clutches; since the time of the T-130 they have remained unchanged and are most often replaced.
- Compared to Western competitors, the control of the machine is much more complicated.
- Insufficient sound insulation.
- The comfort of the driver’s workplace remains at the level of the 80s.
How tractor drivers themselves speak about their machines:
- I got behind the levers of this heavy tractor while working in the construction industry. The equipment I worked with was a grader knife, and I also had to use a “fang” ripper. I have been using the levers of this device for almost five years now, and have not yet experienced any serious problems. During operation, only consumables were changed, and the fingers on the goosenecks were worn out. The performance is satisfactory, we have opened concrete with it, and it loosens the ground frozen to 30 cm without any problems. In my opinion, good equipment, for not a lot of money.
- I am the owner of a company that makes money by renting out various special equipment. When the time came to replace a couple of heavy tracked tractors that had retired, it was decided to opt for the T-170 produced at ChTZ. I will explain my decision very simply. By that time we were already familiar with the machine and had operating experience. The tractor is repairable, and although it is no longer mass-produced, the plant continues to produce all components. In general, both purchased machines have been rented by various organizations more than once, for a variety of jobs, and no problems or complaints have arisen.
- Coming out of the army in 1997, I had some experience working with heavy bulldozers. This experience helped me get a job in one of the construction companies in our city. And he immediately got on the T-170 bulldozer, the levers of which he subsequently spent 7 years. So there was plenty of time to get to know the technology closely. I can say that in Russian climatic conditions, this tractor behaves more than worthy, while the Western analogues, extolled by everyone, behave much more capriciously in our realities. I won’t describe the advantages, I’ll just express my opinion. A good domestically produced bulldozer that copes with the responsibilities assigned to it.
Buying a used bulldozer T-170: features of choice
Buying a high-traction bulldozer, even on the secondary market, is not a cheap pleasure. For this reason, you need to know what to look for when purchasing and what to pay closer attention to. So as not to buy a pig in a poke.
First of all, we pay attention to the general appearance of the equipment, as well as the presence of attachments. As a rule, at least a bulldozer blade should be present, and ideally a ripper. If this equipment is not available, you already have a reason to reduce the price.
Inspect the engine and all hydraulic components for oil leaks. Pay attention to how susceptible the car is to corrosion.
The next and probably most important thing on a crawler tractor is the tracks. We look at the wear of the tracks and fingers. Replacing tracks is not cheap, so take it seriously. Well, the best advice is, of course, to take with you to the inspection a specialist who is well versed in this technique.
The price range for purchasing T-170 bulldozers varies from approximately 400 thousand for a tractor from 1988-1992, to 3.5 million for a tractor that has undergone a major overhaul and brought to the state of a new machine.
What should you do regularly?
Before starting or completing work, the machine is thoroughly checked. The following are inspected for damage, leaks, cracks and other dangerous phenomena:
- engine;
- checkpoint;
- fuel system;
- frame;
- blade or other attachments;
- control system (pedals/levers).
If there are extraneous knocks or noises in a given unit or group of parts, it is better to postpone operation of the machine - these are sure signs of loosening of fasteners of components, wear of bearings, large gaps in friction units or drying out of lubricants.
Attachments need to be checked for secure fastening:
- beams on supporting axles;
- frame struts;
- blade to beams or racks;
- winches, blocks, cables;
- containers with lubricants.
Monitoring the condition of the rope-block system is a task of paramount importance. The ropes must be selected exactly according to the machine’s technical data sheet (diameter, material, other parameters), and there should be no nicks or anything on the blocks and drums that could damage the rope.
