MTZ 1220, Belarus 825, Belarus 8345. Cecil Bearden, OK, USA.

I bought my 1996 Belarus model 825 in May of 2010, for $6,500 from an ad on craigslist,  It had about 1500 hours on it, had the original invoice with the owners manual, and the hardbound parts manual.  I have put about 400 hours on it to date.   I have only spent maybe $200 to date on filters, the cable to actuate the hydraulic lift control, and some turnbuckles for hitch stabilizers.  At this time my post hole auger stays mounted on this tractor.  The down pressure on the lift is great for digging holes for corner posts.. 
I bought my 2006 Belarus model 8345 in July of 2010 for $12,000, from an ad on craigslist also and bought it from the original owner.  It had approximately 1200 hours on it. The radiator top tank would not hold the radiator cap.  I used it for 3 years before replacing the radiator top tank. I have put about 1000 hours on it.  It is my "go to" utility tractor.  It is used nearly every day in winter to feed cattle.  It moves hay, rakes hay and pulls my 8ft JD rotary mower.   I have spent about $400 on this tractor on parts to rebuild the slip clutch in the front axle drive ( called a carrier bearing), seals in the rt front wheel, lift control cable, bracket on the external hydraulic control lever ( USA mfd valve), filters, and radiator top tank.. 
Neither tractor has a working  air conditioner, but I attribute that to it being a USA made A/C installed in Milwaukee WI.
Lately both tractor have developed leaks in the gas springs that hold the rear window open.

The TS110 New Holland was purchased in February of 2010 by trading in a JX85 Case IH that would not pull my 9ft New Holland 617 Disc mower without overheating.   The 2003 model New Holland TS110 was showing 1200 hours and the dealer assured me that was the original hours. At 1240 hours the injection pump came apart and required a complete new pump.  At that time the injectors were also cleaned, for a total cost of $3,600.  At 1260 hours the fuel lift pump failed at a cost of $350. At 1300 hours the polyethylene fuel tank developed a leak at the fuel gauge mounting boss and required removal and re-welding the mounting boss onto the tank.  This was just 2 days labor intensive work.  At 1325 hours the Grammer Air Ride seat developed a leak in the air compressor.  I replaced it with a complete new seat for $700.  About that time the original top link broke while an employee was standing next to an 8ft rotary tiller attached to the 3pt. lift.  Luckily his foot was missed by 2 inches.   At 2000 hours, while tilling with the rotary tiller, the tractor developed a severe knock.  I sounded as it was in the transmission drive plate.  I sent it to New Holland dealer in Chickasha OK.  It was there for 6 weeks.  The service department split the tractor and installed a new drive plate ($250 my aftermarket cost ) and after a labor bill of $3,600 determined that the tractor had broken a valve.   I stopped their work and brought the tractor home.   I purchased a used cylinder head and then installed new guides and seats and resurfaced the head. ($400).  I installed new valves, pistons, rings, rod and main bearings without pulling the engine.  A new oil pump was also installed. ( $800 ).  While the tractor was at the dealership, the sediment glass was broken ( $45) and I replaced it by adding a primary filter, but the fuel pump sucks fuel from the fuel tank and will not hold the prime for longer than an hour. I have replaced the suction fuel line  with fuel hose as the assembly from New Holland is over $400, but it still loses prime and must be bled every time the tractor is started.  The dealership broke the windshield while installing the hood on the tractor and when the windshield was replaced, they installed the wiper arms crossed and burned out the wiper motor ($200).  The dealership also left many bolts out and lost a hood bracket ($125).  The dealership also left out the cotter keys holding the fuel tank pins and I nearly lost the fuel tank.   At 2015 hours the left front wheel fell off while pulling a grain drill.  I replaced both wheel hubs aftermarket and ordered special built heavy wheels ( $780 )  The fuel tank is again leaking and the transmission is now making a noise when reversing with the shuttle shifter.  I am careful with this tractor, I started with $38,000 in this tractor considering the trade in I had.  I have spent $10,725 not including filters and the special oil required in the transmission ( $85/5gal) for 850 hours over a 6 year period of use., and this tractor is only a 2wd.

I would also add that my 825 has been one of the best buys I have made.  It starts fine in cold weather, pulls through any type of mud we have, It handles a mower or rototiller on the rear better than any 70hp red, blue, or green tractor.  It has the old Memo loader on it.  I had to replace the loader hoses last month, they were only 26 years old!!!  The 825 tractor is what convinced me to buy the 8345 and later my 1220.

My `1220 has been a workhorse.  I can handle any load I put on it.  It will pull my 15'bat wing mower through 6ft tall Johnson Grass at a fast walk.  I have had it on the 12ft Hesston Mower conditioner in the same tall Johnson grass and it performed perfectly.   The 1220 definitely has more than the advertised power on the PTO.  The Loader is heavier than any I have seen on a 125hp tractor.  I have a post puller/grapple that I use and it will pull out 4 to 5 inch trees with no problem.   The 1220 is my tractor to feed hay with now.  The heater works great!!  I can feed hay without my coat on in the cab...  MTZ has the best heater in the cab, and my feet can stay warm in the MTZ.  

One of the best things about the 1220 is it does not require the expensive Hydraulic/transmission oil that my New Holland does.  Changing the hyd oil and filters on my TS110 costs over $300.  It requires a $80 New Holland brand filter or the shuttle will not shift correctly.  The oil is $90 for a 5gallon bucket and it requires 2.  The other hydraulic filters are another $60 and the hydraulic/transmission oil needs to be changed annually.

This is why my Belarus tractors are my favorite. 

I will be happy to send you pictures of my tractors, it will take me a day or so to get them loaded up.  They will be in their " work clothes", both are equipped with loaders.  The 825 has a Memo loader and the 8345 has a Koyker. 

You can definitely add my testimony to your web site.   Back when Belarus tractors were first imported into Oklahoma, all the old farmers were telling tales that the bearings were not round, and the castings would break, and all kinds or lies.  If my Dad & I had known then what I know about these tractors, we could have had a newer cab tractor and enjoyed more power and comfort.  At the prices of domestic tractors, we had to make do with used tractors and no cabs, and big repair bills.  Just call me a disciple of Belarus and MTZ.  You can use my name, I don't mind.
Cecil Bearden, Piedmont, OKlahoma

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