MAZ-4307 Zubrenok is the first Belarusian medium-tonnage truck with a cabless layout, a large cargo platform and a significant number of various modifications developed and produced on its basis.
Truck production
MAZ-4370 or Zubrenok is produced by the Belarusian company MAZ. The company dates back to 1944, when a workshop for the restoration and repair of automobiles was created in liberated Minsk. Gradually, the company switched to assembling trucks from car kits. In 1945, construction began on the production halls of the heavy truck manufacturing plant. The company assembled the first MAZ-205 trucks in 1947, and two years later, conveyor production of cars was established. An important moment in the formation of the plant was the development and production of trucks in a cabless layout. In the future, the company, thanks to its own developments, not only expanded the range of cars, but also significantly increased production.
Currently, the MAZ association produces more than 80 modifications of trucks for various purposes, and also produces buses, trolleybuses, trailers and semi-trailers.
History of the truck
The appearance of MAZ-4370 is associated with increased demand for medium-tonnage vehicles at the end of the 20th century, as well as the desire of MAZ to expand the production line of trucks due to the new model. Such a compact car can be effectively used in urban conditions and on short commuter transportation for transporting small lots of various cargoes.
In order to accelerate development and start production at the enterprise, a truck of a similar class MAN-L-2000 was chosen as a prototype, but the carrying capacity of this model was only 2.5 tons. MAZ did not consider the lower carrying capacity a problem. Due to the developed basic elements of a new truck, frame, suspension, axles, in a fairly quick time, she not only designed the truck, but also carried out all the required test and certification works. This allowed us to begin production of the MAZ-4370 Zubrenok model in 1999.
Model design
In contrast to the Russian medium-tonnage cars produced, the Belarusian novelty received the engineless layout traditional for MAZ. This significantly increased the size of the vehicle’s side platform, and according to this indicator, only the KAMAZ-4308, released in 2007, could compete with MAZ-4370 (among CIS trucks).
The next distinguishing feature of Zubrenka was a high comfortable cabin for 3 people. In order to improve aerodynamics, it was equipped with three spoilers and a fairing at once.
The design of the car is based on a solid ladder-type frame with two channel-shaped side members, as well as crossbars that have received a round tubular and U-shaped section. Thanks to the dependent type of front and rear suspension on semi-elliptical springs in combination with 17.5-inch wheels, the truck received a low platform arrangement, which, according to the reviews of the owners of the MAZ-4370, was very comfortable during loading and unloading operations.
At the initial stage of production, the car was equipped with an MMZ D-245.9-540 engine with a capacity of 135 forces and a five-speed manual transmission. In the future, the number of power units on the MAZ-4370 increased.
Technical specifications
The main technical characteristics of MAZ-4370 are as follows:
- engine model - MMZ D-245.9.540;
- type - turbocharged diesel;
- volume - 4.75 l;
- number of cylinders / arrangement - 4 / L-row;
- power - 136.0 l. from.;
- execution - Euro 2;
- drive - rear;
- wheel formula - 4 × 2;
- type KP - five-speed mechanical;
- maximum speed - 90.0 km / h;
- fuel consumption (combined cycle) - 18.1 l / 100 km;
- wheelbase - 3.0 m;
- length - 6.20 m;
- height - 0.54 m;
- width - 2.49 m;
- platform design - on-board, with the possibility of mounting an awning;
- carrying capacity - 4.95 t;
- gross weight - 10.10 tons;
- load on the front axle - 3.65 tons;
- load on the rear axle - 6.40 t;
- tire size - 8.25R20, 235 / 75R17.5
- fuel tank volume - 130 l;
- the voltage of the onboard network is 24 V.
Engines "Zubrenka"
In addition to the MMZ D-245.9.540 diesel engine, the MAZ-4370 truck is equipped with the following power units:
1. Model - D-245.30E2
- type - diesel with supercharging;
- cooling - liquid;
- the number of cylinders - 4;
- cylinder arrangement - in-line (L);
- volume - 4.75 l;
- power - 156.4 liters from.;
- compression ratio - 17.0;
- weight - 0.50 t;
- environmental performance - Euro-2.
2. Model - D-245.30E3
- type - diesel with supercharging;
- cooling - liquid;
- the number of cylinders - 4;
- cylinder arrangement - in-line (L);
- volume - 4.75 l;
- power - 156.4 liters from.;
- compression ratio - 17.0;
- weight - 0.45 t;
- environmental performance - Euro-3.
3. Model - DEUTZ BF4M 1013FC
- type - diesel;
- cooling - liquid;
- the number of cylinders - 4;
- cylinder arrangement - in-line (L);
- working volume - 4.80 l;
- power - 170.0 l. from.;
- compression ratio - 16.1;
- weight - 0.56 t;
- environmental performance - Euro-3.
Paired with the DEUTZ engine, a five-speed ZF S5-42 gearbox is installed.
Car modifications
In addition to various power units, the car has several wheelbases with a length of:
- 3.30 m;
- 3.35 m;
- 3.70 m;
- 4.20 m.
This number of options clearly serves as additional popularity for the truck. In addition to the standard cab, a double cab with a berth is available.
The MAZ company in combination with various engines and various wheelbases makes the following modifications:
- onboard;
- side curtainsider;
- dump truck;
- van;
- isothermal wagon;
- chassis;
- tow truck;
- onboard with CMU.
A significant number of modifications, options for wheelbases and cabin designs have significantly expanded the scope of MAZ-4307.
Maintenance and possible problems
To maintain good condition and high-quality operational parameters of any car, including the characteristics of MAZ-4370, it is required to perform maintenance in accordance with the regulations of the manufacturer. The following types of necessary maintenance are installed for the Zubrenok truck:
- daily - before and after work;
- break-in - was performed after 1.0 thousand run;
- TO-1 - 5.0 thousand km;
- TO-2 - 20.0 thousand km;
- seasonal - when changing the season of operation.
Depending on the operating conditions of the truck, the mileage between the first and second service could be reduced.
Among the possible malfunctions, especially in the initial period of operation of the car, it should be noted:
- heavy gear shifting due to poor clutch adjustment;
- increased heating of the rear axle due to inaccurate adjustment of gears of gearing, as well as an excessive amount of oil in the crankcase;
- uneven power steering due to air;
- withdrawal of the car when driving in a straight line, in connection with a weakening of the tightening of spring step-ladders;
- low pressure in the brake system due to leakage;
- alternator tension belt slippage.
Advantages and disadvantages of a car
Owners in their reviews of MAZ-4370 highlight the following main advantages of the truck:
- affordable cost;
- comfortable cab;
- traction parameters of engines;
- economic operation;
- low loading height;
- large area of the platform;
- compact sizes.
Among the shortcomings are most often noted:
- poor heater power;
- frequent damage to the rear axle gear;
- gearbox defects;
- quick wear of the clutch disc;
- spring breaks.
Despite the presence of shortcomings, especially at the initial stage of production, due to its carrying capacity, cost, and the presence of a large number of various modifications, the MAZ-4370 medium-tonnage truck is in stable demand. Improvements and modernizations allow Zubrenk to remain the truck most in demand in its segment.