T-16 - if there is nowhere easier and more reliable

The last modification of this tractor was discontinued in 1995, but still a self-propelled chassis with a front body is found in household plots, in public utilities, and among road builders. The peculiarity of the T-16 lies in its versatility in terms of attaching front attachments of various types. Add here a simple design, a reliable engine and the same hydraulics: that's all the "secrets" of the longevity of this technique.

Why created the T-16

Its predecessor was the self-propelled chassis DSSh-14, produced since 1956. This small tractor came "to the yard" and was popular with the villagers. Therefore, it was decided to upgrade. So a couple of years later the DVSSH-16 appeared, and in 1961 the T-16. The updated machine received a more powerful engine, an improved hydraulic system, and later a cab was installed on the tractor. Here are just some of the equipment that could be attached to the T-16 frame:

✅ body for transporting goods weighing up to 0,75 tons (the tractor weighed 1,685 tons)
✅ mini bucket (turned out to be an excavator)
✅ vibration compactor
✅ crop sprayer
✅ crane and manipulator
✅ road marking equipment

Such a convenient tractor could not be ignored by public utilities. He worked for them as a snow plow, sweeper and watering machine. And electricians used it as a small tower. True, the T-16 belonged to a traction class of 0,6 and was not suitable for heavy agricultural work due to the low engine power. However, it was possible to install a harrow between the wheels.


In a relatively short period of time - 6 years, KhTZ produced over 600 thousand pieces of equipment, which indicates its demand. Various modifications of the self-propelled chassis were produced until 1995.

Power point

Her role was played by a modest two-cylinder air-cooled D16 diesel engine, which developed 16 “horses”. A distinctive feature of the motor is mixture formation. It is formed in a special pre-chamber (heated steam enters it along with the fuel), integrated into the cylinder head, cast from gray cast iron. Cylinders are also made of it, separated from the head by copper rings, which play the role of a gasket.


The engine was started from the cab, and to facilitate starting, for example, in cold weather, it was possible to use a decompressor. The pistons are aluminum, with recesses in the bottom. Lubrication to the crankshaft goes under pressure, to other nodes by means of splashing.


The engine was cooled through 17 ribs, which were equipped with cylinders. The latter were installed by means of a centering belt on the crankcase.

Трансмиссия

It is an eight-speed "mechanics", providing seven speeds forward and one back. The box, due to the transverse arrangement of the shafts, has small dimensions. The driving axle is rear. There is a lock that prevents gear shifting when the clutch pedal is not depressed. To ensure the operation of the connected units, there is a power take-off shaft of 533 rpm. The speed range in which the tractor was operated was 3,72-19,5 km / h.


The tractor was equipped with rubber with a rough tread pattern, adapted to overcome difficult areas. The T-16 "felt good" in both rural mud in summer and snowdrifts in winter.

Cabin

On the first models, it was completely absent. A little later, in order to protect the machine operator in the event of a rollover of the vehicle, they began to make a tubular frame, and then the cab. Its only purpose is protection from the weather. If a hot climate prevailed in the region, hinged elements, namely panels with glasses, doors and a roof, could be quickly dismantled.


For the convenience of the tractor driver - a seat on springs, which had adjustments depending on the height of the machine operator and his weight. It is worth adding: the cab frame was fixed on the frame through six rubber shock absorbers. They weren't on the hanger. So you can imagine how the T-16 overcame off-road and what the tractor driver felt at the same time. But on the other hand, in the later modifications of the T-16, a power steering appeared! The "dashboard" includes an ammeter, temperature gauge and headlight switches. There was also a sound signal.


All this “wealth” was provided by a DC generator and a 68 Ah battery. Only late modifications of the T-16 acquired a windshield wiper.

Attachment

The hydraulic fluid is circulated by a gear pump. At the same time, a separate tank is provided for it. There is a distributor and hydraulic cylinders to work with additional equipment.


When using a tractor in agriculture, mowers, fertilizer equipment, stackers, tedders, etc. are attached to it. Also, the T-16 can perform the functions of a loader, a dump truck, and even a mini-sawmill. However, among the villagers, including in Soviet times, the chassis was most often used as a convenient self-propelled vehicle.


On it you can bring firewood, hay, sand or gravel for the improvement of your site. Well, or go fishing, for mushrooms. The T-16 used very little fuel. Although the consumption of gasoline in collective farms and state farms was often looked through their fingers: what can we say about diesel fuel!

Modifications

There were only two of them. The first is the T-16M. This model differed from the basic version by a more powerful, 25 “horses”, diesel engine. Now the chassis could accelerate to 23 km / h. At the same time, the minimum speed, thanks to the use of a creeper, has dropped to 1,6 km / h, which allows you to perform more agricultural work. True, the mass of the machine increased to 1,81 tons. Until 1995, 470 thousand units of equipment were produced.


The second variety, which got on the conveyor in 1986, was the T-16MG. Here the engine was left the same, but subjected to modernization. As a result, the tractor became faster: the speed increased to 40,17 km/h (minimum - 1,55 km/h). The carrying capacity of the tipper body has increased to a ton. The cabin has become one-piece, and not made of glazed panels.


The number of guns attached to the T-16MG has increased due to the appearance of as many as three power take-off shafts. Of these, a couple are synchronous, one is completely independent.

Operational Features

The main one is the maintainability of the tractor. If something is broken, everything can be fixed in the "garage" conditions or workshops of the economy. We are not talking about any service centers in principle. The service life of units and assemblies, parts with appropriate maintenance is quite high. The disadvantage, if we talk about today, can only be considered a gradual decrease in the number of spare parts available for sale.

What today

The idea and concept of a small tractor with a body in front is not a thing of the past. Something similar to the T-16, but in its modern form, is produced by Russian and Belarusian factories. For example, MTZ offers MMZ-30TD with a three-cylinder liquid-cooled engine of 35 or 45 horsepower. In Russia, the VTZ-30SSh model, originally produced by the Vladimir enterprise, is more popular. However, later the production of this tractor was transferred to Saransk, where it is produced under the Agromash brand and has an index of 30СШ. But we will definitely tell you about modern chassis next time.