KrAZ 214: history of creating an army truck, technical specifications

As a rule, in the automotive industry of the Soviet Union, most of the emerging models were a design assembled from several previously produced domestic models, or as a basis for the machines of imported manufacturers. So, the engineers of the Yaroslavl Automobile Plant, under the general supervision of Chief Designer V. Osepchugov, decided to go along the beaten path when creating a new army truck with increased terrain.

KrAZ-214: the beginning of the road

Work on the project of a new truck tractor began in 1950. The car was assigned the YAZ-214 index, which in 1959, after the transfer of the production of trucks from Yaroslavl to Kremenchug, was changed to KrAZ-214. From the designers it was required to create a car capable of transporting goods of various categories and destinations, as well as personnel in any conditions, regardless of the quality of the road and the degree of intersection of the terrain. In addition, the ability of the machine should include the ability to tow heavy trailers. In general, the army needed a universal and reliable transport.

The birth of a truck

In the years of the Great Patriotic War, the Americans were supplied with their own equipment in the Lend-Lease. One of such cars was a 12-ton truck Diamond T 980. It was the prototype of the developed Soviet YaAZ-214.

From the American, he got: a frame, transmission and chassis elements. The engine, despite the fact that it had the marking of YaAZ-206, was a copy of GMC 71-6, the license for which was bought by the USSR again from the American General Motors. It was a two-stroke diesel with six cylinders.

YaAZ-210G, by the way, also assembled on samples of American technology, "presented" a domestic truck with a back trolley, an interaxle differential and a transfer case.

The cabin and wheels from the same YaAZ-210 were installed on the prototype, and in 1951 it was presented for testing. With success passing them, a new truck was recommended for mass production. However, the machine was brought to the mind six years ago. Serial production of trucks was organized only in 1957, and two years later all production was taken from the YaAZ and transferred to the conveyor of the Kremenchug automobile plant.

Description of the machine

The new KrAZ-214 was distinguished by its high strength and good cross-country ability.

Rolling channel has become a material for manufacturing the frame of the truck. Five stamped, riveted diameters reinforced the structure. The front and rear of the frame are equipped with a buffer, behind the towing mechanism.

The cabin is made of wood, lined with metal. In comparison with the cabin YAAZ-210, the new model was wider and more comfortable. For the winter period of operation, it provided for the heating of the passenger compartment and the blowing out of the front glass with warm air. The bonnet design was supplemented by folding sidewalls, which facilitated the maintenance of the engine.

The truck body of KrAZ-214 was made of sheet metal and was a model of the standard type with a tilting rear side. From the weather the body was closed with a tent.

The engines for the new KrAZ vehicles, after being transferred to the conveyor in Kremenchug, began to install the forced ones - YaMZ-206B, which was a modification of the YaAZ-206.

Under the machine platform, a mechanical type winch was provided, with a horizontal drum arrangement.

Carried out tests have shown that KrAZ-214 vehicles can ride on loose ground with a track depth of up to 60 cm while driving without a trailer, without difficulty passing the ditches to a depth of 85 cm.

KrAZ-214: technical specifications

The main technical characteristics of the machine:

• The weight of the truck was 11 tons 325 kg.
• Carrying capacity of the car in view of operation in the conditions of impassability - 7 tons.
• The weight of the towed trailer depends on the density of the soil under the wheels and can vary from 5 to 50 tons.
• Dimensions of the machine - 8.53 x 2.7 x 3.17 m (length, width, height of the tent), the height of the cabin is 2.88 m.
• The length of the body is 4,565 m, width - 2,49 m.
• The inter-wheel track is 2.03 m.
• Turning radius of a truck without a trailer is 14 m.
• The power of the diesel engine is 205 liters. from.
• Fuel capacity - 2 tanks of 255 liters.
• The limiting speed without a trailer is 55 km / h, with a trailer - up to 40 km / h.
• The fuel consumption, depending on the operating conditions, varies from 70 to 135 liters per hundred kilometers.
• The cabin is designed for 3 people, the body - for 18 people, for this purpose, folding wooden benches along its sides were provided.

KrAZ-214 became the base vehicle for the production of the following models of trucks produced in Kremenchug.