Belarus KT-12/12A
Built: 1951–1955 · Series: KT-12/12A
More machines from model year 1951
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KT-12/12A: the wood-gas-generator tractor of 1951 to 1955, six-cylinder with 45 hp, 6,150 kg unladen weight, top speed 10 km/h
The KT-12/12A was built from 1951 to 1955, in the first post-war years of the Soviet Union, when fuel shortages encouraged the building of farm machinery with gas-generator drive: instead of diesel or petrol, the engine burns wood gas produced by an onboard generator fed with wood or charcoal. Tractors of this design eased the shortage of petroleum fuels in agriculture in the immediate post-war years, before diesel engines displaced wood-gas technology in the following years.
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The six-cylinder engine of 5,550 cm³ displacement produces 45 hp at 2,300 rpm – a modest figure for a six-cylinder, reflecting the lower energy density of wood gas compared with liquid fuel. With an unladen weight of 6,150 kg, a length of 4,500 mm, a width of 1,950 mm, a height of 2,790 mm and a wheelbase of 3,370 mm, the tractor reaches only 10 km/h top speed, a pace that points to pure field work rather than road transport.
At 10 km/h the KT-12/12A lies far below the 40 km/h limit of today's driving licence category L; the low travel speed combined with a high unladen weight is typical of early post-war tractors built for draft power at the plough rather than for covering distance. The onboard gas generator required extra steps to light compared with an ordinary diesel tractor, plus regular refilling of wood or charcoal during work.
Surviving examples are museum pieces today; when acquiring one for a collection, what matters is the completeness of the gas generator, the condition of the boiler and gas lines, and the originality of the cab and sheet-metal parts. Because spare parts for the gas-producing plant are no longer made, the value of the vehicle usually comes down to the preserved condition of the existing generator.
Sources: SpecCodex-Register: Kennwerte des Modells KT-12/12A
Technical data
Engine
| Fuel | Holzgascorrect |
|---|---|
| Power | 45 hpcorrect |
| Power | 45 hpcorrect |
| Rated speed | 2,300 rpmcorrect |
| Cylinders | 6correct |
| Displacement | 5,550 cm³correct |
| Cooling | water-cooledcorrect |
Dimensions and weights
| Length | 4,500 mmcorrect |
|---|---|
| Width | 1,950 mmcorrect |
| Height | 2,790 mmcorrect |
| Wheelbase | 3,370 mmcorrect |
| Ground clearance | 500 mmcorrect |
| Unladen weight | 6,150 kgcorrect |
Drivetrain and chassis
| Drive | Kettecorrect |
|---|---|
| Gearbox | 5/1correct |
| Top speed | 10 km/hcorrect |
Where this model stands
Power-to-weight ratio: 5.4 kW/t (33 kW / 6.2 t)
Power class: Universal (40–100 hp)
Stronger than 29% of the tractors in the register — out of 15,663 models with a stated power figure.
Calculated from the documented figures above — not a rating.
Frequently asked questions
How much power does the Belarus KT-12/12A have?
The Belarus KT-12/12A delivers 45 hp.
How much does the Belarus KT-12/12A weigh?
The unladen weight is 6,150 kg.
What engine does the Belarus KT-12/12A have?
6 cylinders, 5,550 cm³ displacement, Holzgas.
How fast does the Belarus KT-12/12A go?
Top speed is 10 km/h.
What are the dimensions of the Belarus KT-12/12A?
4,500 mm × 1,950 mm × 2,790 mm.
When was the Belarus KT-12/12A built?
Production years: 1951–1955.
What to check before buying
- Check the hour meter against the service records — a replaced instrument is the most common gap.
- Compare the data plate and chassis number with the papers.
- Check the weights in the papers against the figures here — attachments change them.
- Shift the gearbox cold and warm — jumps only show up at temperature.
- Load the hydraulics and watch for sag.
- Ask about parts availability for this build year — the running costs hang on it.
A general list for this type of machine — no substitute for an inspection or an appraiser.
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This page carries 16 individual figures for this model. They come from 1 recorded source; every figure can be traced there. What we cannot document is not here — we leave gaps open rather than estimate them.
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Sources: [1]
Tractor in 3D section
Turn the model, look inside and click an assembly — each one is explained.