, which develops heavy equipment, is known almost all over the world. The prizes in the famous Paris-Dakar rally speak for themselves for the quality of the cars' build and their ability to withstand the harshest operating conditions. We present to your attention the KamAZ 6520 mining dump truck, which became the first heavy-duty model produced by the plant.
This KamAZ model was first introduced in the late 90s, and it still holds a leading position in the market of heavy construction equipment. This model has an increased load capacity and is specially designed to function with full efficiency in the conditions of our country. In essence, KamAZ 6520 became a response to increasing market demands. And what are the technical characteristics of this model, we will consider further.
Features of the frame, suspension, cargo platform
All the main units and components of the vehicle are installed on the KamAZ-4326 riveted frame, reinforced with additional side members.
The truck's suspension is based on semi-elliptical springs. The front bogie uses longitudinal semi-elliptical double-leaf single-leaf springs, together with a pair of hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers with rubber buffers, and the rear ends of the springs with sliding supports. The rear suspension of the KamAZ-4326 vehicle is made on two longitudinal semi-elliptical single-ear springs and hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers. The ends of the springs are made sliding. Additionally, the car is equipped with a stabilizer bar to prevent rollovers and rollovers while driving on slopes and rough terrain. It is mandatory for KamAZ-4326 vehicles to have engine crankcase protection installed, as is required for SUVs.
The cargo platform of the onboard vehicle is steel, with folding side and rear sides, and, depending on the configuration, equipped with a frame and an awning. The wheels are disc, with single-pitch tires on both axles. In a number of configurations, winches were installed on KamAZ-4326 all-wheel drive two-axle vehicles.
KamAZ-4326 truck engine
KamAZ-4326 was equipped with the classic KAMAZ engine 740.31-240 - four-stroke, eight-cylinder, V-shaped, with the Euro-2 environmental index. In this version, this overhead valve liquid-cooled diesel engine is equipped with a turbocharger. This is a reliable and repairable motor, proven over many years and generations of operation. The declared resource of this power unit is 800 thousand kilometers.
Until the 2010s, KamAZ-740.31-240 remained one of the most common diesel engines in production vehicles produced by KamAZ OJSC. In addition to the KamAZ-4326, it was used on at least nine other models of Kama trucks.
Technical characteristics of the KamAZ-740.31-240 engine (Euro-2)
- Working volume – 10.85 liters.
- Engine power – 240 hp. (176 kW), at 2200 rpm.
- Torque – 93 kgf.m (912 N.m), at 1100-1500 rpm.
- Cylinder diameter – 120 mm, piston stroke – 120 mm.
- The compression ratio is 16.5:1.
- Engine oil consumption for waste is 0.2% of diesel fuel consumption.
- The weight of the KamAZ-740.31-240 engine is 885 kilograms.
The high pressure fuel pump is used on the basis of the 337 YAZDA model; nozzle - model 27350. The injection start pressure is 23.54-24.71 MPa. The frequency of engine oil changes is set by the manufacturer at every 16 thousand kilometers, or every 250 engine hours. The filling capacity of the KamAZ-740.31-240 engine lubrication system is 28 liters of oil.
For one hundred kilometers of travel, KamAZ-4326 consumes 25-30 liters of diesel fuel (when moving uniformly at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour). This all-wheel drive truck has two fuel tanks, the capacity of each of them is 125 or 210 liters (these are the most common, other options are possible). The KamAZ-740.31-240 engine is not picky about the quality of diesel fuel; it runs on any diesel fuel.
The first crossover KamAZ Linkor 2022-2023 with the Mercedes-Benz platform and technologies was presented
Recently it became known that the KamAZ company intends to expand the range of its products. In addition to standard tractors and special vehicles, the Kama Automobile Plant is considering the possibility of developing its own crossover. The appearance of such a vehicle in the KamAZ model range is partly due to the fact that the Russian market, despite high competition, still requires the supply of new SUVs. Therefore, it is not surprising that in recent years the segment of inexpensive crossovers has been constantly replenished with new products from China.
The mention of the PRC in this vein is not accidental. The fact is that BAIC can become a partner of KamAZ, which can help in the development of a new crossover. This Chinese manufacturer, like the Kama Automobile Plant, has been actively cooperating with Mercedes-Benz for many years. That is, both companies have direct access to the technologies of the German brand. However, the platform that Mercedes-Benz has at its disposal is too expensive. That is, KamAZ, if it decides to use German architecture, will not be able to create a truly affordable crossover that the Russian market requires.
That is why BAIC was chosen as the main partner needed by the Kama Automobile Plant to develop such a car. The Chinese company today specializes in the production of utilitarian SUVs, which are in limited demand in our country. However, in the BAIC model range there are also inexpensive crossovers. We are talking about the Beijing X7 model, which costs about 1.37 million rubles in China. This crossover will likely become the prototype for the future new KamAZ Battleship 2022-2023.
Most likely, the Russian model will borrow from the Chinese not only the platform, but also many design solutions. This approach is typical for many companies that jointly develop several models. In particular, it recently became known that Mitsubishi will create a new generation ASX, focusing on the design of the Renault Captur, with which the Japanese model will share both the platform and the technical part.
In this regard, it can be assumed that the KamAZ crossover will receive a sports body with an elongated front part and a shortened rear part. The Russian new product will be equipped with elongated head optics, which will be combined with a large radiator grille. Note that both design solutions have been in high demand throughout the world, including our country, over the past 2-3 years. This is evidenced, in particular, by positive reviews of the latest Toyota RAV4, which often note the attractive appearance of the Japanese model.
But, probably, the most interesting part of the Russian new product will be the interior. The interior design of the KamAZ Linkor 2022-2023 crossover prototype partly follows the configuration of Mercedes-Benz models. Therefore, the developers of the Russian model will borrow most of the solutions for the future new product. Thanks to this approach, the first KamAZ crossover will receive a dual screen that combines a digital instrument panel and a large touch monitor. Their diagonal will be 10.25 or 12.3 inches. Chery has recently begun to use this combination of screens. It applied a similar design to the latest Tiggo 7 Pro, which the Beijing X7 competes with in the home market.
But the Russian model, in comparison with the Chery crossover, will be able to offer something more. We are talking about the appearance of another touch screen designed to control climate control equipment. It will be placed near the central tunnel. The interior of the future Russian new product will probably be finished with inexpensive materials by default. That is, in the basic versions of the KamAZ crossover, you cannot expect the appearance of leather seats or metal inserts like those used on the Beijing X7. But this, in turn, will help the Kama Automobile Plant produce a really cheap car. According to preliminary data, the cost of the Russian model will be about 1.3 million rubles.
Such a low price is due to the fact that when the production of the Beijing X7 is localized in Russia, at least half of the components for this crossover will be produced by domestic enterprises. In this regard, you can expect a reduction in the price of the car.
Also among the potential advantages of the first KamAZ Linkor crossover 2022-2023 is its technical part. As noted earlier, the Russian model will take the entire engine range from the Beijing X7. That is, by default, the new crossover will be equipped with a 1.5-liter supercharged engine, the maximum output of which reaches 188 hp. with a torque of 275 N*m. The Chinese model is currently equipped only with a 7-speed dual-clutch robot. But the Russian crossover may also receive a 6-speed manual transmission, which until recently was installed on the Beijing X7.
Due to the technical features of the Chinese model, the upcoming new product from KamAZ will have a number of limitations. More precisely, it will take some time to get used to driving the first crossover from the Kama Automobile Plant. This is due to the nature of the throttle valve. The combination of technical elements installed on the Beijing X7 ensures smooth and fairly fast acceleration from a standstill. However, with sharp acceleration, the crossover begins to move jerkily, and its robotic gearbox does not have time to change gears.
At the same time, the Russian new product will support a sport driving mode. In this case, the motor will be able to produce maximum torque in the range of 2000-3000 rpm. The previously mentioned limitations are also partly due to the settings of the robotic gearbox. The box almost always switches to a high gear on time, thereby ensuring a comfortable ride. However, at maximum speed, the gearbox can no longer cope with the loads. That is, all of the above indicates that the first KamAZ crossover will be focused on everyday travel in the city or on the highway, and not for busy races with constant maneuvers.
The Russian new product, like the Chinese one, will be based on front MacPherson struts and a rear multi-link suspension. According to the results of the test drive, this configuration provides comfortable movement on uneven surfaces. However, this suspension is not soft enough. Therefore, when driving over rough terrain, noticeable shocks and vibrations may occur in the cabin. This feature once again confirms the previously made statement: the new KamAZ Linkor crossover 2022-2023 will be more oriented for operation on flat roads.
In this regard, it is interesting to compare the Russian model with the Chery Tiggo 7 Pro. The Chinese crossover is comparable in technical characteristics, level of equipment and design features to the future new product from KamAZ. But the top-end Tiggo 7 Pro offers more equipment due to optional packages, including blind spot monitoring and rear collision warning systems, inductive charging of gadgets and other equipment. On the other hand, the Russian model will be significantly cheaper than the Chinese one: the difference in price can reach 300-500 thousand rubles. In addition, the future KamAZ crossover, even without additional systems, will be able to provide a high level of safety. According to the crash test results, the Beijing X7 showed that it is able to protect the driver and passengers in 90% of cases. Similar results are demonstrated by more expensive Audi crossovers.
Despite the lack of official confirmation of the information provided, the likelihood of a similar model appearing at KamAZ is high. The fact is that BAIC is considering the possibility of supplying its own cars to Russia. And given that the Chery Tiggo 7 is very popular among us, the Beijing X7 is also capable of achieving similar sales results. And if the Chinese model is released under the KamAZ brand, then the demand for it will grow even more. Moreover, the future new product will offer a number of solutions that are rarely found in mid-price crossovers presented in Russia. In particular, the car supports remote updating of on-board electronics.
Author: Fedor Averyev
Transmission
The clutch on this engine is a double-disc, dry diaphragm type, hydraulically driven and pneumatically assisted. The diameter of the pads is 350 mm. The gearbox is mechanical, ten-speed, with a front divider. The basis of this gearbox is a five-speed gearbox, plus a divider and a range multiplier. The forward speeds are connected using synchronizers, and the rear speeds are connected through a gear coupling. The gear ratios are set as follows: 1 – 7.82; 2 – 4.03; 3 – 2.5; 4 – 1.53; 5 – 1.0; Zx – 7.38.
The transfer case is two-stage (with gear ratios 1.692:1 and 0.917:1), with a pneumatic drive and a locking center differential. The main gear is double, which includes a pair of bevel and a pair of spur gears (6.53:1). The front axle drive is permanent and cannot be switched off.
Steering and brakes KamAZ-4326
KamAZ-4326 vehicles are equipped with power steering, combined in one unit with a steering mechanism. The steering system consists of a column with a steering wheel shaft, a propeller shaft, an angular gearbox, a power steering mechanism, a steering gear, a power steering pump, a radiator and high and low pressure pipelines. The KamAZ-4326 steering mechanism has 2 working pairs: a screw with a nut on circulating balls and a piston-rack that engages with the toothed sector of the bipod shaft. The steering gear ratio is 20:1. The steering mechanism is attached to the left bracket of the front spring and is connected to the steering column shaft by a cardan shaft having two hinges.
The design of the KamAZ-4326 truck uses drum brakes with a pneumatic drive as the main braking system. In addition to the main brakes, there are three additional brakes - backup, parking and auxiliary. Despite the commonality of most of the working nodes of these systems, each of them can be used autonomously from the others. The diameter of the brake drums is 400 mm. The width of the brake linings is 140 mm. The total area of the brake linings is 4200 square centimeters.
Dimensions and load capacity
Below are the dimensions and load capacity for the standard version of KamAZ-4326. This remark is due to the fact that at one time shortened modifications of the all-terrain vehicle were produced in small batches.
- Chassis length: 7625 millimeters;
- Width, excluding external mirrors: 2,560 mm;
- Height (high cab version): 3,395 mm;
- Ground clearance (clearance): 385 millimeters;
- Maximum overall turning diameter: 11.5 meters;
- Maximum steepness of the slope to be overcome: 310;
- Maximum ford depth: 1.5 meters;
- The weight of the loaded truck is 7,220 kilograms;
- Load capacity – 5,230 kg;
- Gross vehicle weight – 12.6 tons;
- The maximum weight of a semi-trailer for asphalt roads/for dirt roads is 7 tons/5 tons;
- Maximum rated speed of KamAZ-4326: 90 km/h.
Cabin KamAZ-4326
The KamAZ-4326 cab is a classic KamAZ cabin, developed in the 1970s and mass-produced since 1976. It is a three-seater, with separate passenger seats; equipped with a hydraulic lift. In its basic version without a berth, the length of such a cabin is 1580 mm, the outer width is 2304 mm, and the height is 1420 mm. The internal width of the cabin is 2080 mm. The KamAZ-4326 model was equipped, in various delivery options, not only with an ordinary cab, but also with an extended one - with a compact berth, as well as a cab with an increased ceiling height. The outer length of the cab with sleeper is 1980 mm.
In the early 2000s, the KamAZ-4326 received an updated classic cabin (the one that is defined in the official classification of the Kama Automobile Plant as K2). Its main visual feature is the higher cabin roof already in the basic version. Due to this increase in cabin height (from 1420 to 1535 mm), its internal volume increased by one and a half cubic meters. The headlights moved lower and were built into the bumper, becoming rectangular instead of round.
The steering column is adjustable, just like the driver's seat, but the driver's seat does not have air suspension. In general, you can get comfortable while driving without much difficulty. But the passenger seats are simply bolted to the floor. The windshield washer reservoir is located in the cabin - an unusual design solution.
Due to the significant ground clearance, the KamAZ-4326 cabin is located high, much higher than on ordinary “non-off-road” or “civilian” models. However, it is convenient to sit in it: the footrest is a hinge made of a steel “pigtail”, and there are handrails at the lower end of the door opening.
Exterior, interior and cost of KamAZ-4326
The appearance of the KamAZ-4326 has many common features with other all-terrain vehicles of the Kama plant, produced in the 80s and first half of the 90s. By design, it is a two-axle, all-wheel drive chassis, the main components and assemblies of which are mounted on a riveted frame reinforced with two side members. The truck's cabin is cabover, with a metal bumper, a windshield divided in two by a molding, round headlights and large external mirrors. Depending on the purpose, the KamAZ-4326 was equipped with a high or low cabin (depending on the height, a berth is installed or not). Most all-terrain vehicles were equipped with a gear-type winch, driven by a power take-off.
The interior is simple and low in comfort. The driver and passenger seats, although adjustable in several planes, do not have air suspension. The instrument panel is made of metal; it can hardly be called informative or ergonomic. Drivers are surprised by the design decision to place the reservoir with windshield wiper fluid directly inside the car. In the KamAZ-4326 army all-terrain vehicles, there is a hatch in the roof of the cabin, used for firing at the enemy or evacuating people.
A new KamAZ-4326 car can be purchased at a price of 1,700,000 rubles. There are quite a lot of interesting offers on the Internet for the sale of cars removed from military storage.
They usually have low mileage and are in satisfactory technical condition. Prices for such cars start at 750 thousand rubles.
Reviews of KamAZ-4326 trucks
The KamAZ-4326 truck has established itself as a worthy brother to other domestic “rogues” (GAZ-66, GAZ-3308 “Sadko”, KamAZ-43114) - a reliable and unpretentious off-road conqueror. These machines are still successfully used in many regions of our country, as well as in many republics of the former Union.
In comparison with a similar off-road KamAZ three-axle vehicle (with a 6x6 wheel arrangement), the KamAZ 4x4 rides much easier, and its fuel consumption is significantly lower. If we take it roughly and approximately, then 30 liters per 100 km, instead of 40 liters for a 6x6. It requires less hardware and tires. In general, a two-axle vehicle is simpler and cheaper to maintain than a three-axle vehicle. Cross-country ability, of course, is weaker in 4x4. But this gap in cross-country ability from 6x6 can be compensated for if you act slowly and with your head.
The owner of an onboard KamAZ-4326 with a crane-manipulator installation, engaged in the transportation of goods, characterizes the car as a “time-tested, reliable vehicle.” Without denying the fact of fairly frequent breakdowns, he still gives the truck a high rating: spare parts, like the car itself, are an order of magnitude cheaper than imported analogues.
The cabin is warm and quite comfortable for a car of this class, in winter the stove warms up the interior very well, there are plenty of seat adjustments, and using the necessary controls is not difficult. The vehicle has a good load capacity for work and transportation with a crane machine, despite the fact that quite often it has to be overloaded, it can cope with this easily. The engine is quite powerful, with a good thrust reserve.
What they write on the forums: reviews of KamAZ-4326 owners and drivers
Sergey Ivanov, 43 years old. Arhangelsk region :
I have been using the KamAZ-4326 flatbed truck since 2014. Considering that there are practically no roads between our villages, this all-terrain vehicle is simply necessary, sometimes there is nothing to transport food with. In terms of maintenance, the car is simple and cheap, the engine is unpretentious - the quality of the fuel does not particularly bother it. Of course, most often you have to tinker with the chassis: either the bearings on the hubs fly, or the springs don’t hold up. There is a lot of vibration in the cabin. After an hour of driving, my back and legs hurt. In winter, the cabin is warm - the auxiliary heater does its job properly.
About the racing KamAZ-4326 VK - a multiple winner of the Dakar and Silk Way rallies
KamAZ-4326 VK is a racing truck weighing eight and a half tons, which can travel off-road at a speed of 140 km/h. It was equipped with an eight-cylinder M-shaped 16.2-liter YaMZ 7E846.10-07 engine with a power of 830 horsepower. The average diesel fuel consumption on asphalt is about 50-60 liters per 100 km, on off-road - 130-150 liters, and on sandy desert rough terrain - about two hundred liters. The fuel tank holds a ton of diesel fuel. Gearbox – 16-speed, from ZF.
Behind the bright body, colored with sponsors' logos, there is emptiness. Lightweight aluminum panels only imitate the cargo compartment. All the equipment necessary for the crew is transported in a box, which is located in the area of the rear axle - a set of tools and spare parts, equipment for digging the truck out of the sand, a fire extinguisher. Two spare tires are located in the rear of the "cargo compartment".
The KamAZ-4326 VK truck has drum brakes, since after attempts to use disc mechanisms it was decided to abandon them - they burn after intense braking in mountainous areas. But competitors have disc brakes, so the KamAZ-Master team does not exclude their use and is looking for special materials that can make the brakes more durable.
Cost of a used KamAZ-4326 truck
On electronic bulletin boards you can find many offers for the sale of cars of this model (especially in those regions where there are no good roads and are not expected). The price range is quite large, directly depending not only on the year of manufacture of the car, but also on the special add-ons that are installed on its chassis. For example, for a rotation bus manufactured in 2011 in Kogalym they are asking 1,200,000 rubles. The AGP-22M telescopic hydraulic lift based on the KamAZ-4326 manufactured in 2013 in Blagoveshchensk is valued at 1,650,000 rubles. For a pit drill - a drilling rig based on PSKBM-1 - they are asking 2,200,000 rubles in the Yaroslavl region.
A special topic is shift vehicles and kungs, converted into “homes on wheels”, which have a high degree of autonomy and are intended for long hunting and (or) fishing trips. Thus, an unassuming and spartan crew bus converted for hunting on a KamAZ-4326 chassis manufactured in 2000 is sold for 1,000,000 rubles. A more or less comfortable “home on wheels”: with a gas stove and equipment, a water tank with the possibility of heating it, a metal sink and a compact shower, sleeping places and a dining table, etc., also manufactured in 2000 costs 2 200,000 rubles. An almost “luxury” version of a home-made comfortable kung, based on the KamAZ-4326 produced in 2009, is also offered, for which they are asking 3 million rubles.
KamAZ-4326: all-wheel drive two-axle vehicle
The development of an inexpensive two-axle all-wheel drive vehicle for civilian and military needs has been carried out at the Kama Automobile Plant since the mid-80s. However, political confusion and economic recession led to the fact that the debut batches of KamAZ-4326 were released only in 1995. It should be noted that demand for this model still exists, which determines the production of the truck to this day.
KamAZ-4326 can, with full right, be called a universal vehicle. Flatbed truck is used for military and civilian purposes. Drilling rigs are mounted on its chassis, NEFAZ watch modules, tank trucks, cranes, and fire trucks are produced. On the basis of this all-terrain vehicle, the Centaur tractor-truck was created for agricultural needs, which was in great demand not only in the countryside, but also in the city. A legendary all-terrain vehicle was created on the basis of the KamAZ-4326, which took part in the international Paris-Dakar rally and repeatedly won this competition.
