Robur (truck)

Robur LO / LD
Manufacturer:	VEB Robur-Werke Zittau
Production period:	1961-1991
Previous model:	Garant 30K / Garant 32
Successor:	none

Robur was the name for a truck series of the Zittauer Robur-Werke , which was manufactured from 1961 to 1991. With a payload of 1.8 to 3.0 tons, the Robur was located in the vehicle construction of the GDR above the Barkas B 1000 and below the W50 . Depending on the engine and chassis, the model name returned from the words: L uftgekühlter and O ttomotor or D ieselmotor, the payload in kilograms, and, where appropriate, the letter A for A llradantrieb. In addition to the all-wheel drive option, air cooling is one of the technical features of the Robur. The Robur was built in several model generations that do not differ significantly in appearance or technology. In the course of the turnaround and subsequent dissolution of the Robur works, production was ended in 1991.

Robur LO / LD 2500 and 1800 A

Robur
Robur LO 2500 bus
LO / LD 2500 (A) / LO / LD 2501 (A)
Manufacturer:	Robur
Production period:	1961-1973
Previous model:	Phenomenon granite 30K
Successor:	Robur LO 3000
Technical specifications
Designs:	Flatbed trucks , box vans , omnibuses, etc. a. m.
Engines:	4-cylinder petrol or diesel engine
Power:	52 kW
Payload:	Platform: 2.5 t
Perm. Total weight:	Platform: 5.2 t

The vehicle was presented at the Leipzig spring fair in 1961 as the Robur LO 2500 flatbed truck with a payload of 2.5 t as the successor to the Robur Garant 30K . The LO 2500 was presented as a touring bus as early as 1957. The front-wheel drive truck was equipped with the air-cooled gasoline engine with carburettor of its predecessor, the output of which had been increased to 70 hp (55 kW), but fuel consumption also increased considerably to over 20 l / 100 km on the road. The LO 1800 A was created as an all-wheel drive variant with a 1.8 t payload , and the LO 2500 A with 2.5 t payload and all-wheel drive was also produced.

When it was first introduced in 1961, the LO 2500 generated a divided echo. Requests were made for an increase in the payload to 3 tons and for a further increase in engine performance in order to be able to follow international development trends. An assessment by the Office for Material and Goods Testing in 1963 was also very cautious. In addition to the relatively low payload, the brakes tending to lock, the sluggish steering, the non-speed-fixed engine with high fuel consumption, the rear-hinged doors and much more were criticized . The design of the cab was criticized as too bulky. In addition, compromises have been made in the chassis design in order to be able to realize the desired extensive variety of variants including all-wheel drive versions. In the test report of the office, the background noise of the air-cooled Robur, which is considerable even for a truck, is noticeable; it was 94.5 dB for a flatbed truck at 60 km / h on the motorway.

Nevertheless, the Robur was a contemporary 2.5-tonner at the start of production, as a comparison with the Borgward B 622 showed. With its structural design for all-wheel drive, the undemanding air cooling and the optionally available gasoline or diesel engines, the Robur offered an independent, versatile concept that was also valued in subtropical countries. Contracts for an export volume of more than DM 53 million were signed as early as 1961 at the Leipzig Trade Fair.

Facelift

The diesel engine announced in 1959 was available from 1964, but was removed from the range in 1968. The bus was revised in 1964, from then on was 160 kg lighter, had changed seats, an improved heating and ventilation system, and an interior height that was increased to 183 cm. The year 1966 marked a high point in Robur production with 7,000 trucks manufactured, 4,500 of which were exported. Like most vehicle manufacturers in the GDR, however, the Robur factories were increasingly neglected in the course of the 1960s, which is why production capacities were no longer expanded and the further developments required at the start of series production could only be implemented to a very limited extent. Improvements in details led to the types LO 2501 and LO 1801 A in 1968 , externally recognizable by the modified radiator grille without type lettering.

Superstructures

In the beginning, the Robur LO 2500 was mainly built as a flatbed truck alongside the omnibus, followed in 1962 by a version with a box body. The rear panel of the subsequent panel van was redesigned in 1964, which increased the loading opening. Numerous variants were produced, including multi-purpose vehicles for meat, bakery and fish sales. There was also a structure with a turntable ladder.

all wheel drive

The variant with all-wheel drive was initially called the LO 1800 A and was only supplied with the gasoline engine. The vehicle was mainly used in the NVA and the fire brigade . With an empty weight of 3200 kg, the payload in the version as a platform vehicle is 1800 kg, the maximum speed is 82 km / h. The LF-LKW-TS 8 fire-fighting vehicle was equipped with a STA / ST hose transport trailer with a 675 m pressure hose. This structure was manufactured by the VEB fire extinguisher factory in Görlitz. From 1968 the slightly revised 1801 A was produced, which can be clearly recognized from the outside by the modified radiator grille. Another version with all-wheel drive was the LO 2500 A , which was used as a construction and interference suppression vehicle.

Motor data

designation	LO4 4VO11.8 / 9.5SRL	LO4 / 1 4VO11.8 / 9.5-1SRL	4VD12.5 / 10SRL
Working method	Otto	Otto	Diesel (swirl chamber)
Number of cylinders	4, row	4, row	4, row
cooling	fan	fan	fan
Hub	118 mm	118 mm	125 mm
drilling	95 mm	95 mm	100 mm
Stroke volume	3345 cc	3345 cc	3927 cc
Compression ratio	6: 1	6: 1	20: 1
power	51.5 kW (70 hp)	51.5 kW (70 hp)	51.5 kW (70 hp)
at 1 / min	2800	2800	2600
Max. Torque	220 Nm	220 Nm	215 Nm
at 1 / min	1900	1900	1600
transmission	5 courses	5 courses	5 courses
Fuel consumption (l / 100 km)	18 (standard consumption) 23 - 26 (road consumption )	o.A.	13 (standard consumption) 17 - 20 (road consumption )
Serial production	1961-1967	1967-1973	1964-1973

Dimensions

	Wooden platform (1963)
overall length	6090 mm
Overall width	2350 mm
wheelbase	3025 mm
Gauge	front: 1585 mm, rear: 1525 mm
Empty mass	2725 kg
payload	2500 kg
Total mass	5200 kg
speed limit	85 km / h
effective top speed	98 km / h

Robur LO / LD 3000 and 2002 A

Robur
Robur LO 3000 platform
LO / LD 3000 / LO / LD 3001
Manufacturer:	Robur
Production period:	1973-1990
Previous model:	Robur LO / LD 2500
Successor:	Robur LD 3004
Technical specifications
Designs:	Flatbed trucks , box vans , omnibuses, etc. a. m.
Engines:	4-cylinder petrol or diesel engine
Power:	55 kW
Payload:	Platform: 3.0 t

From 1973 the LO 3000 represented an improved version of the previous LO 2500 with an increased payload of 3 tons. It was the basis for a large number of special designs . The all-wheel drive variant, which was now offered as the LO 2002 A , also experienced an increase in payload . The previous diesel engine, which was produced in parallel to the gasoline engine, was no longer available for the LO 3000. A diesel (Type 4 KVD 12.5 SRL ) was only available again from autumn 1982 . Other changes compared to the predecessor included performance-enhanced engines, recirculating ball steering and an improved braking system.

Between 1972 and 1979, new vehicles with new cabs were developed under the designation O611 / D609 parallel to the Ludwigsfelder L 60 . The overall economic problems of the GDR and decisions of the political leadership led to the abandonment of this project in 1980. Thereupon model maintenance was operated. Further developments of the LD / LO 3000 series in the 1980s were aimed in particular at increasing the service life of the individual assemblies and raising them to the internationally common level. This included changes to the brakes, chassis and underride protection . These changes, some of which also affected the all-wheel drive LD / LO 2202 A , led to the models LD 3001 and LD 3002 , externally recognizable mainly by the smaller wheels (which made loading easier) and the enlarged track width . The carburettor-equipped LO variants lost their importance in the course of the 1980s.

The type designation LD 3001 had already been given in 1978/1979 - for an assembly project in Indonesia. These trucks were to have right-hand drive and Deutz FL916 diesel engines.

The plan was to convert the combustion process of the diesel engine 4 VD 12.5 / 10-6 SRL to direct injection for the LD 3003 in 1990/91 . The political change in the GDR came before that. About a year after reunification, Robur was still producing around 350 vehicles with the air-cooled Deutz diesel engine KHD F4L912F under the names LD 3004 and LD 2004WD . Externally, the LD 3004 can be recognized by the vehicle front, which has been heavily modified using a plastic mask, and the Deutz Diesel logo on the door.

In 1996 a Rostock company tried to export almost 1,300 demilitarized Robur trucks to North Korea . At the urging of South Korean authorities, the Federal Ministry of Economics forbade him to export the goods after a first partial delivery.

Superstructures

The vehicles were produced for different purposes with different wheelbases, tires and bodies, from the rolling pharmacy to the tipper . In general, a distinction can be made between:

Rear axle drive vehicles

• forward engine
  • Bus (B21): LD 3001 FR M2 / B21
• normal engine position
  • Refrigerated box
  • Lightweight case
  • Cot
  • Multi-purpose vehicle: LO 3002 Fr M5 / MZ 11

• 

  Robur bus

• 

  Robur multi-purpose trolley

• 

  Robur panel van

• 

  Robur O611 / D609, prototypes 1975

• 

  Robur LO 3000 with turntable ladder

• 

  Robur LD 3004

All-wheel drive versions

The all-wheel drive version LO 2002 was mainly used in the NVA and the fire brigade in the form of the LF-Lkw-TS 8-STA type and was also mainly equipped with a gasoline engine in the 1980s. As a multi-purpose bus, the vehicle was also equipped with a diesel engine and thus as LD 2002 A designated. There was also the 2202 A with an increased payload. According to prospectus material, some versions were called "SAFARI" and were intended solely for export. However, it is not clear whether these were actually produced to a relevant extent.

• 

  Army bunk of the NVA

• 

  Fire-fighting train LF-Lkw-TS 8-STA

• 

  Special structure of the DRK in 2009

Air-cooled Otto engine LO

designation	LO 4/2 4VO11.8 / 9.5-2SRL
Working method	Otto
Number of cylinders	4, row
Hub	118 mm
drilling	95 mm
Stroke volume	3345 cc
Compression ratio	6.4: 1
power	55.2 kW (75 PS)
at 1 / min	2800
Max. Torque	226 Nm
at 1 / min	1900
Fuel consumption (l / 100 km)
Serial production	1973-1990

Air-cooled diesel engine LD

The type lettering and the rear silencer of the exhaust provide an indication of a diesel engine. After the experience of the oil price crises , the diesel engine was preferred for the civil market, while the gasoline engine was only available for special requirements. During this time, the conversion of the older LO vehicles with diesel engines was advanced.

designation	4VD12.5 / 10-3SRL	4VD12.5 / 10-4SRL	4VD12.5 / 10-6SRL	DEUTZ Diesel KHD F4L912F
Working method	Diesel (swirl chamber)	Diesel (swirl chamber)	Diesel (direct injection)	Diesel (direct injection)
Number of cylinders	4, row	4, row	4, row	4, row
Hub	125 mm	125 mm	125 mm	125 mm
drilling	100 mm	100 mm	100 mm	102 mm
Stroke volume	3927 cc	3927 cc	3927 cc	4086 cc
Compression ratio	20: 1	o.A.	o.A.	o.A.
power	50 kW (68 hp)	50 kW (68 hp)	57 kW (77 hp)	54 kW (73 hp)
at 1 / min	2600	2600	2600	2500
Max. Torque	215 Nm	215 Nm	240 Nm	237 Nm
at 1 / min	1600	1800	1800	1550
Fuel consumption (l / 100 km)	o.A.	o.A.	o.A.	o.A.
Serial production	from 1982	from 1986	canceled	from 1991 (purchase)

Timeline

Timeline of Robur (truck) models from 1955 to 1991
1950s										1960s										1970s										1980s										1990s
0	1	2	3	4th	5	6th	7th	8th	9	0	1	2	3	4th	5	6th	7th	8th	9	0	1	2	3	4th	5	6th	7th	8th	9	0	1	2	3	4th	5	6th	7th	8th	9	0	1	2	3	4th	5	6th	7th	8th	9
										LO 2500
														LD 2500
											LO 1800 A
																		LO 2501
																		LD 2501
																		LO 1801 A
																							LO 3000
																							LO 2002 A
																																LD 3000
																																LD 2002 A
																																		LO 3001
																																			LD 3001
																																								LD 3004

literature

• Christian Suhr: Type compass GDR trucks 1945–1990. Motorbuch Verlag, 2005, ISBN 978-3-613-02535-6 , pp. 81-82.
• Frank-Hartmut Jäger: IFA phenomenon and Robur in Zittau. The history of fire engines on granite, Garant and LO. Fire Brigade Archive. Verlag Technik, Berlin 2001, ISBN 3-341-01322-9 .
• Hartmut Pfeffer: Phenomenon / Robur. History of a motor vehicle factory and documentation of its products 1888–1991. Volume 1: 1888 to 1945. Thon, Schwerin 2002, ISBN 3-928820-35-4 .

Web links

Commons : Robur  - collection of images, videos and audio files

• Robur.de - a homage to the ELLO

Individual evidence

1. ↑ New Travel bus from Zittau. In: Motor vehicle technology 6/1957, p. 225.
2. ↑ Robur forward control truck LO 2500. In: Motor vehicle technology 7/1963, pp. 265–267.
3. ↑ More details of the Robur forward control . In: Motor Vehicle Technology 9/1961, pp. 374–379.
4. ↑ The new Robur . In: Motor vehicle technology 06/1961, pp. 252-253.
5. ↑ automotive technology 12/1959, pp 492-493.
6. ↑ From the Leipzig spring fair. In: Motor Vehicle Technology 4/1964, pp. 124–125.
7. ↑ Improved superstructures from the Halle body shop. In: Motor vehicle technology 3/1964, p. 108.
8. ↑ New box body at Robur. In: Motor Vehicle Technology 8/1962, pp. 347–348.
9. ↑ Improved superstructures from the Halle body shop. In: Motor vehicle technology 3/1964, p. 108.
10. ↑ Trucks and air-cooled combustion engines from Zittau. In: Motor Vehicle Technology 10/1964, pp. 374–378.
11. ↑ Robur fire engine. In: Motor vehicle technology 1/1964, p. 36.
12. ↑ Trucks and air-cooled combustion engines from Zittau. In: Motor Vehicle Technology 10/1964, pp. 374–378.
13. ↑ VEB ROBUR-Werke Zittau: ROBUR Frontlenker LO 2500 and LD 2500 promotional brochure., 1961
14. ↑ VEB ROBUR-Werke Zittau: Robur LO / LD 2500 promotional brochure., 1967
15. ↑ VEB ROBUR-Werke Zittau: ROBUR Frontlenker LO 2500 and LD 2500 promotional brochure., 1961
16. ↑ ^{a b} IFA - Tractors and Vehicles , 1964
17. ↑ Robur forward control truck LO 2500. In: Motor vehicle technology 7/1963, pp. 265–267.
18. ^ The VEB Robur-Werke Zittau. In: robur.de. Retrieved June 14, 2015 . 
19. ↑ Hartmut Pfeffer: IFA-ROBUR 4 VD 12.5 / 10-6 SRL - diesel engine with direct injection. In: Motor Vehicle Technology 9/1989, pp. 266–267.
20. ↑ ROBUR-Werke GmbH: Robur LD 3004 promotional brochure., 1991
21. ↑ Andreas Förster: How an East German entrepreneur sold old GDR trucks to North Korea until the Chancellor forbade him: The deal with Pyongyang collapsed. In: Berliner Zeitung . August 19, 1996, accessed November 27, 2015 . 
22. ↑ VEB ROBUR-Werke Zittau: ROBUR LO 3000. advertising brochure., 1971
23. ↑ Hartmut Pfeffer: Information on conversion guidelines for Robur vehicles. In: Motor vehicle technology 11/1984, p. 347.
24. ↑ VEB ROBUR-Werke Zittau: ROBUR special vehicle LO 2002A / 2202A and LD 2002A / 2202A. Advertising brochure, 1985.
25. ↑ Hartmut Pfeffer: IFA-ROBUR 4 VD 12.5 / 10-6 SRL - diesel engine with direct injection. In: Motor Vehicle Technology 9/1989, pp. 266–267.
26. ↑ ROBUR-Werke GmbH: Robur LD 3004 promotional brochure., 1991
27. ↑ Hartmut Pfeffer: Phenomenon / Robur. History of a motor vehicle factory and documentation of its products 1888–1991. Volume 2: 1945 to 1991. Thon, Schwerin 2002.