MAZ-538

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MAZ
MAZ-538, here the version as a dozer PKT
MAZ-538, here the version as a dozer PKT
MAZ-538
Manufacturer: Minsky Avtomobilny Zavod
Production period: 1954 – early 1990s
Previous model: none
Successor: none
Technical specifications
Designs: Wheel dozers, other earthmoving machines
Engines: V12 diesel engine
type D12A-375
Power: 276 kW
Payload: approx. 2 t
Perm. Total weight: approx. 20 t

The MAZ-538 ( Russian МАЗ-538 ) is a heavy wheeled dozer that was designed and built for the Soviet armed forces in the Minsky Avtomobilny Sawod from the 1950s . It was preceded by the prototype MAZ-528 . In the course of the decades various modifications were made, some of which are still used today. Production was stopped in the early 1990s.

history

Front (when driving on the road) of the same vehicle (2016)
Rear view during road operation or front during earthworks (2016)

As early as 1955, a number of prototypes of a heavy wheeled dozer were built and tested, which at that time were still under the designation MAZ-528. When exactly the name MAZ-538 was used is not clear, nor are any reasons known. It is known that the machines were manufactured in series from 1964 under the name MAZ-538.

Production of different versions of the vehicle began as early as 1965. In contrast to the prototypes and the first models, this sometimes happened outside of the MAZ factory at armaments companies that were still secret (or even officially non-existent) such as MZKT or KZKT . Various variants were produced up until the 1990s, often called instead of MAZ-538 with a three-digit letter combination such as BKT ( Russian БКТ ) or PKT ( Russian ПКТ ). The KT stands for wheeled tractor ( Russian колесный тягач ), the first letter for the specific purpose of use depending on the equipment.

The different variants found a relatively large distribution in the Soviet military as well as in the successor republics. Some copies are now exhibited in museums or are still used for civil purposes.

description

The vehicle stands on four equally sized wheels with low pressure tires. It has two steering wheels and two driver seats in opposite directions: one for on-road use and one for off-road work. The rear wheels in off-road operation, similar to those of a forklift, are steered. In the early models, the sliding shield was designed in a characteristic V-shape with a rounded tip (gradually replaced by flat shields). Later they started installing additional or different devices, for example pulling devices, rippers to loosen the subsoil or large milling machines for digging trenches. In some cases, sliding signs were also installed against the main working direction in the terrain, so they were in front when driving on the road. Depending on the version, the machine was operated by one or two people.

A V-12 diesel engine of the type D12A-375 , which was originally designed for tanks during the Second World War, drives the machine and the ancillary units such as milling . From a displacement of almost 39 liters, it generates 375 hp. In the course of the production history there have been attempts to install the same engine in a performance-enhanced version with 525 hp, which for unknown reasons did not prove itself and was not pursued further. All variants were equipped with all-wheel drive and specially designed for durability.

Over time, there was a tendency to make the machines bigger and heavier. In 1965, for example, the wheelbase of the KZKT-538DP ( Russian: КЗКТ-538ДП ) was lengthened by more than one meter, and the curb weight of later models was increased by almost 10 tons. The possible hourly output has also been increased. While the earlier machines, depending on their structure, were designed to move 60 to 100 m³ of earth per hour, the last generation was designed for up to 160 m³ per hour.

Technical specifications

For the basic version MAZ-538.

  • Engine: V-12 diesel engine
  • Engine type: D12A-375
  • Displacement: 38.88 l
  • Power: 276 kW (375 PS)
  • Drive formula : (4 × 4)
  • Fuel consumption: approx. 100 l / 100 km
  • Fuel supply: 2 × 240 l
  • Top speed: 45 km / h
  • Voltage of the electrical system: 24 V.

Dimensions and weights

  • Length: 5870 mm
  • Height: 3120 mm
  • Width: 3100 mm
  • Wheelbase: 3000 mm (later extended to 4200 mm)
  • Ground clearance: 480 mm
  • Track width: 2520 mm
  • Empty weight: 16.5 tons
  • Permissible total weight: up to 19.5 tons

Web links

Commons : MAZ-538  - Collection of Images