If Kirovets still sets the bar high when it comes to functionality, the comfort of driving remains rooted in the design ethos of the 70s and 80s. The machines may have evolved, but the feel behind the wheel often harkens back to that era, a testament to a trade-off between rugged capability and user experience.
Today, the St. Petersburg tractor plant rolls out new models that are aesthetically striking and technologically advanced, yet their price points can be steep. A large number of the classic Kirovets machines—K-700, K-700A, and K-701—still roam the wide expanses of Russia, proving the enduring appeal of these early heavy-weights in farming and industrial work.
So why not give your cherished equipment a modern refresh? The answer lies in collaboration between skilled artisans and small enterprises, where innovative visions meet practical engineering to produce remarkable, and undeniably beautiful, machines.
One standout project is the Yuzhanin tractor, conceived and manufactured by the Centrotech workshop in the Ulyanovsk region. In broad terms, this project reimagines the K-701 by pairing it with a Volvo FM cab. The result is a cab-over layout that transforms the driving environment, offering an expansive, panoramic view for the operator and a distinctly contemporary silhouette for the machine. And this is simply one example among many post-Soviet adaptations—there are numerous variants across the broader region, each reflecting local needs, materials, and expertise.
- There is also ongoing discussion about how the Kirovets K-700 can outperform competing tractors in terms of reliability, ease of maintenance, and raw pulling power.
- Updates and insights about these builds can be explored through social platforms and enthusiast communities, where enthusiasts share experiences and project documentation.
Video: YouTube / CAR HISTORY