Nicknamed “Fantomas”: the history of the MAZ-6317 all-terrain vehicle

Until the end of the 1980s, the Minsk Automobile Plant supplied the Soviet army mainly with multi-axle tractors and rocket carriers. But in the early 1990s, the plant made an attempt to put conventional army all-wheel drive trucks on the assembly line, as a result the MAZ-6425 and MAZ-6317 trucks were developed.

Comparative tests carried out in Bronnitsy during the Soviet Union showed the superiority of the Minsk truck over the same all-wheel drive KamAZ and Ural. Alas, the truck did not have time to enter service with the Soviet army: while production was being set up, the Soviet Union collapsed. But the Minsk residents did not abandon the project, and nevertheless put it on the assembly line in 1996. Since then, the truck in civilian and military versions has been exported to many countries around the world.

Purpose

Due to its military purpose, the car acquired some details that are rarely seen on ordinary vehicles. For example, a winch. Power more than 100 kN. Although it is located under the car body, the coupling device on the cable is brought to the rear. It can operate automatically (based on an electric motor) or manually. In addition to the existing one, at the customer’s request, a second winch can be installed at the front.

Having a considerable dead weight and a good engine (about which below), the MAZ 6317 found its application at airfields. He towed planes. It was used in the Ministry of Emergency Situations (as a fire truck) and in other places where the ability to move on a track of up to 70 cm is required. Or where the roads leave much to be desired. Among military applications, we can note a chassis with a multiple rocket launcher. Because of it, the car was nicknamed the “Belarusian GRAD”. Let us remind you that the original complex is mounted on the chassis of a URAL truck.

At the same time, the Belarusians went further than the Russian version. Two complexes can operate on one chassis without interfering with each other.

Appearance

This is an all-wheel drive truck with a 6x6 wheel arrangement and is equipped with a large cabover cab. The truck's cabin was borrowed from the MAZ-6422 long-haul tractor. It differs in that instead of panoramic glass, two flat ones are installed here to facilitate replacement in the field. The rectangular headlights from the highway were also replaced with round ones.

The MAZ-6317 has a spare wheel equipped with a hydraulic drive mounted behind the cab, since the truck wheel has considerable weight. There, behind the cabin, there is an exhaust pipe leading upward.

A tool box and two fuel tanks are mounted on the sides of the frame: one for 200 and the other for 350 liters.

Inside the body

The truck, which is ordinary in appearance and design, is nevertheless equipped with an awning and metal sides, and also allows you to draw attention to the exterior of the body.

The large two-door cabin looks impressive with a classic interior design and ergonomic seating plan. Steps and well-placed handrails make it easy to get inside the car.

The cabin has a 2+2 format (seats plus sleeping berths). A comfortable solution for long trips. The windows have two flat panes of glass for easy replacement in case of emergency. The headlights are round. There is a spare wheel located behind the cab.

For seats, two seat installation systems are used. The driver's seat with mechanical suspension reduces fatigue. Both seats have recline adjustment.

The all-terrain vehicle is equipped with a solid coupling device, as well as all communication connections and communications equipment. There is a fairly informative dashboard with basic indicators.

The initial version of the car has power steering, an ABS system, a pre-heater and a digital tachograph.

The winch is located under the body closer to the front of the MAZ 6317 - a metal cable with a clutch device is visible on the rear side. The winch's dual mode operation makes it easy to pull by hand or use an electric motor drive for automatic applications. The length of the winch cable is 60 meters with a maximum pull of 120 kN.

The suspension is divided into front spring and rear balancer, which ensures a smooth ride and stability on roads of any complexity. Perhaps this explains the fact that on asphalt a car takes time to accelerate, but this is not the case when driving on the ground.

Specifications

The drawing of the basic MAZ 6317 model was based on a frame that was made of high-strength steel and looked like a ladder.

Turbocharged diesel engine with 330 horsepower. Some drawings show that modern models have engines of greater power - up to 360 and even 420 horsepower.

At an average speed of 60 km/h, the approximate fuel consumption is 45 liters per 100 kilometers. Just in case, an automatic tire inflation system is installed.

The table shows the main technical characteristics

If you look at the drawings of different models, it is easy to understand that they can be equipped with two fuel tanks with a capacity of 350 and 200 liters or one 350-liter one. A spare wheel with a hydraulic lift allows you to raise the cab.

Consider the overall dimensions of the car

Internal dimensions of the tailgate

Today, the MAZ 6317 is ideal for transporting goods or transporting people on all road surfaces. It can be used to tow aircraft at the airfield. The remarkable length of the off-road truck allows it to be used in any convenient way: as a shift bus or dump truck, as well as a timber truck or a truck crane.

Engine and gearbox

Mostly, 14.86 liter YaMZ-238D diesel engines with a power of 330 hp are installed. - the same as on the MAZ-6422. The engine has 8 cylinders, V-shaped arrangement. The maximum engine torque is 1225 Nm.

The MAZ-63172 and MAZ-6317-021 modifications are equipped with Tutaev TMZ-8421 diesel engines with a power of 360 hp. With. There are also modifications with more modern Yaroslavl engines: YaMZ-6585 (420 hp) and YaMZ-7511 (400 hp).

The MAZ is equipped with a 9-speed manual transmission YaMZ-239 and a single-speed transfer case with a reduction gear. MAZ also has a full set of inter-wheel and center differentials. Only the front axle differential remains non-locking.

Fuel consumption

Having heard about all-wheel drive and military use, many will wonder: how much does such a MAZ 6317 consume? The fuel consumption of this truck is 45 l/100 km. But Minsk resolved this issue. Firstly, like any such model, we have the ability to disable all-wheel drive, and secondly, the car has two tanks. Switching between them is carried out from the cabin using a special tap. The total capacity is 550 l.

Chassis and cargo platform

The basis is a staircase frame made of high-strength steel. Initially, the frame was borrowed from three-axle MAZ tractors, but it had to be significantly strengthened for off-road travel.

The suspension provides a fairly smooth ride both on asphalt and off-road: the front is leaf spring, the rear is spring-balanced. This type of suspension also provides better road stability.

The payload capacity is 11 tons, which is good for an off-road truck. The length of the cargo platform is 6.25 meters, which allows the installation of various superstructures: MAZ can operate as a flatbed truck, dump truck, truck crane, timber carrier or crew bus.

Engine MAZ-6317

The truck is equipped with a V-shaped engine YaMZ-238D with eight cylinders. Develops power of 330 hp. With. The torque of the diesel engine is 1225 Nm.

Fuel consumption depends on the operating conditions of the truck. When driving at a speed of 60 kilometers per hour, the truck requires about 45 liters of fuel per 100 km.

The car has two fuel tanks. One with a volume of 200 liters, and the other with a volume of 350 liters. A nine-speed YaMZ-202 gearbox was installed

Technical characteristics of MAZ-6317

Let's take a closer look at the characteristics of the truck:

• Gross vehicle weight – 25150 kg;
• The weight of the loaded truck is 14,000 kg;
• Load capacity - 11000 kg;
• Internal dimensions of the platform - 6250x2520x1750 mm (L, W, H);
• Platform volume - 27.5 m3.

MAZ-6317 is one of the most popular modifications of the Minsk Automobile Plant for civil and military purposes.

Timber and log transporters were created on the basis of the truck.

In addition to the impressive technical characteristics of the MAZ-6317, it is worth noting the affordable cost of the car and the reliability of MAZ spare parts.

Cabin

The driver's seat is sprung. Has several adjustments. The position of the steering column also changes. Therefore, choosing a comfortable seating option is not difficult.

The steering wheel is quite large. The rim is thin.

The windshield consists of two parts separated by a strip. This design does not interfere with visibility at all. The dashboard, although small, is very informative.

The cabin of the civilian modification of the MAZ-6317 is more spacious.

There is a sleeping place inside. There are two or one passenger seats depending on the configuration. The cabin sound insulation is excellent.

MAZ-6317 is equipped with a durable coupling device. A field kitchen or trailer can be attached to the truck.

The technical characteristics and MAZ-6317 allow the vehicle to be used for towing.

The controllability and dynamics of the MAZ-6317 are good. The truck confidently maintains a speed of 90 kilometers per hour. Even on dirt and off-road, it instantly responds to driver commands.

Maintains stability on any road surface.

The machine easily copes with steep climbs. Steep descents are also not difficult. The MAZ-6317 all-terrain vehicle is equipped with manual pumping of the fuel system.

This is interesting: Models of gearboxes installed on MAZ vehicles

Features of MAZ-6317

The all-wheel drive MAZ-6317 is capable of moving not only on land. The truck can easily overcome a shallow ford. To improve cross-country ability and comfortable off-road driving, MAZ is equipped with wheel differential locking.

The manual transfer gearbox distributes engine power across the entire axle. There is also a system for changing the air pressure in the tires.

The MAZ-6317 has excellent maneuverability.

The all-wheel drive truck is easy to drive. The front and rear suspension are leaf springs. Characterized by excellent running. Provide stability even on profiled soil.

Modifications

The new car of Minsk residents was liked not only by the military. As already mentioned, the machine was also used in industry. Although, unlike purely civilian cars, there was not much choice here - it was still based on a military truck, but with a different body. To be fair, it is worth noting that other modifications were also assembled on the basis of this car:

• MAZ 63171 is the same on-board vehicle, but with increased body volume. According to various sources, they indicate a variant from 30 to 33 cubic meters. l.
• MAZ 63172 (aka 631708 or 631710). It was this development that became completely civilian. The plant introduced it in 1994. To increase the load capacity, the rear axles received double wheels. Practically speaking, all industrial versions were produced based on this model.
• 5316 - although this car looks different, it still belongs to branch 6317. The 4x4 wheel arrangement has become a lightweight version of its parent. Load capacity – up to 6 thousand kg.
• 6425 - a truck tractor was produced under this index. An ordinary crosspiece, popularly called a “saddle,” and the power of a heavy military truck. Sometimes a large windshield was also installed on this model.
• MAZ 6517 completes the line of civilian vehicles related to the 6317 line. Dump truck body, 6x6 wheel arrangement, all-wheel drive, etc.

Based on these several options, vehicles were produced that could be purchased by any enterprise, not just military or law enforcement agencies.