Missile carrier MAZ-543 - the best four-axle vehicle of the Soviet army

With an eye on Europe

Pavel Gamankov, photo by the author

When it comes to four-axle dump trucks from Belarus, the first thing that comes to mind is the heavy trucks of the Minsk Wheel Tractor Plant. In this market niche, MZKT vehicles are the undisputed leaders of the Belarusian automotive industry. But MAZ management is clearly not satisfied with this balance of power. Therefore, following the founder of the MAZ-6516A8 family, the new four-axle dump truck MAZ-6516V8-520 was presented to the public, which is intended to become a real flagship of the MAZ family of heavy dump trucks. And it is not just words…

The new Minsk dump truck has already appeared at Russian exhibitions. But contrary to tradition, the Minsk Automobile Plant did not limit itself to the “offensive” on Russia and introduced a new product to the European market. For example, the MAZ-6516V8-520 recently returned from the Czech Republic, where it was demonstrated to operators. The look towards Europe is not accidental - the four-axle dump truck became the first Minsk heavy truck equipped with a power unit of the Euro 5 environmental standard. In addition, for the first time, a body with a semicircular cross-section was installed on a MAZ 8x4 dump truck. For a number of reasons, such add-ons are becoming increasingly popular in Western and now Eastern European countries. U-shaped bodies make it possible to reduce the dump truck's own weight due to the lower weight of the superstructure itself. At the same time, the capacity of the dump truck does not decrease. In addition, in Europe, truck axle loads are strictly controlled. And the low dead weight of a heavy truck allows you to increase the load-carrying capacity of the equipment without going beyond the permissible load.

The new superstructure is the main external difference between the new product and the previous modification of the MAZ-6516A8. But there are also less noticeable changes and improvements. The staircase for access to the body was equipped with additional removable sections. Now getting into the back will not be a problem even for an older driver.

The wheel chocks have taken root in a new location under the body, between the second and third axles. The presence of rear and side underrun chocks is a prerequisite for vehicle certification in Europe. And of course, a container for AdBlue liquid was placed next to the main fuel tank. The neutralizer itself is installed on the right in the direction of travel between the front axles. So, upon closer examination of the external differences between the two four-axle modifications, there are more than enough. Among the shortcomings is the lack of protective grilles on the front and rear optics of the dump truck.

Almost new

The MAZ-6516V8-520 is equipped with a low day cab of the fourth generation. For more convenient entry and exit, an additional suspended step is mounted at the bottom of the cabin. Significant changes affected not only the external, but also the internal decoration. The new front panel has a more complex broken shape. The instrument cluster with electronic display is significantly different even from the analogues installed in the cabins of this generation. An interesting discovery by the designers is noteworthy: when the ignition is turned off, information about the charge level of the batteries is displayed on the display. Thus, before starting the engine, the driver can assess the condition of the battery, which is especially convenient when starting the engine coldly in winter.

Instead of old-fashioned ventilation sliders, a modern air conditioning control unit is installed. The only thing inherited from the old cabin is the terrible quality of the front panel plastic. Other finishing materials have become more pleasant to the touch. The doors and rear wall of the cabin are covered with soft fabric.

Another important feature of the short dump truck cab is the low level of the engine tunnel in the cabin. And if previously the driver and passenger seats were two separate cockpits, now there is free space between them that can be walked. This became partly possible due to changes in the algorithm for lifting the dump truck. If previously a massive body lift lever was placed on the engine tunnel, now a small joystick on the front panel is responsible for this function.

The steering wheel has received a more convenient and modern shape, but, frankly speaking, it is still very far from even modern Chinese analogues. Archaic steering column switches, inherited from previous generations of cars, also do not improve the overall impression. But adjusting the angle of inclination and reach of the steering column is now not difficult. All movements are performed easily and without visible effort.

The driver and passenger seats have backrests with developed lateral support and headrests. But the pilot's landing position remained virtually unchanged. The only thing that can be noted is the sprung cabin, which “eats up” the unevenness of the road surface and significantly improves the comfort of the driver and passenger. The high seating position and developed mirror system make it easy to control the situation around the four-axle truck. Like modern European analogues, the MAZ-6516V8-520 is equipped with main and additional spherical mirrors, as well as side “curb” and front “roll-up” mirrors.

The changes also affected the pedal assembly. Instead of the usual massive floor-mounted gas pedal, an electronic suspension pedal is used here. I've heard that electronic pedals on MAZs are far from being an example of reliability. But considering that our copy is equipped with a Euro 5 eco-standard engine, the designers had no choice. And the new pedal is more convenient to use.

Loading platform

The main purpose of a 4-axle dump truck is to transport bulk, large and bulk cargo on roads of any category. That is why manufacturers have thought of two options for using the dump platform.

The first version is U-shaped, and the second model is rectangular, but in both cases the volume is 21 cubic meters. The carrying capacity with these characteristics is 25-27 tons. The loading platform is mounted on a hydraulic lift and has an automatically opening tailgate, which helps to quickly unload the dump truck.

European heart

The MAZ-6516V8-520 modification index contains the letters “V8”, which suggests the use of an 8-cylinder V-shaped power unit on the new dump truck. But this is nothing more than speculation, far from reality. In fact, the Belarusian heavy truck is equipped with an engine almost native to MAZ from the MAN Nutzfahrzeuge company. Moreover, the engine with the index D2066 LF41 has an in-line design using the Common Rail system and six cylinders! What then is hidden behind the name of the modification? One involuntarily recalls the Soviet film “Operation Y” and the catchphrase: “so that no one guesses.”

But we digress. As already mentioned, the German power unit complies with the Euro 5 environmental standard and develops a power of 400 hp. A characteristic feature of MAN engines is high torque (1900 Nm) over a wide range of engine speeds. Another pleasant “trifle” is the low vibration load of the MAN D2066 LF41 engine. Diesel vibrations are practically not transmitted to the controls, and good sound insulation practically eliminates the characteristic diesel rumble in the cabin. But the designers were unable to get rid of aerodynamic noise. And the “songs” of hard plastic do not add to the comfort in the cabin.

The German engine is mated to a 16-speed ZF16S2525 PTO gearbox. There were no complaints about her work, which is not surprising. Speeds are switched without noticeable effort, the gearshift lever moves are moderate, and the engagements are extremely clear. The perfect operation of the “mechanics” showed that even the long “Maz” gearbox lever is quite convenient to use. It turned out that problems with gear shifts on MAZs do not arise at all because of the archaic “poker”. The blame lies on the quality of Yaroslavl and Chinese gearboxes used on other trucks of the Minsk Automobile Plant.

Thanks to the powerful power steering, turning the two front steering axles will not require additional effort. Without any particular difficulty, the steering wheel can be rotated from rebound to rebound, even when the dump truck is stationary. But the steering angle leaves much to be desired. It is clear that such indicators are due to technical difficulties associated with the installation of an additional rotary axis. But on a truck with a total length of almost 9 meters, and even more so on a dump truck operating in cramped construction sites, a small steering angle can create many difficulties.

Among the design features of the new dump truck, one can note the presence of a new electronic engine control unit. Naturally, this imported unit is borrowed from MAN trucks. But the placement of the control unit and the lack of protection from dirt seemed to us not a very good solution. For “clean” Europe this is not a problem, but when operating the machine in the CIS, the unit will constantly become clogged with dirt, which is unlikely to have a positive effect on its performance.

The MAZ-6516V8-520 dump truck uses a new air intake and filtration system. The intake is located almost at roof level, which will protect the air filter from excess dust. In addition, the filter is equipped with a contamination sensor, which will facilitate vehicle maintenance. But the oil dipstick is not located under the front radiator grille, and to check the oil level you will have to raise the cab.

Reviews from owners and drivers

• Maz 543 is truly a masterpiece of the domestic automobile industry. It is incredibly heavy-duty and passable, but very clumsy and gluttonous. I drove this miracle of technology while serving in the army, and worked as a driver-mechanic. The first kilometers were somehow unusual and even scary from the aggressive roar of the 500-horsepower diesel engine. By the way, it could be started using batteries (there are four of them with a capacity of 190 amperes) or compressed air (in the driver’s cabin there are pneumatic cylinders of 150 atmospheres each). In addition, it was still possible to start in combined mode - together with the battery and compressed air. It was easier for me to start with a battery - simple and fast. In terms of cross-country ability, there were no complaints about the car at all - I effortlessly overcame meter-long fords. The semi-automatic transmission works excellently - it's three-speed, but that's enough. Fuel consumption is 180 liters per 100 km. Thanks to the PZD, the engine starts easily in winter. You can carry 22 tons, including all sorts of rocket launchers. I was delighted with this device. It is also used in the civilian sphere - for example, as a tractor in quarries.
• I have a Maz 543 with a four-axle chassis, which still impresses today with its off-road capabilities. The car is equipped with a 523-horsepower diesel engine, which has a huge thrust reserve and is at the same time quite reliable. This technique can handle any off-road terrain, without any exaggeration. The tractor has a torsion bar suspension, which allows it to overcome rough terrain at speeds of 60 km/h, and you can’t even feel the roughness of the road. The 8x8 wheel arrangement adds points in favor of cross-country ability, and the 12-cylinder diesel engine has a dry-type sump - this solution means a different way of storing oil - in a separate oil tank, and not in the engine sump. The machine is equipped with a system of hydromechanical transmission of torque to the drive axles, due to which you can drive such an all-terrain vehicle easily and comfortably. The modification that I got went into production back in the 1960s, but is still relevant off-road.
• I work in a quarry and in mountainous conditions, where there are a lot of steep slopes and long climbs, which the MAZ 543 chassis can handle in no time. I have a modification of a dump truck with limitless possibilities. The tank 12-cylinder diesel engine already at 2000 rpm develops its nameplate 525 horses with a working volume of 39 liters. On the one hand, this means a gigantic consumption of 170 liters per 100 km, and on the other, uncompromising traction throughout the entire rev range. The hydromechanical gearbox includes only three planetary gears and is hydraulically driven. The gearshift lever is located on the steering column. The increasing speed is designed to increase the rotation speed - thus achieving the necessary favorable conditions for the joint operation of the internal combustion engine and the torque converter. The off-road arsenal is also complemented by a power take-off and various differential locks. The 8x8 wheel arrangement inspires respect - with such wheels you can hardly get buried anywhere. I have the single cab version, located on the left side. It's pretty tight. Inside, everything is bare metal, without any upholstery. There is no sound insulation - this car does not need it. On the MAZ 543 you can easily accelerate to the rated speed of 60 km/h. The machine is equipped with two tanks of 250 liters each. The thick body is virtually rust-free if you maintain it regularly. Such equipment is surprisingly simple to maintain if you have the appropriate equipment and a workshop with the necessary spare parts, which have to be ordered from military factories.

Possibility of choice

The new four-axle dump truck with a Euro 5 engine has become a new milestone in the development of Belarusian technology. Now not only buses and truck tractors from Belarus, but also special construction equipment can meet European standards. Another issue is that the new dump truck is unlikely to go into mass production in the coming years. After all, you can’t count on big sales in Europe. Russian operators also do not queue for sophisticated modern equipment. But this is not a problem, because the very fact of the presence in the production line of cars of various environmental standards with YaMZ, Mercedes-Benz and MAN engines gives the consumer the opportunity to choose. This means that the Minsk Automobile Plant is moving in the right direction.

The car for the test was provided by MAZ OJSC

Technical characteristics of the MAZ-6516V8-520 dump truck

Let's sum it up

To sum it up, the MAZ-6516 can be called a car worthy of representing not only its own country, but also an entire union of countries working on its production. The truck is capable of competing with its European class brothers MAN and Mercedes. Even despite a number of shortcomings, the car continues to prove that the Belarusian manufacturer is aimed at better performance.