MTZ-50 - the favorite tractor of Soviet machine operators

The most popular Soviet tractors were produced by the Minsk plant. The brand "Belarus" was known not only in the USSR, but also far beyond its borders.


The best wheeled tractor of the Brezhnev era was the MTZ-50. The model was mass-produced from 1962 to 1985. She turned out to be successful and in demand. Despite the years, the tractor is still working in the countryside. Today we will talk about this legendary technique.

History of development

The first wheeled tractor of the Minsk plant was the MTZ-2. Its serial production started in 1953. The model turned out to be successful, but after a few years they began to modernize it. This is how the MTZ-5 and the all-wheel drive version with the index 7 appeared.


But the country needed a new, modern tractor. In 1956, the terms of reference for the MTZ-50 model were developed, reviewed and tested. Two years later, the design department of the Minsk Tractor Plant presented prototypes. They were sent for testing to a collective farm located in the Ukrainian SSR, after which the machines were recommended for mass production.

At about the same time, the plant also developed an all-wheel drive tractor of the same series, called the MTZ-52. The model was recommended for work on soils of high humidity.

That's just the transition to the production of a new tractor was delayed. MTZ-50 was seriously different from the previous generation model:

✅ Total parts and assemblies no more than 16%
✅ 1/5 of the spare parts had to be upgraded
✅ Lack of hydraulic units

The last point brought the most problems. The leaders of the MTZ toured several Soviet plants for the production of hydroelectric units and were refused everywhere. Nobody wanted to expand production. Moreover, it was clear that these would be mass tractors, respectively, deliveries should be regular.


As a result, we managed to agree with the plant in Melitopol on barter. I had to make stamps, tools and machines for partners. They also worked with the battery plant in Podolsk.

The first serial tractor was assembled in October 1961. MTZ-50 was produced in parallel with the previous generation model. This is the merit of the employees of the Minsk Tractor Plant - allied enterprises failed with supplies. The first batch of 50 sets was made on our own.

Features

The new MTZ wheeled tractor surpassed the previous generation model in almost everything. For example, the engine has already developed 55 hp. With. against 45 "horses". The weight of the tractor was reduced by 400 kg - due to this, fuel consumption decreased, and the speed increased. By the way, MTZ-50 worked in the range from 1,65 to 25 km / h. This made it possible to carry out a wide range of agricultural and communal work.

The new Soviet tractor received:

✅ Separate-aggregate hydraulics
✅ Drive wheel loaders
✅ Power steering

MTZ-50 had several power take-off shafts - front, rear and side.


Servicing the MTZ-50 is easy. It is of a bonnet type, so that access to all components and assemblies is simplified. The cab is quite compact, tall tractor drivers inside are not very comfortable. By the way, the top can be removed or the awning can be pulled there for transformation. This is made specifically for operation in the southern Soviet republics.

Initially, it was quite quiet in the MTZ-50 cabin. You need rubber seals for this. But the quality of their performance left much to be desired, so after a few years they fell into disrepair. Single enterprises changed sealing gum. In other cases, no attention was paid to the comfort for the tractor driver.

However, the machine operators did not complain at that time either. The tractor provided an opportunity for additional income in the countryside. Therefore, they tried to sit on it by all means.


Like previous modifications of the tractors of the Minsk plant, the MTZ-50 was distinguished by its simplicity of design and the durability of the units. Export versions were especially good. Traditionally for the Soviet Union, they were assembled from the best parts, and all wiring was carefully laid and insulated.

Engine

All MTZ-50 tractors were equipped with two types of motors. Although, in fact, this is the same power unit. The D-50 was launched by an electric starter, and the D-50L by a "launcher". As the latter, a two-stroke engine was used, running on a gasoline-oil mixture. Approximately such are on saws and trimmers.

Many children who spend their summers in the countryside or who grew up there remember the specific chirp of the two-stroke launcher of the Belarus tractor. How many times he pulled out of the sweet embrace of sleep in the morning, suddenly breaking the morning peace and frightening the roosters.


Of course, a model with an electric starter is more comfortable for the driver - he does not even need to leave the cab, but this is only in theory. In practice, the system was capricious, so some people started the equipment “from a tow”.

With a launcher, the tractor does not even need a battery - a magneto is enough. In conditions of a shortage of parts in remote collective farms, simpler modifications were preferred.

It is not entirely clear why the tractor was called the MTZ-50 - after all, the engine power was 55 hp. With. Most likely, according to the terms of reference, the car was planned for at least 50 “horses”. The fact that the engine turned out to be more powerful is already the merit of the engineers of the Minsk plant.

The D-50 motor had a guarantee for overhaul for 5 thousand hours. As a rule, he nursed more, but subject to timely maintenance and compliance with the technical regulations.

Other Features

The gearbox of the MTZ-50 is nine-speed. It is made in one body with the leading rear axle. It turns out that the gearbox is an element of the power structure of the tractor. All MTZ-50s had a forced locking center differential.


The pendants of the MTZ-50 are the simplest. The main depreciation is performed not by them, but by the huge rear wheels. However, they did not have the effectiveness of the suspension - everyone who has ever driven an MTZ-50 or 80 knows this.

The NSh-32 pump and hydraulic cylinder are responsible for the hydraulic equipment of the tractor. The system is reliable, the main thing is to monitor the condition of the hoses.

MTZ-50 family

More powerful modifications of tractors were more often exported - these are MTZ-60/62 with rear and all-wheel drive, respectively. The power of these versions is 65 hp. With. Sometimes such tractors were left in the USSR, but rarely. Their engines are under the hood of the brand SDM-12.

Special modifications were produced for specific use:

✅ MTZ-50X - cotton
✅ T-54V - for winegrowers
✅ T-54S - sugar beet
✅ T-54L - for forestry

The last three versions are tracked. Their unification with the basic MTZ-50 was more than 60%. They produced cars at the Chisinau Tractor Plant.

Even before the start of mass production, engineers created a half-track modification. In fact, this is the standard version of the tractor. It is equipped with a caterpillar mover manufactured by the Bobruisk plant. The system was mounted on the mechanical yards of collective farms and state farms and was used on loose soils and with high humidity.


As for the reviews of tractor drivers, they, as a rule, talk about the MTZ-50 with warmth and love. The main reason is that they started their career on this model.

Many of these tractors are still in service today. They are used in small farms and as an assistant in the village. Machines are the simplest, studied up and down for 70 years.

In any case, the MTZ-50 tractor is a legend that has taken its rightful place in history.