Belarus article

[Jay4200]

Saw this article this morning - for anyone interested in a little info er:commie tractors. Apologies for post placement - there isn't a 'general BS' forum here...

Belarus’ Post-Soviet Economy: Tractors to World of Tanks

 

[Farmer495]

Neat, always liked the larger Belarus in a way, not in a way enough to own one though...

 

[RjCorazza]

Interesting article, thanks for posting the link. When I was first shopping for tractors I gave Belarus a hard look. There was actually a local dealer, but I couldn't get over how Spartan the tractors were. Reminded me of my old Farmall H.

 

[Farmer495]

There are a ton of Belarus tractors around here, especially the 1980's models like the 250, 400, 572, 825 etc. They were big bang for the dollar, but not too many farmers bought them, mainly the real small hobby guys or the guy needing a woods/snow removal tractor.

Biggest issue seems to be consistent dealers, some guy (usually in his backyard or existing business) opens a Belarus dealer, sells a bunch of tractors, then closes up 3 to 4 years later.

I can go get parts for IH, David Brown, Ford, MF, Kubota, Deere at the same places that sold them 40 years ago. Might have a different sign out front from mergers etc, but I know where to get parts. With Belarus, can make a list of where you USED to be able to get parts. I know the internet has made things easier and MTZ just relaunched heavy here so time will tell.

 

[seaneastok]

Buddy of mine own's two..Got them cheap at auction because everyone else was afraid of them..and that has been 20 plus year's ago...Good machine's with no other problems than any other brand has experienced,he has to drive a bit to get part's..But he can still get them...The smaller of the two had power down on the three point...made short work of a fence line..

 

[MattLynch]

I priced a new 105hp MTZ before I bought my MF. Way overpriced. In Europe the same tractor with loader is under $30,000 CAD, here it was $75,000. Didn't even consider it after that for such a basic, awkward tractor with no dealer support.

 

[Farmer495]

I priced a new 105hp MTZ before I bought my MF. Way overpriced. In Europe the same tractor with loader is under $30,000 CAD, here it was $75,000. Didn't even consider it after that for such a basic, awkward tractor with no dealer support.

Yup, priced them at Farm Mech show in Moncton, about fell over when he said the price.

 

[big bubba]

never looked that closely at them. as mentioned, parts/service support could be a concern. have heard numerous complaints of clutch issues, maybe just on earlier models.

 

[DeutzFahr85]

I priced a new 105hp MTZ before I bought my MF. Way overpriced. In Europe the same tractor with loader is under $30,000 CAD, here it was $75,000. Didn't even consider it after that for such a basic, awkward tractor with no dealer support.

Aside from the price was the fact they came off the crude platform. The machine I saw at National Farm Machinery show in Louisville had some odd and cheesy electronics inside the cab. I believe even Electronic range control for shifting. If I'm buying one I want bare bones mechanical everything. I think that one had a list price of about $100,000 USD

 

[ArtMech]

Maybe they think America is capable to purchase whatever will be proposed at whatever price. You know, business is business...