Belarus?

NOCO Jim · April 30, 2022, 04:56:39 PM

Anybody run them?
Fella has a 420A model with loader and backhoe, 4wd, 800 odd hrs., he is asking $6500.
Any opinions?

beenthere · April 30, 2022, 06:17:57 PM

Have not run one.

Here is auction result of one sold.. $1200
https://www.tractorhouse.com/listings/auction-results/belarus/420/40-hp-to-99-hp-tractors/1110

Here is tractordata.com
TractorData.com Belarus 420A tractor engine information

Oliver05262 · April 30, 2022, 06:18:34 PM

They were/are a pretty tough tractor, but they have some unique features. Take some getting used to. MacFaddens in Sharon Springs used to sell them; maybe they still do. They are a good source for parts and advice. Check the tractor out and note what issues it might have, then call out there and ask Jeff about it before you take the plunge.
Yeah, that price does sound a tad high.

Dom · April 30, 2022, 06:46:28 PM

Cheap tractors, people either love them or hate them.

I'd be cautious with the backhoe if it didn't have a proper subframe.

DaleK · April 30, 2022, 07:59:05 PM

Ok tractor for their time, parts were hard to find before the war and are embargoed now, possibly never to be seen again. Price is about $4000 too high. I'd find something else

dogone · April 30, 2022, 08:02:45 PM

They were somewhat popular up here in Canada. A very basic old tech tractor. Designed for strength and ease of repair. Would have been cutting edge in 1950.

moodnacreek · April 30, 2022, 08:11:55 PM

When to a loggers auction some years back and there was a bulldozer [Belarus] with a pony start.

chevytaHOE5674 · April 30, 2022, 10:36:20 PM

Bare bones no frills 1950s tech still being used today (now a days they are MTZ). Parts are a big issue and only worse with the current war going on over there I'm sure. Neighbor has one with a broken gear set in the front axle, no luck finding parts in a few years. The gears inside look as if there were cast in a foundry and barely machined, a 10 speed huffy bike has better machine work on it than the inside of that axles does.

mudfarmer · May 01, 2022, 10:16:12 AM

Hey Jim,

I have one, all the above posts are spot on. They are pretty tough, bare bones, simple design and easy to work on. Parts and information can be an issue, price is several thousand too high on that one I would pass. Down pressure on 3pt hitch is nice, possibly "borrowed" from an International tractor design if my memory is correct.

moodnacreek · May 01, 2022, 11:00:09 AM

When it gets to the point where parts can't be had the value of the machine goes way down. The only person besides a junk yard, that should buy one is the person who already has the same model and knows what to expect. This person should also set the price.

peakbagger · May 01, 2022, 05:20:47 PM

I ran into someone who bought one years ago, I think a selling point was it came with a big crate of spare parts. Long ago they were used in place of currency exchange.

47sawdust · May 01, 2022, 07:19:51 PM

Early Belarus tractors came with a bench seat so your mechanic could ride along with you.

chevytaHOE5674 · May 01, 2022, 08:20:09 PM

If you are operating a Belarus you probably can't afford a proper mechanic. Ha.

NOCO Jim · May 01, 2022, 08:50:47 PM

Thanks for the insights, folks. I'll be letting this one pass.

petefrom bearswamp · May 02, 2022, 09:11:52 AM

Looked into buying one in the mid 90s
Parts man at the dealership turned me off when he recited the jingle he had heard, "Belarus, whats the use"
Around here there were 2 pronunciations Bell air rus and bell a roos
Bought a vintage JD 4020, never regretted my decision.

Roxie · May 02, 2022, 09:33:05 AM

Quote from: moodnacreek on April 30, 2022, 08:11:55 PM
When to a loggers auction some years back and there was a bulldozer [Belarus] with a pony start.

You gave me a smile and a memory on the pony start. We had a John Deere 730 and it was magic listening to it start and run. Cowboy Bob would put a coffee can on the muffler and forget to take it off sometimes. We played Dodgethecan.

moosehunter · May 02, 2022, 01:20:32 PM

Fellow member @york used to have one. Not sure if he still has it.
mh

Frickman · May 03, 2022, 04:16:41 PM

A farmer/landowner I cut timber from about twenty odd years ago had two of them. I looked them over while I was there. The fit and finish on them was very poor. If a guy had ready access to cheap parts and the desire to wrench on a machine every time he went to use it it may be ok. If I owned one and it ran I'd drive it to the nearest scrapyard and sell it by the pound.