Praga V3S
| Praga V3S | |
|---|---|
 Praga V3S top side | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Praga |
| Production | 1953-1990 |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 73 kW (98 hp), 452 cu in (7.412 L) diesel Tatra 912-1 |
| Transmission | 4-step |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 6.91 m (272 in) |
| Width | 2.31 m (91 in) |
| Height | 2.92 m (115 in) |
| Curb weight | 5,470–8,650 kg (12,059–19,070 lb) |
The Praga V3S is an all-terrain multi-purpose truck, produced since 1953 in Czechoslovakia, it was especially designed for the armed forces and was also exported to 72 foreign countries.[1] Praga produced these trucks till 1964, from Bratislava company BAZ rolled out last vehicles in 1990. Manufactured was around 130 thousand vehicles.[2] The car was among the best cargo off-road vehicles of its time and the Czechoslovak Army used it for more than half a century.[3] It was the longest produced Czechoslovakian truck.[4]
Development
For the development till prototype stage of the car, were designers given only four months, they have been inspired mainly by the American Studebaker US6 and Russian ZiL.[3] Due to the design of axle gearboxes (axles are positioned high above the wheels axis), V3S has high ground clearance, this structure provides great terrain passability, but on the other hand limits the maximum speed (60 km/h). The V3S was a durable, popular and extremely adaptable truck built in various versions and widely exported, therefore it’s still not nowadays difficult to see V3S based vehicles hard at work.[5]
Description
Engine is air-cooled diesel six-cylinder "Tatra 912-1" (modified engine from Tatra 111), with a capacity of 7412 cm³, direct fuel injection and valve OHV. It is relatively noisy, but works reliably even in extreme conditions. Climbing ability is up to 75% (without tow). Ten wheels (rear are four dual, front are two) helps truck not to break down into the soft ground. V3S therefore do not have any problem with forests and field trips. Consumption is 30 liters of diesel per 100 km, fuel tank has a capacity of 120 liters. Wading is 80 cm. There are two batteries (12 V, 125 Ah). The payload of the car is 5 tons on paved surfaces and 3 tons on terrain. Maximal speed is 60 km/h (37 mph).
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