MoAZ - underground auto giants

At the beginning of the last century, underground mining was carried out in a completely different way. Horse traction was in use, and the horses themselves, from being constantly underground, lost their sight. The increased automation that occurred in the XNUMXth century made noticeable adjustments. Today, the main role in underground work is played by machines and mechanisms. They can be safely attributed to the Belarusian equipment, produced in Mogilev - heavy-duty MoAZs.


More than 70 years ago, standard trucks were sent to help underground workers cars, on which only an exhaust gas cleaning system was installed. This happened in the United States and became the first experience of cars working underground. Since then, the design of underground equipment has become noticeably different from their above-ground counterparts. Those who have seen the MoAZ mine in real life will agree that it is completely different from the MAZ or KAMAZ we are used to. First of all, it is a compact design and low landing.

How did the Mogilev Automobile Plant named after V.I. Kirov?

After the equipment of the plant arrived from the Kuibyshev evacuation, where it produced engines for attack aircraft, Mogilev returned to the usual assortment. These are overhead cranes, locomobiles, steam power plants and other similar equipment.



To provide an intellectual base for assembling new equipment, a group of Minsk designers was seconded to the plant. So, from the beginning of the 60s, the Mogilev plant was completely ready for a new direction and became the leading manufacturer of earth-moving equipment in the Soviet Union.



Already in 1966, the company received the usual abbreviation MoAZ, clearly showing the production of what type of equipment will now be the main focus. For six decades, the Belarusian enterprise has mastered the production of many models of trucks, including:

✅ mining dump trucks MoAZ-522 and MoAZ-6507
✅ all-wheel drive MoAZ-7411
✅ single axle tractors

A separate line in the model range of the plant are cars made for underground work. For example, the road train MoAZ-6401-9585.

Underground workers

The mentioned road train was intended for work in places of complicated turn, such as mines or tunnels. At the same time, its operation in conditions of increased gas and dust hazard was not allowed. The car was equipped with duplicate controls. This allowed him to move in both directions without having to turn around. In addition to the open cabin, the equipment could boast of the following parameters:

✅ engine power - 190 hp With.
✅ maximum load capacity - 22 tons
✅ design speed - 40 km / h
✅ tank capacity - 220 l

In 1969, a tractor of their own design, the MoAZ-546P, was finally added to the model "donated" by Minsk residents. He received a new, more powerful, 215-horsepower engine made in Yaroslavl. The transferred cabin can be called as structural changes (now it was not behind the hood, but to the left of it). Also, the designers abandoned the rigid suspension on the drive axle, in favor of the spring version. Other minor changes and innovations were also present. But the scope remained the same: towing scrapers, truck cranes or other multi-ton equipment.

The tractor control included a 4-speed gearbox (+ reverse). In addition, there was an additional downshift or upshift. The drive axle was equipped with planetary gears and a differential. YaMZ-238AM2 acted as a power unit.



The front wheels were structurally unmanageable. The turn of the technique was carried out by actuating two hydraulic cylinders. They were located between the cab and the body part and ensured the rotation of the tractor due to the longitudinal fracture of the frame. The design could perform a left or right turn and return to its original position due to the articulated connection of its two parts. The main brake system was of the drum type, and the parking brake was of a pneumatic spring design.

Further expansion of production of heavy vehicles

The next year after the start of production of a tractor of their own design, the factory workers produced the first 10 thousand heavy vehicles. Automakers continued to increase their pace, and mining enterprises were happy to conclude contracts for the supply of underground MoAZ models. They have proven themselves very well when working at a depth of several hundred meters.



The plant's capacity continued to grow in the late 70s. The peak of the Soviet economy required ever greater production of machines and mechanisms. In 1977, the small and medium metal casting line began operating. At the end of the following year, it was time to expand the steel foundry - its second stage was put into operation. Good production rates allowed MoAZ workers to celebrate another important milestone five years later: the number of manufactured trucks crossed the 25 mark.

One of the last models of the Soviet period was the MoAZ-6442. It was a modernized version of a single-axle tractor. Its production began in 1989. Its main purpose was to work in tandem with a scraper. It also provided the ability to tow a special platform for heavy-duty elements or a road roller on pneumatic wheels. During the modernization, the engine power was increased to 225 hp. There were also some other minor design changes.

Modern history of the plant

With the collapse of the Union, the need for such equipment decreased somewhat, but, of course, it did not disappear anywhere. The production of special equipment has continued to this day. For the convenience of management, the Belarusian side decided to merge: since 2006, MoAZ has become a remote branch of another auto giant - OJSC BelAZ. Today, approximately only one out of ten Belarusian trucks remains at home, the rest are exported (more than 85% of the total output). One of the main partners of BelAZ are Russian consumers.



In 2016, a new MoAZ-6501 vehicle was developed for Russian mining enterprises. The order for the equipment was issued by the KMAruda Combine. This is how the MoAZ-65010 modification appeared. The convenience of the design is that it is collapsible. After descending to the depth, the "constructor" is very easy to re-assemble in a state ready for movement. All this can be done mechanically, using bolted connections, without the use of welding.

New underground transport has very compact parameters (width - 2,1 m), which makes it possible to use it in mines with a working diameter of less than 9 sq. m. At the customer's request, the truck can be supplied with a closed or open cabin. A more comfortable option involves the installation of a stationary heater and air conditioner.

The times when Yaroslavl power plants were used in Belarusian cars seem to be over. In this case, we are dealing with a 6,7-liter diesel engine from the American company Cummins QSB. Its power is 220 liters. with., and the carrying capacity is 15 tons.



Today's underground workings are becoming more extensive, which means that even more underground equipment will be required to transport the extracted minerals. This is confirmed by the emergence of new models among cars of this type. There is no doubt that MoAZs, which have long proven themselves on the good side, will not get lost in the general background.