Almost two dozen "dials", mass
Saddles of both tractors - mobile, and the mechanism is controlled from the cab
The "Cockpit" of the International tractor looks archaic, but at the same time very stylish. Gearbox - Eaton Fuller
Almost two dozen "dials", the mass of the same keys ... Try to figure it out!
The working day is over. Now you can drink a beer - yes not alone, but in the company. The front seats are deployed at 180, a table is put forward from the side locker ...
You can easily accommodate four to five people!
Freightliner tractor devices - "Almost European". The tachometer is divided into familiar colored zones, top-display.
In the corner of the "Bedroom" Pro Sleeper - a magnetic control unit, climate control, an audio system ... And the TV and refrigerator switches!
When the sunset sun gilded the surrounding fields, two classmates came to the track, two competitor, - the magnificent American tractors in International Eagle and Freightliner Century Class. The oncoming drivers folded the neck, looking at them, passed the "Americans" with delighted glances ...
And now - guess where we conducted a "full-time" super-tractor. In Moscow? In St. Petersburg?
Nothing like this. Under Tyumen!
Used American tractors are often found on our roads. This, as a rule, "Babe" International with a beige cabin (their great set was released at one time), but there are also capatics - the same International, Freightliner or even Western Star. Drivers of oncoming trucks sigh, looking at them: "This is the cars ..."
Until now, "Americans" traded mainly St. Petersburg and Moscow firms. But the times seem to change: even at the entrance to Tyumen, the handsome man was held at the Tyumen - from the color of the green metallic color and a three-axle truck. What was my surprise when, after half an hour I was on the courtyard, where there was a whole rank of American tractors!
The fact is that the local Atlantavto firm trading various cars - and passenger and freight, "decided to establish the deliveries of used" Americans "to Western Siberia. The edge is rich, the money from local carriers are found - and KAMAZ and MAZ are already satisfied with all.
The company sold the first Americans with the help of the Moscow dealer MBL MOTORS, but then settled its own supply channel: a familiar company living in the States, picks up cars on American parking and sends them by the sea to St. Petersburg
And already from there, the tractor goes to their move to the destination - three more than a thousand kilometers.Main questionThat stood in front of me - what car to choose for dating? I will do what I am that: take the two most spectacular, "nose", - International and Freightliner! On the one hand, this is classmates-competitors, on the other hand, the characteristic representatives of two different directions in the design of American tractors.
Far Fight in American
About American tractors in our country have a variety of rumors. They say, in his homeland, they run at a speed of 120-130 km / h and tested 60-ton vehicles ... What is really true, and what - not?
About speed - all right. The Americans have no speed limiters, nor Tahosyb, who checks the police (the book replaces them, where the trucker himself celebrates his work hours).
At the same time, on the highway highways, the allowed truck speed is equivalent to speed passenger cars: I remember well, as in 1996 in America such "trucks" with a chrome-plated radiator roar of the pneumatic signal drilled my car from the left row ...
Accordingly, the transmissions of the Americans are designed for a somewhat different mode of operation, rather than in Europe: because the cruising speed of European road trains is 80-85 km / h, and American - from 100 and higher! But the permitted full mass of road trains in the United States is less than in Europe, not 40, and 36 with a small ton (it is a standard, five-way, combination).
Now - about length. Do you know why today the vast majority of American tractors are "nose", with long hoods and huge bed compartments? Everything is very simple: the length of the tractor in America is not limited at all. There is only a limit on the maximum length of the semi-trailer - this is 14.63 m.
By the way, twenty years ago, the American tractor market was divided between the capacitor and bad-carding machines in the proportion of "50 to 50"
But after the Law on Cancellation of Restriction was adopted in 1983 maximum length tractor, the demand for "Blindless" began to fall rapidly. As a result, today in the United States is a single model of a badless tractor - Freightliner Argosy, and the volumes of its release do not exceed 800-900 units per year.Cowboy and liner
So, in front of us - International 9300 Eagle and Freightliner FLC120 Century Class. Both cars - 1999 release. But how the tractors are distinguished!
International is an angular, sparkling chrome and polishing, with pipes and tanks, deliberately exhibited. On the sides of the rectangular hood - the dumping kegs of air intakes with openwork lattices; The steps are from the corrugated "stainless steel", in shields, covering the exhaust pipes, you can look like in the mirror. And around the perimeter of the "Bedroom" - a chain of orange lights.
These tractors wander the fans: here he is a real cowboy in the style of "Western", a relative of Motorcycle Harley-Davidson and Smith & Wesson revolvers, a sex machine, from one look at the breath intercepts!
And it is precisely such tractors in the United States buying Owner-operators, truckers-private owners. A privately worker will never buy a modest car: only "Western", and serve the engine more powerful.
And here transport companieswhere hired drivers work, reason differently. Here the tractor is just a tool that should do as cheaper as possible. From here - streamlined, "licked", forms to reduce fuel consumption, weight plastic details, more modest interior ...
And no "cowboy pieces"!
Such and Freightliner Century Class. His front bumper - from practical black plastic, on which scratches and scratching are imperceptible; Instead of towing dishes screwed into the bumper - two coarse hooks (almost like our ZIL-130); tanks are cleaned under plastic shields, and exhaust pipe just one (and even hidden for the "sleeping bag").
Approximately the same difference in the interiors of both cars. But at the beginning - look in their motor compartments.
Under the hood
Discover the castles of the hood, slightly raise a heavy plumage from the cabin, then pull the hood in front of myself, resting the foot in the bumper, - and the adolescent design folds along with wings and headlights. By the way, about the castles: both tractors are located outside, but the "Cowboy" have been put up at the cowboy, and the "liner" is stubborn in the opening between the cabin and the hood.
As for the engines themselves, it costs a 500-strong (Wow!) Cummins N14, and on a frame driver - a more modest Detroit Diesel 60 with a capacity of 450 hp In addition, it could be the opposite, since almost all American tractors can be installed engines of any of the three leading stamps - Caterpillar, Cummins and Detroit Diesel. But, first, for Freightliner tractors, Detroit Diesel motors are considered "relatives" (owner of both brands one, Concern Daimlerchrysler). And secondly, the engines of "cowboy" machines are usually more powerful engines that are on the tractors of transport companies.
After all, for the company, we repeat, the most important fuel consumption is - and a private trader hunting to dig diesel as it follows: the road to the owner of the route!
I open the door of "Inter", stepping into a stepping cabin, keeping the sparkling handrail ... and I turn out to be surrounded by the countless number of instruments scattered through the "wooden" panel. Before the driver - Fourteen (!) Dials: temperature and oil pressure in the engine, temperature exhaust gases, Pressure in each brake circuit, oil temperature in the rear bridges ...
On the right, on the console, - another four shooting instruments: hours, turbocharger pressure indicator, contamination index air filters and even load indicator on rear bridges (True, a sense of it in our conditions - a little, since the load is measured in pounds).
Also in greater confusion, the scatter was brought to absolutely identical togglers, which are included literally all - lighting, heated mirrors, cruise control, wipers and so on. As on the go, yes in the dark, American truckers find the right toggle switch to the touch.
In addition - narrow windshield, divided into two halves, the same narrow rear-view mirrors in chrome-plated housings, upholstery "in navel" with extruded inscriptions Eagle. Stylish - no words! But - very unusual.
Freightliner frankly easier and utilient. Its inner cover - from gray plastic, like "Europeans"; Before the driver is a large speedometer and tachometer, supplemented by a small information display. Mirrors are more here, the review is clearly better.
And the steering wheel - you will not believe it! - exactly the same as tractor Mercedes. ACTROS, only without a Mercedes emblem.
The lock "Ignition" of both tractors for some reason is not right at the wheel, but on the left. (Strange people these Americans!)
And in general, the driver of the European tractor will be surprised by some detail. For example, the parking tomos turns on here a large bright yellow button with the inscription: "To turn on - pull out, to turn off - drown." And the red button next to serve the air in brake system semi-trailer.
By the way, about the semi-trailer: the right-hand driven lever at Eagle is the so-called "parachute", which can be brazed by "wagon".
But, perhaps, the main difference from the "Europeans" in management is unusual gearboxes.
How I learned to switch the transfer
The gearboxes for the machines with whom I got different: on "Inter" there is a 18-speed Eaton Fuller, on a frame-of 10-step Rockwell. But they are united by one characteristic feature - the lack of synchronizers.
The fact that on all American tractors are non-indemnized gearbox, I knew before. I knew that American truckers famously deserve the transfer without touching the pedal of clutch (such a professional chic)
But so far, driving trucks with a similar box, I switched according to the usual scheme - double clutch disclosure, peregazovka ...In general, as on my first car - an old Army GAZ-52-04.
"Do not do that. Switch as we, without clutch, "the local drivers advised me. I checked: "Guys, teach!" Science turned out to be in general, it is not difficult.
First of all, you need to remember what to touch from the place - as ahead and backwards - it is necessary not to trigger to Gas. He squeezed the clutch, turned on the transmission, let go of the pedal - and the car slowly rides.
And then you have to switch so. You bring the engine speed to the "1200" mark, then gas it (not weak, but not much), while not letting the gas pedal to the end. And at this moment quickly move the lever from one position to another.
Hop! The lever clearly enters the necessary groove, and further overclocking, up to the highest transmission - by the same scheme.
And further. When maneuvering, switching to " rear stroke"To the" front "(or vice versa), it is necessary to let go and squeeze the clutch pedal again: otherwise the transfer simply will not" stick ".
ON THE ROAD
Oddly enough, on the move, the handsome of International without a semi-trailer turned out to be frankly "Dubov". The pedals are tight and at the same time very sensitive: a little overdo it with a gas - tractor jumps forward, but it is worth not to calculate with the brake pedal effort - "Inter" stops as inserted
The transmissions "stick" with difficulty, the suspension is very tough, shaking. The engine tangible tauralitis, shaking a tractor cabin.Yes, and turning radius - CO-go!
In general, in addition to the consciousness of the fact that I did not receive a special pleasure from a ride at Inter. Rough machine. Maybe this should be the owner of the Prairie, a real cowboy?
"Everything is right," representatives of the company nodded. - This is the American analogue of our KRAZ! And now a rejoice on Freightliner ... "
Sky and earth! Of course, on the convenience of controlling Freightliner, it also does not reach the European tractor - but I will no longer call him "Dubov". Although the lever of the gearbox here and is at all bent like a kocherg, the transmission switches more clearly and gently (of course, without clutch!). The suspension is softer and more comfortable.
Review is better. As we mentioned, the steering wheel - Mercedesovsky. Finally, the tachometer is divided into familiar colored zones!
What is the reason for such a difference? Everything is explained simply. Having come to the American continent, the European "cargo" firms (we repeat that Freightliner belongs to the DaimlerChrysler concern) began to teach Americans to the European level of comfort and ergonomics.
And the model on which I traveled, - visual example "European mixes with American."
However, at the same time "American" remains largely "American". Without difficulty "Discontine" tractor up to 80 km / h, I asked the driver who was sitting nearby: what maximum speed? The answer was like this: "The arrow for the scale lays out!" And the scale, by the way, ends at the mark of 130 ...
In the parking lot
Finally, we decided to check what the drivers were resting to drivers. It turned out - just fabulously!
"Bedrooms" of both tractors are very similar: the passage between the seats leads in ... I do not even know how to call it. Room? House? Looking at the bottom bed of an incredible width, I do not get out hand elongated Ceiling!
On the right and left - cabinets with shelves and special niches under the TV, microwave and refrigerator (their alas, there were no in our machines). In the angle of "sleeping bag" built-in the control panel and lighting.
From the left "wall cabinet" a table is put forward - and the freateliner it is equipped with a folding glass lid
And the front armors "Inter" unfold 180 degrees, so that in the evening, five people can be pressed here for maps and beer. Any European tractor, even the most spacious, flashes against the background of this magnificence!Let's summarize
"Well, what car did you like more?" - asked me
I honestly admitted: "International. Everything looks at him! But every day I would like to work on the FreitLineer ... "In the company Atlantautto, a capotic Freightliner FLD120 works for six months - goes to Moscow, Peter, Omsk, Novosibirsk. The fuel consumption of the empty road train is about 28 l / 100 km, with a load of 22-23 tons - about 40 l / 100 km. Every 30 thousand km change the car and filters. So far only serious problem - requiring replacement generator bearing. "Still raised upper sleeping shelf threatening on the go," the driver complained. - You have to insert a blank plastic bottle between it and the wall ... "
Of course, used capotic "Americans" are more expensive than similar "Babe": if, for example, the Baby-blind International 1997-1998 can be bought from us for $ 24,500, then Freightliner Century Class, on which I drove, costs $ 35500, and Handsome International will cost already in $ 54000. Yes, and you will not go to Western Europe: the length of the "Hope" with Eurofour exceeds existing norms.
But on the internal highways of the CIS, such cars are quite a real alternative to used "Europeans" or, for example, new supermasms. And the point here is not so much in economic layouts, but in psychology - carriers, their customers, and everyone who sees such a car.
A simple example: when we stopped at the DPS post to prevent possible troubles (cars without numbers!), Inspectors so stolen from the type of tractor, which in all ammunition, with wands and automata, climbed into the cabin, delighting it. And did not even check the documents! And what else is needed trucker?
P. S. A few days after our dating with tractors, Freightliner announced the modernization of the Century Class model. Details - in the same release, on page 112.
When you studied on rights, remember whether it was difficult for you to master the switching five-step mechanical? Five gears, switching order 1-2-3, etc., pressing the clutch, gas pedal leave, smooth, but quick connection of clutch disks ... From all this head can go around. At first, it is not very easy to figure it out with all this, so I also need a motor skill, what is called "fill."
And now imagine, there are 9, 10, 13 and even 18 high-speed transmissions in which all transmissions still have to switch in manual mode! Honestly, at least me from childhood and were interesting trucks And the life of truckers, but how to send manually such a number of gears ... I can not understand until now.
To understand the intricate transfer, you should turn to professional truckers. The first video, Russian-speaking, for 23 minutes (pay attention to the first minutes of the video. Maybe our readers will be able to explain what it is?! Why there are three levers and what happens at all):
Second video, about the osch of switching:
The third video, in my opinion the most informative. The only negative, he is in English, but there are subtitles, they can be translated into Russian:
After watching all the videos, I unexpectedly penetrating even more respect for the workers with big expensive. These guys have a difficult employment! And let most new trucks equip automatic gearbox, respect the guys driving less large cars I will not.
Each at least once in life saw American capotic tractor. And how, in fact, you can not notice? The nosed, rapid, big - all these epithets, of course, about Americans. At the beginning of the zero anniversary, capotic Americans poured into Russia, leaving all the KAMAZ and MAZ at the end of the turn. But what's the matter? Why do our truckers moved to overseas trucks? Since American tractors are direct competitors to Europeans, let's figure it out, whose parties are stronger.
Huge pluses on the background of small minuses
American tractors have a lot of advantages, many of which European brothers "on the saddle" are simply impossible to implement. We are talking about a large cabin, a powerful engine, reliable box, clutch and internal combustion engine. And, of course, "two meters of life" before the driver. Not to say abstract take specific brandthat enjoys rabid demand in our market - Freightliner Cascadia. But first things first.Huge cabin
She is really huge. This is the most important and important advantage relating to the American boot. Such a cabin as Americans have no competitor. Our drivers, of course, appreciated the possibility of capacity and transformation of the cab. In the American tractor you can live! There is everything you need:- Microwave
- Television
- Coffee maker
- Water dispenser
- Two huge beds
If you can compare with the Europeans, then let's compare cabins Freightliner. Cascadia and say the same Scania. All that may offer European - these are two scarce beds.
Powerful engine
The engine is really powerful and here will also do not argue. Freightliner Cascadia, for example, the usual engine power 560 horse power. Agree, impressive. Especially against the background of European classmates, the engine of which in the standard are 380-440 horsepower.Plus, reliability is added to the powerful engine. American trucks are designed to work with the trailer full mass up to 60 tons, it is for this that they need such powerful engine. In Russia, the allowed mass is almost a third less, which means that the tractor is not strained. The engine at all wishes cannot be loaded more than 2/3, exactly, like the suspension, box, etc. Probably, that is why Freightliner Cascadia tractors go on average to 2.5-3 million kilometers to overhaul. If you can not imagine what a huge number it is, just think that our domestic KAMAZ-5490 at the plant's application (!) Will be able to pass to a million kilometers without overhaul. And Freightliner Cascadia and without statements of the plant goes three times more.
Box
Regarding the box, everything is simple here. Mostly on American tractors have a sixteen-track gearbox. And plus it is that synchronizers are only on the first gear. Synchronizers are quite quickly wearing, so the developers decided to remove this element from the system for greater reliability.Clutch
The clutch can also be attributed to the discharge of eternal details. The fact is that the clutch is only needed to turn on the first transmission. It is without an amplifier, therefore it turns on with greater effort, but due to the fact that the remaining transmissions are turned on without clutch, is practically not used.Two meters of life ahead
Of course, an accident is an unpleasant moment, but you need to consider it. With a frontal impact, the driver of the American tractor is protected by the engine unlike the driver of the European tractor whose engine is under it. In the aggregate, the driver Freightliner Cascadia protects the engine, facing front, front axle, body elements of the body, while the driver of the European truck protects only the facing.Minuses
Of the minuses, it can be noted only that on such a tractor you can ride only in the Russian Federation. Abroad, such tractors do not pass along the length.
Comparison
The price of comparison will be about 4 million rubles. This is quite a bit for the purebred tractor. But what are the competitors?KAMAZ-5490 is a new truck domestic production. Although, of course, this is Mercedes-Benz Aktros in the old body, but now the perlit Mercedes is produced under the brand name KamAZ. No one knows how much it will pass kilometers, and whether they will be so carefree.
Scania - For 4 million rubles you can buy a three-year tractor in a decent condition. It will be better than new KAMAZBut worse than the capotic American tractor. If you are now asking why the chains are worse than Freightliner Cascadia, then scroll through a little up - all arguments are described there.
Freightliner Cascadia - it is he who deserves more attention. Think for ourselves, for 4 million rubles you can take two-three-year-old Freightliner Cascadia with a mileage of only 200-300 thousand kilometers. It will be a top-level truck. All the arguments described above are spoken in his favor. In addition, he will have an advantage that the new KamAZ will be - American quality. You can, of course, for a long time to argue about the quality of Americans, but no one will argue that it is many times better than the Russian quality of assembly.
Thus, the choice, of course, falls on the American tractor Freightliner Cascadia. All its advantages are described above, and they really have weight.
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Tractor, also known as a truck with a trailer or 18-kolester, is a big tractor with diesel enginewhich is designed to transport heavy loads. Every year more than 4 million such tractors different species Traveling by motorways, delivering goods, raw materials and farm animals throughout the country. Transmission (gearbox) in these tractors can be automatic or manual. Manual transmission involves using a clutch driver to disable transmission and shift gear as needed. The driver does it, listening to the engine, as well as watching engine turnover and speedometer. There are several methods for switching speeds on the manual transmission tractor: standard switching and double grip. Drivers tractors make a lot of effort to learn to switch the transfer correctly in order to avoid overloads during switching, save the clutch and motor of its trucks. Read on to learn how to switch transmissions using the double clutch method.
