KamAZ 6540 is a four-axle large-tonnage dump truck produced by the Kama Automobile Plant. The model is designed for transporting goods of various categories (domestic, construction, industrial) on roads of any type. The car is not used on long routes, since there is no sleeping place in the cabin.
Serial production of the model began relatively recently - in 2001. Previously, the most powerful dump trucks in the brand’s line were KamAZ 65115 and KamAZ 55111 (load capacity 15,000 and 13,000 kg, respectively). The functionality of these machines was not always sufficient. The Kama Automobile Plant urgently needed a model that could fill the need for a more powerful car. Over the course of several years, the company’s employees managed to develop equipment with a load capacity of 18,500 kg (the KamAZ 65115 model became the basis for it).
Initially, KamAZ 6540 was equipped with an old cabin with a minimum level of comfort. The model underwent global modernization only in 2010. The car has a new engine and a modern cabin. There were also other design improvements.
Currently, production of KamAZ 6540 continues.
About the history of the model
Why do we need a four-axle dump truck with a payload capacity of eighteen and a half tons, if a whole range of three-axle vehicles with the same or even greater payload capacity, up to 30 tons, have already been produced? Including in the model range of the Kama Automobile Plant: KamAZ-6580. However, they no longer comply with the axle load restrictions in force on public roads and are considered to be destructive to the asphalt surface. Therefore, they can only be used on construction sites and industrial roads - to use these three-axle vehicles on public roads, a special permit is required for each vehicle. But the four-axle KamAZ-6540 dump truck with an 8x4 wheel arrangement meets the requirements for maximum permissible axle loads, and it can be used on any roads without restrictions.
KamAZ-6540 dump trucks have been in serial production since 2001. Previously, in the model range of the Kama Automobile Plant, the most load-bearing construction dump trucks were KamAZ-65115 (15 tons) and KamAZ-55111 (13 tons). The functionality of these machines was not always sufficient, especially in comparison with more modern, technologically advanced and productive competitors from abroad. Therefore, on the basis of KamAZ-65115, the four-axle KamAZ-6540 was developed.
Until 2010, it was equipped with an old-style cabin, developed “under Tsar Gorokh.” After restyling, the model acquired a modern cabin from Mercedes Actros, with a decent level of comfort, as well as a new Cummins diesel engine, and a ZF9 gearbox instead of KamAZ-154. As a result, another four-axle truck from Naberezhnye Chelny, the KamAZ-65201, launched into production a few years after the KamAZ-6540, became much more widespread. It has a much higher lifting capacity: 25.5 tons (29 tons in the modern version of KamAZ-65201 Lux).
Four-axle chassis options
Four-axle chassis based on this KamAZ model can have a standard wheelbase, the length of which is 2.08 m, or a long one - 2.84 m. In accordance with this, there are two options for the overall overall length of the cargo vehicle: in the first case it is 7 .3 m, and in the second – 8.15 m. The front overhang of the four-axle chassis based on the KamAZ-6540 also has two lengths: for the standard wheelbase it is 1.24 m, and for the long one it is 1.8 m. Two options The mounting frame also has lengths: 4.98 m and 5.75 m. The distance between the two front and two rear axles is the same in all cases - 1.8 m and 1.3 m, respectively.
KamAZ-6540-48 (A5) chassis are used for mounting on their base concrete mixers, timber trucks, truck cranes and other special equipment that is used in construction, industry and public utilities. The maximum weight of the superstructure for this four-axle KamAZ chassis is 22 tons.
Dump truck device
The car is based on a frame structure of reinforced strength, equipped with dependent suspensions on semi-elliptical springs in the front and rear, with inter-axle and inter-wheel locking. Both front axles of the KamAZ-6540 are steerable. The additional fourth axle, in addition to improving the stability of the truck in all conditions, also reduces the load on each axle by up to eight tons. In the vast majority of cases, the KamAZ-6540 dump truck is used for transporting bulk industrial and construction cargo, whose total weight does not exceed nineteen tons.
The dump truck body is all-metal, welded, box-type. Its front side is inclined, with a protective visor covering the space between the body and the cabin. The technological equipment of the dump truck platform includes a hydraulic tipping device driven by a power take-off, a welded subframe and a body stop. The tailgate is equipped with a locking mechanism that prevents spontaneous opening while the vehicle is moving. The tipping device of the hydraulic type dump body is equipped with a lift angle limiter, which protects the system from excessive loads.
The pneumatically driven braking system includes drum mechanisms operating on all wheels. The diameter of the drums is 400 mm, the width of the pads is 140 mm. The electrical system includes a generator (2000 W) and 2 batteries of 190 Ah. The wheels are disc, used with different rim sizes: 7.5-20 or 8.25-22.5 (7.5-22.5). Tire size - 11.00 R20 or 11.00 R22.5; on trucks of this model they were used both tubed and tubeless.
Application
The 6540 chassis can accommodate more than just tipper and flatbed bodies. The installation of various superstructures on this chassis, which are actively used in the city, has also become widespread:
- truck cranes,
- concrete mixer trucks,
- fire trucks.
The reason is the low load on each of the four axles of this KAMAZ, as well as its all-terrain properties, which allows this vehicle to be used where it is not always possible to use trucks with heavy axles - for example, on city streets or construction sites with loose soil.
Engines KamAZ-6540
Previously, dump trucks and chassis of this model were equipped with KamAZ-740.62-280 eight-cylinder, V-shaped diesel engines, with turbocharging, intercooling of charge air and Bosch fuel equipment. About the technical characteristics of this power unit:
- working volume – 11.76 l;
- rated power - 206 kW, or 280 hp;
- rated speed – 1900 rpm;
- maximum torque - 1177 N.m, or 120 kgf.m, at a crankshaft speed of 1250...1350 rpm;
- cylinder diameter – 120 mm, piston stroke – 130 mm;
- compression ratio - 16.8;
- environmental class - "Euro-3".
Since 2010, KamAZ-6540 vehicles have been equipped with six-cylinder in-line Cummins ISB6.7e4 300 diesel engines of the Cummins-Kama joint venture. This power unit is equipped with a turbocharger, a charge air intercooling system and a Common Rail electronic injection control system. The characteristics of the Cummins ISB6.7e4 300 turbodiesel are as follows:
- working volume – 6.7 l;
- rated power - 215 kW, or 300 hp;
- maximum torque – 1087 N.m, or 111 kgf.m, at a crankshaft speed of 1300 rpm;
- compression ratio - 17.3;
- environmental standard - originally Euro-4, currently upgraded to Euro-5.
Transmission
Previously, KamAZ-6540 dump trucks and four-axle chassis based on them were equipped with KamAZ-154 gearboxes. This is a mechanical, three-way, ten-speed gearbox, which consists of a main five-speed gearbox and a two-stage divider located in front of the main gearbox. The gears are equipped with synchronizers.
Subsequently (since 2010), it was replaced by nine-speed manual transmissions ZF 9S1310, and then ZF 9S1315 (currently installed). The ZF 9S gearbox consists of a four-speed unit with reduction gear and reverse gear, with an intermediate shaft. The number of these gears is doubled thanks to the use of a rear-mounted planetary type multiplier. Thus, together with the reduction gear, a total of nine gears are obtained for forward travel. Gears from 1st to 4th belong to the lowest range, and gears from 5th to 8th belong to the highest range of the multiplier. The gearbox is equipped with a backup steering pump driven by the drive wheels, which ensures the operation of the power steering in the event of failure of the main power steering pump.
Both types of these manual transmissions are connected to the engine using a single-plate diaphragm clutch with a hydraulic drive (with pneumatic booster). The final drive ratio is 7.22 or 5.94.
Concrete mixer truck 58149R. Concrete mixer trucks 58149w
Vehicle dimensions length - 7.64 meters, width - 2.5 meters, height - 3.02 meters, front track - 2.043 meters, rear track - 1.89 meters, ground clearance - 296 millimeters, minimum turning radius - 10.5 meters . For the last modification of 2010, the manufacturer installed a manual transmission of the ZF 9S1310 series; cars with the ZF 9S1315 gearbox are now on sale.
| Type: | located above the engine, with a high roof |
| Execution: | without a bed |
Modifications
Over the years of mass production, several modifications of the KamAZ-6540 were produced, namely: KamAZ 6540-1911-62 - with a KamAZ-740.62-280 diesel engine and a KamAZ-154 gearbox; KamAZ 6540-3028-48; KamAZ 6540-3910-23; KamAZ 6540-3911-23; KamAZ 6540-3911-48; KamAZ 6540-3928-48 – with a Cummins ISB6.7e4 300 engine and a ZF 9S gearbox.
The differences between them are also in length, and the KamAZ 6540-3938-48 model uses one 350-liter fuel tank instead of two 210-liter ones. Currently, the production program includes one model of this family - this is the KAMAZ-6540-48 (A5) chassis, EURO-5 standard.
Advantages of the vehicle
Buy KAMAZ 6540 due to a number of advantages and technical features over other dump trucks of domestic and foreign production:
- Reasonable price;
- High load capacity (up to 18,500 kilograms, the maximum currently among other models and modifications);
- The trailer tilt system is equipped with a hydraulic system to extend the overall life of the unit;
- The basic configuration is equipped with a radio that allows you to play music from various removable media.
Technical specifications in numbers
- The total weight of the truck is 31 tons.
- The permissible weight of the superstructure with cargo is 22 tons.
- The load on the rear bogie is 18.8 tons.
- The load on the first and second axles is 12.2 tons.
- The curb weight of the chassis is 8.925 tons.
- The load on the rear bogie is 3.65 tons.
- The load on the first and second axles is 5.275 tons.
- Length – 7.3 m...8.09 m.
- Width (excluding side mirrors) – 2.5 m.
- The overall height of the truck is 2.9 m.
- The outer overall turning radius is 10.5 m.
- The angle of the climb to be overcome is at least 25%.
- The capacity of the fuel tanks is 2 x 210 liters.
- Average diesel fuel consumption is 35 liters per 100 km.
Dimensions
Overall dimensions and weight of the base model without additional modifications:
- Total body length – 7600 mm;
- Width – 2550 mm;
- Height with trailer installed – 2900 mm.
The mass of the vehicle without a body is 12,350 kg, the total weight is 31,000 kilograms, when the load is distributed, it falls mainly on the rear axle. In the basic configuration, the vehicle is capable of transporting up to 18,500 kilograms of cargo of one type or another.
Cabin KamAZ-6540
From 2001 to 2010, KamAZ four-axle vehicles were equipped with old-style cabs. These cabs were put on the assembly line back in the 1970s and even broke the record for production duration (held by the GAZ-51 cabs, which were produced for twenty-nine years). There have been modernizations of KamAZ cabs, and more than once. However, most often the changes in the design turned out to be so insignificant that the results were little or not noticeable to a wide range of motorists.
Until 2010.
There have been talks about equipping Kama trucks with fundamentally new cabs for more than ten years. The bet was made on acquiring a license for a discontinued cab of the previous generation of trucks from one of the European brands.
DAF and MAN were considered (we agreed on the purchase of the cabin of the previous generation of TGA trucks). As a result, an agreement was concluded with Daimler for the assembly production of Mercedes Actros (and then Axor) truck cabins. This was no longer just one long-range cab for long-haul tractors, which had previously been demonstrated in a “varnished form”, but a whole range of cabs, allowing KamAZ to complete the modernization of trucks of all models.
In the cabin of a KamAZ dump truck after restyling.
There was very little comfort in the old-style cabin by modern standards. She is tough, shaking, noisy. But it’s warm enough: drivers of “pre-reform” KamAZ trucks working in regions such as Yamal and the Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug will not let you lie.
In terms of comfort and ergonomics, the new air-suspension cab is not comparable to the usual classic KamAZ one. The interior here is also in perfect order: it is in no way inferior to that of a Mercedes. There is no sleeping space, which is a traditional solution for serial dump trucks.
Exterior
Initially, the model was equipped with a standard KAMAZ cab made of stamped metal panels. It is located above the engine and has gas stops for tilting. The cabin has a large windshield, convenient rear-view mirrors, and steps for climbing inside.
After restyling, KamAZ was equipped with a new lightweight cabin, developed taking into account the requirements of the European Union. The 6540 cab has a new bumper and new anti-slip running boards. Instead of metal door handles, plastic ones are installed. Both cabins can have a high or low roof.
A spare wheel, a fuel tank (one or two, 210 liters each) and a tool box are mounted on the frame under the body.
KamAZ is usually painted bright orange or gray.
Reviews from KamAZ-6540 drivers
According to the experience of the drivers of this four-axle vehicle, when equipped, the car’s driving characteristics are practically no different from its three-axle counterparts. Only a slightly greater force on the steering wheel of a stationary car, and a slightly increased turning radius indicate the presence of a second steered axle. Even when fully loaded, it spins well, and on soft soils it will easily turn in the right direction.
The noise and vibrations in the old-style cabin are very strong, so many owners did additional sound insulation of the engine and cabin. There are no such problems in restyled cabins. Using the shift lever of the new gearbox is very convenient: the shift pattern is optimal; the selection and activation moves, as well as the effort, are optimal. The fuel efficiency of the car, according to tradition, is at a slightly higher level than indicated by the manufacturer.
Drivers talk about the average diesel fuel consumption on the highway being 40-45 liters, in the city - 50 liters of diesel fuel per 100 km. In general, it is at the level of other KamAZ dump trucks: the influence of the additional steered axle on this indicator is practically not noticeable.
Cost of KamAZ-6540 truck
The new KamAZ-6540-48 (A5) chassis will be offered in 2022 at prices starting from 3,700,000 rubles. With a NefAZ dump body or a 58147Y concrete mixer installed on it - from 5,200,000 rubles; truck crane installation KS-55729-1V (32 t) – from 9,000,000 rubles.
There are not very many used cars of this model on the secondary market, given its small distribution. For “pre-reform” dump trucks and concrete mixers KAMAZ-6540, manufactured in the 2000s, some of which are after major repairs, they ask from 650,000 to 1,400,000 rubles.
Used KAMAZ-6540 of the new model, produced in the 2010s, are offered for 2.2-2.8 million rubles.
