KAMAZ-5410: indestructible, like a "penny"

Truck tractors are a type of vehicles working with semi-trailers that are attached to the chassis with fifth wheel couplings (SSU). KAMAZ-5410 belongs to this class of vehicles.


For nearly 50 years, the car has been traveling on the roads of our country and four dozen other countries of the world. Only the Soviet “penny” (VAZ-2101) can boast of such a “work experience”. Why is the KAMAZ-5410 truck tractor so tenacious? Let's figure it out.

About the history of KAMAZ-5410

Initially, it was supposed to produce tractors at the ZIL site: in the early 70s, they even started testing prototypes. But "something went wrong" - the project was transferred to the Kama auto giant.


The car was built on the basis of a three-axle heavy truck that rolled off the assembly line under the index 5320. Serial production of the KAMAZ-5410 truck tractor began in 1976. But Soviet citizens managed to see the first copy two years earlier: at a demonstration on November 7, which was timed to coincide with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Soviet automobile industry. The car was assembled in the experimental workshop of the plant on the Kama.

In 1975, the country celebrated the 30th Victory Day, and a column of 10 tractors passed through the parade - according to the number of hero cities of the USSR. A grandiose spectacle and a touching story, because the workers voluntarily defended a 100-day shift in order to assemble machines in the same experimental workshop.


But not for this, but for technical characteristics and reliability, KAMAZ-5410 was twice awarded the State Quality Mark. Such a machine a priori can not be bad. Acutely in demand in the national economy, it lasted a record 30 years on the assembly line. The fleet of tractors would be about 280 thousand units.

Model overview

The truck tractor of the Kama Automobile Plant stands out on the roads with an old-fashioned laconic appearance: a cabover cab of a strict rectangular shape, a huge, vertically mounted windshield with a molding in the middle to improve aerodynamics. We also note small round headlights, a massive metal bumper (passive safety element), a classic plastic radiator grille with the company's logo. The picture is completed by large rear-view mirrors with the ability to adjust the viewing angle.

The brutally ascetic exterior continues inside. Everything is simple here: a driver's seat, which can be adjusted according to the height of the pilot, two passenger seats and a sleeping bag (not in all modifications). Analog instruments are conveniently located within easy reach. There are no decorations and decorations, but there is a lot of light and space.


Minimalism was inherent in Soviet engineers: they preferred technical parameters to consumer qualities. Model 5410 was announced as a versatile, multifunctional, powerful and reliable machine with a great future.

And so it happened: the tractor pulled dump trailers, refrigerators, even timber trucks, and in conjunction with additional trailers went like a road train. Application in the country was found: the agricultural sector, the rescue sector, transportation activities, the army "service".

Cargoes were liquid, solid, bulk, overall. High ground clearance made it possible to overcome impassability, diesel engines perfectly withstood the arctic cold and southern heat.

However, the past tense is not for KAMAZ 5410 series: even now it cuts through asphalt and primers at speeds up to 85 km / h, involved in small and large businesses.

Technical specifications

The rear-wheel drive tractor is built on a frame structure made of 8 mm sheet steel. The fifth wheel coupling, which can withstand a load of 8 kg, has two degrees of freedom, that is, the semi-trailer just does not rotate around the "finger". In combination with the 100x6 wheel arrangement, this gives the car good maneuverability, the ability to overcome 4% slopes with a load.


The model with the index 5410 is equipped with two V-shaped 8-cylinder diesel engines with a volume of 10,85 liters:

✅ KAMAZ-740.10. - 210 l. with. The motor does not meet modern environmental standards
✅ KAMAZ-740.11 turbocharged - 240 hp with. Environmental class - Euro-1

The third, 9,5-liter in-line 6-cylinder unit BMZ-31.06.01, gives 260 hp. with. The ecological class of a modern engine is Euro-2.

The motors work with a 5-speed manual transmission. But a divider (an additional 2-speed gearbox) has been introduced into the transmission design, so the output is 10 speeds.

Heavy-duty brakes in a circle are pneumatically actuated drum brakes. The suspension is stiff, but a truck tractor does not pretend to be a pleasure car. Semi-elliptical leaf springs are installed at the front, longitudinal springs with reaction rods at the rear. Fluctuations in the vertical plane are leveled by hydraulic telescopic shock absorbers.

Overall dimensions of the 5410th model in mm:

✅ Length - 6 180
✅ Width - 2 500
✅ Height - 2 830

Raised cab increases height to 3 mm. The wheelbase is 360 mm. The fuel tank on the first models contained 3 liters of diesel fuel. But the exorbitant “appetite” of the tractor (350 l / 250 km) forced the designers to install a 41-liter tank, and then the capacity was increased to 100 liters.

Weight indicators in tons:

✅ Curb weight - 6,65
✅ Gross weight with semi-trailer - 14,9
✅ Gross weight in the train - 25,9


Accelerating dynamics for a heavyweight is decent: 70 seconds to 60 km / h as part of a road train. Coasting run with an additional trailer from 50 km / h to the finish line - 800 m, braking distance - 38,5 m.

Modifications

The resource of the KAMAZ-5410 truck tractor laid down by the manufacturer was implemented in the following modifications:

✅ 54112 Tropical - for hot climates
✅ 54112HL - for work in cold regions
✅ 54101 - special version for dump trailer GKB-9575
✅ 54102 - for flatbed semi-trailer OdAZ-9385

There was also a hydraulic version for special purpose semi-trailers.

Prices for KAMAZ-5410

The advantage of the tractor of the Kama Automobile Plant is in simplified operation and high maintainability. Modular design allows you to change auto components in the assembly. Fuel and hydraulic units are reliable, consumables are wear-resistant. There are enough spare parts, as well as offers for the sale of a used tractor, on the market.



Brings the ergonomics of the cabin and high fuel consumption. But there is always the opportunity to modify the car “for yourself”: install an additional 80-liter fuel tank, a pre-heating system, and other familiar modern options.

Prices for KAMAZ-5410 depend on the year of manufacture of the car, kilometers wound on the speedometer, technical condition, and region. So, the models that last rolled off the assembly line cost 600 thousand, or even 1 million rubles. For cars of the 90s after an engine overhaul, they ask for 450 thousand rubles. "Veteran" from the 80s can be bought for 180-200 thousand rubles.

Soviet engineers looked far ahead, laying a powerful potential in the design of the first truck tractor. Model 5410 is considered the most successful development of the Soviet automobile industry and rightfully bears the title of legendary.