The Belarusian Automobile Plant - BELAZ was founded in 1947 in Belarus. It specializes in the production and production of quarry dump trucks with large payloads, as well as specialized heavy-duty vehicles such as bulldozers, equipment for underground work, airfield tractors and various loaders.
Over the years of its activity, the company has become the largest manufacturer of heavy-duty mining equipment in its industry and sells its products throughout Russia and in foreign countries. Having established itself as a manufacturer of high-quality, reliable and long-lasting equipment and, thereby, winning the trust of its consumers, the BELAZ company has become one of the seven leading concerns producing specialized quarry and construction type trucks at the global level.
history of the company
The plant is located in the city of Zhodino. The first independently developed 27-ton truck rolled off the production lines of the enterprise in 1961 and received the legendary name “BelAZ-540”. Subsequently, this model was the pride of the entire mechanical engineering industry in the field of heavy-duty equipment for many years.
The need for vehicles with greater carrying capacity prompted the plant to produce subsequent models: the 40-ton BelAZ-548 and BelAZ-548A. For high-quality work and contribution to the development of the automotive industry in 1966, the plant was noted and awarded the “Ord. Red Banner of Labor".
The enterprise did not stop at the achieved level, and soon dump trucks were put into production: 75-tonne with the model name “BelAZ-549”, 110-tonne “BelAZ-7519”, 170-tonne “BelAZ-75211”. In 1978, the first Belarusian airfield tractors appeared, which could tow aircraft weighing (takeoff) up to 100 tons.
In 1990, OJSC BELAZ produced the only (at that time) giant dump truck in the world with a lifting capacity of 280 tons called “BelAZ-75511”.
Since 1998, BELAZ has been expanding the range of models it produces and new equipment is entering the market: various loaders, powerful bulldozers and other equipment for road construction work.
The plant's employees are constantly mastering new technologies and introducing them into the production of trucks. This allows them to orient the produced line of heavy trucks to consumer demand, increasing sales and raising the rating of the enterprise.
Today, OJSC BELAZ is the management company of the world's largest holding company, BELAZ-HOLDING. It includes many enterprises producing heavy-duty vehicles and components for them, transport equipment equipped with everything necessary to work in such sectors of the world industry as construction and mining (for example, OJSC Kuzli and Mogilev Freight Car Building Plant, as well as OJSC Slutsk lifting and transport equipment plant”, “Starodorozhsky mechanical plant”, etc.)
A breakthrough in production and a historical date is considered to be September 25, 2013, when BELAZ introduced the largest giant dump truck in the world, BELAZ-75710 with a load capacity of up to 450 tons. The heavy truck weighs 810 tons, has two diesel engines capable of reaching a maximum speed of 64 km/h.
BelAZ-75710 mining dump truck, record holder for maximum load of 503.5 tons
Over the years of its activity, the Belaz enterprise has been repeatedly awarded for the quality of its products, for its technical equipment and endurance (for example, 1995 - International star (diamond) quality (Mexico), 1997 - “For technology and quality" 18th prize (Club of Leaders in Trade), 1998 “For quality” 10th gold prize (America), 2000 “Crystal Nika” and many others).
BelAZ 7555 series mining dump trucks - technical specifications
BelAZ 7555 mining dump trucks are represented by models 7555 B, 7555 D, 7555 E, 7555 F. The load capacity of the equipment varies from 55 to 60 tons, and the total weight of the vehicles is 95.5 - 104 tons. Dump trucks show maximum efficiency when operating in tandem with excavators or loaders, the bucket capacity of which is from 8 to 12.5 cubic meters. The equipment is equipped with a hydromechanical transmission with a 6+1 formula.
The suspension installed on BelAZ mining dump trucks of this series is pneumohydraulic. Engine – Cummins with power 522 – 560 kW. The geometric volume of the body of the model 7555 V is 22.7; 22.3; 28 cubic meters, models 7555 D – 50 cubic meters, 7555 E – 28 cubic meters. The maximum speed that the vehicle can reach is 55 km/h.
BELAZ products
At the moment, the BELAZ model range is quite large and includes about 9 types of specialized equipment, which include several series of products. Each model, in addition to the basic configuration, provides the ability to install additional modern functions and systems, for example, video review, load control, telemetric wheel (tire) pressure sensor, pre-heater, sound warning when approaching close to high-voltage lines, as well as a centralized system lubricants, etc. “BELAZ” equipment provides for a modern fire extinguishing system with automatic control.
BELAZ with your own eyes. How are giants born?
The very first impression of BELAZ: not only its dump trucks, but also the plant itself can be called a giant: its territory occupies an entire block!
112 hectares are allocated for the production of mining dump trucks and special vehicles - by the end of 2022, they expect to produce about 1,000 units of equipment here. And this is against the backdrop of a global market decline: compared to 2012, the demand for mining dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 90 tons has fallen 4 times!
In 2011-2012, about 4,700 mining dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 100 tons or more were consistently sold worldwide, and in 2016 - less than 1,200. BELAZ was the only major manufacturer of mining dump trucks in 2016 that was able to increase their production - the increase was 8%.
The result is an increase in global market share: according to data for the first half of 2017, BELAZ rose from third to second place in terms of production volumes!
In the market of machines with a carrying capacity of 90 tons and above, BELAZ with a share of 33% is now behind Komatsu (38%), pushing Caterpillar to third position
How did BELAZ achieve such impressive success? It's all about new models, expanding exports and continuous modernization of production.
From 1998 to 2003, BELAZ reconstructed its production base based on flexible technologies for all technological stages. This made it possible to significantly reduce the time required to develop and launch new products and increase their technical level.
During 2005–2007, the foundry production was modernized, which made it possible to provide ourselves and our partners with high-quality castings. In 2008–2010, a project was implemented to create and develop capacities for the production of mining dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 90 and 220 tons
Almost $400 million was invested in all three of the above-mentioned stages of reconstruction, which made it possible to radically update technology and machine tools.
Today BELAZ is implementing an investment project (duration 2011-2019), thanks to which it will be able to produce up to 840 units of super-heavy dump trucks annually.
Over the past 5 years, another $300 million has been invested in modernization. Result: the plant’s machine park is already one of the most modern in the world!
BELAZ boldly enters new markets. The main focus is on countries in Africa and Asia. So, recently 50 cars went to Zimbabwe, 18 to Angola, 40 to Indonesia
BELAZ is targeting Latin America, South Africa and even the USA. A large contract is being prepared with Uzbekistan for 230 mining dump trucks
Now a little about what production is. BELAZ has three main workshops where equipment is produced.
The first is the main conveyor shop (MCS), where they make dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 30 - 60 tons, as well as loaders, bulldozers and airfield tractors
There were not many cars in this workshop during my visit - today there is not much demand for them: the most popular 45-ton truck accounts for only 12% of all dump trucks shipped
The second is the assembly workshop for testing cars and tractors (CSIAT). Dump trucks with a carrying capacity from 110 to 240 tons are manufactured here. They are most in demand: models with a carrying capacity of 110 - 130 tons account for 37%, and models with a carrying capacity of 220 - 240 tons account for 14% of shipments
The high rate of production of these giants, which makes it possible to satisfy the high demand for them from customers, was achieved thanks to the conveyor production method - the only one in the world at mining dump truck factories!
The third workshop is PSTM: Production of Super-Heavy Machines. Dump trucks with a carrying capacity of 360 and 450 tons, plus 90-ton vehicles are assembled here.
Inside these wheel hubs, installed on the drive axles, are hidden an electric motor and a gearbox, which drive the giant dump truck.
It is interesting that BELAZ trucks are distributed around the world in disassembled form: the plant has a separate workshop where they are loaded in parts onto trains. One giant dump truck sometimes occupies several platforms at once!
At PSTM, in my presence, the third copy of BELAZ-75710 was being assembled: a giant with an electromechanical transmission with a lifting capacity of 450 tons!
The curb weight of BELAZ-75710 reaches 360 tons, the total weight is 810 tons. The geometric volume of the body is 157 cubic meters, and with the “head” – 270 cubic meters!
The dump truck is equipped with two MTU engines with a total power of 3430 hp. – each with its own generator. You enter the engine compartment through the door as if you were entering a house.
Among the main features of the BELAZ-75710 I will name control due to the rotation of not the wheels, but the entire axles, both of them, as well as the motor-wheels not on one, but on both axles
Note the dual tires on all wheels and the use of anti-roll bars in the suspension - the dump truck almost does not roll when cornering
The second copy of BELAZ-75710 is currently being tested on the territory of the enterprise, awaiting delivery to the customer
While the BELAZ-75710 is undergoing acceptance tests, it has become a place of real pilgrimage for schoolchildren - children come by the busload to see the miracle of technology!
What other interesting things did you see? Let's start with the promising BELAZ-75318 with a lifting capacity of 240 tons. Let's pay attention to the more durable and lightweight U-shaped body
BELAZ-75318 is equipped with an AC transmission from the Russian concern Ruselprom. The Cummins QSK 60-C diesel engine develops 2500 hp.
The BELAZ-74212 airfield tractor can tow aircraft weighing up to 260 tons. Judging by the structure installed above the hull, it is adapted for technological transportation.
New generation airfield tractor BELAZ-74270 for towing aircraft weighing up to 600 tons. The car is currently undergoing testing.
BELAZ-7920 used in metallurgical production for transporting liquid slag. Load capacity 70 – 80 tons.
BELAZ-75440 with a carrying capacity of 32 tons replaces the BELAZ-7540, designed to transport 30 tons, from which it differs in increased service life.
A single-axle tractor, apparently one of the BELAZ-7422 modifications, with a platform for transporting wheels to the assembly shop.
In the foreground is a dump truck equipped with an electromechanical AC transmission. A frequency-controlled asynchronous electric drive is used here, which is more expensive, but also the most efficient to date.
A prototype of the new off-road dump truck of the MoAZ-7505 family. Noteworthy are the updated cabin and hood, as well as a more durable and lightweight U-shaped body
In the improved cabin of the Mogilev off-road dump truck, an LCD display is installed instead of a dashboard!
In one of the workshops I had a chance to see a robotic BELAZ-75131. This is a joint Belarusian-Russian project, within the framework of which VIST Group specialists developed equipment for a machine capable of autonomous operation.
The most powerful wheeled bulldozer BELAZ-78231. All-wheel drive 50-ton vehicle with a hydromechanical transmission, under the hood of which a Tutaev diesel engine or Cummins is installed.
The largest front wheel loader BELAZ-78250 in the former USSR has been created and is being prepared for production in Zhodino
In an 11.5 cc bucket, BELAZ-78250 is capable of throwing 20-22 tons of cargo into the back of a dump truck at a time. For the first time, an electromechanical AC transmission has been installed on equipment of this class.
BELAZ-7530 with a carrying capacity of 200 - 220 tons was decorated with images of birds and animals living in the countries where Belarusian dump trucks are exported.
How do you jack up dump trucks weighing hundreds of tons? In one of the workshops I had a chance to see jacks specially designed for this purpose.
And in conclusion: in the factory museum you can get acquainted not only with the past, but also with the future of the plant. A model of the promising BELAZ-7550 dump truck with a total weight of 1000 tons is on display here!
In one flight, the BELAZ-7550 will be able to transport 560 tons. It will be powered by two MTU diesel engines with a total power of 7400 hp! So we are waiting for the appearance of a new Belarusian giant!
Konstantin Zakurdaev
BelAZBELAZ robotBELAZ-75710Belarusian Automobile PlantBelarusian Automobile PlantBelarusian PlantMining equipmentMine dump truckMining giant dump truck
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Mining trucks
| Series | Load capacity (tons) | Power, kWt) |
| "BELAZ-7540" | 30 | 265-312 |
| "BELAZ-7545" | 45 | 448 |
| "BELAZ-7547" | 42-45 | 368-448 |
| "BELAZ-7555" | 55-60 | 522-560 |
| "BELAZ-7557" | 90 | 783 |
| "BELAZ-7558" | 90 | 783 |
| "BELAZ-7513" | 110130 | 895-1194 |
| "BELAZ-7517" | 160 | 1400-1491 |
| "BEKAZ-7518" | 180 | 1491 |
| "BELAZ-7530" | 220 | 1715 |
| "BELAZ-7531" | 240 | 1864 |
| "BELAZ-7560" | 360 | 2610-2800 |
| "BELAZ-7571" | 450 | 3430 |
Review of the BelAZ 7547 mining dump truck series
The BelAZ 7547 series of mining dump trucks has a load capacity of 42 to 45 tons, and is represented by three models 7547, 75471, 75473. YaMZ engines installed under the hood of trucks 7547 and 75471 have a power from 368 to 448 kW, model 75473 is equipped with a Cummins engine with a power of 448 kW.
Dump trucks are equipped with dependent pneumohydraulic suspension. The rear axle is mechanical. The body volume of models 7547 and 75473 is from 21.5 to 35.9 cubic meters, for model 75471 it is 21.5 cubic meters. The total weight of the equipment is 78.1 tons. Overall dimensions of the equipment are 8.4 x 4.1 x 4.4 m.
Road construction equipment:
| Series | Load capacity (tons) | Power, kWt) |
| LOADER MOAZ-40483 | 264 | |
| LOADER “BELAZ-7822” | 10 | 312-260 |
| LOADER MOAZ-40483-026 | 7 | 264 |
| BULLDOZER “BELAZ-7823” | 312-360 | |
| BULLDOZER MOAZ-4048 | 261-264 | |
| MOAZ CONCRETE MIXER SMB-349 | 7 | |
| MOAZ CONCRETE MIXER SMB-370 | 11 | |
| MOAZ CONCRETE MIXER SMB-372 | 10 | 59 |
| MOAZ-69000 CONCRETE MIXER | 11 | 59 |
| CONCRETE MIXER MOAZ SMB-060A | 10 | 59 |
| MOAZ-69100 CONCRETE MIXER | 21 | 59 |
| CONCRETE MIXING MODULE MOAZ-69010 | 59 |
Specifications
Most likely, the Belarusian crossover will be based on the JAC S7 platform. This is supported by the fact that the Minsk Automobile Plant, located next door to BelAZ, cooperates with a Chinese company. It is unlikely that a Geely “trolley” will be used as a platform for the presented new product. There are no other options for this crossover.
If the above assumption turns out to be correct, then the new 7-seater model will receive a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine installed on the JAC S7. Note that the Chinese car is quite comparable in size to the BelAZ-75131 crossover 2021-2022. This circumstance also speaks in favor of the possible appearance of a 1.5-liter turbo engine on the presented model. The maximum power of this unit does not exceed 150 hp. with a torque of 210 N*m. This engine is combined with a manual transmission and a CVT.
Machines for underground work
| Series | Load capacity (tons) | Power, kWt) |
| MINE DUMP TRUCK MOAZ-7529 | 22-25 | 190-209 |
| MINE DUMP TRUCK MOAZ-75840 | 40 | 391 |
| LOADING AND DELIVERY MOAZ-4055 | 9 | 190 |
| VEHICLES FOR TRANSPORTING PEOPLE MOAZ-75292 | 190 | |
| CONCRETE MIXER MOAZ-75296 | 190 | |
| MINE DUMP TRUCK MOAZ-74052-9586 | 25 | 190 |
| MINE DUMP TRUCK MOAZ-75850 | 50 | 410 |
| LOADING AND DELIVERY MOAZ-4075 | 16 | 291 |
| VEHICLES FOR TRANSPORTATION OF PEOPLE MOAZ-5905 | 69 |
