Trucks of the USSR: models, characteristics. Colchis, the Urals, ZIL

In the Soviet Union, a large number of freight and passenger cars were created. This article will examine the most famous trucks of the USSR.

Truck KAZ-606 "Colchis"

In former times, our country was in dire need of cars capable of carrying large loads. Simply put, in trucks. Models of Soviet trucks have an interesting history. That is why the Kutaisi plant began to produce a car, which later became known as "Colchis". The history of the USSR trucks begins with prototypes presented to the Ministry of Motor Transport, which were developed in 1958. And already in 1959 the cars of the Kutaisi Automobile Plant were shown at the Exhibition of Achievements of the National Economy.

In total, the plant introduced two types of car, one of which was onboard and had the abbreviation KAZ-605, and the other was manufactured on the principle of a truck tractor and was called KAZ-606. After getting acquainted with the products of the Georgian car factory, the Ministry of Automotive Industry approved the serial production of only one model. Priority was given to the KAZ-606 project. Trucks of the USSR have replenished with a truck tractor.

Advantages of the car

The KAZ vehicle "Colchis" had an excellent glazing area of the driver's cab, which made the handling and execution of the movement maneuvers convenient. Unlike previously produced cars, the cabin of which was partly wooden, the Kola "Kolkhida" was made with an all-metal cabin. In the cabin, except for the driver's, there was only one passenger seat, but the small capacity was compensated by the presence of a berth. Such a decision at that time was revolutionary in the domestic automotive industry.

This car did not have the usual hood, which at that time was a novelty. The power unit was under the cabin, and it was very happy in the winter and grieved in the summer. The appearance of the truck was modern and stylish, because the designers moved the arrangement of the headlights to the lower part of the cabin.

Disadvantages of the KAZ-606

The most important shortcoming of the Colchis truck was frequent breakdowns and high fuel consumption. The car spent 50 liters of gasoline per hundred kilometers of the way. Due to the power unit located under the cab, it was difficult in summer to drive the truck. Not only because of the increased cabin temperature, but also because of the accumulation of exhaust gases.

Conclusion

Despite all the advantages, the truck "Colchis" did not become popular with drivers. And they turned their gaze to other models.

The truck "Ural"

The pride of domestic automotive industry was created from the time of the Great Patriotic War. The task of the truck is the export of harvested wood from the mining area. Considering the remoteness of such places, the Urals (timber transporters) put forward tough requirements for patency and operation in difficult conditions. Thanks to the painstaking work of Soviet engineers and designers, it has been possible to achieve all the tasks set by truck logging trucks.

Advantages of timber trucks "Ural"

Timber trucks of domestic production have phenomenal patency and high manufacturing quality.

In such machines, the country has always needed especially sharp, given the availability of rich forest resources. Trucks of the USSR have always enjoyed great demand both inside the country and abroad.

The structural feature of timber trucks "Ural" is a different wheel formula - from 4x4 to 8x8. Thanks to this formula, legendary patency is achieved. The operating temperature range is -40 ... +40 ^о С. This variation allows the use of machines of this type in different climatic conditions.

The maximum length of the transported cargo is almost 25 meters. The trailer, attached to the timber carrier, has a rotary mechanism, which increases maneuverability during transportation. "Ural" is a timber carrier, which is equipped with powerful power units of more than 200 horsepower.

Modern timber trucks "Ural" are equipped with a special hydraulic loader-manipulator, which allows you to load timber without using a crane. The construction of the lift and the control system are simple and reliable. This method allows you to reduce costs and time for mining.

The engines correspond to the European standards, which means that the machines practically do not pollute the environment.

Disadvantages of timber carriers "Ural"

Perhaps, the only shortage of timber trucks "Ural" can be attributed to high fuel consumption. Although, if we take into account the operating conditions of these machines, we can say that such a phenomenon is fully justified.

Conclusion

The developed concept of a truck for transportation of forest resources, which required long years of painstaking work, still stands in the service of a man. Timber trucks continue to perform their task throughout the territory of Russia and abroad. Operated in harsh climatic conditions, they still remain reliable helpers of people.

Dump trucks

By creating BelAZ cars, the Belarusian Automobile Plant set out to ensure efficient extraction of minerals from the production site. Developing the concept of such a large car, engineers and designers have gained invaluable experience in this industry. Our country is known for large volumes of natural reserves. To ensure high-quality and efficient transportation of goods could only large and reliable machines. The Ministry of Automotive Industry of the USSR decided to create production facilities for the development and construction of heavy trucks for work in the country's quarries. So there was the Belarusian Automobile Plant, where they started to create cars BelAZ.

The production of quarry dump trucks, which began in 1948, won world recognition. Constantly developing and implementing new technologies in the field of automotive industry, the plant has become one of the leaders in the market for heavy-duty vehicles.

The first brainchild of the Belorussian car factory was BelAZ-540, which came off the assembly line in 1961. This 27-ton monster was the pride of the Soviet people. Since the production with the first brainchild of the BelAZ auto concern, a large number of necessary tests have been carried out.

Bela-540A began its official working "career" in 1965. Of course, these are old Soviet trucks, and they are far from modern dump trucks, the newest of which is BelAZ-75710. In pursuit of efficiency, the Belarusian concern created, perhaps, the most load-lifting dump truck in the world. Weight of transported goods is 450 tons!

Designers BelAZ-75710 are already preparing an application for the introduction of this miracle of technology in the Guinness Book of Records. In fact, the success of this model was the sum of all the achievements of the automotive industry in this area. Workers of the plant devoted 65 years to the development and improvement of their products.

The new model differs from the former using eight wheels instead of six. This decision allowed to take on board more payload. The radius of rotation of this giant is about 20 meters, which, given its overall dimensions, is very small. Worked engineers and with the maneuverability of the car. Applying the principle of two swivel axles, it was possible to improve the overall maneuverability of the truck.

Huge work was done with the power plant of the machine. The type of power unit used in the dump truck is diesel, coupled. Power output by the power plant is 4600 l / s. All BelAZ-75710 systems underwent a profound modernization, which ultimately improved the safety and manageability of the car. In addition, the loading and unloading of cargo also became more convenient and simpler, the smoothness of the course and the patency of the dump truck improved. The pride of Belarusian engineers, BelAZ-75710, turned out to be a remarkably balanced and reliable car.

Summary

Despite its impressive size and huge weight, each element of the truck we are considering meets the most stringent safety and reliability requirements. Truly, the list of "Trucks of the USSR" would be incomplete without BelAZ dump trucks. But on this machine, our review does not end there. We go further.

Truck ZIL-131

In 1966 the automobile plant named after Likhachev (ZiL) started the production of the updated model ZIL-130. The car was a cross-country truck with improved characteristics in comparison with its predecessors. Designers decided to leave the hood scheme, modifying only some parts of the cabin.

Advantages of the car ZIL-131

Due to the excellent passage on almost any off-road ZIL-131 has become a good assistant in various areas of human activities.

The nodes and mechanisms of the model, which showed their reliability on past samples, were modernized and continued to serve reliably further.

The car turned out to be surprisingly hardy and tenacious. The temperature range is more than impressive. ZIL-131 can operate at an air temperature of -40 to +50 degrees Celsius.

The machine was actively used in military units and carried out various tasks. At its base, modifications were made to cars intended for the transport of personnel of the armed forces, field kitchens and mobile hospitals.

On the basis of ZIL-131 placed various types of weapons and radio equipment. The car was actively used in the aviation sphere as a vehicle for refueling aircraft, helicopters and other mechanisms for providing aviation flights.

The machine was used in geological prospecting, construction and even snow removal.

Disadvantages of ZIL-131

Judging by the reviews, the car eats a lot. However, fuel consumption of 40 liters per 100 km to the disadvantages can be attributed rather arbitrarily.

Conclusion

Like all Soviet trucks, ZIL-131 inherited its own "character." The reliability of such cars can not be doubted. Even today, many decades later, ZIL-131 continues to fulfill its difficult mission.