Autocrane MAZ-500

MAZ-500 can rightly be considered one of the iconic cars of the Soviet period. It became the first cabover truck produced in the Soviet Union. Another similar model is MAZ-53366. The need for such a car design arose a long time ago, since the shortcomings of the classic model have already been felt all over the world.

However, only in the early 60s the quality of the roads of a huge country became sufficient for the operation of such machines.

MAZ-500 left the assembly line of the Minsk plant in 1965, replacing the predecessors of the 200th series, and before the completion of production in 1977, managed to become a legend in the domestic auto industry.

And only later, in the second half of the 80s, the MAZ-5337 model appeared. Read about it here.

Description dump truck MAZ 500

MAZ-500 in the classic version is an onboard dump truck with a wooden platform. High cross-country ability, reliability and ample opportunities for refinement made it possible to use it in almost any area of ​​the national economy as a dump truck, tractor or flatbed vehicle.

Thanks to the unique design, this machine can work without electrical equipment if it is started from a tractor, which aroused great interest in the military in the truck.

Engine

The Yaroslavl unit YaMZ-500 became the base engine of the 236th series. This is a four-stroke diesel V6 without turbocharging, developing a torque of up to 667 Nm at 1500 rpm. Like all engines of this series, the YaMZ-236 is very reliable and has not yet caused any complaints from the owners of the MAZ-500.

Fuel consumption

Fuel consumption per 100 km is about 22-25 liters, which is typical for a truck of this capacity. (For ZIL-5301, this figure is 12l / 100km). The welded fuel tank MAZ-500 with a volume of 175 liters has two partitions to dampen the hydraulic impact of the fuel. The only drawback of the unit at the moment is the low environmental class.

Трансмиссия

The truck's transmission is a five-speed manual with synchronizers in second-third and fourth-fifth gears. At first, a single-disk, and since 1970, a two-disk dry friction clutch was installed, with the ability to switch under load. The clutch was located in a cast-iron crankcase.

The KamAZ plant is constantly developing new improved models of trucks. You can read about new articles here.

The history of the development of the KamAZ plant, specialization and key models are described in this article.

One of the new developments of the plant is a car that runs on methane. You can read about it here.

Rear axle

The rear axle MAZ-500 is the main one. The torque is distributed in the gearbox. This reduces the load on the differential and axle shafts, which compares favorably with the design of the 200-series cars.

For various modifications, the rear axles were produced with a gear ratio of 7,73 and 8,28, which was changed by increasing or decreasing the number of teeth on the cylindrical gears of the gearbox.

Today, to improve the performance of the MAZ-500, for example, to reduce vibration, more modern rear axles are often installed on the truck, usually from LiAZ and LAZ.

Cab and body

The first MAZ-500s were equipped with a wooden platform. Later, options with a metal body appeared.

The MAZ-500 dump truck was equipped with an all-metal triple cab with two doors. The cabin provides a berth, boxes for things and tools. The comfort of the driver was provided by adjustable seats, ventilation and heating of the cabin, as well as a sun visor. A more comfortable cabin, for example, ZIL-431410.

The windshield consists of two parts, separated by a partition, but unlike the model 200, the brush drive is at the bottom. The cab tilts forward to give access to the engine compartment.

Technical characteristics of the tractor

Main dimensions

• L x W x H - 7,1 x 2,6 x 2,65 m,
• wheelbase - 3,85 m,
• rear track - 1,9 m,
• front track - 1950 m,
• ground clearance - 290mm,
• platform dimensions - 4,86 x 2,48 x 6,7 m,
• body volume - 8,05 m3.

Payload and weight

• load capacity - 7,5 tons, (for ZIL-157 - 4,5 tons)
• curb weight - 6,5 tons,
• maximum trailer weight - 12 tons,
• gross weight - 14,8 tons.

For comparison, you can familiarize yourself with the carrying capacity of BelAZ.

Presentation Features

• maximum speed - 75 km / h,
• stopping distance - 18 m,
• power - 180 hp,
• engine size - 11,1 l,
• fuel tank volume - 175 l,
• fuel consumption - 25 l / 100 km,
• turning radius - 9,5 m.

Modifications and prices

The design of the MAZ-500 turned out to be extremely successful, which made it possible to create many modifications and prototypes on the basis of the dump truck, including:

• MAZ-500Sh - chassis, supplemented with a special body and equipment (crane, concrete mixer, tank truck).
• MAZ-500V is a modification with an all-metal body and a cabin, produced by a special military order.
• MAZ-500G is a rare modification, which is a truck with an extended base for transporting bulky goods.
• MAZ-500S (MAZ-512) is a modification for the Far North with additional heating and cabin insulation, a starting heater and a searchlight for working in polar night conditions.
• MAZ-500YU (MAZ-513) - version for hot climates, featuring a cabin with thermal insulation.

In 1970, an improved model MAZ-500A was released. It had a width reduced to meet international requirements, an optimized gearbox, and externally it was mainly distinguished by a new radiator grille. The maximum speed of the new version has increased to 85 km / h, the carrying capacity has increased to 8 tons.

Some models created on the basis of MAZ-500

• MAZ-504 is a two-axle tractor, unlike other vehicles based on the MAZ-500, it had two fuel tanks of 175 liters each. The next MAZ-504V tractor in this row was equipped with a 240-horsepower YaMZ 238 and could carry a semi-trailer weighing up to 20 tons.
• MAZ-503 is a quarry-type dump truck.
• MAZ-511: dump truck with side unloading, not mass-produced.
• MAZ-509 - a timber carrier, differed from the MAZ-500 and other earlier models by a double-disk clutch, gearbox numbers and front axle gearboxes.

Some MAZs of the 500th series tested all-wheel drive: this is an experimental military truck 505 and a truck tractor 508. However, none of the all-wheel drive models went into production.

Today, trucks based on the MAZ-500 can be found on the used car market at a price of 150-300 thousand rubles. Basically, these are cars in good technical condition, produced in the late 70s.

Tuning

Even now, cars of the 500th series can be seen on the roads of the former Soviet republics. This car also has its fans, who, sparing no effort and time, tune the old MAZ.

 

As a rule, the truck is re-equipped to increase the carrying capacity and comfort for the driver. The engine was replaced with a more powerful YaMZ-238, to which it is desirable to put a box with a splitter. If this is not done, fuel consumption will increase to 35 liters per 100 km or more.

Such a large-scale refinement requires serious investments, but, according to drivers, it pays off. For a smoother ride, the rear axle and shock absorbers have been replaced.

Traditionally, a lot of attention is paid to the salon. Autonomous heating, heat and noise insulation, installation of air conditioning and air suspension - this is not a complete list of changes that tuning enthusiasts make to the MAZ-500.

If we talk about global changes, then most often several models of the 500 series are converted into one tractor. And, of course, the first thing after the purchase is to bring the MAZ into working condition, since the age of the cars makes itself felt.

It is impossible to list all the functions that the MAZ-500 could perform: a panel carrier, an army truck, a fuel and water carrier, a truck crane. This unique truck will forever remain in the history of the Soviet automobile industry as the ancestor of many good models of the Minsk plant, such as the MAZ-5551.