History of creation and development
The Volvo C303 Laplander was developed in the late 1960s. based on its predecessor, the Volvo L-3314 military SUV. In 1974 it went into mass production. The cars were produced in 4x4 and 6x6 versions. An 8x8 version was planned, but never made it to production. The prototypes had B20 engines, the production cars had B30 engines from Volvo civilian cars.
The C303 series was equipped with portal axles with increased ground clearance (like the Mercedes Benz Unimog), as well as lockable cross-axle and center differentials. All this provided the car with high off-road performance. The disadvantage of this design is the high center of gravity.
Model C303 has 2 axles, Volvo C304 and C306 are equipped with 3 axles. From the very beginning, the car was designed to be narrow so that it could move freely in the forest between trees and along narrow roads.
In addition to military modifications, civilian versions were produced for rescue, forestry and firefighting services, electricity supply companies, for personal use, and ambulances.
In the Swedish Army, vehicles are designated Terrangbil (Tgb) l 11, 13 or 20 depending on the type of vehicle.
It is in service with the following countries:
- Swedish army;
- People's Armed Forces for the Liberation of Angola;
- Estonian armed forces;
- Latvian ground forces;
- Lithuanian ground forces;
- army and Royal Malaysian Police.
Cabin and driver's workplace Volvo FMX 6x4
The design of the vehicle's cabin follows the familiar corporate style of all modern trucks from Volvo Trucks. The cabin is made of high-strength steel and has passed all European safety tests. The prominent lower cheekbone of the bumper, according to the manufacturer, withstands collisions with obstacles at low speeds without any visible consequences. However, knowing the drivers and the difficult conditions in which this class of equipment operates, the bumper was made not single, but consisting of three parts.
At the same time, the cross member of the bumper is cast from cast iron, and its side components are made from three-millimeter steel, from which the oil pan is also made. This pan extends from the bumper to the front axle, ensuring all internal parts are covered. The design is cleverly calibrated, and the heads of all mounting bolts are brought out. Just like in the good old days - when iron was attached to iron! The optics were modified: the head light was combined into a single block headlight, hidden behind the grille. These headlights were placed as high as possible above the road, thereby minimizing the likelihood of damage.
As standard, the Volvo FMX 6x4 is equipped with a “day” cabin - short, with a low ceiling, without a berth and an ergonomic interior, organized according to a two-seater layout. The internal height of the cabin from floor to ceiling is 157 cm, and above the transmission tunnel - 114 cm. The interior is completely new, very modern, meeting the highest quality standards and current ideas about the comfort of the driver's workplace.
The steering wheel contains control buttons for various functions, including cruise control, telephone and navigation system. The all-new instrument panel and information display are detailed, user-friendly and easy to read. In order to increase the space allocated for the driver's feet, the ignition key socket was moved closer to the dashboard. The FMX was already exceptionally comfortable, but in the new version the heating system has undergone changes and has become even more efficient and functional when heating. External rear-view mirrors are electrically heated and electrically controlled; equipped with a wide-angle section on both sides and a low-view mirror on the passenger side.
All materials and interior colors were selected taking into account work in extreme construction and quarry conditions. The instrument panel is finished in black and gray Raven, specially designed for construction work, as it is less noticeable for dirt. And this is not just hard, economy-class plastic, but soft and pleasant-to-touch materials that can easily be given a pristine fresh look with a damp cloth, without fear of ruining anything. All areas of the cabin with which the driver will inevitably come into contact with dirty clothes and shoes are not afraid of moisture and are easy to clean. For greater driver comfort, manufacturers have equipped his workplace with a comfortable seat - it is mounted on air suspension and equipped with electric heating and an integrated seat belt.
Model range overview
The Volvo C303 Laplander with a 4x4 wheel arrangement was produced in the following modifications:
- the basic version with hardtop Tgb 11 is the most common model in the military and among civilian users;
- soft-top model Tgb 1111, equipped with a 90 mm Armored Guard 1110 or Robot 56 Bill anti-tank gun without recoil;
- model with a steel roof Tgb 1112, equipped with various radiotelephone equipment (due to the many antennas, part of the roof has been removed, number of seats - 5).
The Volvo C304 all-terrain vehicle with a 6x6 wheel arrangement was produced in the following variants:
- base model with hardtop Tgb 13;
- the hardtop Tgb 1313, equipped with even more radiotelephone equipment than the Tgb 1112;
- hardtop model Tgb 1314, designed for use as an ambulance (equipped with a spacious medical compartment, various medical equipment and space for 4 stretchers);
- Tgb 1321 hardtop vehicle equipped with radio receivers and radio transmitters for artillery battery fire spotters.
The Volvo C306 with a 6x6 wheel arrangement was produced in the following versions:
- airborne Tgb 21, with capacity for up to 19 soldiers;
- landing Tgb 22, accommodating 11 people and a launcher for the RBS 70 anti-aircraft missile.
Volvo C303 Laplander
Laplander Volvo C303 has the following technical characteristics:
- Max. speed - 125 km/h;
- engine - petrol Volvo B30A;
- engine type - in-line, 6-cylinder, liquid-cooled;
- Max. power - 125 hp at 4200 rpm;
- Max. torque - 224 Nm at 2500 rpm;
- curb weight - 2400 kg, gross - 3500 kg;
- load - 900 kg;
- seats - 7;
- dimensions - 4350x1930x2170 mm;
- track - 1580 mm;
- ground clearance - 380 mm;
- cargo compartment volume - 2982 l;
- fuel tank volume - 85 l;
- Power reserve is about 400 km.
Drive is to the rear wheels with selectable all-wheel drive. Cross-wheel differentials are lockable, with vacuum locking drive.
Transmission - manual 4-speed. Subsequently, some of the cars were converted to a manual 6-speed gearbox.
The suspension of all wheels is dependent, with leaf springs at the front and rear.
The brake system is double, semi-redundant, with double servo drive and vacuum booster. Brakes are drums on all wheels.
Tires - 8.90x16 or 9.00x16 inches.
Volvo C 304 Laplander
Unlike the C303 model, it has 3 axes and the following technical characteristics:
- curb weight - 2820 kg, permissible gross weight - 4700 kg;
- load - 1500 kg;
- dimensions - 5350x1930x2170 mm;
- Max. speed - 110 km/h.
All other characteristics are similar to the base model C303.
Volvo C 306 Laplander
The car is equipped with 3 axles and, unlike previous versions, has a more spacious transport compartment. Characteristics:
- curb weight - 3390 kg, permissible gross weight - 5700 kg;
- load - 2310 kg;
- dimensions - 6050x2140x2800 mm;
- Max. speed - about 100 km/h.
All other characteristics are similar to the base model C303.
Transmission Volvo FMX 6x4
The clutch is a double-disc, dry type. The new Volvo FMX 6x4 trucks are equipped with automated twelve-speed manual transmissions with a divider and range. The I-Shift system, as it is called according to the manufacturer's terminology, can also be equipped with a compact retarder and power take-off.
The European Union is gradually moving away from manual control of transmissions, even in construction and industrial equipment, where, it would seem, mechanics will never give up their positions. The transmission of the I-Shift system really allows the driver to relax and “shift part of his work” to the robot, including the important ability to rock a stuck car. The I-Shift gearbox is not the latest development of the company, but has already been quite seriously time-tested. However, it is so modern, and its operation is so precise, that this gearbox “forgives mistakes” to the driver and allows a beginner to quickly get involved in the work process without additional training/acclimatization.
Speed shifting is smooth, reducing the load on the power drive, which helps reduce maintenance costs. The driver also has the opportunity to use manual switching mode if necessary. The number of forward gears is 12, and the number of rear gears is two.
In the new Volvo FMX 6x4, the I-Shift transmission received the promised and long-awaited reduction gears: two reduction gears, necessary when working with very heavy loads. To advertise them, the Volvo Truck company carried out an impressive campaign: using a 75O-horsepower Volvo FH16 tractor equipped with a “lowered” gearbox, they managed to move and drag a train with a total weight of 75O tons for several meters! For greater effect, the former champion of the show “The Strongest Man on the Planet,” Magnus Samuelsson, was seated behind the wheel of the truck.
In addition, even more advanced Powertronic transmissions are available for Volvo FMX trucks. These are fully automatic gearboxes that shift from speed to speed under load; with torque converter and oil cooler. Gear changes occur without loss of power. The Powertronic transmission can be equipped at the factory with equipment such as a power take-off, integrated retarder and emergency power steering pump. Built-in Powertronic transmission control programs have an economy mode designed to save fuel; and a performance mode, which can be used when high power from the power unit is needed. Upshifting or downshifting is done at increased engine speed.
