KrAZ-6322 (1994)
Ukrainian 6x6 Tactical truck, c2,500 built 1994-today
KrAZ-6322 (English: KrAZ-6322) is a Ukrainian flatbed all-wheel drive truck with a 6x6 wheel drive, and a carrying capacity from 10 up to 20 tons and forward bonnet-cab layout. It is designed to carry troops and supplies on public roads and off-road, incluing in extreme conditions thanks to a central tire inflation system, with a double and single rear axle tire options, axle and center differential locks. It is declined into 12 main variants, inclduding the partially armoured 2S22 Bohdana self propelled howitzer.
Development
The Predecessor of this model was the cold war KrAZ-260, a three-axle large-capacity off-road truck designed for cargo, personnel and towing trailers off-road. It was declined into multiple variants, and development started at the Kremenchug Automobile Plant design bureau in the 1960s under chief designer V. V. Tabolin, based on the French Berliet GBC 8KT. There was a joint development of the Kremenchug Automobile Plant, NAMI and the Bauman Moscow State Technical University with the first pilot batch in 1979, comprehensive testing in Bronnitsy, production delayed until 1981 to replace the KrAZ-255B, in parallel with the KrAZ-255B1. I was terminated in 1992 as its sucessor, the 6322 was introduced.
In 1991, the experimental all-wheel drive KrAZ 63221E 6x6 was presented. Unlike the KrAZ-260, its cabin was of a slightly modified design, with a hump on the hood and different front wings. The prototype was powered by the massive YaMZ-238D engine rated for 330 hp. In 1994, the 260 series was officially to be replaced by the 10-ton flatbed 330 hp model KrAZ-6322 as greenlight for production. A commemorative coin of the National Bank of Ukraine shows the KrAZ-6322 "Soldat". It was since succeeded to the 260 at the plant and mass produced (estimations still reasearched) and widely exported and declined into multiple variants. In 2010, a special modification proposed for exports is a right-hand drive. Improvements are ongoing.
Design
The main chassis consists of ladded type base in hardened stainless steel with a forward cab and rear flatbed platform, or without it (naked chassis for various cabins and payloads), mounted on the frame. The cab consists of an engine under hood compartment and a passenger compartment. The frame is of a stepped type, reinforced with inserts to ensure optimal rigidity during operation in difficult road conditions. The side members are made of hot-rolled alloy steel channel, the cross members are stamped from high-quality structural steel.
The KrAZ 6322 is a relatively large truck for its category, with a wheelbase of 4600+1400 mm, and 5000+1400 mm for the variant KrAZ-63221. It is quite long, from 8,98 m to 9,10 m and even 10,10 m for the KrAZ-63221. Width also varies from 2,5 up to 2,75 m dependong on variants and its height from 3,03 up to 3,17 m (some variants carrying radars or antennae are much taller even, but everything is folded down in travel mode). The chassis had a ground Clearance beween 28 and 37 cm depending on the suspensions settings and payload, which could be on average up to 20 tons, with an empty weight between 11,3t and 12,7 tons.
Engine and Performances
The large bonnet of the vehicle allows the installation, in addition of a native YaMZ engine, a Ford, Deutz, or Cummins engine depending on the customer's needs, ranging from 330 to 400 hp. Top speed could range from 75 to 85 km/h on flat, with a fuel tank capacityf two 250 liters and a single 50 liters fuel tanks. The KrAZ-6322 is optionally equipped with a V8 turbodiesel YaMZ-238D-33 or YaMZ-238DE2-29 displacing both 14.86 liters for an otput of 330 hp (243 kW) at 2100 rpm. Outside the western Cummins, the Ford-Ecotorq 9.0 liters is a popular option thanks to a 362 hp output or the Deutz TCD 2013 L06 4V can be installed.
The YaMZ-238D-33 and YaMZ-238DE2-29 are Four-stroke, diesel, water-cooled V8/90° units. The cylinder order is 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8, cylinder diameter 130mm, Piston stroke 140mm, exact capacity 14.866 liters, for a compression ratio of 17.5. It is injected by a Low-pressure fuel pump and high-pressure fuel pump (direct injection) for a rating of 330 (243) hp at 2100 rpm, and a torque of 1233 Nm at 1200–1400 rpm and 1275 Nm at 1100–1300 rpm respectively.
The engine could run no stop without revision for 800,000 km. It is western standardized to Environmental standards Euro-0 Euro-2.
The Transmission comprises a clutch with two-disc, friction, dry, diaphragm, exhaust type. This is a YaMZ-2381-36 mech. gearbox, 8-speed, with four-speed main, two-range planetary demultiplier, with synchronizers on all forward gears. Optonally it could be a 9-speed manual gearbox 9JS150TA from Eaton Fast Gear. This gearbox was connected to the central axles, with two-stage, single-speed, and locking interaxle differentials and through the Middle axle. The transfer case is mechanical, single-stage, with locking interaxle differential.
The Chassis, had forward suspension dependent, on two longitudinal semi-elliptic leaf springs, with two hydraulic shock absorbers and a stabilizer bar.
The Rear suspension are also dependent on two longitudinal semi-elliptic leaf springs, with two additional springs and a stabilizer bar. The Steering is mechanical and integral with built-in hydraulic booster. The Brake is pneumatic with optional anti-lock braking system (ABS) from Knorr-Bremse or Wabco.
The service brakes are of the drum-type brakes, with internal pads. It comes with a set of parking brakes, drum-type transmission brake on the transfer case output shaft and auxiliary brakes of the throttle type, pneumatic drive installed in the exhaust system.
⚙ KrAZ 6322 specifications |
| Weight | 11.3t |
| Dimensions | 8980 x 2500 x 3030 mm |
| Propulsion | Yamz engine 300 hp |
| Speed | 75 kph |
| Range | 550l fuel, c800km |
| Armament | None (see variants) |
| Protection | None |
| Crew | 1 driver+ 20-28 troops |
Variants
KrAZ-63221REB-01 «Sentry» at a military parade in Turkmenistan, 2011
KrAZ-6322 "Soldier" Base cargo truck
KrAZ-6322 AF1 KUNG (utility body) on KrAZ-6322 chassis
KrAZ-6322RA BM-21 Grad on KrAZ-6322 chassis
KrAZ-6322 "Raptor" Armoured Cab and flatbed cabin, APC (proto)
KrAZ "Fiona" MRAP on KrAZ-6322 chassis
KrAZ "Forpost" KrAZ-6322 chassis APC, proto
KrAZ-63221 Improved serial chassis: Typ 1 twin wheels, Type 3 single wheels
RS-122 Georgian MLRS on KrAZ-63221 chassis, armoured
ATs-12-63221 Fuel tanker on KrAZ-63221 chassis
ATsTV-10 Water tanker on KrAZ-63221 chassis
АКТ-2/5-63221 Fire truck on KrAZ-63221 chassis
KrAZ-63221REB-01 «Sentry» Kolchuga passive sensor carrier/KrAZ-63221 chassis
2S22 Bohdana Prototype based on the KrAZ 63221