T-250 - an unsuccessful "jump" from the 70s to the 00s

By some strange coincidence, there were a lot of unique and modern technical developments in the USSR and the Russian Federation in the 90s, when it was not worth even thinking about the implementation of most projects. The T-250 tractor, which was built at the Altai plant, also suffered this fate. And this is despite the fact that the car in many respects surpassed its American "classmate" Challenger-65. Many saw in Soviet technology an analogue of an overseas tractor, but in reality there was only an external resemblance.


The idea to design a machine capable of replacing the energy-saturated heavy K-700, which will create less pressure on the ground, was born in the 70s of the last century. Designing started in the capital - the Scientific Research Tractor Institute. By the mid-70s, a 250-horsepower model was presented, which incorporated all the latest achievements and technologies. By the beginning of the 80s, engineers from the Altai Plant - ATZ joined their colleagues from NATI. In 1984, a new caterpillar tractor, which had the T-250 index, was demonstrated to the general public.

Purpose

The machine had the fifth traction class and could be used with almost all (55 pieces) hinged structures that fit the K-700 and K-701. In total, 87 coupling units can be connected to the tractor. The T-250 could perform such work as transporting goods, plowing heavy or medium soils, disking, cultivating, loosening, and much more.



Another advantage of the technique is its pressure on the soil: compared to its predecessor, the T-4 is half as much. As a result, the soil is not compacted, the fertile layer remains intact, and this contributes to an increase in crop yields.

What was new in the design

Generally speaking, compared with the American car, the Soviet one consumed less fuel, had better maneuverability and was cheaper to manufacture. This means that a working hour, a day cost much less than that of a “colleague” from the USA.


Specifically, the novelty was the use of a separate suspension on torsion bars for road wheels (this design was previously used only on military armored vehicles). This solution made the car run smoother: shaking began to be felt less on bumps.


This shortcoming "suffered" the predecessor of the T-4, which the mechanics called the "iron". Now, according to those who happened to ride the Altai T-250, they say that you can move across the plowed field even across the furrows - the shaking is almost not felt. The tractor is equipped with a pneumatic system that helps to maintain the trailer, such as inflating the wheels and ensuring the functioning of its brakes.

Cabin

Modern comfort elements appeared in it: the tractor driver's seat became adjustable, climate control with air conditioning was installed, dust and sound insulation was made. The rear and windshield were equipped with "wipers" with an electric drive, the operator's workplace is located in the center of the cab.


There is a heater, an informative instrument panel informs the machine operator about the status of all important machine components. The listed innovations contribute to better labor productivity, since the tractor driver gets tired less.

Chassis

Gearbox - mechanical type, range: gears are switched on the go due to the use of friction hydraulic compression clutches. This helps to increase the efficiency of equipment and reduces fatigue of the machine operator. When performing agricultural work at low speed, the use of a hydraulic creeper is provided (there are no steps, the switching is smooth). Only 12 forward speeds and 4 reverse. The bridge is equipped with turning clutches in the form of discs operating in an oil bath. Hydraulic control makes this unit as reliable as possible and provides the same service life as the tractor as a whole. Operating time to "capital" - at least 10 thousand hours.


The machine used caterpillars with rubber-metal hinges. Thanks to them, the cross-country ability of the T-250 increased, noise decreased and traction efficiency increased. The technical feature of the caterpillars, which cannot but please machine operators, is the absence of the need for constant adjustment of the tension during operation. The resource of this unit is at least five thousand hours.

Tests and conclusions of the state commission

Testing of the T-250 took place at the machine test station in Pospelihin during 1990-1992. More equipment was checked in the Odessa and Rostov regions, Kazakhstan. The State Commission came to the conclusion that it is expedient to launch the machine in a series, since it has the following advantages:

✅ when replacing the T-4 model with the T-250, the farm fleet will decrease and man-hours will be saved
✅ increase in labor productivity compared to its predecessor is 71%
✅ fuel consumption per hectare of arable land is reduced by 10,9%

Minuses were also noted, among which were a deviation in terms of ergonomics requirements, an insufficient coefficient of readiness of the tractor for mass production (0,95 instead of 0,98). But these are all trifles, the main thing is the unfortunate location of the center of gravity. When using overall weights, the T-250 "raised on its hind legs". Later, the designer had to move the transmission, replacing the advanced planetary system at that time with an outdated stepped one.


And one more problem, strange as it may sound, is a high tractive effort, which in reality reached 10 tf, which is twice as much as that of Kirovets. It was necessary to equip the T-250 with a torque limiter. Otherwise, in the course of overcoming the obstacle, the transmission or the hitch with the mounted unit will break.


There were other "deficiencies" (removed later): for example, the design was considered outdated. And already at that time for many customers it mattered, and not a small one. They also considered that a mechanical transmission does not meet the requirements of the time: the world has already switched to an “automatic”. Plus, the linkage control: the T-250 had it mechanical, and most foreign vehicles used electro-hydraulics.

Series production problems

The T-250 was a frequent guest at various exhibitions, where it was evaluated from the best sides. In 1994, ATZ brought his tractor to a seminar-conference in Zelenograd. The car was praised, and that was it: no one even promised money. However, the Altaians did not give up and tried to promote their offspring, developed in the 70s right up to the end of the 00s! In 2006, Russian Prime Minister Fradkov spoke positively about the tractor. After that, ATZ, of course, waited for state support. But she wasn't! Although the economic benefit is obvious: the car was planned to be sold at a price of 3,5 million rubles, which is much cheaper than the cost of the same Challenger.

Today

The ideas and developments applied in the T-250 by the Altai Plant (ATZ went bankrupt in 2011)) were later used in new models of tractors: T-402 (costs from 3,25 million rubles), T-402-01 ( from 3,5 million rubles), T-404 (from 5,1 million rubles), 408 and 501. They even designed equipment belonging to the 6th traction class - A-600 (produced in small batches until 2010- year).


The fate of the T-250 is sad - there was one copy left in the courtyard of the university - ALGAU. Although, as they say at the university, the tractor is on the move.