In the CIS countries, tractors are classified according to a system that is based on the traction characteristics of the equipment. Today we will get acquainted with such a concept as a traction class of tractors. A table and a description of each of the classes will help us with this.
General concepts
The traction class expresses the most important characteristic of tractors - the maximum level of traction that a machine can develop. But there is one caveat: this effort itself may depend on the type of soil and the operating conditions of the equipment. For example, in a damp meadow or marshland, a tractor will not be able to pull a load as successfully as in a sand or dry field. Therefore, the traction class of the tractor is measured in strictly standardized conditions.
In the case of agricultural machines, the classification is performed according to the force developed in such conditions:
- Soil type - stubble of ears of crops.
- Soil moisture - 20-30%
- The hardness of the soil is normal.
- Skidding: 16% - for wheeled 4x2; 14% - for wheeled 4x4; 3% - for tracked vehicles.
The traction class of tractors is indicated by a figure denoting traction in ton-forces (tf). Sometimes there is an indication of the class in kilonewtons (kN). It is not at all difficult to translate one quantity into another: at 1 kN - approximately 10 tf. Therefore, if it is written, for example, that the tractor belongs to the class of 14 kN, then this is a 1.4-traction class.
Classification
To date, 17 classes of traction are distinguished, covering all equipment, starting with small walk-behind tractors and ending with tractors of record power. Current models of machinery for agriculture are in the first eight classes. Three more classes are reserved for walk-behind tractors and mini-tractors. In recent years, powerful 7-class agricultural machines have also appeared. And earlier, only industrial tractors were included in this class. It will help to better understand what the traction class of tractors is, the table below.
Group classification
Agricultural tractors, depending on the purpose, are divided into six groups:
- Mini tractors. This includes representatives of 0.2-0.4 classes. The equipment is designed to work in small areas and involves the use of additional attachments or trailers. Also suitable for transport work.
- Universal tractors . These are cars from 0.6 to 2 class. The equipment is intended for general business work, cultivation, processing and harvesting of row crops.
- Universal row crops . By class, these are the same tractors as in the previous group. However, they are intended for primary tillage (plowing, harrowing, cultivation), sowing, harvesting, cultivating crops and solving transport problems.
- General purpose tractors . This group includes classes 3 to 7. Machines are designed for energy-intensive operations: plowing, cultivation, snow retention, stubble cultivation, land reclamation and transport operations. Such tractors are used, as a rule, in fields with a large area.
- Specialized tractors . It can be machines of different classes, the main task of which is the processing of a particular culture. There are vegetable, beet, cotton and others.
- Self-propelled chassis . This group includes tractors of small classes, with a frame for the platform located in front. The most famous of them is the T-16.
Now we will analyze each class of the tractor separately, focusing on its features and giving specific examples.
0.2 grade
As you already know, mini-tractors and heavy walk-behind tractors belong to this class. This technique is intended for simple work in small areas. Often such tractors are used to drive all kinds of aggregates and mechanisms. Today on the market you can find a lot of tractors of this class from the early MTZ-082 and “Belarus-112” to modern ones: “Belarus-08K”, “Uralets T-0.2”, KMZ-012, “Ussuriets” and so on Further. Chinese models are also very popular in the domestic market: Foton TE-244, Chery FD15, Dong Feng DF 244, Xingtai XT-220, and others. There are also Japanese tractors of 0.2 class, firms: Mitsubishi, Iseki and Kubota.
0.4 grade
To date, domestic tractor factories do not produce equipment of this class. The only mass tractor of this group was once the KhTZ-7. Its production did not last long - from 1950 to 1956. Among Chinese products, products of this class can be found. They are produced by Jinma.
0.6 grade
Machines of this class are considered universal. This fact, along with a small price, determines their wide distribution. 0.6 tf class includes such domestic vehicles: T-25A and T-30 (both manufactured to this day on Vladimir TZ), self-propelled chassis T-16, VTZ-2032, and Belarus (versions: 310, 320 and 321). There are in the 0.6th class and Chinese models of firms: Dong Feng, Chery and Jinma.
0.9 grade
This class of tractor is also considered universal. With a traction of 0.9 tf, the tractor can be used for agricultural work and transport purposes. The brightest and most popular representative of the class is the T-40 / 40A model. It has not been produced for more than two decades, but it still faithfully serves business executives. Of the modern representatives, LTZ-55, VTZ-45 and TTZ-80.10 can be noted.
1.4 grade
Studying such a question as “tractor traction class”, we gradually move on to more massive and powerful specimens. Class 1.4 is considered the most massive in the agricultural sector, construction, housing and communal services, and many other industries. Therefore, this is almost the widest traction class. Tractors MTZ and "Belarus", among domestic representatives, in it the most. This class includes such veterans as: MTZ-50/52, MTZ-80/82, Belarus-80/82, all modifications of UMZ-6, LTZ-95B, LTZ-60AV and many others. Of the more modern, 900 models of the Belarus series can be distinguished. As for foreign options, the most popular are American models: John Deere JD6020 / JD5020, AGCO MF3600 / MF3400. There are also “Germans” from Deutz-Fahr, and “Chinese” from the market: Dong Feng, Xingtai and others.
2nd grade
Gradually, we begin to consider more powerful classes of tractors. The table shows that tracked models begin with the second class. This is due to the increase in workload and the level of complexity of the tasks performed. By the way, 20 years ago, in this class only a caterpillar tractor could be found . Class 2 tf today, includes a lot of wheeled models. The most popular of the early tracked vehicles were the T-70 and T-54V. Later, a wheeled modification of the LTZ-155 appeared. Today, choosing a class 2 tractor you can get confused in the abundance of models. Among the best modern devices on the market, we can distinguish: "Belarus 1221, 1222"; American John Deere 6020, 6130D and his fellow countryman New Holland T6050 Delta; UK representative - CASE IH Maxxum 125; and the "German" Deutz Agrofarm 430.
3rd grade
This type of equipment is actively used in agricultural and industrial works. In the development of minerals and in the mining industry, you can also meet this class of tractor. Grade 3 has such typical representatives: wheeled or tracked T-150, all versions of the tracked DT-75, DT-175, and the modern "Agromash 90". Of the new products deserve attention: "Belarus 1523", Terrion ATM 3180 and John Deere series 6.
4th grade
Machines of this class are mainly used in the steppe zone for processing soft viscous soil. There was a time when the 4th class was represented by only one tracked model - the T-4A and some specialized vehicles. Today on the market you can find wheeled and tracked "Belarus" (models 2022 and 2103, respectively); Terrion company with models ATM 3180/4200; Kharkov tractors HTZ-181 and HTZ-17221; as well as the Americans New Holland and John Deere (4th grade in both firms is represented by the seventh series).
5th grade
Equipment of this class is necessarily equipped with all-wheel drive and huge wheels with a deep tread. It is used in a wide range of agricultural work (pre-sowing, sowing and harvesting companies) and as a tractor for the delivery of trailers on the road. Of the domestic models, the most popular are Kirovets, or rather, the K-700 model in all its modifications. Among the cars of the 5th class can also be noted: wheeled "Belarus" versions 2522, 2822, 3022 and 3023 and the model Terrion ATM 5280; as well as tracked T-250 and T-501. As for foreign representatives, tractors have gained popularity here : Buhler 2000, JD 8050 and the Magnum / STX series of Case New Holland.
6th grade
Until recently, this class was considered the most powerful among agricultural tractors in the vastness of the former CIS. It includes tracked vehicles T-130, T-100M, and K-744. They successfully solve agricultural, industrial, construction, mining and other tasks of increased complexity. The foreign models market is represented by tractors: Case IH (versions STX380, 430, 480 and 530) and JD (versions 9430 and 9420).
7th grade
Here they are, the most powerful and energy-saturated tractors for the agricultural sector. Used for basic tillage and a wide range of other tasks. Key domestic class models: Terrion ATM 7360 and UDM-5K-02. Among foreign firms famous Buhler Versatile, New Holland, John Deere. However, imported tractors are used by farmers extremely limited (about 10 cars are purchased per year).
Conclusion
Classification of tractors by such a feature as traction class allows you to quickly determine which tractor is ideal for certain jobs. Since the separation has very clear boundaries, it is possible not to study all the characteristics of machines to understand which model to choose. Why is it important? On the one hand, if you select a tractor that lacks power, it will not be able to cope with its task, especially if weather conditions worsen. On the other hand, if the tractor is more powerful than necessary, it will consume more fuel, and the appetite of such machines is not weak. Therefore, in both the first and second cases, the owner of the tractor will face losses. That is why there are no universal models.