MAZ-541: specifications

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

In 1956, the Minsk Automobile Plant designed and built the airfield tug MAZ-541 for especially large aircraft. It was an exclusive project initiated by the USSR government in connection with the need to create a powerful aircraft tractor. The specialists of the MAZ Design Bureau presented the documentation in a short time, and the assembly of the unique machine began. In total, three MAZ-541 tractors were produced at the first stage. Comprehensive tests of new equipment were carried out at the factory site.

Practical application

MAZ-541, a new generation airfield tractor, replaced military trucks MAZ-535, which were used at that time to tow large aircraft. The power of five hundred and thirty-fifths was barely enough to move the liners, besides, the height of the MAZ-535 body did not allow the car to drive directly under the aircraft body, and an additional rod had to be used to lengthen the hitch.

The new towing vehicle was made with the most underestimated sedan-type body. MAZ-541, in fact, became the only tractor in the world with the external characteristics of a passenger car. However, rankthe car to the category of "passenger cars" could only be conditionally, since the wheels on the towing vehicle were far from being small. The front ones were borrowed from the YaAZ-214 truck, and the rear ones were supplied from the MAZ-525, a mining dump truck.

MAZ-541 was an all-wheel drive car with a demultiplier, thanks to which the front axle could be turned off if necessary. The grip of the tractor wheels with the roadway was perfect, which provided maximum traction.

Dual controls

The tasks of towing airliners are associated with certain maneuvering rules. Therefore, the machine was controlled by a dual steering wheel. In the cabin, two independent "steering wheels" were mounted. One steering wheel was located in the usual place, in front, on the left, and the other was placed diagonally, behind, on the right side. Other controls, clutch, brake and accelerator pedals were also duplicated. Such an arrangement required the specifics of maneuvering the tractor.

The operation of the first MAZ-541 car in test mode showed good results. The car easily towed IL-62, Tu-114 and even Tu-144 Concorde. After the tractor passed all the tests, the USSR Ministry of Aviation Industry ordered 13 more vehicles. However, the tractors were not produced due to a change in technical conditions and the transition of the Minsk plant to the production of more modern types of airfield equipment.

Memory

The airfield tractor MAZ-541 has remained in the history of the automotive industry as a unique example of creative engineering. He became the champion in his weight category, and, in fact, he had no equal. Soon, new tractors appeared at the airfields, powerful and maneuverable, which performed the additional function of a tanker. But all existing copies of the five hundred and forty-first successfully worked until the end of the seventies.

For a long time, in addition to towing liners, the tractor performed another function that can be called honorable. The car met international flights at Sheremetyevo, it seemed to represent Aeroflot, and therefore the whole country. In the eyes of foreign guests, the MAZ-541 was another achievement of the Soviet aviation industry. Painted in a light ocher color, the car made an indescribable impression as it sauntered across the spacious platform before approaching the liner that had arrived from abroad. The foreigners who got off the ramp tried to photograph the giant passenger car without fail.

And when, after disembarking passengers, the tractor took the liner to the parking lot, it was a real theatrical action, and the foreigners who were already in the terminal building again took out their cameras in order to capture an unforgettable sight even from a distance.

The weight of the MAZ-54 airfield tractor was slightly less than 30 tons, but the car looked quite elegant. The necessary thrust was provided by a powerful tank diesel engine with high efficiency. The gigantic tractor was a real decoration of the runway and all surrounding areasSheremetyevo Airport.

MAZ-541: specifications

Weight and dimensions parameters:

• tractor length - 7800 mm;
• height - 2200 mm;
• width - 3400 mm;
• wheelbase - 4200 mm;
• gross weight - 29 tons;
• wheel formula - 4 x 4.

Powerplant

The engine installed on the tractor from the tank register is D-12A.

• Number of cylinders - 12.
• The gas distribution mechanism (GRM) is an overhead valve.
• Configuration - V-shaped cylinder arrangement.
• Power - 300 hp s.
• Maximum traction load is 85 tons.
• Fuel consumption - 130 liters per 100 kilometers.
• Fuel consumption at airfield sites - 45 liters per hour.

Frictional transmission, designed for multiple starting with slippage. Gearbox modified, two-stage, with one reverse gear.

Chassis

The machine is equipped with two continuous bridges, in the middle of which are planetary hypoid mechanisms. Rotation from the cardan shaft and transfer case is transmitted to the wheels through semi-axes with flanges at the end, which serve as a mounting point for the rims.

Both spring suspensions, reinforced. Mounting brackets are borrowed from MAZ-525 trucks. Springs are assembled from parabolic sheets with bottom support. Due to the low deflection of the package, the tractor washard, but the springs did not soften, as there was a danger of them sagging and breaking under the car's own weight.

The steering knuckles of the front wheels of the pivot design, as well as the worm-hypoid steering mechanism, were taken from the MAZ-535 military truck. The driver had to make every effort to turn the steering wheel, so only strong and tall soldiers from the airport maintenance company were accepted for the position of tractor driver.

Simulation

Like all rare vehicles, the airfield tractor is copied in miniature scale. A technical copy of the MAZ-541-1:43, where the last numbers indicate the scale of the product, can become a worthy exhibit of any collection.