The DT-20 tractor is a legendary wheeled tractor manufactured at a tractor plant in Kharkov from 1958 to 1969. A total of 248,400 vehicles left the assembly line.
Demand
Kharkov Tractor Plant produced the DT-20 model also for export. Thousands of new cars sparkling with red paint were sent to France, the Netherlands, Belgium and many other countries. The car, ideally suited for harvesting agricultural work, was taken in great demand. The price was more than affordable, and it was of great importance.
A simple, frameless design, brake pedals that can be rearranged and deployed, a diesel engine with water, sufficiently effective cooling, so that it does not heat up under any load - these are the advantages of the model.
The variable gauge added attractiveness, which was especially valuable in French vineyards, where the gauge never had a certain value and was of different widths. Variable clearance, adjustable longitudinal base, the possibility of rebuilding in reverse mode, compactness - all this made the Soviet wheeled tractor attractive not only in agriculture, but also in forestry, in the municipal system and on construction sites.
The versatility of the car was just fantastic. The only drawback was the lack of a roof. They tried to replace it with an awning, but this was not enough. A constant wind blew away the tent, and no fastenings helped.
Modernization
The DT-20 tractor was used as a further development of the DT-14B project, which needed to be further developed.
The DT-20 diesel engine developed 18 liters. With., this was quite enough to carry out work in the horticulture with various trailed and mounted devices.
Compared with its predecessor, the DT-20 received a new plumage, the wings were significantly increased, the racks of the hinged tent were extended, the pedal of simultaneously activating all the brakes at once was installed.
The DT-20 universal unit (tractor), the photo of which is presented in the article, was used as a tractor, as a transporter for transporting vegetable and vegetable products collected in advance in semi-trailers on wheels. Such work was most effective in time. In the fields, in fact, a conveyor was created for the uninterrupted delivery of products to storage facilities.
DT-20 tractor: technical specifications
The DT-20 model belongs to the sixth traction class of special small-sized equipment. The tractor is equipped with an HTZ D-20 engine with an output of 18 liters. from. and quite high speed, the rotation speed was 1600 rpm. The power unit accelerated the car to a speed of 9.5 km / h. This speed was enough for the dynamic transportation of trailers with finished products.
The DT-20 tractor was distinguished by good maneuverability, the turning radius of the machine did not exceed 780 mm, which allowed it to turn around in small areas. A ground clearance of 250 mm was also quite enough for the successful implementation of complex maneuvers to overcome obstacles in agricultural work. The specific fuel consumption of a compact machine was only about 200 g per hour of continuous idle operation. And since most of the operations were carried out on low gas, the HTZ DT-20 tractor could be considered a fairly economical machine.
At certain points, when the course of harvesting increased, the car could increase speed and significantly increase speed. The characteristics of the DT-20 tractor regarding its efficiency in normal operation look quite positive: the machine is powerful, economical and reliable in operation. This is confirmed by passport data, where the main operational parameters are noted.
Weight and overall parameters
- The length of the tractor is 3040 mm.
- Width - 1304 mm.
- Height - 1442 mm.
- Fuel capacity is about 140 liters.
Power point
The DT-20 model was equipped with a D-20 brand engine with flexible characteristics. Rated power 18 l. from. could increase to 20 liters. from. by increasing the speed from 1600 per minute to 1800 rpm. At the same time, this mode was not limited in any way, the unit did not overheat and could operate at increased speeds for a rather long time.
The compression ratio of the engine was noted within 15 units, which was also close to normal. A small diesel engine did not need a launcher, which is usually equipped with more powerful engines. The D-20 motor was started by an electric starter.
The engine needed modernization, so the alteration began with a change in the configuration of the crank of the crankshaft. Because of this, I had to redesign the side walls of the crankcase. Some parameters have been changed taking into account the prospect of higher revs.
There were many changes, but all of them were structurally connected with each other, so a well-balanced, reliable engine with a fairly long service life was obtained.
Transmission
The unit for transmitting rotation to the rear wheels was quite simple and consisted of a coupling, clutch, differential of the rear axle. The transmission provided four-step forward and the same backward movement. For special cases, a fifth reduction gear was provided .
At that time, wheeled tractors of the DT-20 type were equipped with only one rear drive axle. The front wheels did not play any role in traction, but only performed the function of controlling the machine. Therefore, the developers tried to load the front axle. Even simple ballast was used in the form of cast-iron pads, so that the front wheels would not bulge during the transport of trailers.
Unique engineering solutions
Numerous improvements and changes in place made it possible to create more than one additional device. The DT-20 tractor received additional features to the existing ones. The machine was easily rebuilt for constant movement in reverse. Everything that was in the cab could be rearranged: steering column, pedals, driver's seat. All devices could turn 180 degrees and work in the same mode, but only in a different direction.
This unique solution to issues related to tractor control was extremely useful in terms of practical application. The tractor, already universal, became a super-universal machine.
The mechanization of horticulture and vegetable growing in the national economy of the USSR was one of the most important technical tasks of that difficult time. The DT-20 tractor was an ideal mechanism for solving such tasks. In addition to its own capabilities, the DT-20 was also equipped with a whole range of various devices.
Special assistive devices
- Vine picker LVN-1,5.
- Sprayer ONK-B.
- Tipper platforms for unloading grapes.
- AVN-0.5 for the export of grapes harvested wine varieties.
- Sprayer for vineyards "Dawn" OVPN.
- Grape drags.
- Loader for transporting vines.
- Sprayer OSHU-50.
- Thresher, sorter for flax.
The memory of the legendary agricultural machine
Presented in many museums on the mechanization of agriculture DT-20. A tractor whose photo is everywhere, regardless of the status of the exhibition or museum, is popular.
- Exposition in Saratov on the Falcon Mountain in the open.
- Museum in the Estonian city of Tartu.
- Museum of Life and Architecture of the Dnieper.
- Museum of tractors in Cheboksary.
Thanks to the exhibition complexes and museums, the memory of the famous cars, tractors and combines of the Soviet period lives on.