Centenary of the «Fordson-Putilovets» tractor

One hundred years ago, the serial production of the «Fordzon-Putilovets» wheeled tractor began at the «Krasny Putilovets» plant in Leningrad, which was a significant event in the history of machine building in the USSR. The start of production was preceded by the work of the Gosplan tractor commission, which was created to determine the tractor model and the enterprise for its production. (Research purpose) The research purpose is identifying the circumstances of the choice of the object and place of mass production of the tractor, determining the contribution of scientists to the work of the tractor commission; reflecting the importance of mass production in domestic engineering. (Materials and methods) Used sources reflecting the formation of tractor construction, archival materials of the V. P. Goryachkin Museum. Conducted research in accordance with the principles of historicism, scientific objectivity and reliability. (Results and discussion) It was shown that the process of initial tractorization of the country, in addition to purchases abroad and semiindustrial production of original designs, was also characterized by serial production of tractors according to foreign models. It was noted that the tractor «Fordzon» was recommended for mass production by the tractor commission of the State Planning Committee. The role of scientists V. P. Goryachkin and P. M. Belyanchikov, who organized the tests of the american tractor and determined its technical and operational characteristics, was revealed. The «Krasny Putilovets» plant was chosen as the place of mass production. (Conclusions) The tractorization of the country was carried out mainly due to the serial production of a tractor, the analogue of which was «Fordzon». Scientists V. P. Goryachkin and P. M. Belyanchikov were directly involved in the selection of this type of tractor. Its reproduction on «Krasny Putilovets» became possible thanks to the active position of the company’s management. The production of the Fordzon-Putilovets tractor contributed to the saturation of agriculture with traction machines, and the purposeful work on mastering the serial production of tractor equipment at the «Krasny Putilovets» plant marked the creation of the tractorbuilding industry in the USSR machine building.