Perhaps the most famous truck brand in Russia is KamAZ. Cars of this brand are produced for almost half a century. Kama plant produces commercial vehicles with a wide range of applications. Among them there are main tractors, dump trucks, as well as municipal vehicles. But do not forget about grain carriers. KamAZ-65117 is one of them. This is a 6x4 four-axle truck, mass-produced since 2004. This car is produced to this day, however, in a slightly different design. What is KamAZ-65117? Photos, review and specifications are further in our article.
Appearance
The design of the truck familiar to all KamAZ trucks of that time was a simple square cab and a long cargo platform. Note that the design and construction of the cab are unified, and it is used not only on such trucks, but also on truck tractors (model 5460 is a vivid confirmation of this). The only thing that distinguished KamAZ-65117 trucks was the cargo platform. The model itself is universal, and both an onboard body and a platform for transporting grain are installed on it. There were also tented modifications.
But as experience has shown, the best option for this KamAZ is a platform for transporting grain. The machine is equipped with a pin-loop coupler. This allows towing long trailers with a rotary drawbar. As a rule, the volume of such trailers is no less than that of the KamAZ cargo platform itself. Using a KamAZ-65117 truck with a trailer is a profitable solution for many carriers. With almost the same fuel consumption and other operating costs, twice as much profit is realized. Note that the truck cab is equipped with a berth. This allows for long-distance transportation. However, in height all the cabs on KamAZ-65117 trucks (the photo of the car is in our article) are the same.
Restyling
In 2012, the car suffered minor cosmetic changes. So, the car received a new cab design. The frame and cargo platform remained the same.
Externally, the restyled KamAZ-65117 grain truck looks fresh. Significant improvements have been made to the front bumper. He became more voluminous and embossed, and also received new optics. Two pairs of foglights are used below. But as the reviews say, the quality of the light has not improved at all. A sun visor and mirrors were added to the car. Now the driver can fully control all the dead zones.
Sizes, clearance
The car has a very impressive dimensions. So, the total length of the onboard KamAZ-65117 tractor is 10.25 meters. Width - 2.5 meters, height - almost 3. The distance between the centers of the front and rear axles is 4.97 meters. Also note that the version of the "grain truck" can be equipped with a platform with extended sides (plus 73 centimeters). This increases the overall height of the truck to 3.82 meters.
The ground clearance of the KamAZ-65117 truck is 29 centimeters. This is an impressive figure, owners say. The machine can be used both on general roads and on rough terrain. And thanks to the two driving axles, this car cannot be planted on the belly. The external turning radius of the truck is 10.7 meters. And the maximum angle of elevation at full load is 18 degrees. Note that the truck can work together with a trailer with a total weight of up to 14 tons.
Cabin
The manufacturer claims that the car is equipped with a luxury cabin. If you compare it with previous models, you can notice a number of changes. So, in KAMAZ-65117 a new front panel is used. It is made of plastic, not metal, as before. KAMAZ used a new instrument panel with a neat visor. There was a roomy glove box. The steering wheel has also changed. He became more chubby and got a nice grip. By the way, the steering wheel can be adjusted in height. The back of the middle seat can be folded, forming a compact table with a cup holder. At the back there is a sleeping shelf with a soft mattress. The seat, in comparison with the KamAZs of the 90s, received a more pronounced lumbar support, and on models of recent years it can be equipped with an armrest. Above your head there are small niches for documents and other things. Still, KamAZ uses a captain’s landing. This contributes to better visibility and eliminates dead spots. Mirrors are spherical, but manually adjusted.
But as the reviews say, even with such changes, KamAZ is far from the level of foreign cars of the 90s. So, in the cabin, extraneous sounds and vibrations are still felt. The seat has a limited set of adjustments. On the way, you have to "catch" the car, constantly steering the wheel. The cab is not sprung and is rigidly attached to the frame. This is noticeably felt when passing holes, of which there are an unlimited number on the routes. There are also no power windows, and most importantly, air conditioning. In the summer, working on this truck is very difficult. Drivers are forced to install a 12-volt fan on their own in order to somehow overcome the heat. There is no music here, not to mention a radio. All this is bought and installed after the acquisition of the truck.
Specifications
The versions that were produced from 2004 to 2012 were equipped with only one power unit. He was a native KAMAZ engine 740.62-280. This is an eight-cylinder diesel engine with a V-shaped arrangement of cylinders. The engine is equipped with a turbine and an intercooler system for charge air.
With a volume of 11.76 liters, this power unit develops a capacity of 280 horsepower. But power is a secondary indicator for commercial vehicles. In the first place is the torque. Its value is 1177 Nm at 1.9 thousand revolutions per minute. As the owners note, it is enough if the car is not overloaded. The fuel consumption of the car is different. In summer, this figure is 35 liters per hundred. In winter, at full load - 42.
Gearbox
Paired with a motor, one of two mechanical gearboxes can work. So, the basic for the truck is the KAMAZ transmission of the 154th model in ten gears. More expensive modifications were equipped with an imported ZF gearbox in nine stages. Both transmissions are equipped with a single-disk diaphragm clutch with a pneumatic booster.
Motor after restyling
After 2012, the manufacturer replaced the line of power units. So, on the new KamAZ-65117 trucks, the specifications have become slightly different. Under the hood is a Cummins diesel engine. This is a Chinese engine that is manufactured under an American license. The motor has a much smaller working volume - 6.7 liters. However, this does not mean that the new KamAZ-65117 tractor has weak technical characteristics. Thanks to the turbocharger and the Bosch direct-injection fuel system, this unit develops 281 horsepower. Torque - 1082 Nm at one and a half thousand revolutions. It is impossible to say that this motor is more high-torque or vice versa. According to the characteristics of the KamAZ-65117, the new sample is practically no different from the "pre-reform" one. True, fuel consumption fell by a couple of liters. Now a car spends from 34 to 38 liters of diesel fuel per hundred. The maximum speed is 100 kilometers per hour, as on the previous engine. Acceleration time is not officially regulated, however, as operating experience shows, a truck picks up a hundred in about a minute (when empty and without a trailer).
As for the transmission, the Chinese engine is mated to a nine-speed German manual gearbox ZF. It uses a remote gear shift drive and a single-plate dry-clutch diaphragm.
Chassis
The car is built on a frame platform with spring suspension. Moreover, it is independent on all axes. In front is a pivot beam. Behind - bridges on balancers. All this is attached to the frame by means of springs. The brake system is fully pneumatic. The system is very reliable and never fails at the most inopportune moment. However, the car responds belatedly to the pedal, which is common to all pneumatic trucks. The brakes themselves are drum, on all axles. The diameter of the drums is 40 centimeters. The total area of the working surface of the brake pads is 6300 square centimeters. The car has a stable 6x4 wheel formula without a transfer case, but with a differential lock. This feature is especially helpful if loading is carried out on wet ground.
Has the chassis changed after 2012 on a KamAZ-65117 truck? The suspension design remains the same. However, the manufacturer claims that the frame of the KamAZ-65117 truck has been strengthened. The brake system remains the same. But the steering has undergone changes. Now here is the gearbox from RBL, which provides more accurate and informative control. But as the reviews say, the maneuverability of the truck remained unchanged. The car is still trying to "search" for the road and the driver has to taxi.
Cost
If we talk about the first versions of KamAZ trucks, they are sold on the secondary market at a price of one to one and a half million rubles on average. Trucks have one package. So, this includes:
- Fuel tank for 500 liters.
- Two batteries.
- 28 volt generator.
- Three-brush wiper.
Many of the owners changed seats, installed music, good fog lights and a walkie-talkie. Therefore, it is often possible to run into a pretty good and staffed copy.
If we talk about new grain carriers, they can be purchased at a price of three to four million rubles. The manufacturer offers to buy this equipment on a lease or credit.
Conclusion
So, we found out what a KamAZ-65117 truck is. It can be purchased only as a grain truck. In terms of comfort, the car is significantly inferior to the main tractors (take, for example, KamAZ Neo). Therefore, it makes no sense to work on it in conjunction with a tented trailer. But for the transportation of bulk cargo, this machine is ideal.