The MAZ-543 or MAZ-7310 is a successful project of the USSR military-automotive industrial complex, which appeared in the 1960s and is still being produced today. In the 1960s, the Soviet Union recovered from the aftermath of World War II and then engaged in an active arms race with the United States. Huge funds and the best specialists of the Union were directed to the reconstruction of the Minsk Automobile Plant, which was to become the industrial center of the USSR.
Technical characteristics MAZ-543:
Payload capacity: 20000 kg
Permissible trailer weight: 25000 kg
Own weight: 23000 kg
Gross weight: 43300 kg
Overall dimensions: length: 11657, width: 3050, height: 2900 mm
Base: 2200+3300+2200 mm
Track: 2375 mm
Ground clearance: 400 mm
Turning radius: 13500 mm
Maximum speed: 60 km/h
Braking distance from 40 km/h: 21 м
Engine: D12A-525A, diesel, V-shaped, 12-cylinder.
Working volume: 38.8 liters
Maximum power: 525 hp (386.1 kW) at 2000 rpm.
Maximum torque: 225 kgf-m (2206 N-m) at 1400 rpm.
Hydromechanical transmission: torque converter: four-wheel, single-stage.
Transmission: three-speed planetary gearbox with manual gearshift control
Transfer case: mechanical, two-stage with inter-axle differential.
Wheel transmission: planetary
Gear ratios: gearbox: I-3,2; II-1,8; III-1,0; reverse-1,6; transfer case: I-1,88; II-1,0; wheel gear: 5,1
Suspension: torsion bar, independent all wheels
Tire size: 1500×600-635
Internal dimensions of the platform: 7222×2848×707
Loading height: 1850 mm
History of creation
Experienced engineers were sent from Yaroslavl to the Minsk plant. In 1959, the company was given a new direction for development – the production of universal trucks. The creation and launch of the successful 537 series showed that Minsk could produce special-purpose vehicles. In the late 50s, MAZ received most of the state orders for the production of military equipment. The craftsmen were tasked with creating a heavy-duty, four-wheel drive, 4-axle vehicle with a universal wheel chassis that could be used to mount military equipment. After conducting several experiments, the designers decided to opt for a wheelbase, abandoning the tracks.
The best parts of the MAZ-537 model were taken from the frame and axle. Many technical characteristics were significantly improved. Due to its good speed and dynamics, the MAZ-543 was named the “Hurricane”. By the middle of 1962, six prototypes had been produced and sent to Volgograd to be fitted with military equipment.
Modifications MAZ-543:
- MAZ-543P – basic chassis with payload capacity of 19600 kg. The base for launchers; an airfield fire truck (1973);
- MAZ-543A (1967) – chassis with increased payload capacity up to 22000 kg due to reconfiguration of the engine compartment. A number of special vehicles were created on its basis (mid 1970s);
- MAZ-543M (early 1970s) – a chassis variant with a significantly reconfigured front end (additional engine compartment, dismantled right cabin, increased area behind the crew cab, greater payload). The chassis was used to create a vehicle for combat duty support (MOBD) of missile systems, as well as other elements of various military complexes;
- MAZ-7310 (1974) – a prototype truck with flatbed;
- MAZ-73101 (1976) – a serial chassis of the flatbed truck MAZ-7310. The main difference from MAZ-543A is the lack of special equipment. MAZ-7310 could be operated with a two-axle
- MAZ-8385, and the length of the combination reached 20550 mm (1979);
- MAZ-7313 (chassis – MAZ-73131, January 1983) – a chassis of a modified design and increased by 1 ton of payload capacity with unchanged own weight;
- MAZ-73132 – shortened version of the chassis.
MAZ-543 family
This vehicle was developed on the basis of the 537 version, receiving improved units, a reliable wheelbase and a new cab. The diesel engine developed 525 horsepower. The gearbox had three gears and was complemented by an automatic transmission. A remote tire pressure monitoring system was added to improve cross-country ability.
The 543 family consisted of three main models: 543, 543A and 543M. A distinctive feature of the tractors was the location of the cab with reverse tilted windows: it was double (right and left). The length of the wheelbase was 7.7 meters, and at maximum load, the truck could reach a speed of 60 km/h. It consumed 100 liters of diesel fuel per 100 kilometers.
MAZ-543
The MAZ-543 chassis is the first version of the series with a payload of 19.1 tons. After successful tests in 1962, mass production of the truck began only in 1965. The cabs were isolated from each other, with an engine compartment between them, and each of them accommodated 2 people. Just over 1600 vehicles of this version were produced.
The People’s Army of the GDR used this chassis as mobile repair and evacuation modules. A tent-covered body was mounted on the vehicle, which could carry the necessary equipment and specialists, protecting them from bad weather conditions.
In the early years, only missile systems were planned to be installed on this vehicle. The first was the Temp prototype in 1960. Then the 9P117 launcher of the new 9K72 complex was installed. After that, they decided to install a wide variety of military equipment.
MAZ-543A
In 1963, the MAZ-543A chassis was introduced, with a payload increased to 19.4 tons. The first examples were sent to Volgograd to be equipped with the Temp-S missile system. In 1966, after the start of industrial production, army bodies and superstructures began to be mounted on the Model A. In 1968, mass production of this truck modification began.
There were few differences from the basic version of the A model. The main ones include the removal of the cab forward, which increased the working part of the frame to 7 meters. Production of this vehicle was completed in the mid-1900s, with more than 2,600 copies produced.
The main purpose of the vehicle was to transport Temp missile launchers. In addition, the equipment necessary for charging the complex was transported. Less commonly, the Smerch multiple rocket launcher system was installed on the chassis. The vehicle was versatile; it was used for any type of superstructure, creating mobile command posts, radar stations, field hotels for soldiers, etc.
MAZ-543M
The best chassis MAZ-543M, which became the main chassis of the entire series, was developed in 1974. It was distinguished from its two predecessors by the presence of a single cab on the left and an increased payload (22.2 tons). The basic design remained unchanged.
