Tested by North

Five KAMAZ-65115, two KAMAZ-65111 and two KAMAZ-6540 heavy-duty trucks have been tested within a year in the Northern regions of the Russian Federation by «SeverStroy» Ltd.(construction company) in Langepas city (northern part of Tumen oblast’ close to Polar circle). Below tables exhibit in brief some of their specifications.

Table 1. KAMAZ dump truck specifications

No.	Model	Wheel arrangement	Engine	Transmission	Gear ratio of the final drive	Body volume /capacity ì3	Payload, t
1.	65115	6x4	740.13	15	5,43	8,5	15
2.	65115	6x4	740.2	15	5,43	8,5	15
3.	65115	6x4	740.13	152	6,53	8,5	15
4.	65115	6x4	740.11	15	5,43	8,5	15
5.	65115	6x4	740.3	ZF9S109	5,43	8,5	15
6.	65111	6x6	740.13	14	5,43	8,2	14
7.	65111	6x6	740.11	14	5,43	8,2	14
8.	6540	8x4	7403.1	152	6,53	11	18,5
9.	6540	8x4	7403.1	152	6,53	11	18,5

All the trucks that have been assigned for testing were not furnished with any extra improvements in design or in running gear. As «SeverStroy» Ltd. has only got an open-air parking, so trucks and drivers had to stop for a brake under open air.

Dump trucks were used for sand transportation from Pokachi city, located 100 km away from the main base, to oil pump stations. Ambient temperature that winter varied from -20?C up to -40?C. Average transportation distance was about 10 km. To load sand to trucks there was used a KAMATSU PC-300 excavator, with 1,25 m3 capacity of its dipper.

Upon loading sand at sandpits trucks used to run to dumping sites along asphalt and concrete roads covered with snow at 15–60 km/h speed. In some places roads were so narrow that sometimes two vehicles could hardly pass each other.

Table 2 exhibits test results and specifies technical characteristics and economic indices.

Table2. Main technical and performance characteristics of KAMAZ heavy-duty trucks

No.	Model	Warranty ¹	Total kilometers logged	Average distance in kilometers per run	Average speed, km/h	Average fuel consumption, l/100 km
1.	65115	471	62908	10	30	57,4
2.	65115	41	73705	10	32	55
3.	65115	7	84849	10	31	54,5
4.	65115	16	96629	10	30	54,9
5.	65115	29	26000	10	30	58
6.	65111	42	19470	10	30	56,8
7.	65111	176	26822	10	30	57,3
8.	6540	173	14734	10	32	54,5
9.	6540	155	12150	10	34	54,3

It is obvious from this table that under the above conditions operation of KAMAZ-6540 trucks was more cost effective due to higher average speed and less fuel consumption.

These tests have demonstrated that KAMAZ trucks are very well adopted for transportation of various bulk construction materials. Platform’s dimensions ensure effective use of its payload. KAMAZ-65111 has the best cross-country capability. KAMAZ-65115 and -65111 easily maneuvered while loading and dumping, whereas KAMAZ-6540 often had wheel-spin when unloaded. This is because two front axles of the four-axle vehicle have higher resistance to movement. However, wheel-spin can be eliminated if to equip the truck with treaded tyres for increased cross-country capability.

Its drivers have estimated operation and reliability of each component of these trucks. There were questioned 30 drivers whose experience in driving KAMAZ trucks was from 2 to 24 years.

The survey results are exhibited in Table 3 below and rated from 1 to 5 scale, where "5" is the highest mark.

Table 3. Customer’s assessment of performance characteristics of KAMAZ trucks

No.	Consumer properties	Average mark	Mark in %
			2	3	4	5
1	Trucks in general
1.1	Steerability and directional stability	4,8	-	9	45,5	45,5
1.2	Payload	4,5	-	9	41	50
1.3	Smoothness of running	4	-	27,25	45,5	27,25
1.4	Accessibility for maintenance	3,3	-	63,6	36,4	-
2	Cab
2.1	Visibility	5	-	-	-	100
2.2	Heating	4,3	-	9	36.4	54.6
2.3	Interior	4,2	-	30	20	50
2.4	Safety	3,3	18,2	36,4	36,4	9
3	Engine
3.1	Capacity	4	9	18,2	36,4	36,4
3.2	Starting characteristics	3	18,2	54,6	9	18,2
3.3	Fuel consumption	3,8	-	36,4	45,5	9,1

The customer has highly estimated vehicles’ visibility, directional stability, steerability and payload. Cab heating, interior and engine capacity has also been recognized as acceptable. Fuel consumption, easy access for maintenance and safety were identified as «satisfactory». However, there is still much to improve in cold start device at severe Siberian frosts.

The customers’ assessment of reliability of KAMAZ trucks’ main components and units are exhibited in Table 4.

Table 4. Customer’ assessment of KAMAZ trucks’ reliability

No.	Units, components and systems	Average Mark	Mark in %
		Mark	2	3	4	5
1.	Steering device	4,7	-	-	27	73
2.	Cab	4,5	-	-	45	55
3.	Hydraulic system	4,2	-	40	20	40
4.	Electrical equipment	4,2	-	28	36	36
5.	Driving axles	4,2	-	27	46	27
6.	Body	4,1	-	20	50	30
7.	Transmission	4	-	18	36	46
8.	Wheels and hubs	3,8	-	36	18	46
9.	Brake system	3,8	9	37	27	27
10.	Suspension	3,6	-	37	63	-
11.	Engine	3,5	-	46	45	9
12.	Cardan shafts	3,5	-	56	45	-
13.	Clutch	3,3	9	37	45	9
14.	Transfer case	2,5	36	55	9	-

Transfer case and clutch of KAMAZ-65111 need further improvement as their performance was not altogether good and there were some claims. All other units and components of KAMAZ trucks have been marked as «good» and «very good».

It is especially pleasant to win recognition of customers from the area close to the Polar circle. Nevertheless, KAMAZ Inc. shouldn’t stop to further developing its vehicles and ensure their failure free operation both in hot desert sands and cold northern snows.