The beginning of the 2000s was marked by a significant crisis in the automotive industry throughout Russia. It was at this time that the Likhachev plant sharply reduced the output of medium-tonnage trucks. This led to the formation of a colossal niche that industrialists from the Kama Automobile Plant could occupy. They also own the development of the promising KamAZ-4308. We will talk about this unique brainchild of Kamovites in the most detail in the article.
Historical excursion
At that time, the idea of producing a new truck was very, very risky, and therefore the machine builders made every effort to minimize the cost of creating a new model, because the probability of bankruptcy in case of failure was very high. The vast majority of truck components were unified with the main line, however, it was not possible to fully adapt all the details due to the impressive difference in dimensions. In 2003, KAMAZ-4308 appeared in mass sale and almost immediately gained wide popularity, because thanks to its parameters it perfectly suited to continuously tightening requirements of the norms and rules of the road in large cities. And indeed, medium-duty trucks have always been held in high esteem.
Appearance
KamAZ-4308 is a new model of a well-known Russian brand, which has the lowest possible weight for such a design. At the same time, the truck has a pretty nice appearance, although it causes a somewhat ambiguous sensation for the average user. The cab of the car was borrowed from its "relatives" of the 1970s era, although it was tested and acquired a more original look. She got a solid windshield, a high roof, modernized optics, streamlined front bumper. However, the features of the predecessors were preserved - small headlights, door handles and side windows. Head lighting is located on the sides of the radiator grill. In addition, the KamAZ-4308 cab is one of the best in the line of this car. It is worth noting that the number of elements exposed to the negative effects of corrosion has significantly decreased. To the disappointment of many consumers, the manufacturer has not yet performed galvanization of the cabin, and this, of course, is a big minus. On pre-order, a cab option with one berth is available. The “head” suspension of the car is mounted on four springs of elliptical shape, which pretty well absorb all the fluctuations arising from road bumps during driving. The cabin upholstery is fully formed, and the dash in the latest versions is made of plastic, and not of steel, as it was before. Devices left almost everything switch. The driver's seat has many settings and is equipped with air suspension, so that it would be convenient for a person to adjust it to their personal dimensions.
Scope of application
KamAZ-4308 is used in many sectors of the modern national economy. Many types of add-ons are available for this model, but the onboard platform has gained the most popularity. With its help, you can transport a variety of goods weighing no more than twelve tons. In addition, on the chassis there is the possibility of installing special equipment used in municipal services. Also, the machine may well be operated as part of a road train. The truck is perfect for transporting on international routes and can transport lots of various goods between warehouses located within major cities.
Technical specifications
Manufacturers performed KamAZ-4308 with a fairly compact linear dimensions and a four-in-two wheel arrangement. The dimensions of the truck are as follows:
- length - 7.2 meters;
- width - 2.5 meters;
- height - 2.33 meters;
- turning radius (minimum) - 8.5 meters;
- curb weight - 5850 kilograms;
- gross weight - 11.5 tons;
- fuel feed pump - manufacturer Bosch;
- turbocharging and intercooler are available.
The car is able to overcome an angle of elevation of 25%. The maximum possible speed of the car does not exceed 105 kilometers per hour. At the same time, the fuel consumption is very insignificant and varies between 14-16 liters for every 100 kilometers of the traveled path. However, in the case of a full load and negative ambient temperature, this figure will already be 23-24 liters. The truck can work offline for a long time, since the capacity of its fuel tank is 210 liters. KamAZ-4308 uses pneumatic tires and disc wheels of 245/70 R19.5 size.
Power point
The truck compares favorably with its competitors in that it has an exclusive engine. Directly the development of the motor began in 2001 in Naberezhnye Chelny. At that time, the plant actively collaborated with the American industrial giant Cummins. It was engineers from the United States who provided the Russians with a suitable motor for the car. Initially, the KamAZ-4308 engine had a capacity of 140 horsepower and a volume of 3.9 liters, which corresponded to Euro-2 standards. But over time, the car received a motor in two versions - a four-cylinder and a six-cylinder. Each of these engine options is equipped with an electrically controlled common rail fuel system. Due to the use of a steel plate protecting the lower part of the cylinder block, a significant reduction in the noise level was achieved. And the power plant itself is equipped with a four-valve cylinder head. The water pump and compressor drive are equipped with a multi-ribbed belt with an automatic tensioner. A fan is installed on the front toe of the crankshaft, and this is the best option for a cabless car from a technical point of view. Fast and efficient engine warming is guaranteed by the presence of a viscous coupling. Of the negative features of the engine, it is worth noting the frequent and annoying breakdown of starters for many drivers, but in power plants in recent years, this gap has been eliminated. In addition, the increased vibration of the motor itself can be explained by the fact that it has excessively rigid pillows of its own.
Truck Features
KamAZ-4308 is the first biaxial car of the brand, which has spars with a constant cross section in the frame. This innovation made it possible to release several versions of the wheelbase. Suspension springs themselves are parabolic, leafy, having a low dead weight. In order to improve the progress of the machine, their length is within two meters. Springs require periodic lubrication and do not cause repair difficulties. Special rubber elements mounted on the brackets of the springs, well dampen the clang of springs during the trip of the car without a load on bumps and bumps.
In already more modern versions of KamAZ, the chassis was significantly improved and adjusted. The car received a rear air suspension with electronic control, which allows, at the request of the operator, to lower or raise the rear of the car within 100 millimeters.
Brake system
KamAZ-4308, the technical characteristics of which are given above, is equipped with air-operated brakes, whose discs are well ventilated. The manufacturer of this unit is Haldex.
Transmission and gearbox
The clutch of the truck - a single-plate drawbar design - is supplied by the Sachs brand, which is the "daughter" of the most powerful German concern ZF. In turn, the drive has not undergone any major changes. As for the gearbox, nowadays the car is equipped with a nine-speed ZF9S109 transmission, which is absolutely necessary for using the truck as a road train. By the way, this checkpoint is used by many European cars in many ways also because it has a rather high margin of safety.
We pay special attention to the KamAZ-4308 drive axle (see photo below). This medium-tonnage unit is manufactured in China and therefore, of course, it is irrational to speak of its high quality. However, the bridge design has a unique hypoid gearbox, as well as locking center differential, significantly increasing the machine throughput.
Benefits
The unambiguous positive qualities of KamAZ-4308, the characteristics of which guarantee him the opportunity to be among the leaders of the Russian automobile market, are:
- High load rating.
- Low loading height, which allows unloading and loading of goods (products) without any problems.
- The minimum possible purchase cost of the machine and its spare parts (especially when compared with foreign counterparts).
- An excellent opportunity to install various types of special equipment and add-ons, which undoubtedly allows you to significantly expand the scope of the truck. In particular, the car is widely in demand among representatives of the Ministry of Emergencies and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Also, often the car can act as a tow truck or manipulator.
Feedback from users
So, how good is the KamAZ-4308 in practice? The reviews of the owners say that in general the car fully justifies the money invested in its purchase, however there is still a whole list of nuances that can be described as negative. Among them are:
- Quite often, there are violations of the adjustment of the clutch rod, which leads to the fact that the pedal performs poorly.
- The muffler is excessively rigidly fixed, due to which, during vibration during the trip, the clamps of the mounts come off.
- An electronic speedometer is often able to reduce the actual mileage.
- A car with a load goes up very badly, there can be no talk of any good acceleration.
- Causes complaints and painting the car. Many drivers note that corrosion begins quickly in bends and joints.
Conclusion
Studying the KamAZ-4308 as a whole, the reviews of which are given above, we can conclude: the car has stable demand in the consumer market and is worthy of competition with its foreign counterparts. Trucks are capable of long-term operation and are characterized by optimal maintainability, and the replacement of parts and assemblies can be made in a variety of climatic conditions, which is especially important for Russia with its vast geography. At the same time, many repair and restoration work can be carried out independently, without resorting to the help of external specialists, and this is also an additional cost savings for the maintenance of the medium tonnage.