The Mercedes-Benz L 6600 was a heavy truck built by Daimler-Benz at the Gaggenau plant from 1950 to 1958. It was sold under that name until 1955 and afterwards as the L 315.
Mercedes-Benz L 6600 at a glance
| Built | 1950–1958, Gaggenau |
|---|---|
| Name L 6600 | 1950–1955 |
| Name L 315 | from 1955 |
| Layout | two axles, rear-wheel drive |
| Bodies | flatbed, tipper and tractor unit |
| All-wheel drive | available from 1953 |
| Forward-control version | 1955–1957 |
| Engine | OM 315 six-cylinder diesel, 8,276 cc |
| Bore and stroke | 112 mm × 140 mm |
| Gearbox | ZF AK 6-55, six speeds |
| Brakes | Westinghouse air brakes on all wheels |
| Built | 13,735 bonneted and 2,480 forward-control L 315 |
This article is based on one source, the German Wikipedia article on the L 315, which covers the L 6600. Free photographs were not available, so the record keeps its earlier picture.
History of the Mercedes-Benz L 6600
The L 6600 was introduced in 1950 as a heavy two-axle truck with a conventional bonnet and a ladder frame of U-profiles. Rigid axles on longitudinal leaf springs carried the load, with progressive helper springs at the rear, and hydraulic shock absorbers were available at the front, standard on the 5,200 mm wheelbase. The wheels were 11-20 eH steel discs with 7.5-20 tyres, twinned at the rear, and a Westinghouse air brake with 440 mm drums acted on all four wheels.
Power came from the OM 315, a water-cooled six-cylinder pre-chamber diesel of 8,276 cc with a 112 mm bore and 140 mm stroke, driving through a Fichtel & Sachs single dry clutch and an unsynchronised ZF AK 6-55 six-speed gearbox. The range included the L 315 flatbed, the LK 315 tipper and the LS 315 tractor unit, all with rear-wheel drive; from 1953 the LA 315, LAK 315 and LAS 315 added all-wheel drive with a transfer box. A forward-control LP 315 was offered from 1955 to 1957.
The name L 6600 was used until 1955, after which the truck was sold as the L 315. From 1956 a military LG 315/46 was tested for the Bundeswehr, which ordered it from 1958 to 1964; in that version the OM 315 V engine was set up as a multi-fuel unit. In all, 13,735 bonneted and 2,480 forward-control L 315 trucks were built, making it one of the more numerous heavy Mercedes-Benz trucks of the post-war decade.
Design and features
- Heavy-duty chassis: U-profile ladder frame, rigid axles and progressive helper springs.
- 8.3-litre diesel: the OM 315 six-cylinder with pre-chamber injection.
- Several bodies: flatbed, tipper, tractor unit and forward control.
- All-wheel drive: added in 1953 for construction and military use.
Mercedes-Benz L 6600 versions
- L 6600 (1950–1955): the original name.
- L 315: the same truck under the later name.
- LK 315: tipper with rear-wheel drive.
- LA 315 and LAK 315: all-wheel-drive flatbed and tipper from 1953.
- LP 315: forward-control version of 1955–1957.
- LG 315/46: military version ordered by the Bundeswehr.
The L 6600 belongs to the 1950s heavy trucks, before the New Generation of 1973. More in the Mercedes-Benz collection.
Video: Minichamps Mercedes-Benz L6600 tanker
Video by YouTube on YouTube.
Sources
- Mercedes-Benz L 315, German Wikipedia: names, chassis, engine, versions, production
