Motor Sich walk-behind tractors: pros and cons

Equipment from the Ukrainian manufacturer Motor Sich is high-performance equipment that is widely used in various economic fields. The devices are in demand throughout the year and are used for cultivating land, collecting and transporting crops, hilling, and clearing snow.

The high versatility of the equipment is explained by the possibility of using various attachments. Thus, the walk-behind tractor can replace several different units and completely eliminates the need to purchase other agricultural equipment.

These walk-behind tractors are produced by a Ukrainian manufacturer, and its product range includes a large selection of equipment of varying power. It is suitable for cultivating small garden plots and large crop areas.

Motoblock Motor Sich MB-6

The newest Motor Sich MB-6 walk-behind tractor is suitable for servicing large areas and transporting goods. At the moment, the model has no analogues due to its compactness and high power.

Technical characteristics of the walk-behind tractor:

• latest four-stroke air-cooled engine;
• gasoline is used as fuel;
• track width adjustment in several positions;
• use of various types of attachments.

Due to its versatility, this device and its attachments can be used for any type of soil. The equipment cultivates the soil well and has excellent endurance.

Motor Sich walk-behind tractor with Toyokawa engine

Motor Sich walk-behind tractor with 16 hp Toyakawa engine. designed for mechanization of soil cultivation and other agricultural work on personal plots, gardens and vegetable plots, as well as for work in urban utilities and transportation of goods. The Toyakawa S390 gasoline engine with 16 horsepower, manual starter and PTO is very popular not only in garden equipment, but also in power and construction equipment due to its long engine life and inexpensive maintenance and repairs.

Application of walk-behind tractors

Walk-behind tractors are used for continuous (ploughing) and inter-row (hilling) tillage in small areas (gardens, greenhouses, flower beds), for mowing grass, removing snow, driving stationary machines, transporting goods over short distances (using towed semi-trailers).
Light walk-behind tractors and cultivators are usually equipped only with cutters and, sometimes, a hiller.

Mid-class walk-behind tractors are equipped with removable wheels and tillage cutters, a plow, a harrow, a hiller, a mower, and a semi-trailer.

Heavy walk-behind tractors have non-replaceable wheels. They are equipped with a plow, a cutter driven by a power take-off shaft, a mower, a harrow, a cultivator, a snow blower, a bulldozer blade, a rake, and a semi-trailer.

The consumer purchases the necessary set of tools separately from the walk-behind tractor.

Motor Sich walk-behind tractors are a type of mini-tractor. They are universal for earthworks. The walk-behind tractor is used for the purpose of mechanizing soil cultivation and other agricultural work on a personal garden or vegetable plot. Also suitable for transporting goods and performing work in public utilities.

The history of the Motor Sich enterprise begins in 1907.

During this period until December 1915, the plant specialized in the production of agricultural machinery and tools, cast copper and cast iron, and also performed various types of machining.

Later, the profile of the plant's production activities changed.

Today, Motor Sich is one of the largest enterprises in the world producing aircraft engines for airplanes and helicopters, as well as industrial gas turbine units. In addition to production, the company is also involved in testing and maintenance and repair of aircraft engines. Manufactured products are used on airplanes and helicopters for various purposes in more than 120 countries around the world.

The company is located in Zaporozhye.

Motor Sich PJSC includes 5 structural units, which are also located on the territory of Ukraine:

• Zaporozhye Engine Plant
• Zaporozhye Machine-Building Plant named after. V. I. Omelchenko
• Snezhnyansky Machine-Building Plant
• Volochisk Machine-Building Plant
• Air

Along with the production of aviation and ground equipment, the company produces a wide range of consumer goods that are necessary for everyone: in everyday life, for small and medium-sized businesses, agriculture and homestead farming, as well as for outdoor activities.
Highly professional personnel, a unique production base, and advanced technologies have made it possible to achieve and maintain high quality and reliability of products at a decent level. Motor Sich also has a network of branded stores and sections in shopping centers, a network of service centers for chainsaws and separators of its own production.

Motoblock Motor Sich MB-8

The efficient and productive Motor Sich MB-8 walk-behind tractor will ensure quick completion of all necessary work and processing of heavy soils.

Main characteristics:

• four-stroke air-cooled gasoline engine;
• several gears;
• processing depth - up to 0.2 m;
• special power take-off shaft;
• track width adjustment.

The walk-behind tractor can use various types of attachments, which expands the functionality of the device and allows it to be used in private and public utilities.

MB-4.05

This is already a petrol model of Motor Sich. You can see what it looks like in the photo.

Specifications:

• 5.5-horsepower gasoline engine (four-stroke, one cylinder);
• 380 rpm – motor speed;
• weight is 217 kg;
• ground clearance – 24 cm;
• forward speed – 16 km/h, reverse – 4 km/h: 4 forward gears and 2 reverse;
• the immersion depth of the gun is up to 20 cm;
• track width is adjustable;
• the presence of a power take-off shaft;
• differential lock.

In short, a walk-behind tractor is an analogue of a diesel engine, only with a gasoline engine. Therefore, in this case, from two images, everyone can make a choice, focusing on a more acceptable fuel.

Motoblock Motor Sich MB-9

This equipment is designed to perform all agricultural tasks, suitable for plowing land up to 1 hectare, harvesting, carrying out various earthworks, and transporting goods. It uses a Weima engine, which ensures powerful operation of the MB 9DE equipment.

Specifications:

• electric starter;
• Diesel is used as engine fuel;
• possibility of changing the track width;
• several gears, including reverse;
• lockable differential.

Thanks to a wide selection of attachments, Motor Sich is a multifunctional device that is necessary for carrying out work throughout the year. Today, this compact and very functional version of the equipment is most often used when working on small plots.

Specifications

Motor Sich walk-behind tractors are delivered to the retail chain assembled. Before leaving the enterprise, all products undergo quality control, similar to that of aircraft turbines and engines. The likelihood of defects and premature failure of equipment is practically eliminated.

The Motor Sich MB-9DE walk-behind tractor has the following technical indicators:

• engine - single-cylinder diesel, air-cooled;
• power - 9 hp at a rotation speed of 3600 rpm;
• transmission type - gear reducer with flange connection;
• number of gears - 6 (4 forward and 2 rear);
• starting method - electric starter with battery;
• ground clearance - 240 mm;
• track width - 60 cm, expandable to 100 cm;
• power take-off shaft - available;
• travel speed - forward 4-16 km/h, reverse 4 km/h;
• weight without equipment - 230 kg;
• dimensions - 1700x975x1150 mm;
• tank capacity - 3.5 l;
• fuel consumption - 1.2-2.4 l/h.

Using various attachments, you can cultivate the ground to a depth of up to 35 cm with a working width of up to 140 cm.

In the basic configuration, the product has wide wheels with tread and cutters for mounting on the axle shaft. At the request of the buyer, the walk-behind tractor can be equipped only with a milling cutter if there are already wheels or if the equipment is planned to be used only as a motor-cultivator. If you study the recommendations of the owners of the Motor Sich product, they clearly advise you to immediately buy original attachments and trailed equipment from the manufacturer.

Motoblock Motor Sich MB-13e

The Motor Sich MB-13e walk-behind tractor is the most powerful in the company’s product range and is equipped with a modern and fairly productive four-stroke engine from Weima; a high-quality electric starter is always used. The equipment can be used on small or fairly large areas. The motor for this device has a power of 13 horsepower, which allows you to perform a wide range of work, is air-cooled, quiet and unpretentious.

Specifications:

• works with any type of attachment;
• several gears (two reverse);
• high cross-country ability due to wide tire tread;
• Possibility of adjusting the track width.

The device from Motor Sich is needed for various types of work and is suitable for use at any time of the year. It is very easy to operate, has economical fuel consumption and fairly quiet operation.

Models of Motor Sich walk-behind tractors

Currently, the Motor Sich model range is quite extensive. All models are produced at the plant in Zaporozhye, are tested before going on sale, are equipped with the best engines and are made from proven high-quality materials. The Motor Sich model range is represented by the following walk-behind tractors:

• MB-6 (gasoline, power 6 hp);
• MB-8 (petrol, power 8 hp);
• MB-8E (petrol, electric start, power 8 hp);
• MB-6D (diesel, power 6 hp);
• MB-6DE (diesel, electric start, power 6 hp);
• MB-9 (gasoline, power 9 hp);
• MB-9E (petrol, electric start, power 9 hp);
• MB 9DE (heavy diesel, electric start, power 9 hp);
• MB 13E (heavy petrol, electric start, power 13 hp).

The engine brand on Motor Sich walk-behind tractors is WEIMA (diesel or gasoline). Engine type is four-stroke, gasoline engines are cooled by air blowing, diesel engines are cooled by liquid cooling.

All presented models can work with any attachment, including a mower, harrow, conventional or reversible plow, kits for planting and harvesting potatoes, hiller, and cultivator. All walk-behind tractors have the option of connecting an adapter, trolley, trailer from the manufacturer Motor Sich or from other walk-behind tractors, for example, “Centaur”, “Zubr”, “Ugra”, etc.

Video about the operation of the Motor Sich MB-4 walk-behind tractor (a unit from earlier years of production) with the PN-1 plow:

Features of walk-behind tractors

The equipment in question from the Ukrainian manufacturer runs on modern engines using the best technologies. A special feature of the devices is the ability to adjust the track width and select gears, which makes the equipment more passable even in small areas.

Today, all Motor Sich walk-behind tractors are distinguished by high performance, good power and versatility. The company is constantly improving its own products, bringing the highest quality devices to the market. They can be used for any soil and various tasks, and the cost of the equipment is one of the most affordable. Thanks to its features, the equipment replaces several devices, ensuring the comfort of working with it.

MB-8 (E)

Another model of a walk-behind tractor produced by Motor Sich. It should be noted right away that the MB-8E device is a complete analogue of the MB-8, only in addition it has a starter and a headlight.

Specifications:

• 8-horsepower gasoline engine (four-stroke, one cylinder);
• 380 rpm – motor speed;
• processing depth – up to 20 cm;
• ground clearance is 24 cm;
• 4 forward and 2 reverse gears: forward speed is 16 km/h, reverse – 4 km/h;
• differential lock;
• track width is adjustable;
• PTO;
• weight – 260 kg.

Reviews

It should be noted that, of course, Motor Sich walk-behind tractors are not the undisputed leaders of this market among the CIS countries, but they are quite successful in their own country. It is safe to say that the models are much more reliable than the models from China. In addition, the brand is of great importance when choosing. After all, the 100-year history of the enterprise, which also has extensive experience in the production of aircraft engines, does its job. And many owners are satisfied with this purchase, which is confirmed by positive reviews.

President of Motor Sich - RBC: “We have lost Russia”

"It's hard to scare us"

— On April 23, SBU officers came to search the Motor Sich office. On May 18, the Belarusian prosecutor's office opened a criminal case against employees of your company. How has all this affected your activities?

—Have you heard of such a thing as a mask show? It's hard to scare us. We are not afraid. This will all pass with time. It has already passed. We work, and we work according to the law. We are not prohibited from doing what is required by law. Moreover, we produce civilian products. We do not ship military products.

Read on RBC Pro

Word of mouth video: how Zoom became the main means of communication in the era of a pandemic When a loan will result in a criminal case: a memo for the head of a company How a small business can go online: a checklist for owners How the pandemic helped make money from surveillance of convicts - Bloomberg

— Could the story of the searches affect Ukraine’s participation in the creation of the Russian-Chinese heavy helicopter of the new generation AHL?

— We are now preparing an engine for the Chinese-Russian project. He is being tested. Successfully. We have already signed a framework agreement with China. So far, no one in the world makes such a turboshaft engine.

What is AHL

An intergovernmental agreement on the creation of a new generation heavy helicopter was signed two years ago in Beijing. The lead developer of AHL (Advanced Heavy Lift) is the Chinese company Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC). The Russian Helicopters holding is responsible for developing a technical proposal for the helicopter, as well as for developing the transmission, tail rotor and elements of the anti-icing system, the press service of the holding told RBC.

Motor Sich will produce an engine for the helicopter based on the D-136 engine. It is assumed that the take-off weight of the machine will be 38.5 tons, the maximum load will be 14 tons. It is planned that the helicopter will be able to reach speeds of up to 300 km/h, the flight range will be 630 km, and the service ceiling will be 5.7 thousand m.

Now the Ukrainian D-136 flies the Mi-26 - the most load-lifting helicopter in the world, the main operator and manufacturer of which is Russia. Several dozen Mi-26s are on the balance sheet of the Russian Aerospace Forces, the FSB, the Russian Guard and the Ministry of Emergency Situations. So far there is no alternative to this engine either in the West, or in China, or in Russia. 11.4 thousand horsepower of the D-136 allows the Mi-26 to take off with a maximum take-off weight of 56 tons, including up to 20 tons of cargo in the transport cabin and the same amount on the external sling. The “flying cow,” as the Mi-26 is sometimes called, is capable of reaching speeds of up to 270 km/h, flying at a distance of up to 800 km and has a service ceiling of up to 4.6 thousand m (the machine can hover in a static position at an altitude of up to 1. 5 km).

The Chinese helicopter will be faster, but with less cargo compartment volume, range and payload capacity. The AHL will compete with the American Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion with similar characteristics. It is expected that Russia will sign the contract itself on the creation of a new heavy helicopter with China in June-July of this year.

— Information has appeared that Motor Sich has stopped shipping engines to Russia. This is true?

- No. Everything is going according to plan, except for the military program. We are not doing a military program. And we produce engines of similar power for different countries. In Russia, I know, they install engines of the second category [on helicopters] for the Ministry of Defense (in the terminology of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, the second category refers not to new property, but to equipment issued from a warehouse and suitable for use, as well as having undergone a major overhaul. - RBC). They are three times cheaper. But don't focus on the military program. We are not filling this niche. And so we make new engines and sell them all over the world.

Aviation engines in one of the workshops (Photo: Marina Lystseva / TASS)

“Volumes fell by 40%”

— Who is your main customer?

— We make engines for UN helicopters that participate in the firefighting program. It mainly involves Russian firefighting helicopters from Utair - a lot of Mi-26s. I met them in North Sudan, South Sudan, and Somalia. In Africa they also stand, painted like the UN.

Rostec assessed the risks for the project with China after searches at Motor Sich Politics

There is such a firefighting aircraft - the Be-200. Russia, Ukraine and several dozen other countries are members of the fire association (International Association of Fire and Rescue Services. - RBC). And these planes are putting out fires all over the world. We are officially allowed to load D-436TP engines at the Be-200 manufacturing plant. There were some “songs” that raised questions that this plane was participating in military programs, that it was a patrol plane. In fact, it is exclusively a fire truck. The Ministry of Emergency Situations of different countries has it, including America. And we have no right not to supply engines for the Be-200, so the permitting authorities treat us with understanding.

— At the same time, restrictions are imposed on cooperation with Russia. How do you recover losses?

— In cooperation with Russia, of course, there are limitations. We lost Russia, and as a result [production] volumes fell by 40%. Everything here is limited. We do not supply [engines] directly. Permit schemes operate within the framework of international obligations. We have no right not to fulfill them. We have to enter new markets to support production - sell to China, India, they buy.

Hero of Ukraine on the Forbes list

Hero of Ukraine and Doctor of Technical Sciences Vyacheslav Boguslaev will turn 80 this year. In 2020, according to the latest published Forbes Ukraine ranking, Boguslaev entered the top 100 richest Ukrainians (30th place) with a fortune of $137 million. Compared to the 2013 ranking, his fortune almost halved.

Boguslaev was born in the Kazakh city of Uralsk. In 1966 he graduated from the Zaporozhye Mechanical Engineering Institute named after. Chubar, specializing in aircraft engines. Since 1966, he worked at the Zaporozhye Engine Plant, rising from an ordinary engineer to the general director of the enterprise. Boguslaev was awarded the medal “For Valiant Labor” (1970) and the Order of the Red Banner of Labor (1982).

In the 1990s, Boguslaev became president and main co-owner. He was elected as a deputy of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine in several convocations, including the current one.

In 2020, Boguslaev was criticized after his visit to the Valaam Monastery a day before the meeting of Vladimir Putin and Patriarch Kirill there. Then Boguslaev opened a monument to the image of the Valaam Mother of God on the island, installed with funds from Motor Sich and the Russian St. Andrew the First-Called Foundation, whose board of trustees is headed by Vladimir Yakunin.

“Only 26 Chinese are present at the plant”

— They say that you are moving your production to China.

- This is another stupidity. Well, how can you transfer it? Well, can you imagine that 25 thousand people work here? In addition, the machines are not allowed to be exported—neither Russia, nor Europe, nor Ukraine.

— Do the Chinese come to you?

— Today we have only 26 Chinese at the plant. They are trying to study the MS-500 engine, they are very interested in it. They want to use it on a training aircraft. For the Chinese, the engine modification is called MS-500V-02S.

— At the same time, in China, in the city of Chongqing, a plant is being built where engines of the Motor Sich design will be produced...

— The plant in China has not yet been built, it is still under construction. I myself am interested in penetrating this market, because everyone there is Americans, Germans, Russians. Everyone is there except us.

— Can we assume that we are talking about expanding the production of Motor Sich?

— We are talking about the Chinese market. The plant is being built not by us, but by the Chinese. Now they want to buy stands for this MS-500V-02C engine. They build planes for other companies. They want to assemble engines for these aircraft. They're not going to make parts, they're going to assemble [the planes] from modules. This is true everywhere. Boeing assembles wings, Airbus assembles fuselages. This is workforce integration, this is cooperation.

— Why did you sell more than 50% of the shares to Chinese investors?

- This is commerce.

MB-8

This walk-behind tractor model is newer. Its power is eight horsepower. The dimensions of the MB-8 and the previous model are almost the same, as is the adjustment of the width of the cultivated strip of soil.

This walk-behind tractor is equipped with a four-stroke air-cooled gasoline engine. The fuel tank capacity is five liters. The starter is manual.

According to reviews from the owners of the Motor Sich walk-behind tractor, despite its significant weight, it is perfectly balanced, making it easy to work with. The engine's considerable power also helps with handling.

MB-6

in areas and in urban improvement services, where heavy loads are not placed on the equipment, it is reasonable to use the Motor Sich MB-6 walk-behind tractor. This unit is equipped with a gasoline-powered four-stroke engine manufactured at the same plant. Due to the fact that the walk-behind tractor is completely produced at one enterprise, it is possible to achieve maximum reliability of the unit.

The main technical characteristics of the Motor Sich walk-behind tractor are:

• • power – 5.5 hp;
• • fuel tank volume – 4 l;
• • manual starter;
• • 4 forward speeds;
• • 2 reverse speeds;
• • speed when moving forward – from 2 to 16 kilometers;
• • speed when moving backwards – from 2 to 4 kilometers;
• • length – 1m70cm;
• • width – 98cm;
• • height – 1m15cm;
• • ground clearance – 24cm;
• • weight – 215 kg.

A positive point is the ability to regulate the width of the strip for simultaneous tillage from 50 to 80 centimeters. Separately, it is worth mentioning the acquisition, if necessary, of spare parts for the Motor Sich walk-behind tractor. As a rule, there are no difficulties with this, but their price can sometimes be quite high.