T-38 (tractor)

ЛТЗ
A T-38 as a memorial in Russia (2013)
T-38
Manufacturer:	Lipetsky Traktorny Zavod
Sales designation:	Т-38
Production period:	1958-1973
Engines:	Four cylinder diesel engine
Traction:	almost 20 kN
Length:	3625 mm
Width:	1640 mm
Height:	1720 mm
Gauge:	1340 mm
Ground clearance:	610 mm
Standard tires:	Caterpillars
Top speed:	9.70 km / h
Empty weight:	3950 kg
Previous model:	KD-35
Successor:	none

The T-38 ( Russian Т-38 ) is a Soviet chain tractor that was manufactured from 1958 in the Lipetski Traktorny Sawod (short ЛТЗ or LTZ). In 15 years of construction, around 130,000 copies of the vehicle were produced, which replaced the very similar predecessor KD-35 .

Vehicle history

A T-38 in front of the Lipetski Traktorny Zavod (2006)

T-38 as a memorial in Shyshaky , Ukraine (2012)

As a replacement for the KD-35 , which had already been developed in World War II , the Lipetsk tractor factory began manufacturing the T-38 in 1958. The vehicle looked little different from its predecessor. However, it was now delivered with a cab for the tractor driver as standard . In addition, new diesel engines were installed. Initially, D-40 engines with 40 HP (29.4 kW) continuous output were used. A year later, the performance of the engine at 45 HP (33 kW) was increased by the maximum speed of the crankshaft of 1400 to 1600 min ^-1 raised.

In 1962 the chain tractor received a further increase in performance. From this point on, engines of the type D-48L were installed, this diesel engine also has four cylinders and a displacement of 4.5 liters. However, the power could be increased to 50 HP (37 kW). At the same time, the top speed increased slightly and the tractive effort of the vehicle increased. The tractor, now known as the T-38M, was manufactured until 1973. After that, LTZ stopped manufacturing chain tractors and has been building wheel tractors ever since.

A total of around 130,100 T-38 tractors were built, including 26,300 first generation and 103,800 modernized T-38Ms. Various specimens have been preserved in Russia, among others, one of which stands as a memorial in front of the manufacturing plant in Lipetsk .

Probably not a single T-38 ever came to Germany. Only the D-40 and D-48 diesel engines used were imported. Installed in the MTZ-5 wheel tractor from the Minski Traktorny Sawod , a few specimens came to the German Democratic Republic until 1963 .

The unusual design with narrow crawler tracks and very high ground clearance of 64 centimeters was already used in the predecessor. This was specially designed for the cultivation of sugar beet .

Based on the T-38, the Lipetsk plant also developed and produced three different specialty tractors. The models T-40B, T-50A and T-42 were all significantly smaller and intended for special agricultural tasks such as viticulture. The T-42 was the only one a wheel tractor, the other two models were chain tractors. In terms of design, the T-40B had nothing to do with the T-40 wheel tractor , which the plant later built in large numbers for decades.