John SD - 3/29/2011 18:28
Another thing about the mfwd on the 825's I was around. The front end has an adjustable torque limiter slip clutch built right into the driveline. The Russians knew the front end couldn't stand full engine power applied to it or the front drive would self destruct. Almost every Belarus I ever saw had the front wheels cobbled and reinforced because 5 studs was just not enough to do the job with a loader on. I think the last ones might have had heavier hubs.
When these tractors got in a jam and needed the front wheels working the most, that's when the front end would disengage. Neighbor had a mfwd JD 2940 that worked similarly.
As far as the auto engage feature. That didn't work in reverse. So you could drive into something using mfwd that you couldn't back out of in 2wd. Lock it in 4wd and you were OK but refer to previous paragraph. ;-)
Seriously, IMO for their time the Belarus tractors were an OK tractor for a mechanically capable guy who didn't mind messing with oil leaks and fixing constant little stuff. I always heard the best feature was the engines themselves which started well no matter the temp and were economical on fuel.
This is all kind of moot because to my knowledge, you can't buy a new Belarus in the US today anyway. Yes you can buy a new belarus today They are MTZ still made in the Minsk tractor works plant NEW 98hp FWD cab and air Lists At 40K We had an 825 with over 5000H never crunched a front end Replaced it with a 5190 97hp it currentyly has 4600 h on it They are great on fuel yes the leaks were problems at the start but when fixed right they stopped but at half the money of a blue red or green one they have there place W | 
What are your thoughts on Belarus tractors?
