Wheel tractor MAZ-538: description, specifications, purpose and history of creation

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:41

Unique car MAZ-538; This is a two-axle wheeled heavy tractor with all-wheel drive. It is used for transportation and operation of various types of attachments with passive working elements (PKT, BKT). Back in July 1954, in pursuance of the decree of the Council of Ministers of the USSR, a separate design bureau was created in Minsk by order of the director of the plant. The main task of the group headed by B. L. Shaposhnik was the development of multi-axle heavy tractors with all-wheel drive. This date can be called the starting point, although the KB did not have its own secret production until 1959.

History of Creation

The starting model in this project was a MAZ vehicle under the index 528. It resembled a tractor, became the progenitor of the wheel series under the number 538. A heavy vehicle with a 4x4 wheel formula took root for a long time and gained popularity in the units of the USSR Armed Forces.

After the release of the order of the Engineering Directorate of the Ministry of Defense, the development of tractors began in SKB-1. The project was headed by V. E. Chvyalev. Particular attention was paid to the ability of the equipment to work with various interchangeable attachments,additionally providing towing trailers. The first tests of two copies with bulldozer equipment took place in 1963 near Grodno. MAZ vehicles passed the test with excellent marks, after which they passed additional technical exams, and then were recommended for serial production. In the same period, the relevant documentation was transferred to Kurgan.

Adoption

In 1964, the MAZ-538 was put into service with the serial designation IKT-S (engineering medium tractor with wheels). Immediately began its industrial development. The Kurgan prototypes were no different from the Minsk counterparts. They soon became the basis for a whole line of self-propelled bulldozers and road construction equipment, including tracklayers and trenchers.

A diesel power plant was installed in the front part of the spar frame of the riveted-welded configuration. The four-stroke tank engine D 12A-375A had a power of 375 horsepower and was aggregated with a hydromechanical transmission and a lock-up transformer, a three-mode gearbox, a transfer case with the ability to deactivate the front steering axle.

Working principle

Torque is transmitted by an additional gearbox through a pair of hydraulic pumps that power the power steering. In addition, four categories of parts for attachments are involved.

The MAZ-538 winch was driven by power take-off from the box. In the transmission unit alsoa reverse device is provided, which is responsible for moving in the same range of speed and effort in the front and rear directions, without turning around.

As a rule, one driver-mechanic controlled the operation of all elements of the tractor. He could use two adjustable chairs, which were placed close to each other, turned in different directions. Also, a reversible steering wheel, a pair of dashboards, a two-way instrument arrangement system helped in the work. Elements were placed in the rear and front of the steam all-metal cab with all-round visibility.

About the workplace

It was equipped with a two-section windshield and a fixed type rear window (with wipers). Also in the cab there was an electric heating, visors to protect from sunlight, door hinged glass elements. To protect parts, covers are provided that cover non-operated controls. The interior was heated from the engine cooling system; a filtration unit was located in a special hermetic compartment, which ensured the creation of excessive internal pressure.

Another design feature of the tractor is the type of suspension. This unit is balanced on transverse levers, equipped with hydropneumatic elastic parts, while the rear wheels are rigidly fixed to the frame. The dual-circuit brakes had planetary gears on all axles and a pneumohydraulic system.

Other technical characteristics of MAZ-538

The following are the main parameters of the tractor:

• Dimensions - 5, 87/3, 12/3, 1 m.
• Curb/full weight – 16.5/19.5 t.
• Ground clearance - 48 cm.
• Wheel base – 3.0 m.
• Electrical - 24V shielded equipment.
• Additional equipment - four regular floodlights on the cab, front and rear hitches.

The speed of the considered machine of the USSR on the highway reached 45 km/h, climbs over steepness - up to 30 degrees, fords - up to 1.2 meters deep. The average fuel consumption was about 100 l / 100 km, the cruising range was from 500 to 800 km, depending on operational features. Fuel was placed in a pair of tanks with a capacity of 240 liters.

Modifications

In 1965, Kurgan engineers developed an elongated version of the MAZ-538. It was an engineering tractor with an extended wheelbase (up to 4.2 m) of the KZKT-538 DP type. Such a design feature made it possible to equip the equipment with more powerful equipment installed on the front and rear hitch.

The curb weight of the car has grown to 18 tons, length - up to 6.98 m. The main parameters and general arrangement, including the type of gearbox, have remained unchanged. Minor work was done to reconstruct the layout of auxiliary devices, and another operator was included in the crew to service mounted units of opposite placement.

In the early 80s, the second version of 538DK appeared. In this version, the developers have providedan additional power take-off unit and cardan shafts that serve to activate the working bodies of the TMK-2 trench machine installed at the rear of the equipment.

A hydraulic speed reducer was included in the transmission unit, which makes it possible to adjust the operating speed within 0, 25-45 km / h. Some modifications received a pressurized cabin and a repetitive pneumatic system for starting the power plant. Attempts were made to create their own two-axle tractor with a 525 horsepower engine (type D-12), but they were unsuccessful. Serial production of models of the 538th series at KZKT lasted almost 40 years (until the beginning of the 90s).

Assignment of MAZ-538

Initially, two types of special engineering equipment with passive working elements were created for mounting on the rear hitch of a tractor:

1. PKT track-laying machine with a plow-type blade of a variable configuration.
2. Multi Purpose Dozer Tractor (MTD) with standard straight blade.

In the future, more modern attachments were installed on improved analogues, including a trench machine with a front blade and a rear rotary attachment. Such machines in the USSR were adopted by sapper, engineering and tank units. In limited quantities, equipment entered the armies of some countries of the socialist camp.

TUC

Multi-purpose bulldozer on the MAZ-538 chassis was used for tearing pits, trenches, communications, clearing large territorial areas, and carrying out other earthmoving operationson different types of soils.

The working element of the unit was a straight blade with rear placement (width - 3300 mm). The productivity of the BKT varied from 60 to 100 cubic meters per hour. With a curb weight of 17.6 tons, the equipment was able to function on slopes of 25 degrees. On a modified chassis from KZKT, a modernized bulldozer of the BKT-RK2 type was installed. It was equipped with a front blade, a traction winch, a swivel type rear ripper with five teeth, which allows you to work effectively on the most difficult soils. The performance limit rose to 120 cubic meters per hour. Power reserve - about 800 km.

PKT

The track-laying wheeled tractor at the 538th base was used for its intended purpose, as well as in the construction, repair, clearing, road leveling and for general construction and earthmoving work. Unlike BKT, this machine was equipped with a plow blade with three sections. The compartments were adjusted hydraulically, the type of fastening on the middle part was articulated.

A steel limiter in the form of a ski was mounted in front or behind the blade, which allows limiting the level of penetration into the ground and unloading the linkage hydraulic cylinders. The internal technical part, including the type of gearbox (planetary three-stage unit), has remained virtually unchanged. The gripping width of the working body varied from 3200 to 3800 mm, the maximum productivity - up to 10 kilometers per hour, for earthmoving manipulations - up to 80 cubic meters. Curb weight - 19,4 t.

On the basis of 538DP, the design of an improved PKT-2 track-laying machine was installed, which cleared the area of various vegetation, including stumps and trees with a diameter of up to 250 millimeters. Its maximum capacity reached 160 cubic meters per hour, and its weight increased to 23 tons.

TMK-2

Rotor-type wheeled trench equipment based on the 538DK heavy tractor had a duplicate motor starting scheme, was intended for tearing trenches, ditches and communication passages up to one and a half meters deep, 0.9 to 1.5 m wide. with a thrower for ejecting the cultivated soil in two directions, it was mounted on a powerful frame in the form of a parallelogram. Additionally, the equipment was equipped with lifting hydraulic cylinders and a chassis power take-off.

Quick Features:

• Curb weight - 27.2 t.
• Dimensions with equipment - 9, 74/3, 33/4, 17 m.
• The range of performance parameters is from 80 to 400 m/h.
• Working slope of rise and roll - 12/8 degrees.
• Suspension type - multi-link with fixed rear wheels.
• Average fuel consumption is 50 l/100 km.
• Power reserve - 500 km.
• Transformation from transport state to working position - three minutes.

Summarize

Soviet vehicles based on the MAZ-538 heavy tractor are two-axle universal vehicles,focused on the operation of various types of attachments, as well as towing trailers weighing up to 30 tons. The design features of the car include a wide range of speeds, the presence of a reverse, the average placement of the cab and partial duplication of controls. This made it possible to perform the required work both in reverse and forward. Tractors have been actively and effectively used primarily for military needs for several decades.