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Russian Commercial Vehicle Programme

10th August 1962, Page 36
10th August 1962
Page 36
Page 36, 10th August 1962 — Russian Commercial Vehicle Programme
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Which of the following most accurately describes the problem?

I AST year Soviet manufacturers pro

duced 400,000 goods vehicles, comprising 40 basic models in almost 100 versions, and this output figure signifies that 75 per cent. of Russian automotive production is concerned with commercial vehicles from 1.5 to 40 tons capacity. • Development of large dumpers is under way in some plants, these to be of 60 tons capacity (some will have two 360b.h.p. engines), whilst the design of tipper lorry-and-trailer combinations to carry 110 tons is expected to be finalized in 1965. A diesel-electric 60-tonner is at present under construction: on ordinary roads this will collect electricity 'through

• trolley-bus-type arms, but off-the-road power will be drawn from the dieselelectric set.

One of the heaviest types of vehicle being made in the U.S.S.R. is the Belaz-540 rated to early 27 tons at 35 m.p.h. (this is twice the cruising speed of the Belaz-540's predecessor—the 25-ton MAZ-525). The 13elaz is designed for quarry and opencast-mine operation, and is to form the basis of a family of heavyduty types, extending eventually to payload ratings of over 100 tons and using the same basic components. It is interesting to learn that the next a2 version of the Belaz-540—which will carry 28 tons—is to have "a guaranteed run of 12,500 miles and a general run of more than 60,000 miles before overhaul." These seem remarkably tow mileages for such a heavy machine, and suggest that Russian vehicles are not expected to have the same trouble-free life as those run in cost-conscious Western fleets! Russian vehicles do not consist solely of open lorries, as is commonly thought: pressure-discharge bulk transporters are growing in use, and refrigerated vans are becoming commonplace also. Styling is generally old-fashioned (albeit practical), but signs of current Western influence are to be seen here and there, a recent example being the Belaz-531 fourwheeled dumper, which could be taken as a twin of the French Berliet T.25 27-ton dumper.—J.F.M.

THAMES AXLE PRICE

I N the list of prices appearing at the end of the Trader-York attic road-test report (page 983), reference to the extra cost of the Eaton two-speed axle with which the test vehicle was fitted was omitted. Specification of this equipment adds £150 to the price of the basic chassis-cab with single-speed axle.

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