The ZIL-133 car was produced at the plant named after I.A. Likhachev in 1975-1999. The three-axle design with high load capacity is designed on the basis of the ZIL-130 truck. The equipment was intended for agricultural enterprises, but modifications were developed in the form of tank trucks, timber trucks, fire escapes, etc.
Device and technical characteristics
The ZIL-133 models are distinguished by their technical characteristics by their structural strength, spaciousness, and maneuverability. The weight of the equipped vehicle is more than 8 tons, the load capacity is up to 10 tons. The vehicles are equipped with trailers with a capacity of more than 11 tons. The truck reaches speeds of up to 80-85 km/h. The engine power allows you to cross hills with an inclination angle of 25°.
Car models are equipped with motors:
- carburetor (from ZIL-130, capacity 6 liters, power up to 150 hp);
- diesel (from KamAZ-740, capacity 10 liters, power 210 hp), etc.
The equipment is distinguished by its economical consumption of fuel fluid. Consumption is 36 liters of gasoline per 100 km. Diesel fuel costs for engines from KAMAZ and ZIL are 26.5 liters and 23.7 liters per 100 km.
Standard performance characteristics of cars are 9 m long, 2.5 m wide, 2.395 m high. Ground clearance is 25 cm. The vehicle frame consists of 2 spars connected by crossbars. The car is equipped with a five-speed transmission.
ZIL-133N
Since all ZIL trucks of the 133rd family were intended to operate only on paved roads, in 1968 the ZIL team developed a special modification for off-road use. The truck received a chassis from ZIL-133 (6x4) equipped with single-pitch off-road wheels, modified rear axles, and a tire inflation system from ZIL-131. Thus, a kind of hybrid of ZIL-133 and 131 was obtained. Moreover, its cross-country ability was higher than that of the first, but lower than that of the second.
It’s no wonder that putting such a machine into production was considered irrational and the project was closed.
Modifications
Based on the base car, modifications with different functional purposes were designed:
- truck tractor 133V;
- model with an elongated base 133G, equipped with 1 tank, platform with 2 sides;
- long-wheelbase 133 G1, equipped with 2 fuel tanks and 3 sides, permitted cargo capacity up to 8 tons;
- 133G2, holding up to 10 tons (production completed in 1983);
- dump truck 133D, characterized by a short wheelbase;
- agricultural machine 144N, equipped with rear arched tires;
- car 133 Gya, which is an analogue of the 133G2 model, running on diesel fuel;
- tractor 133ВЯ with a short wheelbase, equipped with a chassis with a crane installation, a diesel engine, etc.
Based on the ZIL-133 truck, specialized vehicles have been developed:
- SB-159B1 (concrete mixing unit);
- loader of fertilizing materials ZMU-8;
- lifting unit AGP-28;
- machine for collection work DISA-6938.
The series of fire fighting equipment is represented by models equipped with tanks, a truck crane, and a ladder truck. The series also includes a long length ATs-40(133GYa)-181A, called a “crocodile”, designed for combined extinguishing.
Dump truck
Dump trucks (133D42, 133D52, etc.) were designed on the basis of the main model, supplemented with powerful engines, reinforced body and cab. Vehicles can be used in temperature conditions of -40… +40°C. Dump trucks can be operated while maintaining dynamic and traction characteristics at an altitude of up to 1.5 thousand m, therefore they are used for work in mountainous areas.
The body design and the quality of wheel grip allow the dump truck to cross unpaved roads. The characteristics are suitable for using the machines in complex work with agricultural machinery.
The ZIL-133GYA dump truck model is equipped with a platform with folding sides made of metal and wood. Tarpaulin awnings stretched over a metal frame can be installed on the site. The vehicle is designed to operate as a tractor in convoys with trailers up to 8 tons.
Firefighter
The main model ZIL-133 served as the basis for the creation of special equipment for fire services. Tank trucks AC-40(133G2)-181, AC-40(133GYA)-181A, and a ladder truck for working on fires AL-45 PM-501 were designed.
A modification of the AC-40 tanker truck is designed to stop fires using foam or water. The mixture is supplied through hose lines or a fire monitor. The special equipment is equipped with a motor with power ratings of up to 120 hp. The tank is designed to hold 5 thousand liters of liquid. The main and additional foam concentrate tanks are designed with a capacity of 180 liters each. There are 6 places available for fire service personnel. The weight of a loaded vehicle is 15 thousand kg.
Timber truck
The timber carrier is designed on the basis of the 133 ZIL model for logging and transportation of logs. The onboard vehicle has a 6×4 wheel arrangement. The weight of the car with equipment is almost 18 thousand kg. The permitted load of the front axle is limited to 4.5 thousand kg, the rear axle can withstand almost 13.5 thousand kg.
The carrying capacity of the machine is 10 thousand kg. The log transport platform is designed with an area of 16.6 m² and is suitable for storing up to 41 m³ of raw materials. The car is equipped with a diesel engine from KamAZ 740 with 210 hp and reaches speeds of up to 80 km/h. The car is equipped with a five-speed gearbox with 11 gears. The front suspension is supplemented with shock absorbers, the rear suspension is equipped with stabilizers.
Tank truck
The technical parameters of the 133GYA made it possible to develop, based on the design, a model complete with technological and special equipment for the work of public utility and construction services. The chassis is complemented by tank trucks for firefighters (ATs-40), telescopic lifts and ladders. Irrigation units, snow removal equipment, vans, gas stations, truck cranes, etc. were produced in separate series
Tractor
The flatbed tractor-trailer was produced in several modifications (ZIL-133VYA, ZIL-E133 VYAT, etc.). The machine is equipped with a platform with a metal base and wooden floors. The body is complemented by side and rear folding sides and can be equipped with a frame with a hanging awning. The cabin has 3 seats. The driver's seat can be adjusted in terms of tilt, height, length, etc. The ventilation system consists of 2-3 hatches providing air flow.
The front suspension is designed on springs, the rear is supplemented with shock absorbers. The machines are equipped with a 6 liter engine with a power of 150 hp. When driving at speeds up to 60 km/h, fuel consumption is limited to 36 liters per 100 km. The equipment requires a complete set of trailers.
Fire truck based on ZIL-133
The car, produced on the 133rd platform for the needs of the fire department, received the index 181A. The question of its creation arose in the early 70s, when the need for tank trucks of increased volume arose. This problem was especially relevant for remote areas.
The first fire truck based on the ZIL-133 was the AC-40(133G1) 181 tanker. It was made in 1977 in a single copy and was never included in the series. Over the next 4 years, modernization work was carried out, after which the production model 181A was presented at the Stroydormash-81 exhibition. Firefighters were able to appreciate not only its increased base, but also its powerful diesel engine. The tank's capacity was stated to be 4.8 tons, which was comparable to two standard water tanks.
The difficulty in operating the car was its large turning radius, as much as 12 m, which made it difficult for the car to maneuver in urban areas. The clumsy “crocodile,” as the ZIL-133 was nicknamed by drivers, did not fit into any garage. The car was delivered mainly to rural areas, but even the capacity of its tank could not meet the needs of firefighters there. The long wheelbase did not allow the car to overcome rough roads. The difficulties were taken into account, and it was they who did not allow the large-scale production of the vehicle to begin: in total, just over 300 AC-40 (133GYA) 181A vehicles rolled off the assembly line.
The increased installation length of the frame made it possible to develop a fire truck ladder. In 1980, engineers from the Torzhok Machine-Building Plant created a fire engine with a 45-meter hydraulically driven ladder. But the most unusual development was the hybrid tanker and ladder truck ATs-40(133GYA)-203. This machine had a two-row cabin, a water tank and an 18-meter telescopic ladder with a cradle. Only 3 copies of this car were produced.
Tuning
Simple and reliable designs of the ZIL-133 with tuning become comfortable for long trips. During repairs, fuel tanks, cabin interior trim, engines, and suspensions are replaced. It is popular to carry out major car repairs (painting, insulation, adding powerful heaters).
In tuned models, the dimensions of the cabin can be increased, the load capacity can be increased, the air filters, driver and passenger seats, steering wheel, etc. can be replaced.
The stability and strength of the body is increased by using a new frame made of square steel pipes. Long-distance drivers add sleeping places to the car, increase the height of the cabin, and expand the level of visibility with the help of additional mirrors.
Reviews and prices
Mikhail, 46 years old, Novosibirsk: “I have been working on a 133 g40 truck for more than 7 years, the equipment is involved in loading operations. The machine is reliable, easy to maintain, and consumes a small amount of fuel. However, it was necessary to replace the internal components of the cabin and fuel tanks. I will note the high noise level from the car in comparison with European analogues.”
Victor, 45 years old, Korolev: “I’ve been working on a 133D42 dump truck for several years. I purchased a used car and completed the upgrade. The design is reliable, durable, and fuel efficient. The machine is easy to repair, parts from domestic manufacturers are affordable. The car is operated in different weather conditions quite comfortably. The noise insulation of the cabin is average, but after modifications it can improve the performance.”
Vyacheslav, 37 years old, Saratov: “I purchased a used ZIL-133G1 car through intermediaries 5 years ago. The model is optimal for loading operations and transportation of equipment; the price of equipment is low. Replaced the axles and gearbox with analogues from KamAZ. The car is controlled smoothly, equipped with pneumatic units ensuring smooth running. According to the technical passport, the permissible capacity of the machine is 10 tons, but I can transport up to 15 tons. The body can accommodate up to 12 m³ of timber. I work on the car all year round, so I replaced the heating radiator.”
