T800 is the most productive bulldozer in the world according to the Guinness Book of Records

In Soviet times, gigantism sometimes reached the point of absurdity. Some thought that everything should be special for the largest country in the world. Maybe you remember Khazanov’s humoresque about how “the largest bathhouse in Europe was built on our collective farm.”


Still, sometimes the desire to create super-powerful equipment was a completely justified and verified decision. Such devices found themselves in valuable service to the national economy, performing many different tasks in very large quantities.


For example, logging and all kinds of earthworks took place in huge quantities in the vast Soviet expanses. And for their successful and timely implementation, of course, appropriate, powerful and durable technology was required.

Heavy-duty equipment for the most brutal work

In those days, Soviet people not only “turned back the rivers,” but also dug into rocky soil or permafrost. Under such conditions, blasting was considered the best solution. But this was not always possible. Therefore, super technology was required that could cope with such a seemingly insurmountable task.



Already when creating this super-heavy tracked tractor, it was envisaged to be used in several directions at once. The main thing was considered to be carrying out stripping operations in the mining industry of the USSR. For this purpose, the equipment was equipped with 6-ton tracks. The powerful device could open a complex layer of permafrost to a depth of 2 meters.

But road or land reclamation work in loamy soil conditions was considered even more unpredictable. Here it was necessary to create wide tracks, which turned out to be a couple of tons heavier than the main kit.


I think everyone understands that under such conditions and characteristics there could be no talk of any mass production. The super bulldozer was clearly a piece of equipment, which found its justified use only in special, extreme working conditions. Moreover, its characteristics were also impressive:

✅ 820-horsepower engine
✅ maximum traction force – 140 (nominal – 75) tons
✅ total weight of the bulldozer – 103 tons

It’s worth noting right away that this number includes full ammunition for bulldozer-ripper equipment. And its share accounted for neither more nor less, but about a third of the total weight of the equipment (approximately 30 tons). All of the above characteristics made it possible to declare the T800 tractor not only as the largest Chelyabinsk tracked vehicle. At that time it turned out to be the largest in the world. In principle, today he is one of the close cohort of super heavyweights.

After creating a prototype, it had to undergo the traditional thorough tests. In this case, they were carried out on the territory of Uzbekistan, in specially equipped conditions. They were successful, and the super technology received the go-ahead for official use. By this time, Chelyabinsk specialists had already assembled the second copy. So two T800s were put into regular use at once.

Further indicators of the most powerful bulldozer

As already mentioned, the creation of the T800 implied narrow specialization and work in the most difficult conditions. Therefore, within a short time after the release of the first copy, his comrades were added to it. In total, ten units of heavy equipment were assembled at the Chelyabinsk plant’s facilities. Here are its other indicators:

✅ traction class – 75 tf
✅ movement speed – 14 (forward) and 17 (backward) km/h
✅ engine location - front

Manufacturers used the 6DM-21T engine as a powerful power unit. It had four forward gears and two reverse gears. The picture was completed by a hydromechanical transmission and an elastic, springy suspension. The bulldozer had many other remarkable features.


This number also includes the cabin. The fact is that the equipment had very impressive parameters, thanks to which its driver always occupied a high position. This meant that his workplace had an excellent all-round view. Let's also add his other positive qualities:

✅ enough space
✅ tightness
✅ good noise/vibration insulation
✅ space conditioning

Working in such conditions (in addition to the comfortable suspension) was quite pleasant, as some T800 drivers noted. This giant turned thanks to the separate drive of the tracks. And the hydraulic equipment was operated using a separate-aggregate system. Now is the time to mention the impressive physical parameters of the T800 (in parentheses - with the blade lowered):

✅ length - 7,95 (12,4) m
✅ width – 4,18 (6,0) m
✅ height - 4,25 m
✅ agrotechnical clearance – 472 mm

Our contemporaries even nicknamed this technique the Terminator. After all, just like a fantastic American movie hero easily crushed any obstacles, so the T800 coped with the task even where others were powerless. This was facilitated by its powerful, but rather voracious engine. Taking into account the latter fact, the bulldozer was equipped with a more than decent supply of fuel - approx. 2100 liters of fuel.

At the time of its creation, it had no analogues in the world, being a good confirmation of the success of Soviet specialists in the development of this area. On the other hand, few countries have faced such challenges as working in permafrost conditions or with the most intractable rocks.


The use of a hydraulic drive made it possible to work with attachments of impressive dimensions, and the diesel engine provided sufficient traction and good efficiency. After all, in the mid-80s, diesel fuel was noticeably cheaper than its gasoline “colleagues”.

Special merits of T800

The outstanding capabilities and capabilities of the T800 bulldozer did not go unnoticed. It is still a European leader in many respects. The creators of the book, which captures all the highest achievements of mankind, also paid attention to it.

Yes, according to measurements from the Guinness Book of Records, the Soviet supertractor left all its competitors behind. It is officially recognized as the most productive bulldozer equipment in the world. And this is a very high rating, given the fact that American and other companies can also boast of quite powerful specimens in this category.


We especially note the successful use of the T800 bulldozer in diamond mining. This expensive element is found in the hardest rocks. Of course, using explosive technology they could be successfully destroyed.

But in this case there was an increased risk of damage to the most valuable mineral. So now is the time for a powerful tractor to appear on the scene, solving the problem with minimal financial losses. By the way, although more than 40 years have passed since the release of the equipment, it has been well preserved and is still in service.