Nice project idea!
I like old Belarus products. I'd like to scratch build a 1/16 Belarus 825 one day.
You may want to look at the site Garden Tractor Talk or MyTractorForum.
Some members on there built 1/2 scale or smaller models of large equipment. The only difference is they are ride on tractors instead of R/C. Most used garden tractors for the conversion.
Don Campbell built quite a few:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/doncam...7594306624308/
Kurt Smith also builds mini tractors based on full scale models:
http://www.thelittletractorco.com/
I think going R/C would be neat, but it could be a challenge finding the right parts. It definitely possible.