MAZ » 7904

MAZ 7904 is the offroad 6-axle twin-engine chassis with two 2-seat cabins and 12 huge wheels with diameter of 2.8 meters. Its payload is really incredible — 220 tonnes. The only purpose is installing the parts of the first missile complex 'Celina'. The main engine was a turbocharged marine diesel 12CHN18/20 (M-351) V12 with a capacity of 42.4 liters and output of 1500 hp located in the front between the cabins. It was connected to the two hydromanual 4-speed gearboxes. Wheel configuration is 12x12.

The 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th axles were driveable. Each wheel has its own hydroair suspension. MAZ 7904 uses 51 inch tires made by Bridgestone. The second auxiliary engine YAMZ-238F V8 was used to power hydro pumps, electric generators, vents of the cooling system and other units. Its output is 330 hp. Curb weight of the chassis is 140 tonnes, GVW — 360 tonnes. Overall dimensions — 32200x6800x3450 mm. Track — 5.4 meters. Ground clearance — 480 mm. Turning radius — 50 meters.

The only prototype of MAZ 7904 was collected in June 1983. The tests took place only in the dark time and according to a schedule when the enemy satellites did not “hang” over this territory of the USSR. After 547 km the prototype was dismantled and loaded onto a special 12-axle 120-ton trailer platform to ship to Kazakhstan. The second stage of tests tool place there when MAZ 7904 passed 4100 km with a maximum speed of 27 kph.