MAZ 543

For the first time Maz-543 was designed at the Minsk automobile plant in the 60s, and until now its production has not stopped. This is an all-wheel drive eight-wheeled cargo vehicle, created as a military automotive project and successfully implemented as part of the arms race between the USSR and the United States. A little later, trucks for industry and the national economy were created on its basis.

Historical background

The basis for the design of the "hurricane" was the MAZ-537, from which the technicians borrowed the frame, axle and other most successful elements. After upgrading the engine and control system, a unique car was obtained. Maz-543 which is popularly nicknamed "Hurricane" because of its relatively high speed and good dynamics. From the start of work in 1959 to the release of the first prototypes, only 3 years passed, and in 1962 the first trucks began to be used to transport military equipment.

Cabin features

Initially Maz cars-543 had a solid cabin and successfully passed tests for transporting missiles. However, soon the developed complex of missiles with a combat gun almost 12.5 m long could no longer be placed on the existing chassis. There was only one solution-to lengthen the chassis, but this would not be rational and would require major changes in the design.

The chief designer of the automobile plant of that time Shaposhnikov took a bold step and divided the whole cabin into two, between which the "head" of the rocket was placed. Such a unique solution became so successful that it was further used in other models of a similar type.

Engine & Transmission

The MAZ 543 M chassis has an 8x8 axle configuration, the first two axles are steered, all four are driven, all 8 wheels are equipped with a central inflation system. The D12-525A engine with a volume of 38.9 liters and an output of 525 horsepower is based on the V2 tank engine family. It can be started with compressed air or an electric starter. The engine is connected to a three-stage hydro-converter automatic transmission with a two-stage reduction gearbox, the wheel hubs have embedded planetary reducers. The weight of the chassis is 19 tons, the load capacity is 22.2 tons

Technical Specifications

The first copy of the MAZ-543 went into mass production in 1965, had a carrying capacity of 19 tons, and two cabins could accommodate 4 people, and the seats were located one after the other. Since it was a unique model that had no analogues, many non-standard and unique solutions were used in its design.:

• Lever-torsion suspension;
• V2 tank engine in 12 cylinders with a capacity of 525 hp;
• Transmission in 3 stages, providing smooth gear shifting (1st, 2nd & Reverse):
• Hydro torque converter transmission, each wheel has a planetary gear after a universal joint from the differential for maximizing torque;
• Wheelbase 8x8 with automatic air pump for each wheel;
• The standard solution is two fuel tanks of 250 liters, an additional 180 liters tank, around 680 liters. ;
• Maximum speed 60 km / h;
• Consumption 80-120 liters per 100 km.