MAZ-5551: specifications, features and reviews

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

Belarus has always been famous for its powerful special equipment. But for some reason, many associate this country with Belaz. Although this is far from the only special equipment that is produced in Belarus. One of the largest manufacturers of commercial vehicles is MAZ. This enterprise produces a wide variety of equipment - from military to truck tractors. They also produce special equipment at MAZ. One of the most popular is the MAZ-5551 dump truck. The car began to be produced in the USSR. Its release is still ongoing. What is MAZ-5551? Specifications, photos and review - later in our article.

Appearance

This truck has replaced the MAZ 5549 dump truck. The main difference in appearance is the cab. The previous generation of dump trucks used a cab with rounded shapes. This MAZ was nicknamed "tadpole". Since the 85th year, a new MAZ-5551 has been released, which received the following appearance:

The cab has becomemore square. The windshield is now one-piece, without any partitions. The design and shape of the head optics have also been improved. Now it is located in an iron bumper. Turn signals and parking lights are combined together and are located on the black grille. A small step is provided in the bumper for manual cleaning of the glass. Since the cabin is high, it is simply impossible to climb onto the MAZ and wash the windshield without it. By the way, for the first time in this cabin, as many as three wipers were used. But judging by the reviews, they work inefficiently. Wipers do not capture the glass area well and after them there are many dirty areas. The door handle is still metal. It also has an integrated lock. For convenience of landing the footboard is provided. The body on the MAZ-5551 had a different cubic capacity depending on the modification (we will consider this a little later). But regardless of the type, the dump truck has always been equipped with a hydraulic drive. The large cylinder raised the platform to a fairly large angle.

Changes since 1995

In the mid-90s, the Minsk Automobile Plant finalized the cabin for the Belarusian dump truck. So, a larger radiator grille with a proud MAZ emblem appeared in front, and more “gills” were located on the sides to direct air flows. These elements are necessary so that dirt does not accumulate on the side of the cab when driving.

Under the influence of directed flows, the pona simply flew off the surface. Also changed the shape of the bumper. It was still made of metal, howeveroptics have become larger. Turn signals and parking lights also moved down. On some models, the dimensions are duplicated in the upper part of the cab. The windshield remains the same size. The number of rear-view mirrors has increased. This contributed to better visibility, reviews say.

Body and corrosion

How well is the body at MAZ protected from corrosion? Reviews say that the metal is very afraid of moisture. Under the paint, bugs and swellings form very quickly, which then develop into through holes. As noted by the reviews, the cabins of the first samples are painted with better quality. However, after the collapse of the USSR, the quality of painting and the metal itself deteriorated markedly. There are many instances whose cabins are rotten to the ground. Therefore, owners will have to regularly treat the metal with protective agents in order to prevent the further spread of corrosion. Remarkably, the frame and body rot less often. However, the thickness of the metal here is completely different.

Dimensions, clearance

MAZ-5551 is one of the most compact dump trucks in the line. So, its length is 5.99 meters, width - 2.55 (including mirrors), height - 3 meters at the cabin level. The wheelbase of the car is only 3.3 meters. But the ground clearance is considerable - almost 30 centimeters. It is possible to carry out any repair work in the absence of a lift and a viewing hole. Getting to the bridges, propeller shaft and other nodes is quite simple. Such a high ground clearance has a positive effect on patency. The machine can be operated without problems on roads without asph alt pavement, as well as on sandyarea.

Modifications

This truck model is offered in several modifications:

• 555102-220. This is a construction version of MAZ. The car is equipped with an all-metal platform with a rectangular section. The volume of the body is from 5.5 to 8 cubic meters. The maximum climb angle is 50 degrees.
• 555102-225. This is a MAZ farmer. The car has a rectangular body with a volume of 5.5 cubic meters. This volume can be expanded up to 7, 7 thanks to extension boards. The body, unlike the previous version, has three-way unloading. The maximum climb angle allowed is 47 degrees.

In the cockpit

Getting into the car is carried out thanks to several steps and metal handrails. Inside, the salon is ascetic, but in those years they did not pursue a newfangled design. The driver's workplace is organized simply and without frills. So, there is a large two-spoke steering wheel with height adjustment, as well as a flat seat without a headrest. According to reviews, driving MAZ feels tired after the first hours of work. The car is very noisy, the suspension hard work out bumps, the steering wheel always has to catch. Transfers are not switched on the first time. By the way, different types of boxes with different numbers of gears are installed on the truck. In order not to get confused, a special scheme is provided for the driver. MAZ-5551 has a sticker with information about which gear is in a particular position of the lever.

Instrument panel - completelyanalog, with a set of several buttons. They turn on with a characteristic click. Under the control lamps in MAZ, a separate row is displayed. All of them are in the upper part, above the dials. The pedal assembly is not very convenient, but you can get used to it. By the way, this MAZ uses two floor pedals. One is the brake, the other is the accelerator.

What pleases in the cockpit is the good visibility, which is achieved thanks to the captain's landing. However, additional mirrors for versions up to 95 would not hurt.

Unlike other trucks from the Belarusian manufacturer, the cab of the MAZ 5551 model is devoid of a berth. However, a sleeping shelf is not needed here. After all, the car is not designed for driving long distances.

Specifications

As in other MAZs, units from the Yaroslavl Motor Plant are used here. Initially, a V-shaped six-cylinder unit without a turbine for 180 horsepower was installed on this dump truck. The working volume of the engine is 11.15 liters. Despite the low power, the engine had an acceptable thrust. And as you know, for a truck in the first place is the torque indicator. Here it was 667 Nm at 1200 rpm. In the 2000s, the line was replenished with new power plants. So, MAZ was equipped with a YaMZ-236NE2 engine. This is an engine that complies with Euro-2 standards. With the same volume of 11.15 liters, he developed a power of 230 horsepower. Torque has increased to 882 Nm. The layout is still withoutchanges - V-shaped six.

In rare cases, a turbocharged engine from YaMZ was installed on a dump truck. This engine complies with Euro-3 standards and develops 250 horsepower. Torque - as much as 1128 Nm at 1100 rpm.

Recently, an American-made Cummins engine appeared on the MAZ-5551. This motor develops a power of 242 horsepower with a volume of 6.7 liters. The engine is equipped with a turbine and charge air cooling system. As for gearboxes, depending on the modification, this MAZ could be found:

• Five-speed mechanics.
• Eight-speed manual transmission with divider.
• Nine-speed mechanics.

The last box was developed jointly with the German concern ZF. As noted by the reviews, the "native" MAZ boxes caused much more problems than imported ones. This is facilitated not only by time, but also by the resource, which decreases every year for these transmissions. MAN gearboxes and gearboxes from ZF are the most reliable and hassle-free.

Performance

What is the consumption of this car? MAZ-5551 is a fairly economical car. Despite the high working volume, YaMZ engines consume about 23-25 liters of fuel. Even in the harshest conditions, this consumption never exceeded 28 liters. If more, then the car had significant fuel problems. By the way, the injection pump on the MAZ-5551 is mechanical. Acceleration to 60 kilometers per hour takes about 50 seconds. The maximum speed of the MAZ-5551 is 85 kilometers per hour.

Chassis

The design of the frame and suspension has not changed since the time of the "tadpole". So, a pivot beam is used here in front, and a continuous bridge is used in the back. The suspension is fully dependent, without a front anti-roll bar (it is located only at the rear). The frame itself is a ladder configuration, made of high-strength steel grades. It is here that the body, cab, engine with gearbox, as well as all suspension elements are attached. The rear axle (aka main gear) is without differential lock, with a gear ratio of 7.79. The axle is not high-speed and is designed for high traction.

Over time, it begins to emit a characteristic hum. The oil seal that comes from the crankshaft can also be squeezed out. As for the springs, they are almost eternal. The suspension is quite reliable and unpretentious in terms of maintenance (once a year you only need to lubricate the pivots in front). Steering wheel - with gearbox and hydraulic booster. Steering wheel play is a common thing for MAZ. A similar dump truck from KamAZ has the same "disease".

Brakes

They are fully pneumatic here. Powerful drum mechanisms front and rear. What distinguishes the MAZ-5551 from the old "tadpole" is the presence of spring energy accumulators that act as a parking brake. The system on the truck is pretty reliable. However, the car responds to the pedal with a delay.

MAZ-5551 – price

The oldest models, released back in Soviet times, can be found for150-200 thousand rubles. These are dump trucks with a YaMZ-236 engine and a five-speed transmission. Models of the 2000s can be found at prices ranging from 500 to 800 thousand rubles. Buying very old models is not worth it.

Many of them have already worked out their resource, and the owner will invest all profits only in spare parts.

Conclusion

So, we found out what the characteristics of MAZ-5551 and features are. Despite its age, the machine is still in high demand in the market. It is no coincidence that MAZ is considered an "unsurpassed hard worker." This car has quite resourceful engines and an indestructible suspension.