Abstract
The interrelation of reliability with the costs for manufacturing an object and their effect on the operational costs when using this object is analyzed. From the complex property of reliability, its priority properties—dependability and maintainability—are distinguished. The calculations are based on three key components: costs for manufacturing tractors; costs for maintaining tractors; and the volume of product losses during the idle-time of the tractors. The results of the theoretical research compared with the experimental data obtained in certain conditions of the use of tractors show that similar calculations for other conditions (enterprises) make it possible for consumers to select a tractor with efficient indicators and allow tractor plants to forecast and ensure the necessary reliability level.