Belarus / Altai Traktor TDT-60

The TDT-60 carries a four-cylinder diesel engine with 7,460 cm³ of displacement, producing 60 hp at 1,500 rpm. At 10,500 kg, 5,505 mm long, with a 2,720 mm wheelbase, 2,370 mm width and 2,700 mm height, this is a heavy tracked machine built for driving over rough forest terrain rather than public roads.

The tracked undercarriage spreads the great weight over a large contact area and keeps ground pressure low enough to develop traction even on soft forest floor and in snow. The cable winch at the rear – typical for this class of skidding tractor – dragged logs partly along the ground and partly half-lifted behind the machine, placing heavy loads on the axles and running gear.

When buying a used machine of this kind, the condition of the tracks, the track rollers and the winch matters most, as contact with soil, sand and stones in the forest wears them quickly. The frame should be checked for cracks around the towing point, and the cooling system seals for leaks, since the air- and water-cooled components of such tractors often leak after decades of forest work.