Vitebsk region farmers will be the first in the country to test the experimental model of Belarus tractors

Machine operators of the Vitebsk region will be the first in the country to evaluate the experimental model of "Belarus-3522" tractors with a "Caterpillar" engine, which will undergo operational testing in the risky farming conditions of the northern region. The solemn ceremony of handing over certificates for the equipment took place on June 23 at OJSC "Minsk Tractor Works" – such a large-scale event is organized for the first time in Belarus.

This event became the result of a joint project of the regional executive committee and the machine-building giant to create high-performance equipment capable of solving the main problem of the region's agrarians – optimizing the timing of major field work to increase crop production productivity. The project started about 2 years ago. As noted by Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Nikolai Sherstnev, the Vitebsk region is in acute need of high-performance equipment to achieve overall success in agriculture.

– We have the shortest growing season; by reducing the time spent on work, we can increase the harvest and, as a result, reduce the cost of the final product, – emphasized during the ceremony the head of the region. – In addition, the appearance of modern, energy-intensive, high-quality equipment is an important factor in attracting young people to work on the land. In addition to comfortable operating conditions, on such tractors with a capacity of 355 horsepower, one can achieve high production results, and therefore, earn well.

The future belongs to such equipment, and it is becoming closer thanks to the joint efforts of the agrarians of the Vitebsk region and the Minsk machine builders. Nikolai Sherstnev urged MTZ specialists not to stop at what has been achieved.

– the northern region is already eagerly awaiting tractors with 450 – 500 hp.

According to MTZ General Director Fyodor Domotenko, the project, jointly implemented with the regional executive committee, at the 1st stage, for the first time, envisaged the creation not of a single unit, but of a mobile group of "Belarus-3522" tractors based on an American engine, which, by the way, has a 10-year warranty period. At the same time, he emphasized that the machines are not transferred, but sold on preferential terms, and advance payments have already been received. In addition, the manufacturer will provide gratuitous assistance to machine operators in mastering the new product and is ready to provide service support.

The next batch of "Belarus-3522" will also be sent to the Vitebsk region in the autumn of the current year. The second equally large-scale event within the project will be the creation and operational testing of tractors running on combined (gas plus diesel) fuel in the region.

The responsible mission to become a testing ground for new products fell to farms organizationally part of the Orsha and Vitebsk cooperative-integrated structures. According to Nikolai Sherstnev, it is precisely such associations that are capable not only of acquiring powerful units but also of maximally utilizing them, and thus, recouping investments in technical re-equipment.

To the sound of fanfares, machine operators of agricultural enterprises received the keys to the tractors, as well as parting words for successful work from Nikolai Sherstnev and Fyodor Domotenko.

One of the tractors was sent to SCF "Brazdechino" of the Orsha Meat Canning Plant. Its director, Yuri KAPITANOV, is confident in his specialists, who have undergone training on the new machine and are ready to show decent production results.

– We have one problem – the weather, so we are constantly working to reduce the deadlines for the main work. And with such powerful equipment, it will be much easier to do it,

especially since the farm has fields ranging from 35 hectares to 350 hectares, with an average arable land score of 35, explained **Yuri Kapitanov**. "Therefore, I am confident that this is a good investment, and on preferential terms."

The solemnity of the ceremony was enhanced not only by the presence of high-ranking officials and top managers of leading domestic machine-building companies but also by the spirited performance of the amateur art group of RUP "Vitebskoblgaz," whose skill became a unique gift from the Vitebsk region to the specialists of the Minsk Tractor Works.

"The event, which we have become a part of, may mark the beginning of a good, but somewhat forgotten, tradition of uniting the forces and aspirations of farmers and industrialists in solving common problems, which will result in what the President of the country is guiding us towards – increasing production volumes and reducing its cost," emphasized the **head of the region**.

Comment from Andrey Stasilevich, General Designer of OJSC "MTZ": "The mobile unit on the 'Belarus-3522' is specifically designed to test the plant's latest technical solutions. In addition to the 'Caterpillar' engine with increased power and traction, it features the possibility of dual-mounting front and rear wheels, an reinforced transmission, front and rear hitch systems, and a navigation system that will allow plant specialists to monitor the tractors' operation online from Minsk to assess technical, operational, and other parameters. After the autumn field work, the monitoring results will be analyzed, and serial production of this model is possible as early as 2017.

In fact, the 'Belarus-3522' is capable of replacing a dozen conventional tractors and is not inferior to foreign counterparts in key operating parameters, including efficiency."

Sergey Antonov. Photos by Dmitry Osipov. "Vitebskiye Vesti".