The development of remote regions of the country is associated with the need to move on impassable roads and difficult landscapes. For this, pioneers and specialists working in such difficult conditions need equipment with the appropriate cross-country characteristics. In recent years, Russian enterprises have created a large number of various all-terrain vehicles for one purpose or another. One of the latest developments in this area is the Krechet wheeled vehicle.
The existence of the Krechet machine was reported on March 5 by the Arms of Russia news agency. The online edition published a photo report showing the car's capabilities in overcoming difficult tracks, and also announced its main characteristics. In addition, the authors of the publication briefly described the main capabilities of a promising sample and raised the issue of its prospects in the light of the current state of affairs with other developments in this area.
"Gyrfalcon" on trials
As the news agency "Arms of Russia" writes, the project of the two-axle all-wheel drive multipurpose all-terrain vehicle "Krechet" was created by the "Techno Impulse" company. By now, it is alleged, this organization has managed to establish the production of similar machines with two- and three-axle chassis. A characteristic feature of these projects is a flexible approach to equipment packaging. Regardless of the configuration chosen by the customer, the all-terrain vehicle is capable of driving off-road, including deep snow or swampy terrain. The ability to operate at air temperatures from -50 ° C to + 50 ° C.
An attentive reader might have noticed that the new all-terrain vehicle "Krechet" strongly resembles the already well-known machine of a similar purpose, presented several years ago and already going into series. Back in 2011, the Tyumen company "Ecotrans" presented the new multi-purpose all-terrain vehicles "Petrovich". As part of the existing line, potential customers are offered three machines that differ in one way or another. The main differences between the three "Petrovichs" lie in the design of the chassis and power plant.
According to the available data, the further development of one of the projects of the "Petrovich" family, carried out by the specialists of the development companies, has led to the emergence of a new model by now. On the basis of the developments on the two-axle "Petrovich", a new all-terrain vehicle "Krechet" was created. As follows from the published data, the new project retains all the positive features of the previous one, but at the same time has some advantages of one nature or another.
The Krechet all-terrain vehicle is a two-axle cabover-free vehicle with a large cargo-passenger compartment, adapted to travel over rough terrain. All features of the appearance of technology are associated with the need to increase cross-country ability. In particular, a centrally located engine compartment is used, the design of which made it possible to use a flat bottom with a relatively high ground clearance. Also, other means of increasing cross-country ability are provided in the form of a suspension of the required design or the possibility of changing the pressure in the tires.
The basis of the "Krechet" structure is a supporting frame assembled from metal pipes and profiles. All other units are installed on it, from the undercarriage to the cargo-passenger cabin. The new all-terrain vehicle "inherited" a body-van of a recognizable shape with developed glazing and large enough volumes to accommodate passengers and cargo from previous types of technology. A characteristic feature of the body is the use of only straight panels of one shape or another. Rounded parts, which are more difficult to manufacture, are not used.
The body is built according to a cabover layout, however, in its front part, a protrusion of a small width is provided, which is necessary for the installation of lighting equipment. Behind it there is a large glazing, which provides the driver with a good view. The project provides for the use of large inclined glass and two side ones, placed at an angle to the axis of the machine. This allows the driver to control almost the entire front hemisphere. The sloping roof section protects the driver from above.
Behind the frontal glazing, the sides of the hull are mounted, consisting of several main parts. The lower side plates are installed with a slight camber outward, and the upper ones are slightly inclined inward. In front of the sides, directly behind the glazing, there are side doors. The body is closed from above by a curved roof, from the back - by a vertical sheet with an opening under the door. There is a sunroof at the front of the roof, just behind the driver's seat.
Like the driver, passengers can observe the terrain through multiple windows. A pair of glazing openings are available in the side doors. Two more windows of a smaller area are provided in the stern of the body. The back door also has its own window. The glazing of all side and rear windows consists of two sheets, one of which is movably installed, which allows ventilation of the habitable compartments.
In the central part of the car body there is a power unit of the Hyundai D4BH type. It is based on a four-cylinder 80 hp diesel engine. The engine is mated to a mechanical five-speed gearbox. From the latter, the torque is sent to the transfer case with a lowering differential. Also in the transmission there are interaxle blocking and interwheel self-locking differentials. The proposed transmission provides a drive for all available wheels. The all-terrain vehicle is equipped with two fuel tanks with a capacity of 80 liters.
All-terrain vehicle "Krechet" received an independent suspension of all four wheels, built on the basis of double wishbones and dual shock absorbers. Disc brakes are used on all wheels, removed from the hubs. The wheels are mounted on the hubs of the size 1300x700-21. The machine has an automatic tire inflation system with the ability to change the pressure. This system is controlled from the driver's seat. The front wheels are steerable. The steering system is equipped with a hydraulic booster.
Control post of the machine "Petrovich"
All machine controls are assembled at the driver's workplace. The driver's seat is placed in the front of the body and provides comfortable work in various conditions. Directly in front of the driver is the dashboard and steering wheel. On the sides of the latter there are two additional panels with monitoring and control devices. The control levers are located on the struts to the right of the seat. The sides can be equipped with speakers of audio systems. The driver's seat is located in the center of the front part of the body with some shift to the left. This, in particular, makes it easier to fit. In addition, this arrangement made it possible to install a small additional folding seat to the right of the driver. Access to the driver's seat is provided by side doors.
The presented prototype of the "Krechet" machine, as the published photographs show, has a cargo-passenger compartment of a relatively simple configuration. It is proposed to install a sofa with soft upholstery on the engine compartment cover located inside the cab. Two more similar devices should be placed along the sides. In this case, the seats of the side seats are hinged: lifting them allows you to free up space for cargo. Behind the side seats, it is planned to install light racks for the transportation of small loads. Access to the rear volume of the cab is provided by a stern door.
According to available data, the all-terrain vehicles of the "Petrovich" family and the new "Krechet" are distinguished by the possibility of choosing a complete set of the habitable compartment. Depending on the wishes and financial capabilities of the customer, the all-terrain vehicle can receive certain seats, means of transporting goods, etc. The project provides for the use of heaters (standard and additional), side insulation, etc. It is also possible to install audio equipment or some means necessary for its subsequent installation.
Passenger cabin "Petrovich". "Krechet" can receive similar units
The length of the Krechet all-terrain vehicle is only 4, 89 m, width - 2, 69 m, height - 2, 49 m. In this case, a clearance of 600 mm and entry / exit angles of 52 ° were obtained. The curb weight does not exceed 800-850 kg, the full weight is less than 2 tons. At the same time, the car can take on board the driver and up to six passengers or a cargo equivalent in weight.
The exact characteristics of the new "Krechet" have not yet been announced, but there is reason to believe that, in terms of mobility, this machine hardly differs from the four-wheeled all-terrain vehicle "Petrovich 204-60". Having similar dimensions, weight and engine power, the latter is capable of accelerating on the highway to 50 km / h. The sealed hull allows the Petrovich to float. Turning the wheels makes it possible to accelerate up to 5 km / h.
As follows from the available data, by now, at least one prototype of a new type of all-terrain vehicle has been built. Now this technique is being tested, and is also becoming the "hero" of new publications in the press. After completing all the necessary checks, the new equipment can be presented to potential buyers.
Large wheels with the ability to change the pressure, as well as a relatively high power-to-weight ratio give the new Krechet all-terrain vehicle very remarkable characteristics. The multipurpose vehicle is capable of traveling over various rough terrain, as well as on surfaces with low bearing capacity. The possibility of movement in deep snow is declared (and confirmed by photographic materials). Swamps, sands and other specific surfaces can also become expensive for "Krechet".
In the proposed configuration, the equipment can be used to transport people and goods. In combination with the parameters of the cross-country ability, the available carrying capacity allows the use of "Krechet" in various works in hard-to-reach areas. For example, a machine can solve the problem of delivering specialists and their equipment to remote sites in difficult conditions that exclude the use of other equipment. Such opportunities may be of interest to various public and private structures operating in remote areas without a developed road network. The possibility of building an all-terrain vehicle with the required configuration can be an additional plus that can influence the customer's decision.
Having quite interesting characteristics, the newest domestic all-terrain vehicle "Krechet" may become the subject of new contracts for the supply of special equipment to one or another customer. At the same time, one more argument in favor of such a machine may be the successes of its predecessors. Thus, all-terrain vehicles of the "Petrovich" family have already entered serial production in the interests of various customers. Serial machines are used in a wide variety of areas. For example, it is known that several of these machines were used during operations to search for cosmonauts who returned to Earth.
Information about a new domestic project appeared just a few days ago. In this regard, potential buyers of the all-terrain vehicle so far could simply not make a choice. Therefore, in the near future we should not expect the appearance of information on orders for such equipment. Nevertheless, as follows from the characteristics of the machine, its capabilities and the success of the previous development, the new "Krechet" has every chance to go into series and go into operation.
