Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko reviewed the development prospects of domestic tractor manufacturing on Labor Day, BelTA has learned.
The head of state witnessed a demonstration of the experimental BELARUS 5425 high-performance tractor in a field in Minsk District. This 542-hp machine belongs to Class 8.
“Well, where is this engineering marvel you promised?” Aleksandr Lukashenko said, addressing Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin as he arrived at a field in Minsk District.
The head of state immediately asked specialists about the new tractor’s performance. The model is currently undergoing comprehensive field trials across all types of operations. Once any potential flaws are addressed, it will enter serial production.
A key point of interest for the president was whether Belarusian farmers actually need these BELARUS 5425 tractors, the most powerful machines available. Recognizing that not every field requires such high-performance machinery, Agriculture and Food Minister Yuri Gorlov noted that 300 units should satisfy the needs of the country’s farmers.
“This tractor is essential for us. It allows for the use of large range equipment, enabling us to complete agricultural work during the optimal timeframes,” Director General of Agrokombinat Dzerzhinsky Vladimir Lukyanov said. The model is undergoing trials on the lands of the enterprise.
Following the completion of testing, Minsk tractor Works (MTZ) will begin delivering this machinery to farms.
Aleksandr Lukashenko was blunt about quality: “God forbid you produce subpar machinery. It must be top-quality. Make this your priority.”
The head of state noted that he wants MTZ machinery to be bought precisely because of its good quality. “We cannot afford to lower our standards. This is our brand,” he stressed.
“The tractor must be of high quality, with warranty of at least 5 years. Later, six, and seven as well. We will gradually raise it,” the president added. “There must be a clear distinction. If the operating organization failed to change a filter on time or something similar, then they must pay. But if it’s not their fault, if the engine seizes or the transmission fails, the factory pays for the replacement. It has to be fair. There must be a clear and transparent system.”
“Let’s consider that you have built a ‘spaceship’. Just make sure you don’t mess up the quality,” Aleksandr Lukashenko told officials about the new tractor.
Another key point from the president is the quality of ploughing. It does not matter whether the tractor model is new or not – the quality of ploughing must be impeccable. “Ploughing is the foundation. It is the production cost,” the president said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko asked the tractor driver who is testing the experimental model to share his opinion on the BELARUS 5425 tractor. “It still requires a personal touch and some final adjustments, so to speak. But overall, the tractor is pretty good,” MTZ test driver Dmitry Vasilets replied.
The tractor shown to the head of state stands as the most powerful in a conventional layout available today. With its technical specifications, the tractor meets all modern tractor manufacturing trends and is designed to compete with similar foreign models. It is equipped with powershifting, ensuring no interruption of power flow, a high-capacity hydraulic system, and an automated steering system. A 900-liter fuel tank ensures continuous operation for 10 hours. The tractor is also equipped with front and rear hitches with a lifting capacity of 5.5 tonnes and 12 tonnes.
The tractor is built using domestic components. MTZ-manufactured parts account for 76.9% of the total, while other Belarusian enterprises provide 15.8%. Components from CIS countries make up 1.8%, and parts imported from non-CIS countries account for the remaining 5.5%. Efforts are underway in cooperation with the Minsk Motor Plant to integrate a domestically produced engine.
The head of state also saw trailed implements for this tractor: a 14-furrow semi-mounted reversible plough manufactured by Minoity Repair Plant; a pneumatic grain seeder by the Lidagroprommash enterprise; and a specialized utility semi-trailer by the Voronovo Agricultural Machinery.
The tractor will be operating with the APM 12 multifunctional soil-working unit manufactured by the Elezer company.