Comparison of KamAZ, MAZ and KrAZ dump trucks

Dump trucks are the most versatile carriers of all building materials, bulk and bulk cargo, such as sand, crushed stone, gravel and construction debris. In short, everything for which unloading is suitable, which is carried out by tipping from the body. No construction can do without dump trucks.

These machines are advantageous due to the reduction of unloading time, which can be carried out in four ways: rear, side, double-sided or universal on all sides. However, they also have disadvantages: for example, the load capacity of a dump truck is less than that of a truck with a fixed cargo platform.

In addition to classification by type of unloading, dump trucks can also be divided by body type (hopper, platform, sliding hopper, sliding platform). In addition, there are dump trucks, for unloading which the tilt of the entire car is used with the help of telescopic lifts.

In Russia, dump trucks are manufactured by KAMAZ, URAL, GAZ, and Yarovit companies. But despite the collapse of the Soviet Union and the transformation of the former fraternal republics into foreign states, dump truck models developed in Belarus and Ukraine successfully compete in the Russian market.

For our comparison, we have selected three of the most striking new models from representatives of the Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian automotive industries. These are KamAZ 6520-26020-73, MAZ 6501V9-8420-000, KrAZ C20.2R. All of them belong to the category of heavy three-axle dump trucks with a lifting capacity of 20 tons, and have a 6x4 wheel configuration.

Let's see what they are capable of.

KAMAZ dump truck 6520-26020-73

Let's start with the domestic model produced by the Kama Automobile Plant, the leader among Russian dump truck manufacturers.

KAMAZ 6520-26020-73 is the latest model in the 6520 series, developed taking into account the requirements of the Euro—4 eco-standard, which entered into force in Russia from the beginning of 2013. In addition to the legal requirements, the wishes of direct consumers of KAMAZ dump trucks were also taken into account when developing this model.

The dump truck is equipped with a powerful engine of domestic production KAMAZ 740.73-400 in 400 hp, a mechanical 16-speed gearbox – ZF and fuel equipment from BOSCH.

The 16 m3 body mounted on the car is positioned by the manufacturer as optimal, since it can be safely moved on routes equipped with stationary and mobile weight control points, without fear of exceeding the axle load.

Thanks to the KAMAZ traction coupling device (such as a pivot-loop or a gasless coupling), the dump truck can also work as a road train, which will help significantly reduce the cost of freight transportation.

One of the innovations of the model is a restyled all—metal cabin, although without a sleeping place. The machine has noise and thermal insulation, as well as an exhaust gas neutralization system (AdBlue).

The declared service interval of the dump truck is 25 thousand km. Thus, for 100 thousand km of mileage, maintenance will need to be carried out 4 times. The average cost of passing the service on KAMAZ is 25 thousand rubles. Considering that, on average, a dump truck passes 40-50 thousand km per year, car maintenance per year will cost at least 50 thousand rubles.

Director of Development of KamAZ-Don LLC Kharon Yusupov:

"The main advantages of the dump truck in comparison with previous models produced by the plant can be called, first of all, an increase in the frequency of maintenance to 25 000 - 50 000 km, as well as the extension of the warranty on the car from 75,000 km and 18 months to 100,000 km and 24 months.

Due to its specification, namely increased power, load capacity and body volume, the machine is widely used as a dump truck."

Dump truck MAZ 6501V9-8420-000

The dump truck from the Minsk Automobile Plant is a novelty for the Russian market (it went on sale in autumn 2013). The machine is designed for use in areas traditional for dump trucks with rear unloading. It is most convenient for work in road construction and quarries.

The YaMZ-651.10 engine (Renault Dci11) has proven itself well on MAZ cars since 2009. This unit is characterized by endurance and efficiency and is used in various types of cargo transport, in addition to dump trucks: tractors, on-board cars and other special equipment. The German-made ZF16 gearbox installed on the machine is designed for heavy loads.

MAZ is equipped with a body with an impressive volume of 20 m3, which will allow transporting not only heavy loads, but also bulky ones. The car is also equipped with a mountain brake, axle and wheel-to-wheel bridge locking.

The exterior of the dump truck has been updated, as well as the cabin, which is equipped with a full-fledged sleeping place.

As for the service of the machine, maintenance on this dump truck, according to experts, will cost 30 000 - 40 000 rubles for one maintenance. The frequency of service intervals declared by the manufacturer is every 25,000 km, and, on the recommendation of specialists, it should be slightly reduced and ideally every 15,000 km. Thus, according to average estimates, the maintenance of a dump truck per year will cost the consumer at least 70 thousand rubles.

Sergey Pleshchunov, a leading specialist in the sales department of automotive equipment of LLC Velikan-Rostov:

"The car went on sale recently, but the demand for it is already quite high. From the consumer's point of view, its price is quite acceptable; other advantages of the model are a large body and a powerful engine.

As for the disadvantages, I would note that there are disadvantages in the assembly of the car. And, unfortunately, many underestimate the importance of timely maintenance, but you need to keep an eye on the car! Then it will last a long time."

KrAZ C20.2R dump truck

The dump truck from the Kremenchug Automobile Plant is also a novelty for the Russian market (it went on sale in the winter of 2012-2013). KrAZ C20.2R is characterized by a wide involvement of developments from foreign (French, Austrian, Croatian) companies, which is synonymous with quality for consumers.

The dump truck is positioned by manufacturers as a special project of their design bureau, which is unlike all other models known to the Russian market. The car has a six-cylinder YaMZ-6511 engine with a diesel fuel system and a zf 16s151 manual dual-band transmission.

What distinguishes the C20.2R from previous models of the manufacturer is the use of a new cabin from the French company Renault Kerax, which has improved noise insulation, as well as an ergonomic layout of control devices and good visibility.

The special alloy of steel from which the car body is made was developed by the Austrian company Voestalpine. Its nominal volume is 14 m3. With the involvement of developments from foreign manufacturers, a telescopic mechanism for working with cargo was also created — specialists from the well-known Binotto company worked on it.

The new "dorozhnik" KrAZ C20.2R can be quite effectively used as a utility vehicle: for snow removal and as a base for irrigation equipment. The attachments for winter road maintenance were developed by the Croatian company RASCO.

As for maintenance, under normal operating conditions of the KRAZ, according to experts, the first oil change, oil and fuel filters will need to be done after 20 000 - 30 000 km of mileage, subsequent — every 40,000 km; the first oil change in the gearbox — after running 1000 km, then every 60,000 km; replacement of oil in the axles of the car - every 40,000 km. With an average annual mileage of 50,000 km per year, it will be necessary to undergo maintenance only 1-2 times, and with an average cost of car maintenance of 35-40 thousand rubles, the average annual expenditure will be from 35 to 80 thousand rubles.

Viktor Sorvin, Deputy Director of the Trading House of PJSC Avto KrAZ for the sale of cars in the Russian Federation:

"This dump truck is not just new, it is qualitatively different from the previous ones. The car is extremely reliable: it will not let you down not only at work in the city, but also on the traditional off-road expanses of the KRAZ, in difficult terrain, quarrying or logging. The cabin is comfortable, there is almost no noise.

At a price of 4,050,000 rubles, taking into account the payment of a recycling fee in the amount of 435,000 rubles, the car comes out more expensive, but it is also better in quality, and what is more important for the buyer here is up to him to decide."

So, judging by the information in the table, the most profitable purchase for the consumer will be a dump truck from MAZ: it has the most powerful engine and lower fuel consumption, as well as the most voluminous body. However, if everything were determined solely by the technical characteristics recorded on paper, things would be much simpler.

Judging by the price, the difference between MAZ and KAMAZ, taking into account its variation depending on the region and the dealer, is not significant. As for the most expensive of the presented models – KrAZ, in fairness it should be noted that starting from January 1 next year, the recycling fee, which is now paid by the Ukrainian supplier, will be extended to all automakers. Therefore, the price gap between the three models will not be so striking. In addition, it would be unfair not to note the obvious advantages of the KrAZ model, which is rare for Russia at the moment: in addition to the traditional use of dump trucks, the machine is able to work in public utilities, and an increase in service intervals will slightly reduce maintenance costs.