DT-75 - one tractor, two factories

In any collective farm or state farm of the times of the USSR, one could find this hard worker - the DT-75 caterpillar tractor. This is the most popular model of agricultural machinery, which is still in demand today. The machines were produced at two factories - in Volgograd (VgTZ) and Pavlodar (PTZ, Kazakhstan). At the first enterprise for the period from 1963 (according to some data from 1962) to 1995, 1 million 652 thousand 500 pieces of equipment rolled off the assembly line. The second enterprise produced 862 thousand 300 copies during the same time. The volumes are impressive: but how did you manage to achieve such results, what was the tractor good for?

Volgograd and Pavlodar

The first samples were collected in the city on the Volga in 1960. The model turned out to be successful and it was decided to mass-produce it. But here's the bad luck - the plant was not ready for the production of new equipment and therefore the enterprise had to be reconstructed, but that took time. Three years later, the plant began serial production of the DT-75. During the day, almost a hundred cars for “internal consumption” rolled off the assembly line and 25 units were exported. But even such rates did not cover the needs of the country and foreign partners in caterpillar tractors.


Therefore, in 1968, production was organized in Kazakhstan, the city of Pavlodar. The company immediately began to produce a modified version - DT-75M. The new tractors received their own name, according to the place of production - "Kazakhstan" and had their own distinctive features. The first of them was in appearance: cars from Pavlodar are painted blue or yellow (DT-75 ML, DT-75T) color (sometimes white top), from Volgograd - red.


Instead of the DT-75 index, the inscription “Kazakhstan” flaunted on the sidewalls of the “eastern” tractor. Other differences include the fuel tank located on the left side: a similar layout is typical for Volgograd vehicles (the people called such a car a “postman”).


But yellow tractors with a large square angular cabin (DT-75 ML) were produced in Kazakhstan.

Modifications

Despite the fact that the tractor was characterized by simplicity of design, it had many versions. They differed externally, technically and in the scope of use. There are three generations in total:

✅ tractors produced from 1963 to 1978
✅ 1978 - 2009
✅ 2009 - 2014

For example, there were models designed to work on unstable soils, tractors were produced for coupling with a sprinkler, bulldozers, etc.


The most popular options for DT-75 are worth considering in more detail.

DT-75M

This model became the base one, at first it was assembled in Volgograd, then it was completely transferred to PTZ, where it rolled off the assembly line until the end of the 80s. The machine was intended for agricultural work. The first batches of tractors were equipped with an A-41I diesel engine of 7,43 liters, which developed 94 hp. With. Then the car was equipped with the D-245.552 power unit, which produced 4,75 liters at 95,2 liters. The new engine turned out to be much more economical than the old one.


The box - a seven-speed "four-way" remained unchanged, as did the clutch - dry, single-disk. But an option appeared: a reversible gearbox, which reduced the speed to a minimum while maintaining traction. The DT-75M had a PTO - a power take-off shaft, thanks to which it was possible to aggregate trailed agricultural machinery with a tractor. An (optionally) modified version of the PTO is provided, where its rotational speed is increased to 1000 rpm, the original version is 540 rpm. The cab on the "M" version was moved to the right: it became taller, more spacious.

DT-75 ML

This modification began to be produced in Kazakhstan since 1986. First of all, it differs from other models in the cabin, which has become higher (2,923 m against the previous 2,304 m), received a shock-absorbing mount, and a frame structure. Installed a more modern instrument panel and other equipment.


Engine - SMD-14 with a volume of 6,33 liters had a capacity of 75 "horses". Unlike its predecessor, this motor had a more efficient cooling system. For operation in the northern regions, a starting heater PZHB-200 was provided. Since 1991, PTZ has been offering potential buyers other tractor models made on the basis of the DT-75ML.

Bulldozer DT-75S

Today this model is produced at the tractor plant in Vladimir. The machine has good technical characteristics, which determined its longevity. The bulldozer is equipped with a four-cylinder turbocharged A-41 engine with 90 hp. with., although there are versions with a less powerful engine of 75 "horses". The machine is able to move over rough terrain, drive up hills with a slope of no more than 20 °.


A feature of the DT-75S is the ability to attach a variety of attachments to it. First of all, this is a dump, which can be of three types:

✅ fixed - used to shift soil, snow, etc. in one direction
✅ rotary - the working body additionally turns left and right
✅ universal - equipped with a cylinder that allows the blade to "spin" at an angle of up to 25 ° in both directions

The rotation speed of the attachment knife is 15 cm/sec. The permissible weight of the equipment should not exceed 0,9 tons.

Other characteristics of the bulldozer

The machine is equipped with a preheater, which makes it easier to start in severe frost. The gearbox has ten speeds, which makes it possible to work without overloading the engine and save fuel. The cab is comfortable - the tractor driver has a good view in all directions. Additional elements in the form of springs have been introduced into the transmission, lowering the trim of the bulldozer.

DT-75B

This is a swamp equipped with wider tracks and an engine with more power (80 hp). The design of the machine provides for the protection of the power unit and transmission using steel pallets.


DT-74B was intended for use in the development of peat and movement in wetlands, for example, in logging.

DT-90P, DT-75T and others

These models can also be considered versions of the DT-75ML. The first of them is used in industry, the second - in agriculture. Both tractors have 95 hp engines. With. Everything else is the transmission, the running gear is identical to the DT-75 ML. Even the models produced by both factories differed in the design of the cabins. For example, in DT-75V, M, MV and N it was shifted to the right. The weight of the tractor, depending on the modification, is in the range from 5,9 to 7,2 tons.


Of interest are the variants of the machine, made on wheels. These are DT-75DK, MLK and KP. They were produced in small series.

Conclusion

In 1998, the plant in Pavlodar went bankrupt and the production of DT-75 migrated to Vladimir. Tractors manufactured there are distinguished by higher engine power - up to 100 (RM-120) and 170 (SMD-66) "horses". Used tractors can still be bought today. For example, the cost of a car in 2016 is within 1,8 million rubles. For a 1990 tractor, they ask for only 110 thousand rubles, and sometimes they offer it with attachments. A bulldozer in good condition is sold for 170-200 thousand rubles. It all depends on the safety of the equipment, the year of its production and the availability of attachments.