Many modern cars are the result of joint decisions between several brands. A new Chinese brand, Shacman, has grown based on the same principle. Dump trucks, and it is on them that the Chinese place their main bet, are by no means the only class of vehicles bearing the emblem of this enterprise. The brand produces chassis for mounting different bodies, buses, tractors and, of course, dump trucks.
In addition, the plant has launched the production of some parts installed on cars from other manufacturers. For example, we can name cooling systems for engines. But before moving on to the description of dump trucks, it is worth mentioning one detail that distinguishes only the products of the Chinese Shacman. The dump trucks that will be discussed further are not often seen on city streets, despite their good maneuverability, controllability and other characteristics. This type of car can easily be called a “workhorse”. The Chinese position them as quarry vehicles.
Shacman models
Before moving on to dump trucks, let’s go over the company’s products, but since a whole article is not enough to list a complete list of equipment, let’s go over the most interesting developments bearing the name Shacman.
Dump truck. The manufacturer devotes the lion's share of resources to this type, so we will start the list of models with it. Note that in addition to a regular dump truck, the plant produces a flat-bed dump truck, a dump truck chassis, a dump truck garbage truck and even a dump truck semi-trailer. We will look at some models below.
Next on the list we'll put a bus. The plant develops 4 types of city buses, several variants of intercity and tourist vehicles, as well as a special school bus. Moreover, the latter has all the attributes of such a transport - color, beacons on the roof, passenger capacity of approximately 30 seats.
It is also worth noting a wide variety of tractors with different load capacities, different wheel configurations, and additional equipment. In addition to everything described, the Chinese produce a whole series of various municipal equipment such as snow blowers, etc.
History of the brand
The year of birth of the Shaanxi company is considered to be 1974, when the first all-terrain vehicle for the needs of the Chinese army came out of the gates of the plant in Shaanxi province (where the head office and main factories are located). Less than 10 years pass, and Shanxi becomes the main manufacturer of army heavy equipment. In 1978, civilian trucks appeared on the market. The next step was 1993, passenger cars, then cooperation with Nissan (Japan), and the brand entered the Asian markets. In 2004, an agreement was concluded with Man Corporation (Germany). Since this year, people have started talking about the Chinese manufacturer in Europe. The machines were distinguished by quality, reliability and reasonable prices. Thanks to these three components, Shanxi products entered Russia in 2007. In 2008, a major rebranding took place, and the new trucks received a modern name - Shacman and a logo reminiscent of the English S - the first letter of the name.
The prototype of the modern Chinese truck was the MAN F2000. Moreover, German designers took part in developing the appearance of the updated car.
Shacman dump trucks
Shacman machines are manufactured by the Chinese engineering enterprise Shanxi. This is a fairly large plant among those that specialize in the design and assembly of trucks. The Shanxi dump truck is distributed almost all over the world, and all thanks to the company’s well-developed dealer network. Subsidiaries are engaged in the production of components for other models. The company has proven itself well in the market as a conscientious manufacturer of radiator-type cooling systems.
The Shaanxi Shacman model is the result of long-term cooperation with German colleagues. The MAN F2000 was used as the basis. It is not surprising that the models are so similar in appearance to each other.
Description
The Russian “filling” Shacman deserves special attention. The dump truck, the photo of which is presented at the very beginning of the review, has air conditioning, a radio, and even a separate sleeping place. It should be noted that this is the basic configuration of the model. Today, dump trucks are assembled on 8 plant conveyors. Cars coming from one of them are designed specifically for Russian conditions. They have enhanced thermal insulation, the wiring has received additional rubberized protection from dirt, even the body is heated, which allows you to use the car all year round and in all weather conditions. Also worth noting is the reinforced metal body and double additional spar along the entire length of the frame.
Bottom line
The price of the new Shakman dump truck depends on the required configuration, but is still much lower than the cost of similar European vehicles (for example, Howo dump trucks). The favorable ratio of price, comfort and quality, together with a significant margin of safety and economy, make Shakman dump trucks a desirable purchase for a wide range of heavy vehicle users.
I am glad that the manufacturer promptly corrects shortcomings identified during operation (such as increased frost resistance of electrical wiring). Confidence is generated by the use of time-tested design solutions (MAN cab).
Attracts orientation to work in harsh weather conditions . One minor drawback: the high cabin makes it difficult for the driver to enter. On the official website located at www.sxqc.com, you can view all the products of the Shaanxi Group. The site has a Russian-language version.
Read about the characteristics of another dump truck model – Tatra T815.
Power section
The Russian version also has differences under the hood. For example, a synchronized gearbox (12 speeds for the 6x4 version, 9 for all-wheel drive versions), an engine from the well-known Cummins brand in Russia (335-440 hp at 11 liters). The transmission for Russian versions is provided by Fast Fuller, a well-known brand in the world of automotive components.
You can also note the bridges manufactured using technologies from well-known Austrian companies. The calculated axle load is up to 13,500 kg, but real tests exceeded this number by 2 times.
For a better understanding, below we will take a closer look at several representatives of the Shacman brand. Dump trucks have several wheel configurations, from all-wheel drive (6x6) to reinforced (8x4). And although the developers note that their machines are not designed to work on ordinary construction sites, nevertheless, a family connection with the German MAN is felt even on the heaviest versions - none of the models goes beyond 2500 mm in width, as required by European standards.
Chinese trucks
Chinese-made dump trucks have been popular among construction companies, as well as enterprises involved in cargo transportation, for quite a long time. As a rule, they are used for large and large-scale construction work, for transporting bulky materials. The Shanxi dump truck has long won the trust of customers. Cars of this brand have a number of advantages compared to similar vehicles of competitors. During the design, all wishes and feedback from modern users and potential clients were taken into account. The car is structurally superior to all its predecessors. Thanks to such high requirements put forward during production, it was possible to achieve maximum compliance with all the standards and requirements put forward for large-scale special equipment.
Advantages and disadvantages
The most powerful Chinese dump trucks have tubeless wheels. The developers took into account that under heavy weight the tube can stick to the inner surface of the tire, and if it hits some sharp obstacle it can be damaged. The advantages also include an ergonomic and comfortable cabin, the ability to lock the center differential, a reinforced heated body, and the ability to adjust the steering column in different positions, which allows the driver to adjust it as conveniently as possible.
Disadvantages include the low-mounted air filter, which can get dust, dirt or snow. Some models may experience problems with electronics due to poor quality wiring.
So, let's look at all the wheel formulas that one type of vehicle uses, namely the dump truck produced by the Shacman brand.
Cabin
In addition to high technical performance, the machines have gained popularity thanks to their cabins, which are designed taking into account all the wishes and requirements of potential customers. The cabin is insulated (both inside and outside) to ensure the most comfortable stay in the cabin at any time of the year.
The doors are equipped with additional compartments for clothes and essentials. A soft, adjustable headrest (depending on needs) significantly reduces the load on the driver’s body when driving. A box for spare parts and keys is installed near the side door so that, if necessary, the driver has the most convenient and quick access to the tool.
Technical specifications 6 4
6x4 is the standard wheel arrangement for heavy-duty vehicles, so we’ll start the description with it. The load capacity of the versions on 3 axles reaches 25,000 kg, the body volume is 19 cubic meters. m. In the name of the model it is customary to write the wheel formula, and then the engine power. For example, Shacman 6x4 336 stands for a dump truck with three axles, two of which are driven, with an engine power of 336 hp. With.
The average data for all dump trucks with a 6x4 wheel arrangement will be as follows:
- engine volume - 9.5 - 11 l;
- power - 336 - 340 hp;
- fuel consumption - 35l/100 km;
- Gearbox - manual, 12 speeds;
- truck weight - 14300 kg;
- body height (on the sides) - 1500 mm, in the cabin - 3300 mm;
- body width - 2300 mm; total - 2490 mm;
- length of the body is 5800 mm, the length of the entire car is 8400 mm.
The all-wheel drive Shacman dump truck receives approximately the same data. Its technical characteristics differ only in one detail. It has all 6 driving wheels and a switchable differential on one axle, thanks to this it has increased cross-country ability and maneuverability.
But the version of a heavy dump truck on 4 axles is worth considering in detail. 4 axles mean a larger body and load capacity.
Here are the parameters of the Shacman 8x4 375 version, which has a load capacity of 40,000 kg:
- engine capacity - 9.7 l;
- power - 375 hp;
- fuel consumption - 38l/100 km;
- Gearbox - manual, 9 speeds;
- truck weight - 18600 kg;
- body height (on the sides) - 1500 mm, in the cabin - 3300 mm;
- body width - 2300 mm; total - 2490 mm;
- length of the body is 7800 mm, the length of the entire car is 10800 mm.
The four-axle vehicle has almost the same parameters as its lighter counterparts, with the exception of three: body length, load capacity and dead weight.
Differences between “white” and “gray” Shaanxi (Shacman) cars
Export version (for Russia) of the Shaanxi (Shacman) 6x4 dump truck:
- The cabin of the Shaanxi (Shacman) truck, in the export version for Russia, is yellow.
- Upon external inspection, there should be no incomprehensible hieroglyphs on the cabin and on the spoiler. There should be inscriptions on the hood.
- The engine in Shaanxi (Shacman) cars officially supplied from the Shaanxi plant to Russia is installed with WP10. 336N with a power of 336 hp. To date, this engine is the best result of design research by the WEICHAI POWER engine-building corporation. Any changes in the WP10 engine markings. 340NE32 involves selling you an unfinished engine at the cost of a real one. Suppliers of left-handed Euro-2 class cars have been especially successful in this. It should be noted that there is a significant difference in the performance properties of engines of Euro-3 and Euro-2 classes - fuel consumption with an Evro-3 engine (WP10. 336N) is 30% less than with an Evro-2 engine.
- The dump truck transmission must have a plate marked 12JS160TA, which is located on the front top of the transmission. You may come across gearboxes marked 10JS..... (not synchronized), 12JSD..... - these gearboxes are installed on Shaanxi (Shacman) dump trucks produced for the domestic market of China. There are also gearboxes 12JS160T at the end of the marking there is no letter A - they belong to the “slow” type of gearboxes that do not allow the dump truck to reach a speed of more than 70 km/h.
- Currently, the export configuration includes 13-ton axles with a gear ratio of 5.73. The plate is located at the top, to the right in the direction of travel, on the bridge stocking. From 2013, Shaanxi (Shacman) dump trucks will be supplied with sixteen-ton axles, and the supply of spare parts for them is planned for the same time. Thirteen-ton and sixteen-ton balancing trolleys are easily distinguished upon external inspection; for 13-ton, the springs are fastened with two stepladders, and for 16-ton - with four stepladders.
- SHACMAN trucks officially imported into Russia and sold through a network of certified SHACMAN dealers are equipped with batteries with a capacity of 180 Ah. Counterfeit dump trucks are often equipped with 135 Ah batteries, which differ in size from 180 Ah. The starter and generator of such trucks are structurally designed for lower voltage. Therefore, when purchasing such a “car”, be prepared for troubles and problems during operation, especially in winter. And you can also forget about such functions of the dump truck as filter heating, electric heating of the fuel intake in the tank and others... And the most important thing is that it is very difficult to find spare parts in the event of a breakdown.
- The climate in Russia and China is different, so there are differences in the insulation of cabins. In cabins for the Chinese domestic market or insulation may be missing.
- It is also necessary to explain a little about the situation associated with such a value as the total (max) weight of the vehicle. On the SHACMAN nameplate, located on the right footrest of the car (on the passenger side), it is indicated as 25,000 kg, and the curb weight of the car is 14,315 kg. Thus, the weight of cargo transported on public roads should not exceed 10.685 kg (10.5 tons). But if we add up the technically permissible loads on the axles (indicated on the nameplates attached to the corresponding bridge): the front axle is 7.5 tons, the middle axle with the rear axle is 13 tons each, then we get a limit on the permissible vehicle weight of 33.5 tons, respectively, the weight of the transported cargo - 19 tons.
In accordance with the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 706 of September 10, 2010, FOR TRUCKS OF ALL BRANDS, the maximum possible weight of three-axle vehicles traveling on the roads of the Russian Federation is set to 25 tons. So, the 25 tons indicated in the PTS of SHACMAN vehicles officially imported into Russia are only compliance with the law.
Reviews
What do people say about the Shacman dump truck? Feedback from the owners can be described in one phrase: “If you have a real export Chinese Shakman, then there will be no problems with it.” But if you ask them to name the differences between an Asian car and a Russian one, few will answer. Most will mention hieroglyphs, their presence or absence, and a couple of other little things.
Repairers know a few more points, but since the car does not reach them immediately after purchase. Let's list a few points that a service technician will pay attention to when looking at the Shacman dump truck. Reviews from the masters note the following:
- hieroglyphs: there are none on the export vehicle;
- color: official cars are only available in yellow;
- batteries: Russian delivery includes a pair of 180 Ah batteries;
- insulation: the Chinese version, of course, does not have it.
The list goes on. An experienced repairman will also notice the frame, engine and gearbox markings, and much more.
