CAMC cars (KAMC) - a Chinese take on a truck

• Story
• Reviews
• Test Drive
• Tractor
• Mixer
• Dump truck

Chinese-made CAMC heavy trucks are rapidly gaining leadership positions in the global heavy-duty vehicle market. What is the secret of such success? First of all, it is achieved thanks to a very wide

the range of manufactured models and the optimal ratio of high quality equipment with its reasonable cost. We invite you to take a closer look at the products of the company, which specializes in the production of truck tractors, dump trucks and concrete mixer trucks, as well as study reviews of KAMK vehicles and consider their main technical characteristics.

History of the brand

The Chinese company SAMS (KAMC) entered the global automotive market in 1999. Despite its short history, it has long established itself among the major manufacturers of equipment, thanks to the production of more than 50 thousand “heavy duty trucks” per year. The brand itself was born in 1980 as an enterprise for the assembly of concrete mixers based on the MITSUBISHI chassis, which was organized in the city of Maanshan and named SAMC Automobile Co.

At the beginning of 2003, the SAMS company, which had just joined the large automobile holding Anhui Hualing Automobile, entered into an agreement with the Japanese corporation MITSUBISHI on the sharing and partial transfer of automotive technology. Exactly a year later, in 2004, the first heavy truck of its own production rolled off the new assembly line of the enterprise.

SAMS dump trucks (6x4, 8x4)

Like the base chassis of the previous generation, CAMC dump trucks with a wheelbase of a three-axle model equal to 3600+1350 mm and a four-axle model equal to 1850+3370+1350 mm can be equipped with an 8.9-liter (345 hp) or 10.8-liter (375 hp) Dongfeng Cummins ISLe 375 40 diesel engine (Euro-4) and 10.5-liter HINO diesel engines, 350 or 380 hp. The gearbox is mechanical with a number of stages of 9 or 12. The body of dump trucks intended for Russia is slightly shifted back and is equipped with an exhaust gas heating system. The cabin is low, elongated, with a berth. The capacity and load capacity of the original box-type dump truck is 15 m3 and 20 tons, respectively, for the three-axle model, and 24 m3 and 25.7 tons for the four-axle model. Three- and four-axle CAMC dump trucks are also available, the body capacity of which is 19 and 25 “cubes,” respectively. . Tire size 12.00R20, fuel tank capacity 350 l.

Modern production technologies

The SAMS automobile concern (KAMC) today is a huge factory complex equipped with modern high-tech equipment, which is located on an area of ​​about 500 thousand m2. More than 2 thousand people work in its production shops with the latest Japanese metalworking machines MITSUBISHI and French painting booths SAMES.

In the assembly of heavy-duty SAMS vehicles, only high-quality materials and the most modern technologies are used:

• factory lines for stamping, assembly, painting and welding are almost completely automated;
• The pride of the company is the KAWASAKI hydraulic press, capable of forming a solid automobile frame with one blow with a force of 5 thousand tons;
• all units of SAMS vehicles are mounted on reinforced double-layer frames equipped with a “spar to spar” subframe;
• in the manufacture of cabins, the cathode electrophoresis method is used, which protects the structure from external influences due to the metallization effect;
• the company itself produces axles and axles for trucks under license from the Austrian company STEYR;
• MITSUBISHI FUSO technology is used in the creation of platforms, which guarantees a long service life and high wear resistance of the units;
• Processing of cabin parts in a SAMES (France) painting booth provides protection against corrosion for up to 12 years.

Today's production facilities of the SAMS automobile plant consist of two conveyors - general (230 m) and internal (120 m) assembly, from which more than 50 thousand cars roll off per year.

SAMS H08 family (6x4, 8x4, 10x4)

The cabin of the new H08 family was designed in the Bertone studio (pictured is a 4x2 truck tractor)

At the head of the new family is a truck tractor (6x4) with a licensed Cummins ISME420.30 turbodiesel with a power of 416 hp. Euro-4 class, with intercooler and Common Rail. The tractor is equipped with a 16-speed manual transmission ZF 16S1650. The front suspension is left with springs, the rear - with springs and balancers. Drum brakes. The family also includes a 32-ton CAMC 3310 dump truck with an 8x4 wheel arrangement and a 24-cc body with an exhaust gas heating system. The car is equipped with a reinforced double-layer frame and a Cummins ISLe 375 diesel engine with a power of 375 hp. and a 9-speed Fast 9JS165T gearbox. The dump truck is equipped with 12.00R20 tires and a 350-liter fuel tank. The new family also includes a five-axle (10x4) chassis 5474P42E2M3J with a gross weight of 47 tons for a concrete pump with a 420-horsepower Cummins ISMe 420 diesel engine and a 9-speed manual transmission ZF 9S1820.

CAMC HN3250P34C6M, 6x4, dump truck

CAMC HN3310P38C3M, 8x4, dump truck

Model range of SAMS trucks

Over the past ten years, the SAMS (KAMC) company has launched the production of a wide range of heavy-duty vehicles with the wheel arrangement 4x2, 6x2, 6x4, 8x2 and 8x4. The two families of trucks CAMC HN and CAMC H08, which dominate the production program of the enterprise, number several dozen modifications of truck tractors, as well as two-axle, three-axle and four-axle chassis.

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Chinese KAMK trucks can be equipped with 26 different diesel engines with low fuel consumption, the power of which varies from 270 to 500 hp. With. Power units, among which we should especially note the American CFTERPILLAR engines, the Chinese DONGFENG CUMMINS, as well as the Japanese MITSUBISHI and HINO, meet all European environmental standards.

When designing car cabins, SAMS engineers actively use the experience of foreign partners. The designs, equipped with comfortable sleeping compartments and new electric tilting mechanisms, are distinguished by:

• quality of interior finishing;
• comfortable layout;
• thoughtful ergonomics of the workplace;
• wide viewing angle;
• convenient control;
• large free space.

The new generation of heavy-duty vehicles KAMK (SAMS) N08 differs from its predecessors in having more modern and comfortable cabs, made in two versions - with a high and low roof. Cars in this series can be equipped with modernized diesel engines with a capacity of over 400 hp. With. and 16-speed gearboxes.

Chinese KAMK trucks are equipped as standard with a WABCO brake system with drum-type mechanisms, a licensed DONGFENG CUMMINS diesel engine (8.9 or 10.8 l), a 9-speed FAST GEAR gearbox and a leaf spring suspension. Each car is equipped with a CD radio, air conditioning and electric windows. The autonomous fault diagnosis system, which is integrated into the on-board computers of all trucks, allows you to avoid critical breakdowns.

Among the numerous models of CAMC heavy equipment presented on the Russian automotive market, the leading positions are firmly held by:

• two-axle and three-axle tractors 4x2 and 6x4;
• four-axle concrete mixer trucks with a drum volume of 9–12 m3;
• three-axle <(with a body volume of 15–19 m3) and four-axle (20–25 m3) dump trucks.

Let's consider the main technical characteristics, properties and description of the most popular Chinese trucks of the KAMK brand in Russia in more detail.

SAMS truck tractors

Chinese KAMK truck tractors, assembled using MITSUBISHI technology, are equipped with equipment, components and assemblies from the world's leading manufacturers. High performance of the equipment is ensured by the design features of bridges and frames manufactured under an Austrian license. Powerful truck engines are equipped with EATON synchronized gearboxes with a service life of 1,200 thousand km.

Let's get acquainted with the main characteristics of the most popular CAMC truck tractors today, presenting them in the form of a table:

CAMC concrete mixer trucks (mixer truck)

CAMC automobile concrete mixers (mixers) are considered one of the most inexpensive, spacious and high-quality representatives of this type of special equipment. The purpose of this series of trucks is the production and transportation of concrete mixtures for road or construction work. The design of KAMK mixers is characterized by versatility, high wear resistance and long service life.

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Let's look at the characteristics of the three main models of Chinese-made concrete mixer trucks:

SAMS dump trucks

KAMK dump trucks combine in their design the best achievements of the world's leading manufacturers of heavy-duty vehicles:

• MITSUBISHI assembly technology;
• licensed DONGFENG CUMMINS engines;
• SHANXI FAST GEAR gearbox;
• licensed STEYR bridges;
• HITACHI steering;
• WABCO brake system;
• body lift hydraulic cylinders HJVA.

Technical characteristics of the most popular KAMK dump trucks are presented in the table:

"Dark horse" emerges from the shadows CAMC HN3250P34 C6M dump truck

Greeted by price, escorted by quality. Of the first batches of CAMC dump trucks delivered to Russia, they were put into operation only by trusted customers. The cars were closely monitored by RusBusinessAuto in order to objectively assess their strengths and weaknesses. As comments were received, changes and improvements were made to the design of the car. As a result, within a year we managed to correct all the main complaints. I will say more: there was confidence that the price and quality of the product had become mutually adequate. Of course, a miracle did not happen - the Chinese truck did not stand on a par with Mercedes or Scania, but compared to other heavy trucks from China, it stands out for the better. Isn't it time for us to take a closer look at this car? We took a CAMC HN3250P34 C6M (6×4) dump truck from the last delivered batch for testing. The truck looks quite modern, although Asian notes are noticeable in the design. Well, why be surprised?! The cabin for CAMC with a small restalling was borrowed from the Mitsubishi Fuso Super Great truck under a license agreement. The quality of the cabin paint is decent, which is not yet typical for Chinese technology. The fact is that the plant in Maanshan uses a Sames painting complex - a leader in the production of electrostatic painting equipment - for applying liquid and powder paints. The dump truck body here is of a typical Chinese checkered design of moderate volume (15 m3), which allows for efficient use the machine without the risk of heavy overload. In my opinion, this is the most optimal body for a 20-ton vehicle. According to transport workers, the first CAMC dump trucks imported into Russia had a lower position of the hydraulic cylinder for lifting the body, which is why the body was raised very high above the road. This affected the stability of the car, which left much to be desired. It was possible to lower the body and lower the center of gravity thanks to the placement of a hydraulic cylinder in front of the dumping platform - from now on only such machines come to Russia. I didn’t like the safety locks of the rear side of the dump truck: they have to be opened manually on both sides of the body, for which the driver must get out of the cab. The place where the spare wheel is attached is curious. I know that many owners of Chinese dump trucks have already had enough trouble with the spare tire attached to the front wall of the body: either the winch breaks off or the brackets bend under the weight of the wheel. For CAMC it is located below, within the wheelbase. I don’t know how much more convenient it has become to use the winch, but it’s definitely safer.

Through the eyes of the driver The cabin interior also leaves a pleasant impression. And, to be honest, even new domestic trucks do not match the quality and convenience of the CAMC cab. But if you compare the Chinese truck with the Japanese prototype, it is noticeable that the quality of fit of some elements leaves much to be desired, and the plastic is cheap and brittle. Since the cabin has Japanese roots, there are no obvious “problems” with the ergonomics: the driver feels very confident - everything is at hand and there is an excellent view from the cabin. The only thing I don't like is the high engine tunnel. It strictly defines the dimensions of the driver's workplace, which creates the impression that you are sitting in a narrow and deep cockpit. And to move into the passenger seat or take a place on the bunk, a fair amount of dexterity is required. On the road, the CAMC behaves in the same way as other Chinese heavy trucks. But, in my opinion, the Dongfeng engine, manufactured under license from Cummins, is somewhat quieter than the common Chinese copies of Steyr diesel engines installed in most dump trucks from China. Or maybe the soundproofing of the CAMC cabin is done more conscientiously than that of other cars? In any case, the Cummins diesel is preferable, since even in the Chinese version it is supported by service and spare parts from the American side. With great pleasure, I note on the car the presence of a Shaanxi Fast Gear synchronized gearbox, manufactured under license from Eaton. Before this, all the Chinese dump trucks that we tested had non-synchronized gearboxes. True, dealers unanimously assured that this was temporary, and soon the desired units could be installed as an option. In reality, there were simply no such cars in Russia! And finally I’m driving a Chinese dump truck with a normal transmission. No matter how much they talk about the outstanding reliability of a non-synchronized gearbox, it is more pleasant and easier to drive a car with a synchronized gearbox. It would also be great to have a rocker switch on the lever for switching from the lower to the upper row of gears, like on most European and domestic trucks. And the swinging arm system currently used on the “Chinese” does not cause delight, to put it mildly. The dump truck has Shaanxi planetary rear axles, traditional for many Chinese trucks. They have proven themselves in harsh operating conditions and have earned a reputation for being “indestructible”.

Incident continued During the test, we needed to turn around in a small area next to a construction site. By chance we slid onto the ice, which immediately broke under the weight of the car. The front axle quickly sank into the muddy ground. An inspection of the trap was reassuring: the truck did not sit on the beam. It would seem, turn on the differential locks of the bridges and drive off! But the first hitch occurred precisely with the inclusion of blocking. It was unclear whether they turned on or not... The corresponding buttons were pressed, but this had no effect on the instrument cluster. Strange... I had to post an outside observer, who confirmed that the blocking had worked. But this did not help matters - it was not possible to quickly get out of captivity. The reason turned out to be banally simple: the dump truck has road tires, which are absolutely useless in a quarry or construction site. In order for the wheels to catch on the slippery clay, several shovels of sand had to be thrown under the wheels. An incident that seemed insignificant at first glance had an unexpected continuation. After finishing the test, I decided to find drivers who work for CAMC and listen to their feedback. If you ignore the general criticism of Chinese cars, which applies to almost all models (weak electrical wiring, low-quality rubber components), then there is a characteristic complaint about CAMC trucks - weak clutch. Even though the CAMC's body is smaller than most of its Chinese counterparts, it is still overloaded. And the tires on the wheels, as we have already noted, are worthless. As a result, vehicles on construction sites and in quarries often slip, which affects the durability of the transmission and, first of all, the clutch. But, despite the noted shortcomings, the CAMC dump truck is considered a quite worthy product. It is my deep conviction that the number of such equipment on the domestic market will grow. The stimulating factor is the quite adequate price and increased warranty - 2 years, or 60 thousand km. For most operators, this is still a dark horse, so the editors’ immediate plans are to summarize the existing experience in operating CAMC machines.

Reviews of CAMC cars

On the World Wide Web today you will find a variety of reviews about Chinese CAMC heavy-duty vehicles. About the time of their publication, one can notice a characteristic feature - the quality of the equipment is steadily increasing, and many shortcomings are corrected based on the wishes of users.

Positive reviews relate to engine characteristics, the level of performance of the chassis and the cost of the car. Mention is made of solving problems associated with shortages of spare parts and lack of service points. In negative reviews, owners complain about the level of comfort, assembly flaws and the short service life of the car's electrical wiring.

Summarizing

Most of the technical and economic data of Chinese CAMC vehicles are superior to those of many competitors. The high level of profitability of the equipment is due to the low cost of trucks and spare parts for them, economical consumption of fuel and lubricants, as well as low costs for operation and maintenance of all units. The company's assembly lines make it possible to timely modernize products so that they can meet ever-increasing market requirements.

Many public and private enterprises today actively use heavy Chinese CAMC trucks in a wide variety of economic activities, from housing construction to the mining industry. This choice is quite understandable, because this technique has an optimal balance of cost, quality and set of characteristics. In conclusion, we note that all CAMC vehicles undergo mandatory certification and meet the requirements of international standards.