KamAZ-4308: photo, specifications, owner reviews

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

The beginning of the 2000s was marked by a significant crisis in the automotive industry throughout Russia. It was at this time that the Likhachev plant sharply reduced the production of medium-duty trucks. This led to the formation of a colossal niche that industrialists from the Kama Automobile Plant were able to occupy. They also own the development of the promising KamAZ-4308. We will talk about this unique brainchild of the Kamovites in as much detail as possible in the article.

Historical digression

At that time, the idea of producing a new truck was very, very risky, and therefore the machine builders made every effort to minimize the cost of creating a new model, because the probability of going bankrupt in case of failure was very high. The vast majority of truck components were unified with the main line, however, it was not possible to fully adapt all the details due to the impressive difference in dimensions. In 2003, KamAZ-4308 appeared on mass sale and almost immediately gained wide popularity, because thanks to its parameters it perfectly suited the ever-tightening requirements of traffic rules and regulations in big cities. And in general, medium-duty trucks have always been held in high esteem.

Appearance

KamAZ-4308 is a new model of a well-known Russian brand, featuring the lowest possible dead weight for such a design. At the same time, the truck has a rather nice appearance, although it causes somewhat ambivalent feelings for the average user. The cab of the car is borrowed from its "relatives" of the 1970s, although it has undergone refinement and acquired a more original look. She received a one-piece windshield, a high roof, upgraded optics, and a streamlined front bumper. However, the features of the predecessors were also preserved - small headlights, door handles and side windows. Head lighting is located on the sides of the radiator grille. In addition, the cabin of KamAZ-4308 is one of the best in the line of this car. It is worth noting that the number of elements subject to the negative effects of corrosion has significantly decreased. To the disappointment of many consumers, the manufacturer does not yet perform galvanization of the cabin, and this is definitely a big minus. By prior order of the buyer, a cabin option with one berth is available. The suspension of the "head" of the car is mounted on four elliptical springs, which dampen well all the vibrations that arise from road irregularities during the ride. The upholstery of the cabin is one-piece molded, and the dashboard in the latest versions is made of plastic, and not of steel, as it was before. Devices left almost all arrows. The driver's seat has many settings andequipped with air suspension, so that it is convenient for a person to adjust it to their personal dimensions.

Scope of application

KAMAZ-4308 is used in many sectors of the modern national economy. Many types of add-ons are available for this model, but it is the onboard platform that has gained the most popularity. With its help, you can transport a variety of goods weighing no more than twelve tons. In addition, on the chassis there is the possibility of installing special equipment used in the municipal economy. Also, the car can be operated as part of a road train. The truck is great for transportation on international routes and can transport batches of various goods between warehouses located within major cities.

Technical parameters

Manufacturers made KAMAZ-4308 with fairly compact linear dimensions and a four-by-two wheel arrangement. The dimensions of the truck are as follows:

• length - 7.2 meters;
• width - 2.5 meters;
• height - 2.33 meters;
• turning radius (minimum) - 8.5 meters;
• curb weight - 5850 kilograms;
• gross weight - 11.5 tons;
• fuel pump - manufacturer Bosch;
• turbo and intercooler available.

The car is able to overcome a slope angle of 25%. The maximum possible speed of movement of the car does not exceed 105 kilometers per hour. At the same time, fuel consumption is very small and fluctuates within14-16 liters for every 100 kilometers traveled. However, in the case of a full load and a negative ambient temperature, this figure will already be equal to 23-24 liters. The truck can work autonomously for quite a long time, since its fuel tank capacity is 210 liters. KAMAZ-4308 uses pneumatic tires and disc wheels 245/70 R19, 5.

Power plant

The truck compares favorably with its competitors in that it has an exclusive engine. The development of the motor itself began back in 2001 in Naberezhnye Chelny. At that time, the plant was actively cooperating with the American industrial giant Cummins. It was the engineers from the USA who provided the Russians with a suitable motor for the car. Initially, the KamAZ-4308 engine had a capacity of 140 horsepower and a volume of 3.9 liters, which complied with Euro-2 standards. But over time, the car received a motor in two versions - four-cylinder and six-cylinder. Each of these engine options is equipped with an electrically controlled common rail fuel system. By using a steel plate protecting the cylinder block at the bottom, a significant reduction in noise levels has been achieved. And the power plant itself is equipped with a four-valve cylinder head. The water pump and compressor drive are equipped with a V-ribbed belt with an automatic tensioner. A fan is installed on the front toe of the crankshaft, and this is the best option for cabover cars from a technical point of view. Fast and efficient engine warm-up guaranteedthe presence of a viscous coupling. Of the negative features of the motor, it is worth noting the rather frequent and annoying breakdown of starters for many drivers, but this gap has been eliminated on power plants in recent years. In addition, the increased vibration of the motor itself can be explained by the fact that it has excessively hard own pillows.

Truck device features

KamAZ-4308 is the first two-axle car of the brand, which has side members with a constant section in the frame. This innovation made it possible to produce several versions of the wheelbase. The suspension springs themselves are parabolic, small-leaf, having a small dead weight. In order to improve the running of the machine, their length is within two meters. The springs require periodic lubrication and are not difficult to repair. Special rubber elements mounted on the suspension brackets dampen the clang of the springs well during the car's trip without load over potholes and bumps.

In the already more modern versions of KamAZ, the running gear has been significantly improved and corrected. The car received an electronically controlled rear air suspension, which allows, at the request of the operator, to lower or raise the rear of the car within 100 millimeters.

Brake system

KamAZ-4308, the technical characteristics of which are given above, is equipped with pneumatically actuated brakes, the discs of which are well ventilated. The manufacturer of this assembly is Haldex.

Transmission and gearbox

Truck Clutch –single-disk pull-out design - supplied by the Sachs brand, which is the "daughter" of the most powerful concern from Germany ZF. In turn, the drive has not undergone any major changes. As for the gearbox, these days the car is equipped with a nine-speed ZF9S109 transmission, which is indispensable for using the truck as a road train. By the way, this gearbox is used by many European cars, largely because it has a fairly high margin of safety.

We will pay special attention to the drive axle of KamAZ-4308 (photo below). This medium-tonnage assembly is made in China, and therefore, of course, it is irrational to talk about its high quality. However, the design of the bridge has a unique hypoid gearbox, as well as locking center differentials, which significantly increase the vehicle's cross-country ability.

Benefits

The unequivocal positive qualities of KamAZ-4308, the characteristics of which guarantee it the opportunity to be among the leaders of the Russian automotive market, are:

• High load capacity.
• Low loading height, allowing you to unload and load goods (products) without any problems.
• The lowest possible cost of purchasing a machine and spare parts for it (especially when compared with foreign counterparts).
• Excellent ability to install various types of special equipment and superstructures, which undoubtedly allows you to significantly expand the scopetruck. In particular, the car is widely demanded by representatives of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Also, often the car can act as a tow truck or a manipulator.

Opinion of users

So, how good is KamAZ-4308 in practice? Owner reviews say that, in general, the car fully justifies the money invested in its purchase, but there is still a whole list of nuances that can be described as negative. Among them are:

• It's quite common for clutch rod adjustment to be misaligned, resulting in poor pedal response.
• The muffler is too rigid, causing the clamps to come off when vibration occurs during the trip.
• An electronic speedometer can often reduce the actual mileage.
• A car with a load climbs very badly, there can be no talk of any good acceleration.
• Causes criticism and painting the car. Many drivers note that corrosion quickly begins along the folds and joints.

Conclusion

Studying the KamAZ-4308 as a whole, the reviews of which are given above, we can conclude that the car has a stable demand in the consumer market and is a worthy competitor to its foreign counterparts. Trucks are able to operate for a long time and are distinguished by optimal maintainability, and the replacement of parts and assemblies can be carried out in a variety of climatic conditions, which is especially important for Russia with itsvast geography. At the same time, many repair and restoration works can be carried out on their own, without resorting to outside specialists, and this is also an additional savings in maintenance costs for a medium-duty vessel.