HEAVY-DUTY TRUCKS FROM MINSK

Vladimir Volkov

Director, Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant

he Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant (MZKT) was established in 1991 from a special-purpose wheeled tractor division of the Minsk Automobile Plant which was involved in the production of transport platforms for mobile missile systems of the former USSR and all-wheel drive chassis.

1. MZKT-74135

The first generation of off-road automobiles emerged in 1950s, which demonstrated the potential of implemented technological solutions.
Many years of experience in the development and production of special-purpose heavy-duty and super heavy-duty chassis for the USSR Ministry of Defense resulted in a whole pallet of wheeled chassis for various equipment able to move on any road and any terrain.

With its vast technological and economic potential, modern equipment and high-class personnel with long experience in heavy-duty vehicle development and production, the plant has been successfully pursuing a conversion program.

Today, MZKT's products are not only multipurpose all-wheel drive multiaxle automobiles, but load and dump trucks and chassis for various equipment operated in many sectors.
Currently, the plant has assimilated production of the Volat (Hercules) family of automobiles which is primarily represented by four-axle all-wheel drive crosscountry automobiles derived from the MZKT-79091 and MZKT-79092 vehicles: MZKT-7429 tractor trucks (semi-trailer seat loading of 23 tons) and MZKT-74134 tractor trucks (semi-trailer seat loading of 30 tons).

To ensure reliability and high cross-country capacity (on damp soil, sand, snow, ice-crusted ground, fording, slopes, climbs, descents) the vehicles are equipped with:
— 470 to 800 hp diesel engines;
— MZKT's nine-speed and Zahnradfabrik's 16-speed gear boxes, as well as MZKT's (4+2) and Allison's (6+2) hydromechanical gear boxes;
— a two-speed transfer unit with a blocking interbogie differential;
— driving axles with a system of self-blocking differentials, including forced blocking;
— steering system powered by hydraulic actuators with a mechanical linkage between steered wheels.

The MZKT-74134 tractor truck features high tow-dynamic characteristics (650 to 680 hp engine and 4+2 hydromechanical transmission) and can be used with transporters with a gross weight of 160 tons.

2. MZKT-8007 chasis

3. MZKT-6923 chasis

The large specific power and wide torque adjustment range ensure high cross-country capacity and tow-dynamic characteristics of MZKT's vehicles, while their independent torsion-bar wheel suspension provides for a smooth drive in any conditions.

The special-purpose MZKT-6923 8 x 4 chassis and MZKT-8006 6 x 4 chassis with a two-seat cabin placed forward of a 330 to 360 hp engine are designed for cranes and other lifting equipment. These chassis are supplied to the Krayan plant (Odessa, Ukraine), GAZAKS JSC (Kamyshin, Russia), Mogilevtransmash (Mogilev, Belarus), and Motovilikhinskiye Zavody (Perm, Russia) which produce automobile cranes with a lifting capacity of 25 to 50 tons and a crane boom operation radius of up to 50 m. The MZKT-6923, MZKT-79092 chassis are used by Pozhtekhnika JSC (Torzhok, Russia) for mounting firefighting equipment, while the MZKT-8007 chassis are used for excavator-planners. The MZKT-79191
12 x 12 six-axle chassis and MZKT-80071 8 x 8 four-axle chassis serve as platforms for heavy equipment for the drilling, maintenance and overhaul of oil and gas wells. They are intended for the transportation, erection and long-term operation of oil/gas rigs driven by the chassis' engine. Recently, the MZKT-69237 8 x 4 chassis and its version have been developed to be mounted by various equipment. Currently, they are widely used by other manufacturers to produce truck refuelers, concrete mixer trucks, container-carrying trucks, side-loading body trucks to carry pressed load packages, timber transporters and other automobile vehicles used in various industry sectors. A number of heavy-duty transporters have been designed with a whole range of trailers and semitrailers with similar tires and track to improve cross-country capacity.

Optional systems for the heating of units and parts, two-seat four-point cushioned cabins, tilting functional instrument panel, adjustable driver's seat and a sleeping section, and optional air conditioners provide for high-comfort driving and ensure the operation of MZKT's vehicles in various climatic conditions within a temperature range of -50 to +50 oC.

One should also mention the MZKT-742952-93783 transporter powered by a 570 hp engine and the MZKT-74135 tractor truck with a 788 hp engine, which have been recently developed and produced.

He high technological level of MZKT's products is largely attributable to broad cooperation with leading foreign companies. At customer’s request, MZKT's vehicles can be equipped with engines, parts and units from various foreign manufacturers, such as Daimler Benz AG, Detroit, Deutz, Diesel, Caterpillar, Zahnradfabrik, Mannesmann, Wabco, Bosch, Knorr-Bremse, ITAG, etc., enabling MZKT to successfully compete with heavy-duty automobile makers not only on the CIS market but also internationally. MZKT's products undergo strict quality inspection and checks for the observance of standards and production technologies. A highly responsible attitude to product quality is the most valuable asset of the Minsk Wheeled Tractor Plant.

Banners Exchange System 'Flamingo'