The DET-250 bulldozer is a legendary machine, which has been produced at the Chelyabinsk plant since 1961. The abbreviation DET means a diesel-electric tractor. And the figure 250 means it belongs to the traction class of 250 kN. This is a multi-purpose tractor with increased cross-country ability and a number of revolutionary (for its time) design solutions. The worthy performance of the tractor is more than eloquently evidenced by the fact that it is still being produced.
Application
The tractor was used mainly in construction work, to move the land. The cultivating equipment installed in the rear part allowed preliminary cultivation of frozen, hard and rocky soils, for subsequent preparation for development.
On the bulldozer it was possible to install trench and drilling equipment for earth moving. Also, the machine could be used as a tractor, in logging and mining industries. Thanks to the caterpillar traction, the bulldozer could easily storm any off-road. And when equipped with wider caterpillars, he performed his tasks even on marshy terrain.
Specifications
As already mentioned, for the 60s, the characteristics of the DET-250 tractor were considered very worthy. A 12-cylinder engine with a capacity of 300 horsepower was installed on the bulldozer. The 4-stroke unit had a volume of 38.9 liters and an inseparable combustion chamber. Such a large engine consumed about 45 liters of fuel per hour at maximum power. The fuel tank capacity was 700 liters. Turbocharged engine was not equipped.
The DET-250 bulldozer was the first example of special equipment produced in the USSR, which received an electronic transmission. Thanks to this technological solution, it became possible to freely operate the tractor in cold regions of the state. However, the electronic transmission had several disadvantages. Firstly, with it the car became much heavier than competitors of similar power equipped with hydromechanical transmission. Secondly, the bulldozer needed a more sophisticated cooling system. And thirdly, the great weight entailed the need to use a more powerful unit. As a result, increased fuel costs and the inability to use the full potential of a powerful engine.
It is interesting to note that the first samples of the DET-250 bulldozer resembled a tank rather than an agricultural machine. Of course, this is only an external impression. In reality, the tractor got only a few systems from the tank, in particular, ejector cooling of the engine using the energy of the exhaust gases.
Specifications DET-250:
- Dimensions: 6.62 / 3.18 / 3.21 m.
- Caterpillar base - 4.44 m.
- Track gauge - 2.45 m.
- Ground clearance - 430 mm.
- Weight - 32.3 tons
- The specific pressure on the soil is 0.56 kg / cm 2 .
- Bollard pull - 25 t.
- Maximum speed: 3 km / h in reverse and 19 km / h in reverse.
First upgrade
In 1969, the first modernization of the base model took place. The new tractor received the prefix "M" to the name. It was equipped with a new B-31 engine, developing 330 horsepower. The motor had 12 cylinders, like its predecessor. They were located in a V-shaped way. The new engine left an inseparable combustion chamber and direct fuel injection. At the same time, the volume of the engine decreased to 33.9 liters. Due to the fact that the power plant capacity has increased, its appetite has also increased - 42.7 liters per hour of operation. The electromechanical transmission remained unchanged. The fuel tank capacity was reduced to 670 liters. The total weight of the bulldozer slightly decreased - up to 31 tons. The rest of the model remains the same.
Second upgrade
In 1989, the second and last (at least so far) modernization of the tractor took place. In the name of the updated bulldozer, the number 2 was added to the “M” index. Thanks to the external update of the bulldozer, it ceased to resemble a fighting vehicle. The new version was equipped with a 12-cylinder V-shaped engine with a capacity of 323 horsepower. Its volume was 38.9 liters. The updated engine consumed 45.3 liters of fuel per hour when operating at full power. The tractor was returned a 700-liter fuel tank, which was installed on the first version. The mass of the updated car was 32 tons. Otherwise, it did not differ from its predecessors.
Cabin
Compared with other Soviet- made tractors , the DET-250 is characterized by an increased level of cab comfort. All versions of the car had a two-seater all-metal type cab with a high level of comfort. The springs on which it was installed leveled most of the vibrations arising from the operation of the bulldozer. There was an autonomous heater in the cabin, which warmed up the interior quite well even at extremely low outdoor temperatures. And in hot weather, a fan came to the aid of the operator, which was included in the basic equipment of the bulldozer.
The dashboard in the cockpit was conveniently located so that the operator could easily monitor the most important indicators. And the controls were grouped and distributed by sector, so as not to confuse the operator. The cabin was completely insulated from noise and dust, which is very important, given the specifics of the bulldozer. If desired, the manufacturer could additionally insulate the interior. In general, the tractor could work in the temperature range from -40 to +40 degrees.
Equipment
The DET-250 tractor was equipped with a hemispherical blade. It was possible to vary the angle of cut and skew. The maximum cutting angle was 55 degrees, and the skew - 10 degrees. The blade could move mass up to 10.5 m 3 . The blade was 4.25 m wide and 1.85 m high. It was possible to raise it above ground level to a height of no more than 1.43 m and lower it to a depth of 0.33 m. The bulldozer installation was made of durable metal, therefore, it could serve for a very long time. Its mass was 5 tons. As for the loosening equipment, it was represented with just one tooth. The loosening angle could be changed up to 45 degrees. The maximum depth of penetration was 1.2 meters. The ripper weighed 3.5 tons.
Service
Thanks to the bonnet-type body, access to the main tractor systems did not cause any difficulties. All parts were very high quality and had a large margin of safety, so the need for frequent repairs did not arise. With proper maintenance, the equipment could work without fail for several years with full dedication. And in the event of a breakdown, the repair was not difficult, since the device was quite simple.
The only problem that could cause difficulties is a transmission failure. Too sophisticated it was arranged. Any other equipment could be repaired by any mechanic using the instruction manual for the equipment. DET-250 spare parts could be purchased without problems from an authorized dealer.
Conclusion
Today we got acquainted with the characteristics of the DET-250 tractor. The photo of this machine really resembles a tank, however, the yellow color and large glass give out its belonging to agricultural machinery. During operation, the device managed to establish itself as a reliable and very powerful assistant. Today, its price ranges from 40-50 thousand dollars. It depends on the modification of the tractor and the type of additional equipment installed on it.