MAZ-5551

MAZ-5551 at a glance

For decades, the MAZ-5551 was one of the most familiar trucks on building sites in the former Soviet Union and the countries that followed it. It comes from the same family as the MAZ-5337 chassis and the MAZ-5334, and its ancestors are the MAZ-503 and the MAZ-5549. The truck is still built in modernised form in Minsk, under the bison emblem the brand took from the Białowieża Forest.

From the MAZ-500 tipper to the MAZ-5551

MAZ built its first cab-over tipper, the MAZ-503, in 1963. In 1977 the MAZ-5549 replaced it on the new MAZ-5335 platform, and in 1985 the plant began mass production of the further developed MAZ-5551. The new truck kept the proven layout of a short-wheelbase 4x2 tipper with a V6 diesel under a tilting cab. It brought a more modern cab with a one-piece windscreen, better access and a more efficient heater.

Production continued after 1991. Over the years MAZ updated the cab and added turbocharged engines for Euro 3 and later Euro 4. It also offered bodies that tip to three sides, which saves unloading time in tight spaces. Later versions carry extended codes such as MAZ-5551A2 and MAZ-5551F2.

MAZ-5551 engines: YaMZ V6 diesels from 132 to 184 kW

The YaMZ-236M2 was the standard engine for many years. Drivers value its tolerance of low revs and its simple design, which is easy to repair. The old 1cars text names later trucks such as the MAZ-5551A2 and F2 with 169 kW (230 hp) engines, and the most modern versions, with 180–184 kW (245–250 hp), that meet Euro 4.

With the naturally aspirated V6, a fully laden truck is slow: the old 1cars text puts the time to 60 km/h at about 50 seconds. First gear is very low, so the truck pulls away from a building site with a full load without strain. On level roads the driver can start in second gear, and the truck holds 40 km/h even in fifth.

Gearbox, brakes and steering

The gearbox is a five-speed manual. According to drivers quoted in the old 1cars text, new trucks need a running-in period before the shift becomes light, and gear changes take noticeable effort; double declutching makes them smoother. The air brakes are effective, but the compressor needs time to fill the tanks after a cold start. Power steering is standard and allows the truck to turn around on a narrow road in two moves. An anti-roll bar behind the rear axle improves stability in corners and when tipping.

Body, payload and dimensions

Figures come from the old 1cars text. A heated body floor keeps wet loads from freezing in winter and was fitted to many trucks. The short wheelbase and power steering make the MAZ-5551 handy in towns, which is why municipal services also use it for gravel, sand, soil and ballast.

Cab and comfort

The cab seats the driver and two passengers. Handrails and steps make it easy to climb in, the steering column is adjustable, and the heater copes well in hard frost. A small compartment between the seats holds documents and keys. The old 1cars text also lists the drawbacks. The steering wheel is very large, so shorter drivers lean towards it in turns, and the instruments are hard to read in daylight. Seat adjustment is limited and the interior is basic and noisy.

MAZ-5551 compared with other Minsk tippers

The MAZ-5551 sits between the old MAZ-503 and the heavy three-axle MAZ-5516. It carries up to a quarter more than the MAZ-503 with the same basic engine, while the MAZ-5516 doubles the payload but needs much more space and fuel. Our selection of the best Soviet trucks shows where the earlier Minsk models stand.