Vologda all-terrain vehicle Lesnik-M: a little VAZ, UAZ and steel pipes

The Lesnik snow and swamp-going vehicle differs from other all-terrain vehicles in its large number of passenger seats, up to eight people, and its high carrying capacity. The basic cost of this all-terrain vehicle includes the function of centralized pumping.

The amphibious all-terrain vehicle "Lesnik" is a floating snow and swamp-going vehicle that was created. The machine uses low pressure pneumatic wheels. Previously, it was produced in 3 main types: “Lesnik”, “Lesnik-M”, “Lesnik-M Sever”. Now additional varieties have appeared.

The lineup

The Lesnik M model range offers five different types:

• M;
• Extreme;
• Pro awning;
• M North;
• Pro.

The main feature of the Lesnik series models is the ability to install different types of low-pressure tires that will suit the terrain conditions.

Forester-Extreme

A closed all-terrain vehicle that guarantees relative comfort and warmth in severe frosts.

Forester-Profi awning

This is a closed version of the Profi amphibious all-terrain vehicle. It is lighter and cheaper, but the interior is comfortable and warm at low temperatures.

Lesnik-M North

This model has a heated cabin and thick doors with windows. The all-terrain vehicle is suitable for frequent use for sleeping.

Forester-Profi

The specialized snow and swamp-going vehicle "Lesnik-Profi" has an improved body made of metal. It is comfortable for overnight use and suitable for use in cold weather.

"Forester" and his brothers at work

It is worth noting that the manufacturer managed to achieve a combination of several important characteristics at once, thanks to which the all-terrain vehicle became truly in demand, and therefore it was offered for small-scale production. This is a relatively low cost, excellent maneuverability and comfort for the driver. As practical experience shows, the all-terrain vehicle moves smoothly, demonstrating a caring attitude towards people, even off-road, despite the lack of front suspension.

Buyers of Lesnik share their impressions that a comfortable seat plays a significant role. Unlike analogues offered by DIYers and other manufacturers, this all-terrain vehicle is equipped with a relatively heavy, shock-absorbing seat. It is due to this that travel convenience is guaranteed.

Judging by the tests and reviews, it is almost impossible to imagine a situation that would become hopeless for a vehicle. The snow and swamp vehicle can overcome the vast majority of obstacles in difficult terrain. Therefore, it is used for different tasks. Despite the fact that during operation there will be no problems with the “Lesnik”. Its parts can be easily repaired or replaced, and this is very important for the domestic buyer.

The manufacturer emphasizes that it did not set out to make a revolution in the production of all-terrain vehicles. For him, the most important question was the practicality and reliability of the solution. The model turned out exactly like this. You need to get used to it and get used to it in order to understand where and what obstacles need to be overcome. If you compare the “Forester” with its analogues, you can find moments in its design that some would call miscalculations. In fact, the designers assumed that this was not a machine for testing or setting records: it was intended to solve everyday problems. That is, this is a product for a wide range of users.

External designs of models

The design of the suspension of the snow and swamp-going vehicle "Lesnik" provides the ability to move on any surface with the greatest convenience, for example, it can be a road with a flat surface or rough terrain, deep and loose snow or water. The Lesnik has built-in low-pressure TREKOL tires, the size of which ranges from 135 to 160 cm, which ensures a soft ride at low speeds of up to 50 km/h.

The Lesnik all-terrain vehicle is a good means of transportation for those who live in climatically damp areas. If you have such all-terrain vehicles, it will be easier to move through the swamps in the spring and during heavy floods.

Forester is the best tool for forest lovers. The snow and swamp-going vehicle is suitable for different types of hobbies and recreation: hunting, fishing, extreme tourism and recreation in the forest. Good maneuverability of the vehicles provides convenient access to particularly remote areas where mining can be carried out. The cozy body design makes it possible to use the all-terrain vehicle as an overnight stay.

Vologda all-terrain vehicle Lesnik-M: a little VAZ, UAZ and steel pipes

The Vologda Forester on low-pressure tires is one of the most affordable conquerors of snow and swamps.

Power protection of the front part is an option for 11,500 rubles. Awning is basic equipment. Wide plastic fenders are attached to the wheel arches. The forester remains clean even after forays into serious mud.

The world has long known and loved the “forester”, but performed by Subaru. And we have our own, Russian interpretation - originally from Vologda. The first all-terrain vehicle was assembled in 2009, certified in 2012 and began to be mass-produced. At the same time, the machine was being refined and modernized. The result was Lesnik-M, a structurally simple and therefore affordable all-terrain vehicle on low-pressure tires. Well, as “affordable”... The price of 1.4 million rubles will shock many. However, for such equipment this is a more than reasonable price.

Simple, but not simple

In order for bears to avoid it, the owner of the forest must be formidable. The Forester, who is more than two and a half meters tall, copes with this task with a bang. You can see it from a mile away, and the massive branch cutter adds to its brutality. I would also put nets on the sides so as not to break the large windows of the cabin.

The body is made in the image and likeness of other such machines. First, a frame is welded from steel pipes of different sections to impart the necessary rigidity, then it is sheathed with duralumin sheets.

From the gearbox to the front and rear axles there are two modified cardans from the UAZ-469. The main pair in the transmission was replaced with a pair with a larger gear ratio (4.9), and the center differential was locked. This solution significantly increased cross-country ability.

The front axle is rigidly attached to the body. Both axles are Timken from the “collective farm” version of the UAZ-469: with a 4.625 main pair and without final drives. The rear suspension is spring. UAZ bridges are equipped with pneumatic blockers from the Sprut company.

The all-terrain vehicle is also deliberately rough to the touch: the hand immediately feels the roughness of the Raptor’s coating. The base color is green. Do you want a different color? They can do anything for 26,500 rubles.

I look under the bottom. The forester is stern as a man: there are springs at the rear, but the front suspension... there is none! The front axle from the UAZ-469 is rigidly attached to the body. From the VAZ-21083 gearbox with a 4.9 main pair, two cardans go to the drive axles - they are also from a UAZ. This scheme made it possible to get rid of the transfer case and additional drives and reduce the weight of the all-terrain vehicle.

In the front part, protection for the steering mechanism was installed. The square socket at the top is a mount for an electric winch. On the right you can see the socket for connecting it.

The view from the driver's seat is excellent! The seat is in the middle, so assessing the situation on the right and left is equally easy. The ceiling and door are without upholstery; rubber mats are attached to painted metal. The coolant reservoir is adjacent to the USB connector. On the left hand there is a tire pressure gauge and a brake fluid reservoir.

In the back there are two benches for four. For 82,000 rubles they will install an autonomous Webasto heater, otherwise you can spend the night in the tented body only in sleeping bags. Removable slats (24,000 rubles) will make it more convenient to settle down for the night: they are installed between the benches - you get three full-fledged sleeping places.

Remembering the G8

I put my hands on the plastic VAZ steering wheel (in place of the rook is the Forester’s emblem). Turn the key, and the 82-horsepower VAZ-21114 engine wakes up behind you. At idle the engine simply rustles, you can talk without losing your voice.

I put it in first gear. More precisely, I'm trying to turn it on. I had already lost the habit of using the G8 box, but then the memories just came flooding back. The lever travel is tight, the gears are engaged with effort.

The driver sits in the center and has a clear view of what is happening behind both sides of the all-terrain vehicle. The devices are located at the top.

To the left of the driver is a tachometer with an hour meter, warning lamps, a fuel gauge and a coolant temperature indicator. Everything is like in a regular car. To the right of the driver are toggle switches for turning on the locks and the air compressor. The leftmost switch releases pressure in all wheels. Those to the right activate the compressor to inflate the tires.

Finally, I went. Now the second one, which is easier. From there, if there is a hard surface like asphalt or crushed stone under the wheels, it is better to get underway, since there is no shortage of traction. By the way, the more expensive Shatun Neo all-terrain vehicle, which I drove in winter, also has a VAZ gearbox, only from Granta - it is much easier with it, although the shift pattern on Shatun is mirrored.

The Forester's maximum speed is 50 km/h. By passenger standards, not much, but for an all-terrain vehicle this is simply the first space one, because already at about 25 km/h (I determine the pace by eye, there is no speedometer, only a tachometer) and on a flat road the car begins to bounce like a rubber ball - there is no front suspension , and tire pressure is 0.25 atm. Decent for pneumatics. But there is no tooth-shaking shaking, only pitching, like on the waves. Thanks to the tires, which take on the role of dampers, and the sprung driver’s seat.

Inside the tented body everything is quite simple. The camouflage-colored mattresses, which are held in place with Velcro, are easy to remove - and you can wash the cargo compartment with Karcher without fear of spilling anything.

Blow off and don't boil

The switch to the right of the driver forcibly turns on the engine cooling fan.

I approach a steep descent and dive down, clinging to the steering wheel with all my might. Scary! When you can only see the ground through the huge windows for a couple of seconds, you want to be held in place by a full-fledged seat belt, but here you only have a lap belt. It doesn't do much good, it just puts pressure on my stomach. But if you want to drive on ordinary roads at least sometimes, you can’t go without a belt: it is necessary for certification of an all-terrain vehicle in Gostekhnadzor. By the way, you can safely put license plates on Lesnik, but to drive you need a tractor driver’s license.

Finally I am near the forest belt. You need to set the required tire pressure. My car has a centralized pumping system. This is an irreplaceable thing: you don’t have to get out and bleed the air in each tire individually. I remember very well how I deflated the same tires manually on a six-wheeled Yamal T-64. I'm tired!

The pumping system will cost 86,000 rubles. It consists of pumping units (one on each hub), a compressor with a receiver and a pair of toggle switches. Click one toggle switch, and the compressor (from Aggressor) with a capacity of 160 l/min wakes up. It drives air through the receiver to all four wheels at once. The second toggle switch opens the solenoid valve, and the pressure in all wheels decreases.

The VAZ-21114 engine is located longitudinally, behind the driver’s seat. This results in ideal weight distribution. And access to the units is excellent. The radiator of the cooling system is from a Chevrolet Niva SUV.

I lowered the pressure to 0.15 atm - just right for driving on loose, melted snow. I drive through virgin snow without even touching the locks. The forester confidently crosses large potholes and crosses deep puddles. Minimum speed is 2 km/h.

The motor operates in the range of 2500–3500 rpm. A little noisy, but tolerable. Testers advise monitoring the coolant temperature. If it rises above 98 degrees, the control lamp lights up. Now you need to turn the switch (it’s on the right hand) and turn the two cooling system fans to full power.

Having turned on the bridge locks, I get out of the deep snow. I drive up a hill and then slide into a rut. To ride a Lesnik dashingly, you need good physical training. There is a hydraulic booster, but it is difficult to turn the large wheels in deep snow. One such trip is like going to the gym!

The Forester moves through the water thanks to low-pressure wheels. If higher speeds are needed, there is an outboard transom mounted on the tailgate.

Tires with dimensions 1300×600×533 or 1350×700×533 are produced by Trekol. Wheels - with a system for protecting the inflation hoses.

* * *

The forester does not give the impression of a cheap craft - despite its simplicity, it is made well. You can equip the all-terrain vehicle with a folding windshield (39,600 rubles), a Hella LED “chandelier” on the roof (26,000 rubles), an expedition trunk (23,000 rubles) and an electric winch ComeUp Cub 4 (42,000 rubles).

Even though Lesnik does not have super cross-country ability, like the more expensive Sherpa or Shatun all-terrain vehicles, our Forester will pass where the UAZ Patriot, tuned to the very roof, will get stuck. By the way, he is comparable in price to the Vologda “forester”, estimated at 1,380,000 rubles. And the Forester’s body, unlike a car’s, can easily accommodate hunting trophies. And it's easier to clean.

Technical characteristics of Lesnik-M:

Length/width/height/base: 3700/2280/2600/2200 mm Load capacity on dense soils: 500 kg, on soft soils and on water: 400 kg Curb weight: 1250 kg Ground clearance: 490 mm Engine: petrol, P4, 1596 cm³; 60 kW/82 hp at 5200 rpm; 125 Nm at 3800 rpm Maximum speed: 50 km/h Fuel/fuel capacity: AI-95/40 l Transmission: all-wheel drive; M5

Go out to the swamps

The Vector 4x4 all-terrain vehicle with axles without final drives costs 1,400,000 rubles. This car has a VAZ-11186 engine with 87 hp. cross-country ability is comparable to Lesnik. Version with a Niva engine of 81 hp. and drive axles from UAZ-3163 with wheel gearboxes will cost 1,750,000 rubles. There is a Kubota 1505T turbodiesel with 45 horsepower - for 1,850,000 rubles.

Niva Bronto Marsh-1 with a 1.7-liter engine (83 hp) will cost one and a half million rubles. UAZ bridges, with final drives. Spring suspension. That is, it will be more comfortable than the Forester, but large hunting trophies will not fit into the car body. March-1 is good in deep snow and can even float. A good option for a wealthy amateur fisherman.

Trekol-39041 is built on the basis of the UAZ Hunter. The base price of an all-terrain vehicle with a ZMZ-406 gasoline engine (130 hp) is 2,150,000 rubles, with a ZMZ-409 engine (128 hp) - 2,180,000 rubles, with a Hyundai D4BF diesel engine (83 hp). ) - 2,590,000 rubles. UAZ axles with final drives are used on all vehicles. The advantages of this all-terrain vehicle are its simplicity and maneuverability.

A Neo connecting rod with a Kubota diesel engine (45 hp) is priced at 3,600,000 rubles. Thanks to the huge wheels measuring 1650x570x25 and the frame breaking mechanism, its off-road capabilities are much higher than those of the Forester. And I’m ready to take on board twice as much - a ton of cargo. Neo is taken by both private owners who need to travel on serious off-road conditions, and large companies.

The three-axle Trekol-39294 is developed on the basis of components and assemblies of GAZ and UAZ vehicles. Axle shafts and axle housings are reinforced, wheel gearboxes are of our own design. The engine range includes a petrol ZMZ-409 with a power of 128 hp. and Hyundai D4BH diesel engine with 100 horsepower. The base price of a three-axle vehicle with a gasoline engine is 3,380,000 rubles, and with a diesel engine - 3,850,000 rubles.

Author: Maxim Gomyanin

Model specifications

The Lesnik-M is equipped with tires whose height is 1350 mm. The all-terrain vehicle does not have front suspension, which makes it more maneuverable in forests due to the small width of the body. Good quality tires (their softness) ensure comfortable movement at an average speed of up to 50 km/h.

"Lesnik-M":

• dimensions: 37002280—26002200 mm;
• the carrying capacity on normal soil is half a ton, on swampy terrain it is only 400 kg;
• weight 1250-1251 kg;
• clearance 489-490 mm;
• engine 82 hp, 5.2 thousand rpm;
• highest speed 49-51 km/h;
• 95 octane fuel;
• four-wheel drive.

“Lesnik-M” is a closed version, in which the structure of the main part of the frame is the same as on the all-metal one. The awning provides the car with less weight and an affordable price, and also provides comfort in cold weather.

Description of the all-terrain vehicle

Snow and swamp-going vehicles Lesnik have been produced for 10 years and have repeatedly proven their reliability. The first copy was assembled in Vologda in 2009 and has been modified several times since then. Serial production began in 2012, after three years of testing. Today, all-terrain vehicles are in demand among fans of extreme recreation, hunters and fishermen, and are also actively used by specialists in the field of geology, oil and gas exploration, and logging. They serve as both a vehicle and a place to stay overnight; they can be used to transport equipment and people, and to “drop” specialists to remote sites. Contrary to the name, they performed excellently not only when used in the forest, but also in fields, swamps, rivers, sand pits, steep slopes, etc.

The all-terrain vehicle was designed to transport goods through wetlands

Body and interior

In appearance, the Vologda all-terrain vehicle Lesnik surprises with its simple design and interior decoration. The body is all-metal, on a frame made of steel pipes, covered with duralumin sheets. The use of pipes of different sections gives the body rigidity. All doors and windows have seals to protect against water and cold. A branch cutter is installed in front, protecting the windshield and the entire front part from impacts from branches when driving on forest roads or through bushes.

The interior decoration is also very simple. Painted metal, rubber mats, removable mattresses emphasize that the car is aimed at extreme recreation, and therefore must, first of all, be reliable and easy to clean. The interior is easy to clean, including the passenger compartment: soft mattresses are secured to the seats with Velcro and can be easily removed. Thus, the car can transport hunting trophies, work equipment and any dirty cargo.

The driver's seat is located in the middle, which provides excellent visibility to the sides. The instrument panel is located at the top and to the side of the steering wheel. The Lesnik is a bit heavy to drive, but this is compensated by its high cross-country ability and excellent visibility. Passenger seats are in the rear, in a tented body. Two benches can comfortably accommodate four people. With the help of removable slats, you can organize three full-fledged sleeping places in the back.

For a comfortable overnight stay in winter, an autonomous heater is provided.

Engine and brakes

The engine is a gasoline engine, from a VAZ-21114, located immediately behind the driver’s seat. The cabover layout has long been popular among all-terrain vehicles and special equipment: it not only improves visibility and facilitates access to the engine, but also provides ideal weight distribution. Volume – 1.5 l, power The radiator of the cooling system is from Chevrolet Niva. The brake system is hydraulic, equipped with a vacuum booster. Disc brakes on all wheels.

Be sure to read: GAZ 71 tracked all-terrain vehicle: operation, characteristics

Where can I order

You can buy the Lesnik all-terrain vehicle at an affordable price from private owners or from sellers on the official website.

Depending on the specific model and configuration, the price varies:

1. "Extreme" - from 4800000.
2. “Profi” - from 2920000.
3. "Profi-Tent" - 2470000.
4. "M-North" - 1840000.
5. "M" - 1450000.

Prices for new models are presented. If you want to purchase an all-terrain vehicle individually, the price is set accordingly and depends on the configuration and features of the model.

Purchasing principle

To order an all-terrain vehicle on wheels, you should call, fill out a request for a call back, or write an email. Specialists will discuss all the features with the client, then offer the best method of payment, and then delivery.

It is possible to sell all-terrain vehicles for hunting and fishing with subsequent delivery by suitable transport (road, water or rail). Maintenance, additional equipment, and preparation before sale are provided.

Prices and additional equipment

*available when ordering a rigid fiberglass body
**available if the passenger version of the cargo part of the all-terrain vehicle is not available