The MAZ-516 was a three-axle heavy lorry built with units of the MAZ-500. Its distinguishing feature was a third axle that could be lowered or raised according to the load, and it was the first Soviet lorry with such a system.
MAZ-516 at a glance
| Maker | Minsk Automobile Plant (MAZ), Belarus |
|---|---|
| Production | 1969–1981 |
| Layout | 6×2 with a lifting third axle |
| Base | MAZ-500 |
| Engine | YaMZ-238, 240 hp |
| Gearbox | five-speed |
| Payload | up to 16,500 kg |
| Kerb weight | 8,800 kg |
| Gross weight | 23,525 kg |
| Wheelbase | 4,578 mm |
| Top speed | 95 km/h |
| Fuel consumption | 30 litres per 100 km |
The MAZ-516 is covered only by the Russian Wikipedia article; this page is based on one source.
History of the MAZ-516
An axle that lifts
The great feature of the MAZ-516 was a third axle that could be lowered and raised according to the load. With the 6×2 layout this raised the payload without exceeding the permitted loads on the road surface, and when the lorry ran empty with the axle lifted it was more manoeuvrable and used less fuel. The MAZ-516 was the first Soviet lorry with such a system.
From MAZ-516 to MAZ-516A
The first batch of lorries was built in 1969, and the design was largely based on the MAZ-500. When the plant changed over to the modernised MAZ-500A in 1970, the three-axle lorry was improved in the same way and received the new designation MAZ-516A; its production began in 1973 and continued until 1981.
Six by four and the derivatives
The MAZ-514B of 1974 used a classic 6×4 layout with the YaMZ-238E engine of 265 hp. On its base the MAZ-515 tractor unit was created. Neither of the two models was developed further.
Dimensions and equipment
The lorry was 8,520 mm long, 2,500 mm wide and 2,650 mm high, with a wheelbase of 4,578 mm, minimum ground clearance of 270 mm and 11.20-20 tyres. It had a two-plate dry clutch with pneumatic assistance, a five-speed gearbox, a central single final drive with planetary hub reductions and a two-stage steering gear of recirculating ball and rack-and-sector type with hydraulic assistance. In the Soviet film The World Guy the hero, played by Nikolai Olyalin, raced in a MAZ-516.
Design and features
- Lifting third axle: the first Soviet lorry with the system, raising payload and saving fuel when empty.
- 16.5 tonnes payload: with a gross weight of 23,525 kg.
- Tank-derived engine: the YaMZ-238 V8 of 240 hp.
- Powerful steering: a two-stage recirculating-ball and rack-and-sector gear with hydraulic assistance.
- On screen: a MAZ-516 was raced in the Soviet film The World Guy.
MAZ-516 versions
- MAZ-516 (1969–1973): the original three-axle lorry with the lifting axle.
- MAZ-516A (1973–1981): improved version following the MAZ-500A.
- MAZ-514B (1974): classic 6×4 lorry with the YaMZ-238E of 265 hp.
- MAZ-515: tractor unit built on the MAZ-514B base.
The MAZ-516 was built on the MAZ-500 base, and the lifting axle returned in the MAZ-516B of the MAZ-5335 family. More are in the MAZ collection.
Sources
- MAZ-516, Russian Wikipedia: lifting axle, production years, dimensions, film appearance
