KamAZ-4308: description, technical and operational characteristics

Since the beginning of the twentieth century, the Russian Federation required medium-duty vehicles. It was precisely for this purpose that the Kama Automobile Plant was able to develop a medium-sized truck labeled 4308. It had technical characteristics that could compete with other trucks, as well as those that could progress.

The tractor received a reliable CUMMINS power unit, a HALDEX brake system, BOSCH fuel components and a proven ZF gearbox. Generally speaking, when KamAZ 4308 was created, components from more than 18 popular automotive companies in the world were used. Serial production of the car began in the fall of 2003.

The car was very economical in terms of fuel, and was also distinguished by performance and functionality. In a short period of time, it was able to become popular among carriers and private entrepreneurs of small and medium-sized businesses. This article has an overview of KamAZ 4308 and a catalog of technical characteristics. You can also find out about its carrying capacity and parameters. The entire KamAZ model range.

Model history and purpose

In the early 2000s, in the wake of the crisis, car production at the Likhachev plant (ZIL), which for a long time remained the country's flagship in the medium-duty segment, decreased sharply. As a result, a huge niche arose that Minsk manufacturers tried to fill. They presented the MAZ 4370. At that moment, the Kama Automobile Plant realized the prospects of the market and began developing their product. As a result, KamAZ 4308 was presented.

This idea was very risky, and the Kama Automobile Plant did not count on serious success, so they tried to reduce the costs of developing and preparing for production of the new product as much as possible. Most of the parts and assemblies were unified with the units of the main line. It turned out to be impossible to completely unify the development due to the large difference in dimensions (the model required a new motor), which somewhat slowed down the appearance of the car on the market. At the same time, the demand for medium-duty vehicles began to grow at that moment due to the constant tightening of traffic standards on roads in megalopolises and big cities. The popularity of the KamAZ 4308 truck, which went on sale in 2003, began to grow rapidly thanks to this.

In the brand's line, KamAZ 4308 is the lightest model, but its performance is impressive. This is what determines the stable demand for the truck (annual sales volume is 800-1000 units). Despite the fact that the car appeared on the market after its main competitor, it was able to gain a foothold there.

KamAZ 4308 looks nice, but its appearance evokes ambivalent feelings. It is noticeably different from other products of the Kama Automobile Plant. The model borrowed the cabin from larger “relatives” of the 1970s. However, it has undergone minor modifications, so it has acquired a modern look. It has a one-piece windshield, a high roof, modernized optics and a streamlined front bumper. But the features of the old versions also remained - small side windows, small headlights and door handles. The headlights of the KamAZ 4308 model have again moved to the sides of the radiator grille. Orange turn signals with repeaters completed the picture. This arrangement gave the car an interesting “squint” and made it look like its Asian competitors.

The car is used in various fields of activity. Among the many add-ons available for this model, the most popular is the flatbed platform. It can be used to transport cargo weighing up to 12,000 kg. Also, special equipment for urban farming is often placed on the chassis. It is also possible to use the model as part of a road train.

KamAZ-4308: reliable medium-duty truck

The development of the KamAZ-4308 vehicle was carried out at the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries, and the first copies of the vehicle were produced in 2003. Initially, the truck was intended for transporting household goods over medium and long distances, but was also often used as a garbage truck, tow trucks were mounted on its chassis, and other manipulators and superstructures were installed. After transport workers became more familiar with the KamAZ-4308 and appreciated its capabilities and reliability, the truck began to be used as a truck tractor. The advantages of this model are eloquently demonstrated by the fact that the production of the machine continues in small batches to this day.

By its design, KamAZ-4308 is a frame, two-axle, rear-wheel drive truck with a front engine and a four-by-two wheel arrangement. The car is equipped with a cabover, tiltable old-style cab. The cabin is usually equipped with three Grammer seats with air suspension and various adjustment mechanisms. Those modifications that are used as a truck tractor are additionally equipped with a sleeping bag. The first models were equipped with a metal dashboard, today it has been replaced by a more ergonomic and informative plastic panel. Thanks to good sound insulation, engine noise is practically inaudible in the cabin, and drivers also note the high-quality operation of the autonomous heater.

On the used market, a KamAZ-4308 car produced in 2013-2015 can be purchased at a price of 1.5 million rubles; models produced in 2007-2008 can be purchased for 600-900 thousand rubles. Prices on the secondary market depend on the year of manufacture, technical condition and year of manufacture of a particular car. As we have already mentioned, the KamAZ-4308 is still in production; the manufacturer offers the new truck in the basic configuration at a price of 2,940,000 rubles.

Specifications

Dynamic characteristics

• The maximum speed declared by the manufacturer is 100 km/h;
• Climbing angle – 25% (14*)
• The outer overall turning radius is 9.6 m.

Engine

The automobile company did not have the proper power unit for a compact truck. It would be possible to start developing the motor from scratch, however, this would indicate protracted deadlines, as well as a large waste of funds that simply did not exist. What did the Kama Automobile Plant do?

It was decided to start cooperation with Cummins from America, which provided the necessary variation of the power unit. As soon as the cooperation began, the 4320 model purchased an old engine from America that still met Euro-2 environmental requirements. A little later, power units were supplied with improved ones, which already met Euro-5 environmental standards. They also had a modern fuel supply system - Common Rail.

Engines for KamAZ-4308 were produced by a well-known American company - Cummins at the Chinese Dongfeng plant under license. The engine later had the popular Common Rail fuel supply system and complied with Euro 5 environmental requirements.

The new power unit was produced in two variations. The first was represented by a four-cylinder 4.5-liter engine that produced 140 horses. Next came a more powerful six-cylinder 6.7-liter engine, which was capable of producing about 210 horsepower.

The speed limit was 100 km/h. Such power units have acceptable efficiency and good traction. Six-cylinder engines are quieter and also produce a low level of vibration. The width of the cylinder walls was increased, which made it possible to bore the block during repairs.

The cylinder block itself, together with the pan, was protected by a steel plate, which provides improved rigidity and reduces noise. The engine has a four-valve cylinder head, and the valve guides were assembled in a single casting.

The drives of the water pump, fan, generator and air conditioning compressor have a poly-V belt with an automatic tensioner. The fan was placed on the front toe of the crankshaft, which is quite ideal for cabover cars. Thanks to the viscous fan clutch, the frozen power unit is rapidly warmed up, which is very useful, because vibration increases at idle with a cold engine.

By the way, a possible reason for the increased vibration is the strong rigidity of the power unit cushions. Exactly the same engine, but with a volume of 3.8 liters, is installed on the Valdai gas truck, and there are no vibrations or shaking there. The fuel tank has a volume of 210 liters. Fuel consumption per 100 kilometers is about 14 liters.

Transmission

If the Kamaz 4308 is equipped with such high-quality modern diesel power units, then it is logical to conclude that it simply needs a good, appropriate transmission. Therefore, for the medium-tonnage machine, they provided a clutch from Sachs, which is a subsidiary of the well-known brand in Germany - ZF.

The drive has no significant changes. Initially, the trucks were equipped with a Kamaz-141 gearbox, which was the most successful of the domestic models, and which was easy to maintain and repair. But very soon the production of self-branded gearboxes will be stopped. Similar parts will be produced by a joint plant created by KamAZ employees and the German company ZF.

Taking into account the fact that the new model can be used as a road train, it will be possible to install a 9-speed ZF9S109 as a separate option. Similar European markings are found on most medium-tonnage trucks.

The gear shift knob is of the articulated type and is installed on the floor of the cab, followed by a telescopic rod. Starting from 2014, ZF Kama will master the production of automatic transmissions of the AsTronic category, which can replace the current family of gearboxes.

Chassis

The suspension was designed in accordance with international requirements. The springs are small-leaf and have a parabolic design. To increase the smoothness of the ride, the length of the springs was increased to two meters. The front of the machine has a two-leaf design, and the rear has a three-leaf design. This suspension device is the most convenient suitable option for repair even in the field.

Now the plant is developing a rear air suspension for the KamAZ-4308 truck. It is made using a 2-cylinder design, has forged rods and uses silent blocks. The suspension is equipped with an electronic control system and meets all current world standards.

This design provides the required body height when loading and does not have fluctuations. In front there are also rubber buffers that act as a travel limiter, and hydraulic shock absorbers that provide good smoothness of movement. The rear ends of the springs are sliding.

Brake system

The braking system is pneumatically controlled and has disc brakes on all wheels. The wheels themselves have a 19.5-inch radius. The main system has a pneumatic disc mechanism with a 2-circuit drive.

There is also support for the ABS system. The spare system has all the circuits of the working system, and the parking system has a spring brake mechanism. They also provided an auxiliary braking system, which is an engine brake.

Steering

The steering wheel is controlled using a hydraulic power steering mechanism. The steering wheel itself turned out to be quite interesting and does not have an overly thin rim, which would complicate control.

Specifications

Weight characteristics

1. Curb weight – 6020 kg;
2. Axle load – front 3290 kg, rear axle 2730 kg;
3. Load capacity – 5500 kg;
4. Gross vehicle weight – 11900 kg;
5. Load distribution at full weight - front axle 4350 kg, rear axle 7550 kg;
6. Permissible trailer weight – 8000 kg;
7. The permissible weight of the road train is 19,000 kg.

Electrical equipment

The vehicle is equipped with a single wire electrical system. The on-board network voltage is 24 V. The current sources are two twelve-volt starter batteries of type 6-ST-190 and a generator with a power of 2000 W and an output voltage of 28 V.

Steering

In most trim levels of the model, owners do not experience problems with steering. But, nevertheless, some of its components have to be changed from time to time.

Steering composition of KamAZ-4308:

• power steering;
• control valve;
• steering gear;
• steering column;
• cardan shaft;
• system tank;
• pump;
• radiator;
• pressure tubes (high and low);
• drive traction.

The steering ratio is 21.7.

The pump is powered by the crankshaft.

The driveshaft is connected by splines that can slide depending on the position of the cab. When servicing the cardan, the splines must be lubricated with special oil, and a small amount of this lubricant must be placed in the bushing.

The longitudinal steering rod is a solid forged element, and the transverse rod is a tubular part with threads at the ends. Tips and ball joints are attached to them.

Device

KamAZ 4308 turned out to be one of the first two-axle trucks of the brand that received side members of a constant cross-section in the frame design. The innovation made it possible to create several wheelbase options. Now the car is offered with 2 variations of the base (European analogues have many more similar varieties).

The suspension uses small-leaf parabolic springs with low weight. Their length has been increased to 2 meters to improve smoothness. Springs require periodic lubrication, and they themselves are easy to repair. The suspension brackets have special rubber suspensions that eliminate the clattering of the springs when the unloaded machine moves on an uneven surface.

In the latest versions of KamAZ 4308, the chassis has been modified. They now have rear air suspension, which is an electronically controlled unit. Due to it, you can raise or lower the rear of the machine by 100 mm if necessary. The car is equipped with large tires, which are produced abroad.

The braking system is made in the form of a pneumatic drive with ventilated disc brakes from Haldex. In the future, KamAZ 4308 is planned to be equipped with domestic brake systems, the production of which will be launched at the Knorr-Bremse KAMA enterprise.

The truck is equipped with a modern engine, the efficient operation of which would be impossible without a high-quality transmission. The model is equipped with a clutch from Sachs. The company is a subsidiary of the famous German concern ZF. The drive did not undergo significant changes during the production of KamAZ 4308. Initially, the vehicle was equipped with a KamAZ 141 gearbox, which was considered one of the most successful for the enterprise. Subsequently, its production ceased. The brand began producing transmissions jointly with the German company ZF. This gearbox is currently being installed on the truck. An optional 9-speed ZF9S109 transmission is available, which is necessary when operating the truck as part of a road train. This gearbox is used in many European cars. The option will not cause logistical difficulties or a sharp increase in cost, since the production of the ZF9S109 transmission is carried out at the ZF Kama enterprise.

The Kama medium-tonnage vehicle may have problems with the drive axle. The model uses bridges produced in China, so there is no need to talk about their high quality.

The truck's cabin is considered one of the best in the line. There were no radical changes in it. A plastic grille and 4 rectangular headlights were added to the standard steel radiator trim. These small changes radically changed the perception of the car's appearance. The relatively recent restyle has increased the amount of plastic used for the cabin, which has reduced the originality. At the same time, the number of elements susceptible to corrosion has decreased. The brand does not yet galvanize the cabin, which is considered a big disadvantage. The dimensions of the head for a delivery truck are quite normal. An optional sleeper cab is available. The suspension is made on 4 elliptical springs, which absorb shock well when driving on uneven roads. Inside the cabin, all-molded upholstery and handles and locks from AvtoVAZ cars are used. The steel dashboard in the latest modifications was replaced with a plastic panel. The instruments remained pointer-type, but Grammer driver's seats with air suspension and many settings appeared.

The main disadvantages of the KamAZ 4308 are the low level of comfort in comparison with foreign trucks and the lack of power for quick acceleration when fully loaded. Otherwise, there are no problems with the car. KamAZ 4308, despite the presence of many competitors, looks very good in the medium-duty segment.

Appearance

This medium-duty truck comes equipped with a well-known cab, which is installed on heavier-duty models. Small changes were made only to the radiator grille and trim on the sides. However, recent innovations have given the cabin a more modern and pleasing appearance.

Moreover, in order to better combat corrosion, the company used a new method of priming and painting for the first time. The truck received a foreign driver's seat with Grammer air suspension. Together with the sprung cabin, this made it possible to move over the uneven terrain of the Russian Federation more comfortably.

The radiator grille, along with plastic panels, comes to the Kama Automobile Plant from Ivanovo. The front optics are rectangular in shape and were produced by Hella.

The plastic body kit is made using impact-resistant material, which is fully frost-resistant, which significantly expands the area of ​​use of the car. A more advanced cabin shows that the company strives to be competitive and wants to constantly develop.

Cabin interior

The seats of the medium-duty vehicle are manufactured by the Grammer company, which is located in Germany. The majority of companies that occupy leading niches in the world are interested in its services, therefore, in the majority, the comfort for the driver is not inferior even to many international brands.

The design component of the cabin was well thought out and worked out. It has a large number of small elements that make it possible to clearly recognize and distinguish variations in cabin trim in similar models. The design of the cabin was perfectly equipped not only in terms of aesthetics, but also in terms of comfort for the driver and the passengers sitting next to him.

Most of the parts on KamAZ 4308 were manufactured by foreign companies, which makes it comfortable and competitive among European models.

The dashboard, located directly in front of the driver, has a rounded shape. Accessibility to all system nodes has been significantly simplified. The locks, together with the internal designs of the handles, are very similar to VAZ ones in external layout and functionality. With such a cabin, KamAZ 4308 can be used both on long trips and in urban areas.

Inside the compact truck you will no longer find the painted metal panels that were so familiar to buyers. The cabin of the car itself was treated with a cataphoresis primer, which can almost completely eliminate the most pressing problem for metal - corrosion.

The cabin was installed using quarter-elliptic springs. The structural components of the car are always refined and improved, which makes it possible for the car to meet international standards for ecology and reliability.

Malfunctions

Trucks have a small number of weak points. They are not critical, but over time the need for scheduled or emergency maintenance arises. The model doesn't have many downsides.

Main disadvantages:

1. KamAZ-4308 is not the cheapest on the market. Therefore, carriers often choose similar vehicles from other manufacturers. They are identical in their configuration, but are cheaper.
2. The design of the cabin and its shape are borrowed from old KamAZ models. But it’s worth considering that the car became popular thanks to its familiar image to customers. Therefore, high-quality materials and competent filling of complete sets with additional equipment allow us to occupy a stable position in the market.
3. Among the possible breakdowns, failure of various structural parts is most often observed. The most common problem is broken pipes near the gearbox. Although all body elements can be purchased at any specialized store, such disadvantages scare away potential buyers.
4. Many drivers are unhappy with the location of the brake pedal relative to the steering column. The distance between these elements is too small.

Modifications

KAMAZ-4308 is the lightest vehicle in the KAMAZ model range. The design of the truck is constantly being improved. The main difference between the modifications and the base model is the type and power of the engine. Initially, before organizing our own production of engines for medium-duty trucks, a Cummins power plant with a volume of 3.9 liters and a power of 140 hp was installed. Chinese assembly. It ensured compliance with the Euro-2 environmental standard. Both in terms of power and other characteristics, the engine soon ceased to meet the ever-increasing requirements. Two modifications of the car with power units of our own production began to be produced for the Russian market:

• 4-cylinder engine with a displacement of 4.5 liters and a power of 140 hp;
• 6-cylinder engine with a displacement of 6.7 liters and a power of 210 hp.

The universal chassis is equipped with:

• side bodies;
• eurotrucks;
• thermal vans;
• manipulators and hydraulic lifts;
• tow trucks;
• special vans for transporting construction materials;
• bodies for transporting emergency crews, shift workers and law enforcement units.

The first KAMAZ-4308 models were equipped with a five-speed gearbox from their “big brothers” KAMAZ-141. In general, the reliable unit caused complaints during operation. Five gears when climbing as part of a road train were clearly not enough, therefore, some models began to be optionally equipped with the proven nine-speed ZF9S109 gearboxes. Two modifications of the onboard KAMAZ-4308 (KAMAZ-4308-A3 and KAMAZ-4308-N3) are also produced, differing in gear ratios and installed engines with different power.

What they write on the forums: reviews of KamAZ-4308 owners and drivers

Afanasy Novozhiltsev, 54 years old, Pskov region:

The KamAZ-4308 vehicle was purchased new in 2014 and is used for transporting goods (groceries and household appliances) over short and medium distances. During this time I changed a lot of things, especially the suspension. At the front we had to change the two-leaf springs to three-leaf ones - because they were constantly falling apart. I also changed the position of the steering wheel (put it straight) and shortened the clutch pedal. There were a lot of breakdowns; I had already changed the bearings in the hubs several times; once, due to poor-quality wiring, a short circuit occurred and the car almost burned out. I would also like to note that the starter is not of very high quality - it constantly breaks down.

Advantages and disadvantages

Pros of the car

• Economical fuel consumption;
• Good load capacity at low loading height;
• Possibility of installing various add-ons and special equipment on the chassis;
• Relatively low cost of the car;
• Low price for spare parts of the machine;
• Good power unit;
• The cabin has an autonomous heater function;
• Air suspension can be installed as a separate option;
• Small dimensions;
• The appearance of the front panel in the cabin has become much better;
• Some models have cruise control;
• Comfortable driver's seat.

Brakes

The braking system consists of separate parts that are designed for specific actions. All principles of its operation are described in the instructions, so everyone will be able to study the information in detail and choose the appropriate mode for themselves. Main types:

• worker;
• spare;
• parking;
• auxiliary

The drive of the pneumatic brake mechanism consists of:

• aluminum pistons;
• compressor;
• heads;
• dryer with built-in pressure regulator.