An Unusual Cross-Country Vehicle
in the Heart of Siberia
 In Yakutia, with its long distances, impassability, nomands' camps “hidden” deep and far in tundra and taiga, and underdeveloped, but very expensive minor aircraft, a cross-country vehicle is extremely useful, and indespensable.
We will tell about an unusual cross-country vehicle made by the rescuers of the Republic Ministry of Emergency.
Employees of search saving service Valery Galsanov and Dmitry Nikolaev, chiefs of sevice's leading departments , greeted us at the base of the service. Dmitry Ilyich immidiately begins his story:
- Valery Suhoborov, the Republic Minister of Emercom, had an idea of creation of cross-country vehicle prior to New Year, and on January 4 together with chief of our service Eugeny Baryshev and four other colleagues we started our work. We designed the machine ourselves. Thanks to Valery Malyshev, the director of Open Society Sakha roads ! He helped us a lot: provided with the area for the machine constructing, and lathes. The machine was almost ready within a mounth. But we've got only a pre-production model. We worked with “box” of 3-axled Japanese minibus "Litais" with the wheel formula six on six: added parts from domestic machines, ordered special tyres from Belarus . Our cross-country has 15 speeds, with a range of speed 1- 60 km per hour (depending on a lay of land). Carrying capacity - up to 500- 700 kg , the same with the trailer plugged. Now we are testing our machine. If we reveal some drawbacks, we shall eliminate them, improve the design.
- But what is the main purpose of the vehicle?
- It will work in tundra and be used in medical purposes - inspection and preventive maintenance of health of field men; and, in case somebody needs it, medical aid in remote places. In fact, the helicopters are expensive, while our means transport is both economic and convenient. Still! While Mi-8 or An-24 depends on weather, a cross-country “feels” OK in snowstorm, fog, and darkness. Stamp device set in the machine makes it no problem to approach any dark area. Stamp lights very well, it is possible to cut and carry out welding works with its help. You can observe Belarus factory Land rovers in the courtyard of the base. The country-cross vehicle that our employees - Dmitry Nikolajchuk, and Eugeny Yakushev, - enthusiasticly construct, is in an hangar. Guys with shining eyes confirm Dmitry Ilyich's words: "The machine creating composes our life these days!" And here there comes the solemn moment. The cross-country vehicle is rolled out from the hangar. D.Nikolaev takes the steering wheel in his hands. It started! Then it turned around, without making a big circle. Wheels are huge and thick..
- Machines from Belarus , - says Dmitry Ilyich, - have good cross-country qualities, however their reliability leaves much to be desired. That's why our task is to create a reliable machine. As for some other benefits, it has good maneuverability and big carrying capacity.
- These days, - add the guys passionately, - we run the machine near to base, and one of these days when we finish work, we'll start its test in the suburbs of Yakutsk, then farther and farther. She is like a child who takes the first steps.
Written by
Tatyana Roudykh.
Translated by Alexandra Markova
Resource (in Russian): GazetaYakutia.Ru , Feb. 18, 2006. |
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