Floating all-terrain vehicle Master - the dream of rangers and not only

The Lesnik line of snow and swamp vehicles has proven itself well among off-road enthusiasts and those who use such vehicles for work. The company from Vologda currently produces five models and presented the sixth version, which is fundamentally different from previous developments. The forester at first glance resembles a T-16 tractor with a body in front. But this is a full-fledged all-terrain vehicle and you will see this by reading our article.

History of creation

This is a Russian project developed by Lesnik specialists from scratch. Moreover, it was made for a specific customer who presented 4 basic requirements: reliability, affordable price, versatility of use and cross-country ability.


As the creators emphasize, they used a proven platform that has been in operation for 7 years and has shown itself to be excellent. Due to the original design of the frame with protrusions down (which did not affect the ground clearance - it is an impressive 60 cm), the equipment can be used with 52 equipment options: several types of loading platforms, manipulators, fertilizer spreaders and even plows.

This is a chassis on which you can put any equipment. To date, one copy has been assembled, it is being tested in real conditions. He is also undergoing certification in order to launch the model in a series and sell it to everyone.


Note that the Master was created specifically for forestry. During the design process, gamekeepers, hunters and other industry experts consulted the developers. All wishes were taken into account, this technique does not claim to be a cross-country record, but it will pass without problems where most of the transport does not dare to go.

Cabin

An all-terrain vehicle cannot be called premium or luxury. Nevertheless, the driver's seat shows that the person was taken care of and provided with the greatest possible comfort.

Outside, it is immediately clear that the equipment is designed for driving through the forest - the safety cage comes by default and protects the cab from damage. The roof is additionally reinforced with stiffeners.


Extensive glazing provides excellent visibility almost 360 degrees. Moreover, there are windows at the bottom through which you can look behind the front wheels or study the tracks on the ground without leaving the ATV. All windows open, even the windshield can be lifted up if necessary.

The upholstery on the doors and ceiling not only improves the appearance, but also serves as thermal insulation, since the snow and swamp vehicle is designed for operation in the northern regions. The cab has a heater to maintain a comfortable microclimate in winter.

The control buttons are arranged in one place under the steering wheel. And above the adjustable steering column is a simple instrument panel with coolant temperature, fuel gauge and main warning lights. There is a 12 volt outlet for charging gadgets.


Despite the fact that the cabin is designed for one person, 1-2 passengers can sit inside, which is also important. For a "workhorse" equipment is very good, everything is done neatly and efficiently.

Main characteristics

There is not a lot of information here - there is no data even on the official website of the manufacturer. But something is already known and this is enough to draw certain conclusions.


The carrying capacity is 1 ton. This is a solid indicator that allows solving most of the transportation issues that arise in forestry. In the body, located in front, you can put anything. It is also important that the driver constantly controls the cargo platform.

The minimum and maximum speeds have also not yet been reported. But they emphasized that the engine-transmission system has good gear ratios, which allows the all-terrain vehicle to drive both very slowly and quite quickly.

With a width of 2,3, a height of 2,6 and a length of about 4 meters, the snow and swamp vehicle is well suited for narrow forest roads, rough terrain, arable land, etc.


The power unit is a four-cylinder Chinese Quanchai diesel engine with a volume of 1,8 liters. This is a simple and unpretentious motor that has shown itself well in other all-terrain vehicles of the manufacturer.

The volume of the tank is 55 liters, the power reserve is still unknown. But the developers emphasized that a version with an increased tank capacity will be available for those who travel long distances.

Body size - 2x2 meters, this is a convenient configuration for the transport of most loads, including boards or timber, which is longer than the platform.

Features

The developers did not announce the price, but emphasized that the model will be affordable. Due to this, it will find application in both forestry and agriculture. It is possible that it will be adapted to other industries if a request is received from interested companies.


The vehicle is equipped with low pressure tires. Impressive cylinders 1650x600 mm with hooks 50 mm high are installed at the back. The aggressive tread is effective not only on the ground, due to its model it moves quite quickly on the water.

Yes, the snow and swamp-going vehicle has a leading rear axle, but due to the size of the wheels that most of the weight falls on them, the cross-country ability is impressive. In addition, this is not an all-terrain vehicle in the classical sense of the word, but a practical machine for everyday use in difficult conditions.

The front axle is also worthy of attention. Firstly, it is a beam that provides independent wheel movement - one tire can be half a meter higher than the other. Due to this, the permeability is significantly increased. Second, the wheels swivel up to 35 degrees for improved maneuverability. Tire size 1000x500 mm, increased wear resistance due to the four-layer structure.


The developer also managed to achieve a low price by using nodes from other equipment. So, a gearbox from Lada Grant is installed on the snow and swamp vehicle. And the transfer case and self-locking cam differential are borrowed from the legendary GAZ-66. It turned out simply and reliably, there will be no problems with spare parts, which is also important.

Another interesting feature is the separate disc brakes on the rear axle. You can block only one wheel and turn almost on the spot. In the cockpit, the location of the pedals is striking - they are at a distance from each other. And this is no accident - people often ride an all-terrain vehicle in boots, high fur boots, felt boots and other large-sized shoes. They won't have any problems driving vehicles.

In conclusion

Today, several units are being assembled to order, and work is underway on certification in order to sell the model to everyone and ensure that it can be driven on public roads.


The creators have not yet announced the timing of the official debut, but most likely it will be possible to place an order this year. Demand and production volumes directly depend on the cost. Only after the price becomes known, certain conclusions can be drawn regarding the prospects for the Master all-terrain vehicle.

The technique will definitely be appreciated in forestry, it is possible that agricultural enterprises and farmers will be interested in it. As for the private sector, the snow and swamp vehicle is perfect for hunters, travelers in the wild (the body will allow you to carry everything you need with you), or those who live in places where it is problematic to move in a regular car.