KamAZ-53215 is a representative of the Soviet school of building off-road trucks. This model, despite its age, is in high demand in Russia and Eastern Europe, as well as former socialist countries. The high demand is confirmed by the universal design of the truck, which allows it to be used anywhere - in the construction industry, or as a means of delivering goods in difficult road conditions. KamAZ-53215 has especially proven itself in mining.
KamAZ-53215: heavy-duty vehicle, off-road
You can often hear comments about the versatility of the KamAZ-53215 and these are not empty words. Due to the fact that the machine (depending on the modification) is produced with different frame lengths, it is used in a wide variety of sectors of the national economy. In addition to the flatbed truck, you can often see tank trucks, garbage trucks, truck cranes, grain trucks, fire trucks, and agricultural dump trucks built on the KamAZ-53215 chassis. In total, the Kama plant produces sixteen modifications of the car.
The history of the model begins in 2001, and its production continues to this day, which once again speaks of the reliability, popularity and demand of the truck.
Prices in Russia
The cost of a truck varies depending on the condition and type of modification. For example, a new KamAZ-5320 in its basic version is estimated at about 2 million rubles. Naturally, the price can increase significantly if additional options are installed. Various settings and equipment increase the cost of the model by 0.5 - 1 million rubles.
Despite the rather affordable price tag, the KamAZ-5320 has a more stable demand in the supported market, since at the present time not all transport workers are willing to pay 2-3 million for such a truck in the context of the economic crisis in the country. Thus, in such difficult conditions, the supported market looks preferable. So, option 53215 with mileage will cost approximately 1.7 - 2.1 million rubles. This is how much they are now asking for a 2012-2013 copy with all the settings and additional equipment.
Exterior and interior of KamAZ-53215
The appearance of KamAZ-53215 does not differ significantly from the cars produced by the Kama Automobile Plant in the late 90s and early 2000s. By its design, it is a three-axle frame chassis with two drive axles (six by four wheel arrangement) and a front-mounted cab. In the first years of production, the car was equipped with the old type of cab with a metal bumper, a windshield separated by a molding, and standard doors. After modernization, the truck's cabin received more streamlined lines, a one-piece windshield and fog lights as standard.
A convenient step leads into the car interior; here we find three comfortable seats with several adjustment mechanisms on all planes. A sleeping bag is installed optionally, but power steering is available on all cars. The debut models of the car were produced without a hydraulic cab lift, which is a major drawback of this model. The cabin has high-quality sound insulation, but many drivers complain about excessive vibration, this drawback is especially noticeable when driving without a load. The single-section instrument panel looks dated, but provides enough information to operate the vehicle safely.
On the automaker’s website, prices for new KamAZ-53215 start at 2,694,000 rubles; for this money you can purchase a chassis in the basic configuration. A flatbed truck can be purchased at a price of 2,930,000 rubles, an agricultural truck costs 3,300,000 rubles. There are plenty of offers online for the sale of used cars of this model. For a car produced in 2004 - 2007 they ask from 900,000 to 1,250,000 rubles.
Work on quality
Thanks to the efforts of the staff of the Kama Automobile Plant, KamAZ trucks are gradually getting rid of many of their shortcomings. Driving characteristics are improved, unit installations and the transmission system are improved. A new truck on the freeway with an empty body accelerates to 105 km/h! The engine brand, although considered outdated, has lower emissions and complies with the Euro-3 environmental standard. It is hoped that the work done on the 53215 range is just the first steps towards creating a car that meets the requirements of the international market.
Overall dimensions and weight characteristics of KamAZ-53215
Below are the specifications for the base model:
- Length: 8,040 millimeters;
- Height along the air intake pipe: 3,110 mm;
- Width, with exterior mirrors folded: 2,500 mm;
- Ground clearance: 290 mm;
- External overall turning radius of the vehicle: 9,800 mm;
- Distance between front and middle chassis axle: 3,960 mm;
- Gross curb weight: 7,500 kilograms;
- Maximum load capacity (maximum superstructure weight): 12,000 kg;
- Total truck weight: 19.5 tons;
- Maximum weight of KamAZ-53215 as part of a road train: 33,650 kg;
- Wheel type: disc;
- Tires: tube, pneumatic;
- Tire size: 7.5-20 (190-508)
- Maximum speed according to the passport: 90 km/h.
Possibilities
The carrying capacity of KamAZ 53215 is as much as 11 tons. In addition, thanks to the powerful V-shaped engine, it is possible to tow an additional trailer, the weight of which can reach up to 14 tons. The truck has a 6 by 4 wheel arrangement and is capable of reaching speeds of over 90 km/h. The outer turning radius is only 9.8 meters.
The KamAZ 53215 design also allows you to install additional working equipment: a container, a truck crane, a device for spreading sand, for watering and washing roads.
Engine and fuel consumption of KamAZ-53215
For a long time, in the basic configuration, the car was equipped with a KamAZ-740.31-240 diesel engine. This eight-cylinder V-engine has a displacement of 10.86 liters and, at a crankshaft speed of 2,200 rpm, develops a rated power of 240 horsepower. The engine is equipped with two turbochargers and a forced intercooling system for charge air. In terms of environmental parameters, this turbodiesel complies with the international standard Euro 2.
In the line of power units that are equipped with KamAZ-53215 vehicles, an important place is occupied by the four-stroke KamAZ 740.30-260 engine (Euro 2). The engine is equipped with a gas turbine with two SCHWITZER turbochargers and a charge air cooling system. Structurally, it is an eight-cylinder turbodiesel with a V-shaped cylinder arrangement (camber angle - 900) and a displacement of 10.86 liters. At a crankshaft speed of 2,200 rpm, the engine develops power of 260 horsepower. KamAZ 740.30-260 is equipped with a fuel system, which is equipped with a high-pressure fuel pump (HPFP) YAZDA 337-20 or 0 402 648 611 BOSCH. This combination ensures complete combustion of fuel and reduces harmful emissions into the atmosphere.
There were attempts to equip the KamAZ-53215 with a 320-horsepower engine, but this engine was not widely used and is quite rare on the market.
Considering the power and displacement of the engines, KamAZ-53215 boasts relatively low fuel consumption. In the summer, a car (when driving on a paved road) consumes about 26.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers at speeds up to 60 km/h. In winter, this figure increases by 2-3 liters. Depending on the configuration and purpose, the truck can be equipped with a fuel tank with a capacity of 350 or 500 liters.
Cabin inside and outside
The KamAZ cab, like any cabover cab, is very compact. The developers left the interior without any major changes. As for comfort, KamAZ has never competed with XL-class Eurocabs, remaining true to the motto “cheap, reliable and practical.” Nevertheless, inside there is everything necessary for the normal operation of a Russian truck driver both in the sultry summer and in the harsh winter: seat settings, a sleeping place, a stove and a fan.
The suspension system and cab mounting remain the same. While driving, the driver and passengers will still experience rocking and vibration. However, the engine noise will not interfere with free conversation or listening to the radio.
Among the disadvantages is the inability to raise the cabin yourself when you need to look at the engine. There is no hydraulic lift, and at least two people can physically lift the cabin.
Transmission and power supply system KamAZ-53215
The traction force from the engine is transmitted using a KamAZ 152 manual gearbox. This ten-speed gearbox consists of a divider gearbox and a five-speed main gearbox, which gives a total of 10 forward and two reverse speeds. Most gearbox parts are lubricated using the spray method; only the gearbox gears and divider are lubricated using an oil pump. Speed shifting is carried out remotely using a rocker lever.
The interaction between the motor and the gearbox is carried out using a dry single-disc clutch with a hydraulic drive and a pneumatic booster. The vehicle's transmission is highly reliable, maintainable and provides acceptable acceleration dynamics both when driving in urban conditions and on highways.
The truck is equipped with a single wire 24 volt electrical circuit. All electrical appliances and electrical circuits of the KamAZ-53215 are powered by two 12-volt acid-base batteries with a total capacity of 380 A/hour. The car is also equipped with a 28-volt generator with a capacity of 2 kilowatts and a voltage inverter.
Chassis device
The wheelbase of a KAMAZ truck is typical with 6 wheels, of which 4 rear wheels are driving. Pneumatic tires of size 10.00 R20 provide good driving speed for a truck.
The supporting frame of the truck is made of high-strength corrosion-resistant steel. Last but not least, attention was paid to the braking system. It is designed to reduce the braking distance of the vehicle and increase the safety of its operation. A pneumatic drive in combination with brake linings with a width of 140 mm and a brake drum with a diameter of 400 mm effectively dampens the inertia of a multi-ton vehicle.
The gearbox on model 53215 is double. The main 10-speed “mechanics” and an additional one with a divider-dupplicator, designed to operate under maximum loads. The deduplicator increases the transmission torque, thereby increasing the resource of the entire power plant and comfort when changing gears.
Brakes and suspension KamAZ-53215
Like all heavy-duty vehicles of the Kama plant, KamAZ-53215 is equipped with four braking systems: main, parking, backup, auxiliary. The car is also equipped with an emergency brake release system. The main brake is pneumatic, drum type, with a drum diameter of 400 millimeters and a brake lining width of 140 mm, the total area of the brake linings is 6,300 cm3.
All the main components and assemblies of the car are mounted on a riveted longitudinal frame, reinforced with two strong side members on transverse beams. The front and rear bogies are equipped with anti-roll bars to protect the machine from strong rolls or rollovers. The front suspension is designed on two springs, which ensure smooth movement together with telescopic shock absorbers. The rear suspension has a similar design, but it is strengthened by the presence of additional springs.
Detailed technical specifications of the KamAZ-53215 heavy-duty vehicle are available here:
| Type | Flatbed truck |
| Cabin type | 3-bed with 1 bedroom |
| Length | 7180 mm |
| Width | 2500 mm |
| Height | 3100 mm |
| Cargo compartment (platform) length | 6100 mm |
| Cargo compartment (platform) width | 2320 mm |
| Wheelbase | 3190 mm |
| Ground clearance | 290 mm |
Engine | |
| Model | 740.31-240 |
| engine's type | Diesel |
| Volume | 10850 cm³ |
| Power | 240 hp |
| Maximum speed | 1100 |
| Torque | 912 n*m |
| Turbocharging | Turbocharging |
| Cylinder arrangement | V-shaped |
| Number of cylinders | 8 |
| Compression ratio | 16.5 |
| Fuel | Diesel fuel |
Truck model range
KAMAZ 53215 is produced in various configuration options. Models may differ from each other in the type and capacity of fuel tanks, cabin equipment and other design parameters.
There are two main modifications of the truck:
- flatbed vehicle;
- chassis designed for installation of various equipment.
All truck models are equipped with excellent basic equipment, which ensures their reliable and efficient operation.
Video on the topic: Cabin KAMAZ 53215
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What they write on the forums: reviews from owners and drivers of KamAZ-53215
Sergey Ogurtsov, 41 years old, Nizhny Novgorod region:
I moved to KamAZ-53215 in 2014, having previously worked on another KamAZ model. The difference immediately caught my eye. First of all, I was pleased with the power steering (power steering), it works completely differently, I feel more comfortable and safer with it. The car runs smoothly along the road, and vibration does not bother the cabin. However, the car was wobbling for a while, I took a closer look - and I had cheap Chinese tires on the front end. Changed it and the car feels like a tank on the road, with or without a trailer.
