The Belarusian Automobile Plant is known today as a manufacturer of large quarry equipment. Moreover, some of the models produced today are the largest representatives of their class. However, for almost ten years, the Belarusian Automobile Plant produced watering equipment and compact trucks. But since the 1960s, BelAZ has produced exclusively mining dump trucks.
Despite the fact that this automobile plant today is one of the few similar enterprises in Belarus that makes a profit, it cannot be ruled out that in the future it will again have to change the direction of its development. This assumption can be explained by two reasons. Firstly, the volume of mineral resources is gradually decreasing, which leads to a decrease in the need for large-tonnage equipment such as mining dump trucks. Secondly, BelAZ supplies more than half of its products to Russian companies, which, in turn, are not tied to Belarusian technology and periodically purchase similar vehicles from other manufacturers.
All this can ultimately lead to bankruptcy of the enterprise. To avoid such consequences, BelAZ can now reconsider its development plans. And one of the solutions to the described problem will be the production of passenger cars. Moreover, if we consider this assumption, the best option would be a mid-size crossover.
An independent designer has published a series of renderings depicting the concept of such a model. He showed what the first crossover BelAZ-75131 2021-2022 might look like. The body shape and general style of the model exactly corresponds to modern trends in the development of cars of this class. And the dimensions of the presented crossover indirectly indicate that there are 7 seats installed in its interior. But BelAZ will not be able to independently create such a car due to the lack of necessary technologies. MAZ, which has been fruitfully cooperating with the Chinese company JAC for several years, is capable of assisting the enterprise in the development of this project.
BelAZ model range
Before studying the parameters that the largest BelAZ has, it is necessary to study this series of cars in more detail. To begin with, it should be noted that this kind of vehicle is not some kind of exhibition, experimental model.
BelAZ-75710, released in 2014, appears to be a serial model of dump trucks used in the quarrying process. The first released copy was immediately redirected to the city of Berezovsky, where one of the largest coal mines is located.
The reasons why engineers developed such a large truck are quite standard - the need to design a more efficient and inexpensive vehicle for transporting goods. If you look at the economic calculations, you can conclude that using a 450-ton truck is much cheaper than its smaller counterparts.
BelAZ is used when working in quarries
Among the characteristic features of this line of cars are the almost completely manual assembly of vehicle components, as well as high maintenance costs. At the same time, the key indicator of the model is the lowest cost of transporting rocks in the world.
The most popular models of this automaker include:
- 504A is the first car in the series. Produced since 1967, equipped with power steering, capable of transporting up to 15 m3 or 27 tons of cargo;
- 549 - a modified version with an electromechanical transmission. Produced since 1976, can carry up to 75 tons;
- 7521 is a super-heavy dump truck designed for quarry use. Produced since 1979, the design is reminiscent of modern models. The carrying capacity of BelAZ is 170-190 tons;
- 7547 - produced since 1973, load capacity 45 tons;
- 75306 - intermediate model with a lifting capacity of 220 tons;
- The 7555 is a popular mining truck with many modifications available. Transported weight - 55 tons;
- 75600 is a modern model, produced since 2005. Capable of transporting up to 320 tons of cargo;
- 75570 - prototype, not used for its intended purpose;
- 75601 is a anniversary model, produced since 2010. It is distinguished by its ability to work in a wide temperature range - from -50 to +50 degrees;
- BelAZ 75710 is the world's largest dump truck, capable of transporting up to 450 tons. Designed in 2013 and still in production today.
Today, there are 2 copies of such a unit, one of which was released in 2013, and the second in 2018. The latter has been running in for 2 years and undergoing various tests at the manufacturer’s premises. The third copy is still under construction.
The largest BelAZ 75710 model
The service life of the models is relatively small and requires only 5-6 years of uninterrupted operation. In the future, serious repair work is required, since many components become unusable.
Be sure to read: Technical characteristics of ZIL 130
BELAZ presented new aerodrome equipment at the NAIS-2022 exhibition in Moscow
BELAZ presented three new products on February 9-10 at the IX National Civil Aviation Exhibition and Forum NAIS-2022 in Moscow: special tractors BELAZ-54010, BELAZ-34010 and BELAZ-34020.
The participation of a famous Belarusian brand in a civil aviation exhibition may seem surprising only at first glance. BELAZ today is not only mining dump trucks. The holding's enterprises produce bulldozers and loaders, off-road dump trucks, machines for underground work and the metallurgical industry, freight railway cars, as well as special-purpose vehicles, which include equipment for airport maintenance.
The Belarusian Automobile Plant has been producing powerful airfield tractors since 1978. Currently, the enterprise’s production line includes three models: BELAZ-7427 and BELAZ-74271, designed for towing large airliners with a take-off weight of up to 600 tons, as well as BELAZ-74212 for aircraft up to 260 tons.
The newest BELAZ-54010 is designed to tow aircraft with a take-off weight of up to 150 tons. The tractor has a cabin with a large glass area and panoramic glass that partially extends onto the roof. Comfortable working conditions for the operator are provided by an electronic instrument panel with a liquid crystal display, an electronic control and diagnostic system, a video surveillance system, and an air conditioning and heating system. Modern noise-insulating materials are used in the cabin design.
The tractor, equipped with a 136-horsepower Deutz diesel engine and a modern hydromechanical transmission, has excellent maneuverability: the driver can control each of the axles separately, can make the car move like a crab, or turn the front and rear wheels towards each other to reduce the turning radius.
BELAZ-34010 is a mini-tractor for towing luggage and container carts. Such a machine will operate as a shuttle between the airport’s baggage terminal and aircraft.
The BELAZ-34020 universal tractor is designed for towing all kinds of ground handling equipment at airports.
The new mini-tractors are largely unified among themselves. Both cars are equipped with an 80-horsepower diesel engine and a hydromechanical transmission (3+3). The traction force of a luggage tractor is 32 kN, and that of a universal tractor is 40 kN. Both cars have all-wheel drive with the ability to disable the front drive axle.
All BELAZ equipment presented at the NAIS-2022 exhibition meets the technical requirements of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Machine Specifications
Having studied the model range of these unique cars, it is advisable to consider in more detail the characteristics of the cars in this series. They differ significantly and depend on the modification. You should familiarize yourself with the performance indicators of the newest existing model:
- power unit - twin MTU DD 16V4000 engines with a power of 4664 hp, 32 cylinders;
- load capacity - 450 tons;
- dimensions (Length x Width x Height) - 20.6x9.75x8.17 m;
- truck weight - 360 tons;
- suspension - hydropneumatic type;
- fuel tank volume - 2 pcs. 2800 l each;
- tire size – 59/80R63;
- wheel weight – 5 tons;
- maximum speed 67 km/h;
- Fuel consumption when unloaded is 1300 l/100 km.
The traction unit, which seems to be one of the most important design elements, should be separately considered. It is produced by Siemens under the identification number MMT500, equipped with two generators and 4 motor wheels. The power indicators of the generator reach about 1704 kW, and the wheels - 120 kW.
Gas modification of the 45-ton BelAZ
The plant has created a new modification of the popular 45-ton dump truck. The new product with the BelAZ-75476 index received a Kungur-550 gas piston engine. Gas turbine supercharging provides a rated power of 550 hp. (410 kW) at 2100 rpm. The engine, which complies with Euro 5 environmental standards, was modified in 2018 by Ekaterinburg specialists. The unit is based on the well-known YaMZ-240 diesel engine.
Paired with the gas engine is a 5-speed hydromechanical gearbox. To power the mining heavy truck, two CRIOLNG 16 D650 cryogenic tanks for LNG storage are installed on the sides of the truck. Tanks from the Italian company HVM High vacuum Maintenance Srl. store liquefied methane under a pressure of 1.6 MPa at a temperature of –162 °C.
To transport bulk cargo, the dump truck is equipped with a platform, the geometric volume of which is 21.5 m3, and with a “cap” it reaches 27.6 m3. The weight of the heavy truck without cargo is 33.1 tons. The turning radius of the vehicle along the wheel axis is 10.2 m. The maximum speed is 50 km/h.
Mine dump truck MoAZ-65010
In 2016, specialists from OJSC BELAZ began developing technical specifications for the manufacture of a mine dump truck. The main requirement that had to be taken into account was the optimal dimensions of the dump truck for operation in the mine and down the shaft. In February 2022, the first copy was ready. The load capacity of the new MoAZ-65010 is 15 tons, the wheel arrangement, like most MoAZ underground dump trucks, is 4x4. One of the main features of the machine is its overall width, which is only 2.1 m, which allows it to be used in mines with a working cross-section of 9 m2 or more. The design has such a feature as the possibility of lowering into the mine in a disassembled state through the cargo shaft by hanging the cage from the cabin.
The dump truck is powered by a Cummins QSB6.7 turbocharged diesel engine with a power of 164 kW (220 hp) and liquid cooling. The hydromechanical transmission consists of a Dana Spicer 32000 4+2 gearbox and Dana Spicer 16D 2149 drive axles. The front axle suspension is balanced with a swing angle of ±12 º, the rear axle is rigidly mounted on the rear semi-frame.
BelAZ-75589 with Chinese Weichai 12M33 engine
In 2018, the Belarusian Automobile Plant assembled the first sample of a 90-ton BelAZ-75589 mining dump truck, equipped with a Chinese Weichai turbodiesel.
The heavy truck received a 39.6-liter Weichai 12M33 (Stage IIIB), developing a power of 1103 hp. (882 kW) and maximum torque of 5400 N.m in the range of 1300–1400 rpm. The engine is combined with a traction generator, which drives two electric motors installed in the wheel hubs.
Previously, the BelAZ-7558 series of 90-ton dump trucks used exclusively Cummins diesel engines with a power of 1050 hp. Now, with the advent of a more powerful and less expensive Chinese engine in the lineup, customers have an alternative.
If Chinese engines perform well and attract the attention of miners, then in the future Weichai may become one of the main suppliers for the Zhodino automobile plant.
Mine dump truck MoAZ-75851
The Mogilev Automobile Plant introduced MoAZ-6401-9585 dump trucks for underground work in 1970 and since then has been the main supplier of dump trucks for mines and tunnel builders.
The premiere of the 50-ton MoAZ-75851 (4x4) mine dump truck with an articulated frame was timed to coincide with the 70th anniversary of BELAZ. Cummins QSX-15 turbodiesel with 535 hp. (399 kW) and hydromechanical transmission. The geometric volume of the platform is 22.8 m3, and the nominal capacity does not exceed 27.6 m3.
The curb weight is 35.5 tons, and the gross weight is 85.5 tons. The turning radius of the heavy truck is 9.07 m. The speed of the dump truck is limited to 40 km/h.
