MAZ-541: technical specifications

In 1956, the Minsk Automobile Plant developed and built the MAZ-541 airfield towing vehicle for particularly large aircraft. This was an exclusive project initiated by the government of the USSR in connection with the need to create a powerful aircraft tractor. Specialists of MAZ Design Bureau presented the documentation in a short time, and the assembly of a unique machine began. In total, at the first stage three trucks MAZ-541 were produced. A comprehensive testing of new equipment was carried out at the factory range.

Practical use

MAZ-541, a new generation airfield tractor, replaced the MAZ-535 military trucks, which were used at that time to tow large aircraft. The capacity of five hundred and thirty-fifth was barely enough to move the liners, besides the height of the body MAZ-535 did not allow the car to drive directly under the hull of the aircraft, and you had to use an additional bar to extend the hitch.

The new tug was made with the maximum understated body type sedan. MAZ-541, in fact, became the world's only tractor with the external characteristics of a car. However, to rank the car in the category of "cars" could only be conditional, since the wheels on the tow were far from being small. The front lines were borrowed from the YaAZ-214 truck, and the rear ones were delivered from MAZ-525, a quarry dump truck.

MAZ-541 was a four-wheel drive vehicle with a demultiplier, thanks to which the front axle could be switched off if necessary. Coupling of the wheels of the tractor with the roadway was ideal, which ensured maximum traction.

Double control

The tasks of towing airliners are connected with certain rules of maneuvering. Therefore, the machine was controlled by a twin steering wheel. In the cabin were mounted two independent of each other "steering wheel". One rudder was located on the usual place, in front, on the left, and the other was placed diagonally, behind, on the right side. Other controls, clutch pedals, brakes and accelerator were also duplicated. This arrangement required a specific maneuvering of the tractor.

Operation of the first car MAZ-541 in the test mode showed good results. The car easily towed Il-62, Tu-114 and even Tu-144 Concord. After the tractor had passed all the tests, the Ministry of Aviation Industry of the USSR ordered another 13 cars. However, tractors were not produced due to changes in technical conditions and the transfer of the Minsk plant to the production of more modern types of airfield equipment.

Memory

The MAZ-541 aerodrome tractor remained in the history of the automobile industry as a unique example of creative engineering. He became a record-breaker in his weight class, and, in fact, he had no equal. Soon, at the airfields, new tractors appeared, powerful and maneuverable, which served as an additional tanker. But all the existing copies of the five hundred and forty-first successfully worked until the end of the seventies.

For a long time, the tractor, in addition to towing the liners, performed one more function, which can be called honorable. The car met international flights to Sheremetyevo, he seemed to represent Aeroflot, and hence the whole country. In the eyes of foreign guests MAZ-541 was another achievement of the Soviet aviation industry. A light ocher painted in color, the car produced an indescribable impression when flanking a spacious area before approaching a liner arriving from abroad. Foreigners who descended from the gangway, tried to take a picture of a giant passenger car.

And when, after disembarking the passengers, the tractor drove the liner to the parking lot, it was a real theatrical action, and the foreigners who were already in the terminal building again took out the cameras to at least from afar, but to capture an unforgettable sight.

The weight of the MAZ-54 aerodrome tractor was slightly less than 30 tons, but the car looked elegant enough. The necessary thrust was provided by a powerful tank diesel with high efficiency. Giant tractor was a real decoration of the runway and all adjacent areas of Sheremetyevo airport.

MAZ-541: technical specifications

Parameters weight and dimensional:

• Length of tractor - 7800 mm;
• Height - 2200 mm;
• Width - 3400 mm;
• Base wheel - 4200 mm;
• Mass full - 29 tons;
• The wheel formula is 4 x 4.

Power point

The engine mounted on the tractor from the tank register is D-12A.

• The number of cylinders is 12.
• Gas distributing mechanism (timing) - upper valve.
• Configuration - the arrangement of the cylinders is V-shaped.
• Power - 300 liters. from.
• The maximum traction load is 85 tons.
• The fuel consumption is 130 liters per 100 kilometers of run.
• The fuel consumption at the airfield sites is 45 liters per hour.

Transmission friction, designed for multiple starting from a place with a slip. The speed box is modified, two-stage, with one reverse gear.

Chassis

The machine is equipped with two continuous bridges, in the middle of which there are planetary hypoid mechanisms. Rotation from the propeller shaft and transfer box is transmitted to the wheels by means of semi-axes with flanges at the end, which serve as the mounting point for the wheel disks.

Both suspension springs are reinforced. The mounting brackets are borrowed from MAZ-525 trucks. The springs are assembled from parabolic sheets with lower support. Due to the low flexibilty of the package, the tractor's travel was tough, but the springs did not soften, as there was a danger of their subsidence and breakdown under the vehicle's own weight.

The rotary fists of the front wheels of the pivot design, as well as the worm-hypoid mechanism of the rudder, were taken from the military truck MAZ-535. The driver had to make every effort to turn the steering wheel, so the driver of the tractor was taken exclusively by strong and tall soldiers from the airport maintenance company.

Modeling

Like all rare copies of automotive equipment, the aerodrome tractor is copied on a miniature scale. Technical copy MAZ-541-1: 43, where the last digits indicate the scale of the product, can become a worthy exhibit for any collection.