Tractor T-4A: technical characteristics, photo, repair

The tractor was widely used in agricultural and industrial works, and many enterprises of the Soviet Union produced them. In Kazakhstan and far Siberia, the Altai plant was used for work. They were T-4 machines, and later T-4A.

Tractors in the Altai gathered for more than 30 years. At the same time, the last model of the modernized version went to the customer almost at the turn of the century - in 1998. Altai cars can not be called fast or quiet units, but their distribution, especially in the eastern regions of the country, was influenced by the fact that the delivery of equipment from other manufacturers required time and money. Large enterprises were either in Belarus (MTW), or in Ukraine (UMZ). Proceeding from this, a tractor T-4A was bought for work in Siberia , photos and characteristics of which we will consider.

Marking

It is worth noting that the symbol "T" in the name was repeated on the machines of different factories, so there is no need to look for a parallel here, following the example of VAZ (Volzhsky Automobile Plant). What is the short characteristic of the tractor T-4A? This is a general-purpose tractor with a pulling force of 40kN, refers to the 4th class. It is designed for work on frozen soils or in some areas of industry. For more specific tasks, there are additional attachments that are attached to the front (in most cases, we get either a bulldozer or a forklift truck) or behind (agricultural equipment).

Description

Like most similar machines, the T-4A tractor received a metal frame welded from a pair of box-section longitudinal members. To the rear, the rear axle housing is attached to the pins and bolts. A metal bar joins them in front. The front of the frame is occupied by a diesel engine, before which radiators of lubrication and cooling systems are removed. Behind him is a control cab in two places. Between the engine and the rear axle box are the main clutch, reverse gear, final drives, manual gearbox and PTO shaft (power take-off shaft).

The electrical network has a standard 12 V. It includes an electric starter, a pre-start system, sound, light alarms and fan drives in the cab. It is also possible to start the pre-starting liquid heating of the motor from the mains after a long period of inactivity or when working below 5 degrees.

Rear axle and movement

The T-4A tractor is moved by final gears located on the sides of the main frame. In addition, the rear axle housing contains a main conical transmission, a pair of brakes on the sun gears, two parking brakes and a control system. There is also a planetary one-stage turn mechanism, based on 4 satellite blocks.

In addition to the main function (full stop), pressing the pedal of the parking brake can cause the tractor to turn around or make a sharp turn. Smooth small turns are carried out by means of a planetary mechanism and brakes on the sun gears, which are activated by pressing certain levers in the cockpit.

The final gear consists of a pair of cylindrical gears and a drive wheel. Crawler trolleys are framed. Two supporting rollers are attached to the upper part of the frame, six support ones are located at the bottom. The front wheel performs two functions - the direction of rotation, as well as the tension of the track. Along the entire trolley there are side spars, designed to fasten the necessary additional equipment.

Cabin

The T-4A tractor has an all-metal cabin, which stands on shock absorbers. It is closed type, has a quadrilateral view. Front and rear windows are two-section straight. In most variants there are wide glazed side doors. The seats are sprung. They can be adjusted for height and tilt, which allows the driver to adjust the most convenient position for himself. All models were equipped with an oven, but at the request of the customer it could be replaced with an air conditioner.

Technical specifications

We have considered some of the nuances that distinguish the T-4A tractor. The technical characteristics of the remaining units have changed insignificantly. If the first machines had a motor capacity of 90 liters. With., The modernized version received the engine A-01M, the power of which was twice as much - 190 liters. from. Both in the first and in the second case we used a 6-cylinder, 4-stroke diesel with liquid cooling. The launch was carried out in two stages. First, using an electric starter, a two-stroke petrol engine PD-10U (10 hp) was started. The main diesel engine started from it. Moving without starting the main motor was impossible.

The brakes are tape, the transmission was used mechanical, the turning possibilities have already been mentioned. But about a special reverse gear it is necessary to say separately. Expressed in automotive language, the tractor T-4A did not have a reverse gear. The transmission had 4 speeds and could only work forward. The presence of a separate lever in the cockpit allowed to include the reverse gear, after which the car could move back, also at 4 speeds. The increase in engine power allowed to increase the number of gears when moving forward to 8, but it did not give much benefit. The combination of unreliable brakes, semi-rigid suspension and many other parameters allowed to develop a maximum of 10 km / h.

Repairs

Manageability is an important parameter, the direct consequence of which can become driver fatigue. Given that in the device described by us there are several hydraulic systems that control brakes, attachment mechanisms and other equipment, timely repair of the T-4A tractor will allow increasing the service life and at the same time reducing the negative consequences.

The first signal of a malfunction in the electrical system of the machine is the change in the tone of the audio signal. In this case, you should pay attention to the level of electrolyte and its density in the batteries, the discharge of the battery, the response time of the electric starter. If the problems in the battery are usually one tip - replace.

Jerk while moving the tracks, additional force applied when turning, can signal a malfunction of the hydraulic system. Repair of the mechanism of turning the tractor T-4A begins with the removal of covers on the rear surface of the rear axle housing. Next, by checking the position of the control pin located on the rear wall of the housing near the steering control levers, tighten the adjusting nut. Its correct position is controlled by the tension of the brake band. You can also check the position of the pin. In the normal state it is completely hidden.

Model range and equipment

The manufacturer offered 4 versions of the T-4A package.

• The tractor could have an additional hinged hydraulic system, an additional hinge system + two power cylinders - the so-called C1.
• The second variant of configuration (C2) repeated the first, except for the absence of cylinders and the system of additional weighed.
• Package C3 - only additional power cylinders, nothing more.
• And finally, the C4 is a complete set: it includes an attached hydraulic system, a system of additional attachments, but there are no cylinders.

The model range can be represented as the following list:

• Tractor T4 - the basic model, manufactured from 1964 to 1970 years.
• Tractor T-4A - an improved model, the release from 1970 to 1998. In addition to the usual trailing device, like the prototype, had several additional possibilities for connecting additional attachments. Also equipped with a more powerful engine.
• The T-4AP tractor is a model for the industry, issued for the first time in 1972. Repeats the previous version, but does not have the ability to attach devices back. Often used as a bulldozer on construction sites, which is sometimes called B4. Based on his developed B4-M, but this is a separate topic.

Conclusion

The T-4A caterpillar tractor , whose photographs and characteristics we examined, became an indispensable solution for work on wetlands where the use of wheeled vehicles was impossible. The technical capabilities of this tractor allowed him to go to work early in the spring, in the autumn and even in winter.