KrAZ 214: the history of the creation of an army truck, specifications

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

As a rule, in the automotive industry of the Soviet Union, most of the emerging models were a design assembled from several previously released domestic models, or cars from imported manufacturers were taken as the basis. So the engineers of the Yaroslavl Automobile Plant, under the general guidance of the chief designer V. V. Osepchugov, when creating a new off-road army truck, decided to follow the already beaten paths.

KrAZ-214: the beginning of the journey

Work on the project of a new cargo tractor began in 1950. The car was assigned the YAZ-214 index, which in 1959, after the transfer of the production of trucks from Yaroslavl to Kremenchug, was changed to KrAZ-214. The designers were required to create a car capable of transporting goods of various categories and directions, as well as personnel in any conditions, regardless of the quality of the road and the degree of roughness of the terrain. In addition, the ability to tow heavy trailers should have been included in the capabilities of the machine. In general, the army needed a versatile and reliable transport.

Birth of a truck

During the years of the Great Patriotic War, Americans by land-Liza supplied their equipment to the USSR. One of these vehicles was the 12-ton truck Diamond T 980. It was he who became the prototype of the developed Soviet vehicle YAZ-214.

From the American he got: frame, transmission and running gear elements. The engine, despite the fact that it was marked YaAZ-206, was a copy of the GMC 71-6, the license for which was bought by the USSR again from the American General Motors. It was a two-stroke diesel with six cylinders.

YaAZ-210G, by the way, also assembled according to samples of American technology, "gave" the rear bogie, center differential and transfer case to the domestic truck.

The cabin and wheels from the same YaAZ-210 were installed on the prototype, and in 1951 it was presented for testing. Having successfully passed them, the new truck was recommended for mass production. However, the car was brought to “mind” for another 6 years. Serial production of trucks was organized only in 1957, and two years later, all production was taken from YaAZ and transferred to the conveyor of the Kremenchug Automobile Plant.

Description of the machine

The new KrAZ-214 was distinguished by high strength and good cross-country ability.

Rolled channel has become a material for the manufacture of a truck frame. Five stamped, riveted cross-sections reinforced the structure. The front and rear of the frame is equipped with a buffer, and a towing mechanism is installed at the rear.

The cabin is made of wood sheathed with metal. Compared tocabin YaAZ-210 new model was wider and more comfortable. For the winter period of operation, it provided for heating the interior and blowing warm air on the front window. The hood structure was complemented by folding sidewalls, which facilitated engine maintenance.

The body of the KrAZ-214 truck was made of sheet metal and was a standard type model with a folding tailgate. From the weather, the body was covered with an awning.

Engines for new KrAZ vehicles, after being transferred to the conveyor in Kremenchug, began to install forced ones - YaMZ-206B, which were a modification of YaAZ-206.

Under the platform of the machine, a mechanical winch was provided, with a horizontal drum.

Tests have shown that KrAZ-214 vehicles, when driving without a trailer, are able to move on loose ground with a track depth of up to 60 cm, easily overcoming ditches up to 85 cm deep.

KrAZ-214: specifications

Main specifications of the machine:

• The weight of the truck was 11 tons 325 kg.
• The carrying capacity of the machine, taking into account operation in off-road conditions, is 7 tons.
• The weight of the towed trailer depends on the density of the soil under the wheels and can vary from 5 to 50 tons.
• Machine dimensions - 8, 53 x 2, 7 x 3, 17 m (length, width, height along the awning), cabin height is 2.88 m.
• Body length - 4.565 m, width - 2.49 m.
• Inter-wheel gauge - 2.03 m.
• The turning radius of a truck without a trailer is 14 m.
• Diesel power - 205 liters. s.
• Fuel capacity - 2 tanks of 255 liters.
• The speed limit without a trailer is 55 km/h, with a trailer up to 40 km/h.
• Fuel consumption, depending on operating conditions, varies from 70 to 135 liters per hundred kilometers.
• The cabin is designed for 3 people, the body - for 18 people, for this, folding wooden benches were provided along its sides.

KrAZ-214 has become the base vehicle for the production of subsequent truck models produced in Kremenchug.